Chapter 20
**Flashback**
"Stop right there!!" A voice shouted from behind just as they emerged from the basement, making them freeze. The three of them turned to see Joey, eyes burning with anger.
"Where do you all think you’re going?" Joey demanded furiously, pacing closer.
The stranger set Hannah down gently, shielding her behind them. "We don’t want any trouble. Let us go!" the stranger said firmly, their voice filled with authority.
"Who the hell are you to give us orders?" Gilbert yelled from beside Joey. "And what even are you, a man or a woman? Show yourself!"
"My identity is none of your concern. Just let us leave, and no one gets hurt," the stranger responded coolly.
Louis and Hannah exchanged glances, both confused but also in awe of the stranger’s confidence. They too couldn’t help but wonder about the stranger’s gender, but their priority was survival.
"You want us to just let you walk out of here?" Joey chuckled, a sly grin creeping across his face as he signaled Gilbert and the others to prepare to attack.
The light around them grew dimmer as the evening deepened, and soon, darkness would blanket the entire house. Sensing the danger, the stranger leaned toward Louis, whispering softly in his ear, "Are you and Hannah able to run?"
Louis blinked, confused at first. "I... I think we can try," he whispered back after a brief pause, his mind racing.
"Good. On the count of three, you both run to the left door. There’s a hidden exit that leads outside. Wait for me there," the stranger explained, their voice calm but urgent.