Narrator

Like she just watched a glass slide off the table in slow motion, and she knew it was going to shatter.

From behind the cabin, the voice replied, closer now.

Well, look at that.

Thought I heard folks.

glenn stepped out he looked different down in the hollow on the ridge he'd seemed like a local nuisance armed smug but still part of the surface world down there in that dim bowl of trees he looked like he belonged

His boots were muddy like he'd been walking creeks.

His cap was pulled low.

His rifle hung easy in his hands like it was an extension of his arms.

Behind him came the younger man, shoulders hunched, eyes bright, moving like he'd been waiting for this moment.

and behind them shifting in the deeper shadow on the far side of the cabin i saw another figure not the big one human a third man older thin as a fence post face hidden under a hood he didn't carry a rifle he carried a length of rope coiled over his shoulder like a tool

the sight of that rope did something to my stomach i can't explain logically rope is practical rope is normal but there was nothing normal about a man waiting in a hidden hollow with rope while two others greeted us with that false friendliness glenn spread his hands as if we'd stumbled into his living room

Now how'd y'all end up down here?

He asked.

Luke's mouth opened.

Nothing came out.

Tessa found her voice, tight and controlled.

We took the connector, she said.

Glenn smiled.

Ain't no connector, he said softly.

Not unless somebody shows it to you.