Page 70 of The Hitchhikers

She left the barn doors gapped so the chickens could escape.

CHAPTER 25ALICE

Simon slid the nose of the handgun into the front pocket of his jean shorts and picked up the rifle. He studied it, rolling it one way, then the other. He lifted it to his shoulder, sending Alice’s heart into her throat until he pointed it at the back door, squinting down the barrel.

Simon lowered the rifle, but she felt no relief. Now he was opening a box of ammunition, and smoothly slid a bullet into the chamber. Alice flinched at the scrape of metal on metal. He pushed in another bullet. A third, and a fourth. She imagined them all lining up, ready to go.

William was watching with narrowed eyes. Ruth had turned chalk white. Alice prayed that William wouldn’t try to wrestle the rifle away from Simon. They had to stay still, stay calm.

Alice had counted eight bullets by the time Simon was finished.

He walked to the fridge and opened the door, studied the shelves. “Okay,” he said, before closing it loudly. “Enough to get us through.”

Alice pulled her shirt from her damp collarbones. “What about Tom? It’s way too hot to leave him out in the RV.”

“I’ll get him later.”

“No,” Alice said. “Now, please.”

William and Ruth listened to their exchange but said nothing.

“Chill out. I have to deal with you all first.” Simon was rummaging through cabinets and drawers, opening them, shutting them. He shook a coffee can, then dumped it out. Coins rolled across the counter. He stuffed the bills into his pocket.

The screen door clattered, and Jenny’s sandals smacked against the floor as she hurried through the living room into the kitchen. She was flushed and breathing fast. Alice stared at her, willing her to look at them, to fight back against Simon, but she held out the roll of twine.

“Hang on.” Simon passed Jenny the handgun. “I’ll be right back.” He picked up the rifle. Nobody spoke as he stomped up the stairs.

Jenny stayed by the fridge, watching them with furtive glances.

The floorboards squeaked overhead. Doors opened and slammed shut. Simon came back down the stairs and turned in to the hallway. More doors opened. The last one sounded closer to the kitchen. Drawers sliding. Cupboards banging. A long scraping noise, like he was lifting a window, then a thud. A moment later, Simon appeared at the entrance to the kitchen. He switched guns again with Jenny, who held the rifle awkwardly.

Simon gestured to William and Ruth. “Come on, old people. Time to get tied up.”

“You have to let them use the bathroom,” Jenny said.

Simon frowned, looked at Jenny, then jerked his chin at Ruth.

“You first. Don’t lock the door.”

Ruth put her hands on the table and pushed herself up. They sat in silence as she slowly passed Simon and went down the hall. Alice heard a door softly close, a toilet flush, water run.

Ruth returned and Simon pointed at William.

“Make it fast.”

William was watching his wife, waiting for her to sit, and when she did, they looked at each other and his expression softened. He stood and went down the hall. Ruth rested her hands together on the table, her head lowered. She rocked slightly in her chair.

William came back, and Simon nodded at Alice.

The hall was lined with family photos. Alice caught a glimpse of Ruth and William, younger and smiling formally at the camera. She let herself into the bathroom.

A pink-and-white space, the enamel fixtures shell pink, the tiled floor a mosaic of white and pink. On the back of the toilet, a pink knit poodle covered an extra roll of toilet paper.

Alice used the toilet and left the tap running while she eased one of the drawers open. Maybe she could find a razor or tweezers, but it was empty. Same with the next. She checked under the sink. No cleaners or sprays. Simon had probably tossed everything out the window.

God he was fast, always one step ahead of her.

When she walked out of the bathroom, Simon held his hand up. He motioned to William and Ruth. “Okay, on your feet.”