"Freeze! Weapon on the ground! Hands in the air NOW!" A booming voice shattered the night, accompanied by the deafening wail of police sirens as three sheriff's cruisers thundered down the farm driveway, blinding red and blue lights flooding the field.
Armed deputies spilled out from behind their doors, guns drawn. The thief holding Raymond's rifle froze in terror, tossing the weapon into the mud before raising his hands. Within seconds, deputies tackled both intruders to the cold earth, slapping on heavy steel handcuffs.
The county sheriff stepped forward, shining his spotlight on Eli and Raymond. "You two alright?" As the deputies hauled the thieves away, the sheriff turned to Raymond with a sheepish grin. "Truth is, Miller, we only drove out here to laugh off a bizarre call from your farmhand saying you were burying bodies. Looks like the kid accidentally saved your life." Raymond slowly turned his head, staring at Eli with a look of utter shock.