Page 27 of Bishop

"There's a window. We can try through there." April points out.

"Watch out." Bishop pushes himself off the beam and walks over to the window. He tries twice to lift it but when that doesn't work he walks over to the window beside the door and breaks that instead. Reaching inside he quickly unlocks the door and pushes it open.

None of us bothered to check inside.

The minute we stepped over the threshold I find myself wishing we were still outside.

"You picked the wrong fucking house."

My breath catches in my throat as the long barrel of a shotgun comes level with Bishop's head.

Seventeen

Bishop

Please God, don't let this be the end.

I stand stock still as I stare down the barrel of the shotgun pointed at my face.

"Sir, please."

"Shut your mouth. I'm tired of you hooligan types breaking into my place and stealing shit. This is the third time this year someone has tried to rob me," the man hisses in my direction.

Part of me wonders if he thinks I'm a hooligan because of the color of my skin. As it stands, I'm in nothing more than cut-off pants and a torn, bloody shirt. Nothing about me says I'm out to rip him off. I push the thoughts to the back of my mind and do my best to reason with him.

"Sir, I promise you we had no intention of taking anything from you besides maybe some water and a way to keep warm. We're not here for any trouble."

The man doesn't lower the weapon, but he cocks his head to the side as if he is trying to get a better look at me.

"Why should I believe you?" he questions.

"You shouldn't. There's a lot of unsavory people out here. I get it. But I beg you, even if you make me leave, just let the women stay. They won't survive a night outside. Not the way they're dressed." I gesture with my eyes in their direction, not wanting to flinch even an inch in case the man is trigger-happy.

His eyes follow mine and I watch as the shock registers on his face. He mustn't have seen how we were dressed when we broke in.

"Where are you coming from? What the hell happened to you?" Finally, the man drops the gun from my face and takes another glance at my outfit. "How long were you out there?"

"We've only been out for a day, but before that, we've been through hell."

"You're not going to give me any problems, are you?" The man hitches one of his eyebrows in my direction and I quickly shake my head no.

"You have my word I won't." The man nods his head before stepping away from the door and letting us inside.

"Thank you so much," Gabrielle says while placing a hand on the older gentleman's forearm. Both she and April hurry into the warmth of the small cabin, but I stay near the door just in case the old man isn't what he seems. I want to be able to get out in a hurry if I have to.

"Well, you might as well come get yourself warm by the heater. I'll get you some water from the back."

"I'm fine. Just let them get warm." My words don't match my demeanor. I'm ready to drop at any given moment.

"Suit yourself." He turns and walks to the back, leaving myself and the girls in the front room.

"Do you think the guards know this place is here?" April asks the minute the man is out of earshot.

"I'm sure they do. The question is, are they willing to come in here and take us?" I shrug at my own question. They've been willing to kill helpless women; why should they be scared to take out a lonely old man?

"I can't feel my toes," Gabrielle groans and shoves her feet closer to the small heater. It's barely enough to heat the room.

"Rub your toes between your hands; you have to get the blood flowing again." I inch forward in her direction. I want to make sure she's okay, but I also want to keep my position by the door.