The cabin was completely black, with only the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze breaking the silence of the night. As Dorian's faint breaths filled the silent room, Ana sat by his side and applied a moist towel to his wound. His clothing and the floor under him were stained with blood that had seeped through the improvised bandage.
Her voice trembled with rage and terror as she murmured, "You shouldn't have gone out there alone."
With a shaky but determined voice, Dorian said, "I didn't have a choice." They may have harmed you if they had gained entry. injured the twins.
With her teeth clenched, Ana said, "They're safe." However, you're not. And Dorian, I'm not going to lose you.
He extended his hand and touched hers. "You won't," he stated in a gentle yet forceful tone. "I swear."
A faint sound outside—gravel crunching underfoot—snapped them both to attention before she could reply.
Dorian forced himself to get up in spite of the agony and muttered, "They're coming."
Ana felt sick to her stomach. "What are we going to do?"
Dorian's face took on a steely determination as his gaze tightened. "We battle."
---
Ana gathered the twins and hurried them through the cabin to the crawl space beneath the floor. Isolde held her plush bear to her bosom, while Alaric held her hand firmly, his little face white with terror.
Isolde said, "Mama, I'm afraid."
With a shaky voice, Ana kissed her daughter's forehead and whispered, "I know, sweetheart." But for me, you must have courage, should we say? Until I say so, remain here, be quiet, and don't go.
As Ana lowered the hatch and fastened it, the twins nodded, their huge eyes sparkling with unshed tears.
With a pale face and a strong grasp on the gun he was holding, Dorian leaned against the wall. He declared, "We must not allow them to corner us inside." "We're trapped if they get inside."
"What do you recommend?" Ana's voice was strained as she asked.
Dorian clenched his teeth and replied, "We drew them out." "Split their attention. They won't expect you to defend yourself.
The weight of his words set in, and Ana's heart began to beat. "Dorian, you're in pain. This cannot be done by you alone.
He looked her in the eyes and whispered, "I'm not alone." "We'll work together on this."
---
As they got closer to the cottage, the assailants advanced through the woodland in silence, their spotlights piercing the night. Ana and Dorian started from the shadows, their nerves tense and their breathing short.
With a scarcely discernible voice, Dorian said, "Three on the left." There are two on the right. They are separating.
Holding the little handgun he had given her earlier, Ana nodded. "What is the strategy?"
"I'll bring it to their notice," Dorian said. "The ones on the right are yours."
"Dorian—"
With a stern expression, he interrupted her. "We have no time to quarrel. Believe me.
Despite her tense heart, she nodded. "Take caution."
His voice grew softer as he continued, "You too."
After that, he took his place and crept toward the group on the left, taking advantage of the darkness. As she waited for her turn, Ana took a deep breath and steadied her breathing.
---
The assailants fled for cover as the first shot sounded like a thunderclap.
One of them yelled, "Over there!" as his flashlight beam sped in Dorian's direction.
With a howl of agony, Dorian fired once again, striking the man's shoulder and throwing him to the ground. Dorian was already moving, outmaneuvering the other two as they carefully moved with their guns drawn.
Ana, meanwhile, approached the two people on the right. She lifted the gun, her hands shaking, but she made herself concentrate. She couldn't allow her family to suffer because these men were coming to do that.
They saw the crisp snap when she stepped on a twig.
"Who is present?" With his spotlight swinging in her direction, one of them let out a bark.
Ana made no hesitation. She fired, and when the bullet impacted the man's thigh, her arm jolted with the rebound. With a cry, he fell, his weapon clattering to the floor.
With his rifle pointed straight at her chest, the second man turned to face her.
He said, "Drop it!" in a firm voice amid the commotion.
Despite her racing heart, Ana kept her weapon up. She continued in a shaky but determined voice, "You must go."
The man took a step closer, grinning. "Or what?"
A gun rang out from behind him before she could respond, and he fell to the ground, gripping his side.
With his eyes burning and his face pallid, Dorian stepped out of the shadows. "Or you won't survive in this forest," he said icily.
Ana let out a trembling breath as Dorian walked over to her and touched her.
"Are you okay?" he said softly.
Her hands were still shaking, but she nodded. "How about the others?"
"Cared for," he said. However, we must relocate. There may be more.
---
As they made their way back to the cabin, the forest was strangely still, and they were breathing in short, sharp gasps. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, Dorian moved more slowly as he locked the door behind them.
Ana hurried over to the crawlspace, unlocked the hatch, and assisted the twins in getting out. Their little bodies shook as they held onto her, tears streaming down their cheeks.
Holding them close, Ana said, "It's okay." "It's finished. We're secure.
As he watched his family come together, Dorian leaned against the wall, his face pallid but his eyes full of relief.
However, the respite was fleeting. Their attention was drawn by a little beeping sound, and Dorian's face clouded.
"Leave," he ordered sternly.
"What?" Ana's heart skipped a beat as she asked.
"Now!" he yelled, snatching the twins and shoving them in the direction of the door.
Ana trailed after, her thoughts racing as she became aware of the situation. The assailants had come to demolish the cabin, not to capture them.
Dorian led the way as the twins held on to Ana as they ran into the jungle. With a thunderous boom, the cabin burst behind them, sending them falling to the ground.
As debris rained down around them, Ana's ears rang as she used her body to protect the twins.
She noticed Dorian laying a few feet away, his body still, after the dust had settled.
"Dorian!" she cried, rushing to be by his side.
He opened his eyes and smiled at her, a little, hurt grin. "I'm all right," he whispered. "I'm just... exhausted."
Ana's eyes welled up with tears, and her chest constricted. Her voice broke as she muttered, "You scared me."
He gently replied, "I apologize," as he reached out to touch her face. However, it is now over. They are secure.
Her heart thumping with terror and relief, she gripped his hand. "Dorian, you dare not abandon us. You dare not.
Despite the sorrow engraved on his face, his smile became a little wider. He vowed, "I'm not going anywhere."
However, Ana was aware that the battle for their family was far from done even as they sat together in the shadow of the devastation.