AllFreeNovel
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What did I miss? Because I’m reckless and aggressive, but I’m also experienced. And every instinct that has ever kept me alive is screaming. Abort mission. Retreat. Run while we still can.
I can tell Keith feels it, too. But where to go? We’re tucked in the only available cover—the shady side of a dilapidated shed. Between us and the woods, there is nothing but exposed acreage.
The barn, I think. If we could just tuck inside the barn, find a place to hide.
Then I get it. What I saw but didn’t register. It’s not just the lighting on the buildings that’s new—looped through the handles of the barn doors is a thick, modern chain and padlock, both completely devoid of rust.
The barn isn’t our sanctuary. The barn is exactly what we’re not supposed to see.
I’m still trying to work the trajectories, how to get out of this mess, when I swear the woods themselves come alive. One moment I’m judging the distance between the shed and trees, the next a scarecrow of a man is standing before me.
Tall, gaunt, with sparse gray hair that stands on end and a wiry strength that ripples through his too-skinny limbs.
Walt Davies, who clearly figured out he had company, and worked his own perimeter to sneak up on us.
He’s holding a shotgun, pointed straight at us.
I put my hands up. Beside me, Keith does the same.
I take a deep breath, then step into daylight, advancing five feet toward him, Keith right beside me. If we go down, apparently we’re doing it together.
“I’m sorry,” I begin to babble. “So sorry. We’re lost, our ATV ran out of gas, please, sir, can we use your phone...”
The old man responds in a way I don’t expect at all.
He drops the barrel of the shotgun. He stares at me, wild-eyed.
“No!” he cries. “It can’t be you. You’re dead! Dead, I tell you! Dead, dead, dead!”
