Dead or Alive by Trevion Burns

inch over five feet tall.
    Violet’s heart leapt.  This was somebody’s tiny grandmother.  What the hell was she doing out here in these creepy woods at night, all by herself?
    Sure that she’d detected a slight southern accent in the woman’s voice, Violet suddenly jumped in front of Remy, blocking his gun-toting, handcuffed hand. She smiled warmly down the dock at the woman.  “Oh, Miss, my husband at I are just plumb lost. We’re newlyweds and just moved into the neighborhood.  Bless his heart, he’ll die before he’ll ever ask for directions, so we seem to have veered right off track. My sincerest apologies…”
    Remy cast a look at her.  Was she speaking with a Southern accent?
    Violet continued. “We’re real new around these parts.  Thought we’d take the boat out for a quick spin and got ourselves good and lost.  Perhaps you could… help us out?”  Violet gave her best newscaster smile.
    The old woman drank it in, her serious face giving way to laughter. “Well absolutely sugar!  Aren’t you just the cutest thing?  I’m Barbara.”
    “I’m Violet, and this is…”  Violet almost said his name, but stopped herself.
    Apparently, Barbara didn’t need it. “Come on inside, and I’ll make you some hot chocolate.”
    “Do you live out here all by yourself?”  Violet asked, conversationally, feigning interest.
    Barbara clutched her sweater tighter around her body, and sighed heavily.  “Widowed for seven years now. Can’t find the heart to get rid of this run down old cabin of his. Come on now, follow me.  It’s not far from here.  He just loved it out here, you know, my late husband…”
    “Mmmhmm…” Violet nodded absently as Barbara began away from them, carrying on and on.  She looked to Remy, who was already shaking his head.
    “No,” he mouthed, eyes widening.  “No, no, no.”
    Looking into his eyes, Violet called to Barbara. “Well we’d be just delighted to come inside.  Just tickled pink!”  Still looking right at Remy, Violet began following after Barbara.  “Thank you kindly, Barbara.”
    “Come on.  Come on now,” Barbara demanded, waving them forward from where she’d gained a sizeable head start.  “The house is just right up the way.”
    “What the hell…” Remy whispered frantically, limping up next to Violet as they followed closely behind tiny little Barbara.
    “You look like death. You’re skin is whiter than the moon in the sky,” Violet whispered right back. “You’re in no shape to move another inch.  You need rest and antibiotics. I’m sure this old lady has plenty of meds.  She might even have some gasoline lying around the house that we can put in that dead boat.  Just be cool, and follow my lead.”
    It hit Remy for the first time today that he’d definitely snatched the wrong woman.  Someone he’d meant to be a temporary hostage was quickly proving to be an even larger thorn in his side than the police who were on his tail.
    “You are absolutely insane, woman.”
    “You’re welcome.”
     

4
     
    A short fifteen-minute walk later, Barbara was pushing open the door to a log cabin that was situated deep into the woods.  Violet and Remy followed closely behind her.  The walk had quickly proven too much for Remy, who now had an arm slung over Violet’s shoulder, using her as a crutch. He’d kept his gun-clad hand hidden squarely behind his back the entire way.
    The warmth of the home immediately engulfed both of them the moment they stepped in.  It smelled of cookies and cider. The cabin had vaulted ceilings, and was covered in antique furniture.  Dozens of pictures were situated all over the room, spanning several decades. If she didn’t already have the world on her shoulders, Violet would have had half a mind to sit down and rack Barbara’s brain… hear her story.
    “Now, let’s get you two a shower and some fresh clothes,” Barbara said, hobbling down into the long, dark hallway.
    “Oh, thank you