Mud everywhere.
Bullet casings scattered across the porch.
Broken railing.
Shattered windows.
Proof of everything we survived.
But the mountains beyond it all?
Still beautiful.
Still standing.
Blaze opened the passenger door for me.
I paused before getting in.
“Hersh?”
His expression softened instantly at the name.
“Yeah?”
Emotion climbed into my throat unexpectedly.
“I’m tired of being afraid.”
Something inside his face shifted at those words.
Not pity.
Not sadness.
Understanding.
He stepped closer slowly.
Close enough I could feel his warmth in the cold morning air.
“You don’t have to be anymore.”
My eyes burned.
Because I believed him.
Completely.
He touched my cheek gently.
“So here’s what’s gonna happen,” he said quietly. “I’m taking you back to the Last Stand. Wolf and Havoc are locking the place down. Sheriff’s posting deputies nearby whether we like it or not.” His thumb brushed softly beneath my eye. “And then you’re gonna sleep for about three days.”
A laugh escaped me weakly.
“And what are you gonna do?”
His gaze held mine.
