Page 61 of Us Defiant Few

This was a mistake. They shouldn’t have come back.

But a groaning rang out, and the gargantuan metal doors swung open, revealing a woman with blazing red hair.

She wore a tan top that highlighted her muscular triceps, with a long maroon cape flowing behind her.

The Chief.

Warriors flanked her, brandishing their spears. Khalani recognized Patreus and their old guard, Ferren.

But Derek was nowhere to be seen.

“Does the moon betray our eyes?” the Chief asked as they marched forward, her face twisting in disbelief. “Have you returned to us so soon?”

“We promised we would,” Khalani responded, warily glancing at the weapons still trained on them.

“That you did. But I must confess, even I didn’t fully believe you’d hold up your end of the bargain.” The Chief chuckled, her gaze shifting to the larger black bag Brock carried. “Have you brought us our weapons?”

“We have.”

“We’re in your debt.”

Ferren reached for the bag, but Brock deftly pulled it back.

“We’re not giving you anything until we see Derek,” he said.

The Chief frowned, but after a beat, she nodded. “Of course. This way.”

She led them through the quiet town, and Khalani’s mouth couldn’t help but fall open. They’d left Desert Spring when it was a smoldering ruin from the Sinners’ attack. A few houses were still being rebuilt, but most of the quaint, one-story homes looked untouched. Their brightly painted colors gleamed under the moonlight, with small white wooden fences circling their yards.

MERRY AVENUE.

The once-toppled-over sign stood proudly on the street.

“You rebuilt so fast.” Awe crept into Khalani’s voice.

“Desert Spring knows how to come together as one unit and push for a common goal.” The Chief gently smiled. “When one falls, we all strive to pick up the slack and build a better community. That is what defines us. Makes us better people,” she emphasized, raising her hands in a grand display. Sincerity coated the Chief’s voice, the warmth in her eyes undeniable.

But they still hadn’t seen Derek.

Khalani impatiently tapped her leg as they walked along the quiet road. Takeshi scanned the village with a keen eye, taking every single detail in. His hand remained in his pocket, right where he kept the gun, not trusting anyone.

And she didn’t blame him.

At the end of the road, Khalani recognized the yellow house they’d once stayed in.

It’d been a mess before, with the fence missing several posts and a broken bench hanging off the porch. But the house appeared to have been repainted, with a shiny white fence wrapping around the yard and the sturdy bench proudly displayed.

“It looks different,” Serene whispered.

“Derek did it.” The Chief smiled. “Bright young man. Very friendly. I’m surprised he’s not…well…from here.” Her voice trailed off, and Patreus gave her a sidelong glare.

Khalani didn’t have time to question the strange look before the front door opened.

Derek stepped over the threshold and froze.

His eyes widened in disbelief, muscles locked.

“You came back.” His voice bounded across the space, and he broke into the biggest smile she’d ever seen. Khalani, Serene, Adan, and Winnie rushed forward at the same time. They collided in the open yard, wrapping each other in a tangled hug.