Lyman was trapped, confined to the dank, dark basement of John Arbuckle. He had to find a way out before it was too late. The air was thick with musty dampness, but Lyman was determined to not let it overcome him.

He remembered how he got here. John Arbuckle, his so-called friend, had betrayed him. He was stuck here because of John's treachery.

Lyman surveyed the basement. It was cluttered with old furniture, boxes, and tools. Among the chaos, he spied a rusty pipe that could be used as a weapon.

With the pipe clutched tightly in his hands, Lyman felt a surge of confidence. He was not going to let John Arbuckle get away with what he had done.

He had to be smart about his escape. He knew John was upstairs, probably watching TV, oblivious to the plot forming below.

Lyman decided it was now or never. He quietly crept up the stairs, clutching the pipe tightly. Every creak of the stairs made his heart pound.

Reaching the top, he pushed the door open slowly. He peeked through the gap, and there was John, lounging on the couch, completely unaware.

With a deep breath, Lyman burst into the room. Startled, John turned just in time to see Lyman charging at him.

The pipe connected with a sickening thud, and John crumpled to the floor. Lyman stood over him, panting, his heart pounding in his ears.

Now that John was incapacitated, Lyman quickly searched the house for his belongings. He found his wallet and keys, and swiftly exited the house.

Outside, he spotted John's car. He had no time to waste. He jumped in, started the engine, and drove away.

As he drove, he couldn't help but glance in the rearview mirror, half expecting John to come chasing after him. But there was no one. He was free.

He drove for hours, leaving the town and John far behind. He felt a mix of relief and guilt, but he knew he had no other choice.

He found a motel for the night, wanting to put as much distance between him and John as possible. He paid in cash, avoiding any traceable transactions.

That night, he barely slept. He kept replaying the events in his mind, hoping he had made the right choice. But he knew, he had to survive.

The next morning, he checked out early and hit the road again. He had no destination in mind, just away from his past.

Days turned into weeks, and Lyman managed to stay off the radar. He found odd jobs to make ends meet, always ready to move on at a moment's notice.

Despite the constant fear of being caught, Lyman found a strange sense of freedom in his new life. He was no longer trapped, no longer a victim.

He eventually settled in a small town, finding work as a handyman. He kept to himself, avoiding any unnecessary attention.

His past haunted him, but he knew he had to move forward. He couldn't let John Arbuckle dictate his life any longer.

He started to build a new life, one where he was in control. He found a small apartment, and for the first time in a long time, he felt safe.

He made friends, became a part of the community. He was finally able to breathe, to live without constantly looking over his shoulder.

But he knew he could never fully escape his past. The ghost of John Arbuckle still lingered, a constant reminder of the life he had left behind.

He was not proud of what he had done, but he knew he had no other choice. He was a survivor, and he would keep surviving, no matter what.

As he looked out onto the quiet street from his apartment window, he felt a sense of peace. He had escaped from the basement, from John, from his past.

He had sought vengeance, and he had found it. But more than that, he had found freedom. And for Lyman, that was enough.