The Watchman’s Shadow

Bishop had almost convinced herself life could be normal again.

For months, she had tried. She went to school, did her home-

work, sat through Sunday services without feeling like she had

a target on her back. She smiled when people asked how she

was doing. She told Naomi and Elijah she was fine. And for a

little while, she almost believed it.

Then the call came.

It was a Sunday afternoon, the sky washed in a lazy gold as

Bishop stepped out of church. The air smelled like fresh rain

on pavement, like the world had just been scrubbed clean. She

barely glanced at her phone before answering.

"Hello?"

There was a pause on the other end. A shaky breath. Then a

voice-small, uncertain.

"Is this Bishop?"