Eli nodded and closed the car door.He walked with quick steps along the street.It was as deserted as before, but now he scanned for people in hidden places.It wasn't safe to walk if people were shooting willy-nilly.Bullets could ricochet or he'd be unfortunate enough to step around a corner at the wrong moment.His heart was thudding fast, and his shoulder brushed along the house walls as he moved.It wouldn't help if they shot from across the street, but it made him feel a little better.
Shortly after, the shop came into view, and Eli slowed his steps.He looked at the spot Theodore had emerged from last time, but it appeared to be empty.Jogging across the street, he more or less dove into the narrow alleyway next to the shop.His hands shook as he pushed the key into the lock.
The rickety crate with the chickens stood right inside the door.He looked at it.It would never fit in the car, but he could carry it as it was.He had to cross the square to get to the hotel, but he was sure Elijah would care for them.If the sheriff had sent people out with orders to shoot birds, he had to be in the police station, right?He couldn't have people bringing dead birds to the hotel.
He could give them to Rosie or Lisa-Mae, but he wanted to...He couldn't leave without letting Elijah know what was going on.From one business owner to another.From one man without a security net to another.
Grabbing the crate, he pulled it out into the alley.He locked the door and pocketed the keys.The chickens squawked as he lifted the crate and started walking toward the street again.He scanned every garden, studied every corner, and kept his steps light and quick.The crate didn't weigh much, but it was cumbersome to carry and his arms were soon shaking from the awkward hold.
"Hey!"
Eli jumped and turned.Charles Riggle was walking toward him.
"What are you doing?"
Eli stared at him, not sure what to answer."Moving my birds."
Charles looked at the chickens, then at Eli, a frown deepening between his brows."Why?"
"The shop is closed today and tomorrow, so I asked Elijah if they could graze on the lawn behind the hotel, forage for some food."
Charles looked like he wanted to object, but what was there to object to?The sound of a car farther down the street reached them, and Eli prayed it wasn't Alice despite being almost certain it was.His time was up.
The car stopped, which confirmed his suspicion.She was most likely parked outside the shop.
"Can I go?"He looked directly into Charles' eyes."The crate is a bit clunky to hold on to, and my arms are giving out."Not a lie, but he could put the crate down.
Charles waved a hand."Have you...eh...talked to anyone from outside of town?"
"The sheriff is the only outsider I know of who's here right now."
Charles studied him."Best keep it that way."
Was it a threat or a warning?
Charles grimaced."I don't know if you have any means of contacting them, but--"
"You realize you'll get us all killed, right?"
"Hopefully, they'll keep their distance and leave us be."Charles looked toward the sky.
"The moment one of them is hurt, we'll be slaughtered.What they did last year will be mild compared to what will happen if a crow is killed."
Charles met his gaze."Are you guessing or have they told you?"
Eli didn't reply.He hadn't minded learning Charles was on the board.He didn't think he'd allow Eli to stay in town if he learned the real reason he didn't have a wife, but he'd believed he'd act smart when it came to the others.
One of the birds made an attempt to fly and crashed into the side of the crate."I better get going."
"If you hear from them, warn them not to come into town."
Eli shook his head."We'll get slaughtered.Your stupid decisions will get us all killed."Then he hurried on before Charles could say anything else.He made sure to keep his distance from the police station, and he didn't see anyone else on his way to the hotel.Instead of going in through the entrance, he rounded the old stone building and found the kitchen door.
He put the crate down and knocked.Unless Elijah was in the kitchen, he most likely wouldn't hear it, but hopefully he was there.Or maybe he was sitting at the front desk.Eli knocked one more time, and the lock turned.He took a step back to not be in Elijah's face when the door opened.
Elijah stared at him."Eli?"
"Can you take my birds?"