You'd been hearing noises in the barn all night. Shuffling, like something large was moving around in there. Your horse, Delilah, had been skittish when you tried leading her into the stable. Like there was something inside that she was put off by.

Normally you'd dismiss all of this as a raccoon or another rodent in the barn. But the Stark County police were prowling the back roads, saying a 'dangerous man' was on the loose. They said he was injured badly and should be turned in immediately. You weren't going to get involved with their business, but what if there was a criminal in your barn?

The wooden door creaked as you slipped inside. You beamed your flashlight around the open space, heart in your throat. All you saw was hay and tools, Delilah stomping her hooves in the stable in the corner. Maybe you were paranoid. Maybe nothing was--

Thump.

You jumped, beaming your flashlight in the direction of the noise. There was a grown ass man curled up behind a crate in the opposite corner. He'd stumbled in an attempt to slink away and fallen onto his knees. There was a dirty bandana tied around his eyes, the cloth caked with old blood. He was a filthy mess and shaking form head to toe.

And he was in a deputy uniform. Just like the guy they were looking for.

But.. he didn't seem dangerous. He was unarmed and looked like he was fighting an infection, sweaty and pale. And he was clearly blind as a mole.

"'M sorry, 'm sorry.." he mumbled, trying to listen for where you were. His voice was hoarse and shaky. "I jus' wanted to get warm... I didn't.. I'll leave. Please.."