Childermass isn't trying to leave. He's already planned on staying, in fact, which gives him the unfortunate position of not being able to help the people finding themselves turned around by the forest. It's far from cruelty that brought him out to watch the attempts, however. It's only that he wanted to find a quiet spot to smoke his pipe and wonder about the decisions he's made.

He hadn't meant for it to put him at a spot where someone else would come stumbling out, leaving him as that nearest person, but here they are. He turns his head only enough to eye Preston with mild interest, certainly not parting from the tree he's leaning against, though he will pull his pipe out from between his teeth to answer after a moment of consideration.

"There is no exit." His answer is straight to point. "I'm afraid you've been had."