Chapter 13

The hunters continued their assault, the sounds coming closer and closer. The girl leaned against the wall, her body rigid. Isaac strained his ears, trying to discern the slightest noise from outside. After what felt like an eternity, the sounds of the hunters suddenly stopped. Silence descended on the cabin, making the situation even more ominous. The girl shifted beside him, her body tense with anticipation. Isaac felt a cold sweat bead on his forehead, the silence outside the cupboard almost unbearable. They waited, the seconds stretching into minutes. And then, unexpectedly, they heard voices outside.

The voices were faint but distinct, a murmur of conversation. Isaac could make out several voices, their words unintelligible. The girl pushed herself against the cupboard wall, her ear pressed to the wood. Isaac felt a strange energy building in the cramped space, the mixture of fear, curiosity, and proximity to the girl creating a heady cocktail of emotions. The voices outside the cupboard grew louder, the words becoming clearer.

The voices outside the cupboard were now in the cabin itself, the sound of boots on the wooden floor a stark reminder of their proximity. Isaac strained himself to hear what they were saying, but the sound was still somewhat muffled. The girl's breathing grew shallower, her body tensing even more.

There was a thump, followed by footsteps circling the area. The hunters were now in the same room as the cupboard. The girl's hand grasped Isaac's arm, her grip painfully tight. Her eyes were wide, her face ashen with tension. The footsteps seemed to stop right outside the cupboard door. Isaac could hear the hunters' breathing now, soft and controlled. They were standing right outside the door, their presence oppressive even through the thick wood.

The girl seemed to be holding her breath, her entire body frozen in fear. Isaac's own heart was racing, the knowledge that the hunters were right outside the door filling him with terror. The silence in the room was deafening, the tension so thick it felt like a palpable entity.

Suddenly, one of the hunters spoke. His voice was deep and commanding. "We know you're in there. You can't hide forever." Isaac's heart skipped a beat at the words, the girl beside him releasing a soft gasp.

The hunter continued, his footsteps now moving around the room. "We have you outnumbered. You can either come out peacefully, or we will force our way in. The choice is yours."