Chapter 10

Once inside the room, Baz put the potatoes on the table and untied the rope from around his waist. But instead of tying the end of the rope around something secure, like a hook in the ceiling or an article of furniture, he let it fall to the floor.

Cody’s heart skipped a beat. Had Baz dropped his guard, or was he testing Cody? His mind raced. He could make a break for the door. He was not as bulky as Baz and could probably outrun him. He would have to gather up the rope, otherwise he might trip on it. Or it could become snared on a rock or a log, or Baz might grab it, if he was fast enough, and pull his quarry back to him.

As he plotted his escape, he watched Baz walk to the back of the room and gather the clothes Cody had left on the floor, then head to the old wood stove. He lifted off the cover with the blackened stick.

“Hey, what are you doing?” said Cody, almost shrieking. “They’re my clothes!”