“Gotcha!” Niko announced, linking his fingers between a metal ring in the floor and pulling up a hidden trapdoor.
Reid pointed his gun at the stairs leading down into the hole beneath the barn. Nothing screams criminal activity like a hidden compartment under the floor.
“After you,” Niko offered, gesturing toward the creepy entrance.
“Always such a gentleman.”
Niko chuckled. “Like I’d really let you go first into the creepy dark hole. Take a step back, and let the big bad Russian make sure that the way is clear first.”
Giving him a wink, Niko slowly crept down the stairs while holding out his gun.
Outside and above, gunfire continued as the war between bikers and clowns raged against the evil farmers.
At the bottom of the steps, the air smelled rank. They were in an underground tunnel that appeared to lead away from the barn.
“This isn’t creepy at all,” Niko muttered as he slowly walked forward.
Their path was lit by overhead lights that were spaced far apart, offering only minimal illumination.
“I think it’s a door,” Niko whispered as he stopped behind a metal barrier.
Reid stopped just behind him and kept his gun aimed at the door. He was ready to shoot anything that moved.
Niko used his fingers to count to three before yanking open the door.
Several women screamed as light came barreling into the dark room.
Niko and Reid’s mouths hung open as they stared into the faces of several terrified-looking women, all huddled against the far wall.
Their clothes were dirty, and their hands and feet were all cut up.
Reid held up his arms as he took a step inside.
“We’re not here to hurt you,” he said, wondering if any of them spoke English.
The women all looked at him and Niko, terrified.
“Are you alright?" Reid asked, stepping closer as they recoiled in fear.
Deciding his approach was not working, Reid passed Niko his gun, then decided to drop to his knees instead.
He hoped that if they saw him on his knees, he would look and feel like less of a threat.
“My name is Reid, and this is my friend, Niko. We’re here to help you. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
One of the young women in the front nodded.
Good, at least they were able to communicate.
“Is there anyone else down here?” Reid asked.
The woman pointed down the hallway.
“Are they bad men? Or good men?”
The woman shook her head.
Well, that wasn’t going to clarify anything.
