Page 60 of Us Defiant Few

That was the name of the game.

Pretend everything was okay.

But as they neared Desert Spring, a strange energy settled over their group.

Brock wore a permanent frown. Adan didn’t crack a single joke. Serene clutched her pack tighter. Elise continuously bit her lip. And Winnie kept her charismatic stories to herself, watching the ground instead of the road ahead.

Khalani wrapped her clothes tighter, trying to keep warm in the chilly air. She was staring at the beautiful half-moon hanging overhead when something appeared in the distance.

A looming shadow. Different from the many hills they traversed.

“What’s that?” Elise asked.

“Desert Spring’s wall. It encircles the entire town,” Brock answered, checking his gun once more before pocketing it.

The large dark silhouette stole everyone’s attention. It must’ve taken years to pile the stone barrier high enough to reach the clouds. Khalani had no idea how they’d built it, or how the Sinners had scaled the wall during their last attack.

“Do you think this is a good idea?” Adan gulped.

“What do you mean?”

“You heard what that guy said. Do you think Desert Spring’s harboring some big secret?”

“Well, he wasn’t alive long enough to tell us much,” Brock grumbled, but Takeshi ignored him. He stared at the wall with a puzzled expression, like he was searching for something. A hidden answer in the dark.

She wondered if he was starting to remember.

If he felt like he’d seen this place before…

“Something about Desert Spring didn’t feel right last time,” Adan added, his worried gaze darting around.

“They did give us shelter and food,” Serene said, trying to lift the mood, but even her voice had dropped to a whisper.

Something was off within those walls.

They all felt it.

The homes. The way their people acted.

It was all too perfect.

But Khalani spoke. “It doesn’t matter. Derek’s in there. We get him, drop the guns, and get out.”

They all nodded in agreement, none of them planning to stay longer than necessary.

As they approached the city, lights flickered. Several figures appeared on top of the wall, weapons raised.

They were about a hundred feet from Desert Spring when a low whistle sliced through the air. A dozen arrows suddenly crashed into the sand, inches from their feet.

“We wish to speak with the Chief!” she yelled at the top of her lungs, trying to keep her voice steady.

But no one answered.

“Tell the Chief we’ve brought back the weapons she requested!”

The gate remained firmly shut, the air completely still except for the wind ruffling her hair. Adan shifted like he might run, but another arrow struck the ground right beside him.

He froze, muttering a curse.