She threw her chair back with such force that it skidded across the floor, echoing in the large dining room.
Without sparing a glance behind her, she stormed out, her rage blinding her to everything around her.
Her chest heaved as she moved with purpose, her eyes scanning for an outlet, a way to escape the suffocating mansion.
In the living room, her gaze fell on a set of car keys lying carelessly on the coffee table.
She didn't care whose keys they were or the consequences of taking them.
She snatched them up with trembling hands and marched toward the front door.
Outside, the cool evening air greeted her flushed face.
Pressing the button on the key fob, she heard a Lamborghini beep in response.
The sleek, black sports car stood in the driveway, gleaming under the dim light. Without hesitation, she opened the door, slid into the leather seat, and started the engine.
The roar of the car filled her with a reckless kind of freedom.
Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as she slammed her foot on the gas pedal and sped off.
The anger coursing through her veins served as adrenaline, fueling her to drive at speeds that would terrify even the most seasoned racers.
The fact that she didn't even have a driver's license didn't cross her mind. She screamed into the night, unleashing a string of colorful curse words that seemed to lift a weight off her chest.
With a deep exhale, she let out a bitter laugh and reached into the pocket of her jeans, pulling out a stick of cigar.
Lighting it with shaky fingers, she took a deep drag and leaned back into the seat, letting the smoke swirl around her.
Megan Thee Stallion blared from the car's speakers, the heavy bass vibrating through her as she glanced at the GPS mounted on the dashboard.
According to the map, she was on the right track, and relief washed over her. She was leaving Monowi behind, this town her mother had dragged her to, this prison disguised as a home.
The thought brought a faint smile to her lips.
But her relief was short-lived. "What the-" she muttered, slamming on the brakes as a thick forest suddenly appeared before her.
It loomed large and dark where the road should have continued. She frowned, her heart racing as she checked the GPS again. It insisted she was still on the road.
"This can't be right," she muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"I could swear this is the route Mom and I took yesterday." Her eyes darted from the GPS to the dense wall of trees ahead.
Had the forest been there all along? Could it have grown overnight?
Frustrated, she circled around, trying to find another way out.
But every route led her back to the same impenetrable thicket.
She cursed under her breath and leaned forward, squinting as she spotted a signboard in the distance.
Pulling closer, she read the words etched onto it:
THERE'S NO ROAD OUT OF MONOWI.
Her stomach dropped. She stared at the sign, then burst into laughter, the sound hollow in the silence around her.
"This has to be some sick joke," she said, shaking her head. Her phone rang, jolting her from her thoughts.
Jess's name lit up on the screen. She quickly answered, grateful for the distraction.
"What's up, sugar? I saw your message. You really on your way back to L.A.?" Jess's voice was loud over the music in the background, the noise of a party she was clearly enjoying.
Kara sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah, I just want to get out of this hellhole my mom brought me to. I'll crash at your place for a bit, okay? Just until I get my new apartment."
"Sure thing, homie. What are besties for?" Jess giggled, the sound light and carefree.
"Thanks, Jess. You sound high though." Kara smirked.
"That's because I am high," Jess admitted with a laugh. "I miss your ass. Please come back to L.A. already!"
"I'm on my way. I'll see you in a few," Kara said, hanging up with a small smile.
The smile faded as she realized how dark it had gotten.
The car sputtered, and her stomach sank when she noticed the fuel gauge needle resting on empty. "Shit," she muttered, slamming her fist against the steering wheel. "That's why the keys were there. Of course."
Resigned, she stepped out of the car and looked around.
The night sky was clear, the moon rising high above, casting an eerie glow on the trees around her.
"How pretty," she murmured, letting her anger momentarily subside.
Closing her eyes, she leaned against the car, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
A chilling memory surfaced. "The woods are dangerous at night," someone had warned her. The words echoed in her mind, and a shiver ran down her spine.
A distant howl broke the silence, and her eyes snapped open. Her breath caught as she scanned the darkness, her heart pounding in her chest.
Yellow eyes glinted in the shadows, staring directly at her through the car window.
She froze, unable to move as fear gripped her. Sweat trickled down her temples, and her palms grew clammy.
Slowly, she reached for the door lock, her movements deliberate and quiet. The click of the lock seemed deafening in the stillness.
The creature stepped closer, its yellow eyes glowing unnaturally bright.
It sneered, revealing sharp, menacing teeth. Kara's pulse quickened, and her entire body trembled.
She couldn't look away, her gaze locked on the beast. In one swift motion, it slammed a paw against the glass, causing a crack to spiderweb across the window.
Kara gasped, her breath hitching as the reality of her situation sank in.
She was trapped, with no way out.