Relief flooded through her, yet the unease lingered, a reminder that this night was far from over.
"Trouble's coming our way," Aaron called out as he neared, urgency etched in his features.
"Then we'll meet it together," Deborah answered, her voice betraying none of the fear that twisted in her gut.
"Get inside. Barricade the doors," Aaron instructed. "I'll round up the men. We make our stand tonight."
Deborah nodded.
"Be safe," Hannah said.
"Always," he replied with a quick, reassuring squeeze of Deborah’s arm before turning back into the night.
"Come on," Gail urged, pulling Deborah and Hannah back inside.
As they fortified the house, the sound of galloping hooves and rallying cries grew louder. Deborah glanced out the window one last time, watching as figures mounted on horseback gathered in the distance, silhouetted against the fires that now raged unabated.
"Whatever comes," Deborah said, meeting her sisters' gazes, "we face it as family."
Outside, a shout rose above the cacophony—a battle cry that set the night ablaze with defiance and fear. Deborah clenched her jaw, steeling herself for the fight ahead, knowing that the next hours would test the very fabric of their bond.
