“They are handling the owner.”

“We need to get this package to the city before the storm shuts down the river.”

The man with the bundle stepped toward the boat.

I raised my rifle.

The rain made it hard to aim.

The wind was pushing the barrel.

I took a deep breath, holding the cold air in my lungs.

I squeezed the trigger.

The shot was loud, echoing off the water.

The man with the lantern fell, the light crashing to the stone and shattering.

The second man froze, looking toward the woods.

“Drop the bundle,” I screamed over the wind.

He did not drop her.

He held Lila tighter, stepping back toward the edge of the boat.

“One more step and I put a bullet in your head,” I said.

I stepped out of the trees, the rifle aimed at his chest.

The rain poured down my face, blurring my vision.

The man looked at me, then at the water.

He smiled.

It was a cold, empty smile.

“You won’t shoot,” he said.

“You might hit her.”

He stepped onto the gunwale of the boat.