What’s more dangerous than a man with a gun? A ghost with a smile.

——

I was inches from hope when I felt it, cold steel pressing into the back of my skull.

“Don’t move.”

The man’s voice was rough, graveled with age, and low enough to make my spine stiffen. My heartbeat launched into a frantic rhythm, louder than the birds rustling overhead. For a second, I swore the earth itself paused, waiting.

“I said don’t move,” he barked again. “You trying to steal from me?”

I swallowed hard. “No… no, I’m not. My name is Lily, I just… I need help.” My voice cracked with panic.

“Lily,” he...