HER KIND

Flight Through the Night

'Chapter 31'

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She could still hear the echoes of grunts and shots being fired when Jeremiah came back up the stairs, his face stained with sprayed blood. He was huffing and puffing as he rushed them down the stairs, ordering them not to look around but to head straight to the back door, but she couldn't help but go against that order.

Right at the foot of the stairs lay a body, face down in the wood, with blood pooling around him. She averted her eyes from him as she walked around him toward the man who had stained the couch that her father had called a bed for the past two days. Just at the door, two bodies lay on top of each other. One had an ice spike embedded in his body, while the other was headless, with only cubes of ice scattered a few meters away. In the cubes, one could see slight body parts; in one cube, Dria spotted an ear.

She felt a slight push behind her and she turned to see Katerina shake her head slightly, quickly ushering her towards the backdoor.

As Dria processed the gruesome scene before her, Jeremiah's urgent voice broke through the shock. "We need to move, now!" he barked, his eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger. Without hesitation, Dria ushered the others towards the back door, her heart pounding with fear and adrenaline. As they hurried outside, the cold rain pelted down on them, mixing with the warmth of blood still fresh on her hands. With each step, Dria's mind raced, trying to make sense of the violence that had erupted in their once peaceful refuge. But amidst the chaos, one thing was clear - they were no longer safe here.

The backyard was quiet except for the gentle pitter-patter of rain falling around them. Jeremiah led the group at the front, while Katerina brought up the rear. Though the walk from the kitchen door to the barn was relatively short, it felt endless to Dria, who was overcome with panic, her ears and eyes scanning their surroundings incessantly.

As they reached the barn, Jeremiah motioned for everyone to stop. His hand signaled for silence, and the group froze, listening intently to the night. The rain continued its soft descent, creating a calming backdrop to their tense situation.

Jeremiah's eyes scanned the darkness beyond the barn's entrance, his expression unreadable. Suddenly, he held up a hand, signaling for caution.

In the dim light, Dria could see his silhouette tense, his muscles coiled with anticipation. A faint rustling sound reached their ears, followed by the distinct creak of a floorboard.

Without a word, Jeremiah motioned for them to follow him inside, his movements swift and deliberate. The group entered the barn cautiously, their senses heightened as they prepared for whatever awaited them in the shadows.

Jared appeared behind Katerina, swiftly closing the door and startling the group.

"We've got four out in the woods," he whispered, peering cautiously through the slightly ajar barn door.

"Another four inside," Jeremiah reported, scanning the barn for any signs of intruders. "Where's Pierce and Nathan?" he asked.

"They went to inspect the outer perimeter, where the cars will pass through in case we're blocked," Jared whispered in response.

The twins, both clinging to Dria's hands, fidgeted restlessly, drawing her attention. "What's wrong?" she inquired.

"I don't feel too good," Marcelo mumbled, with Elliam nodding in agreement. Dria reached for Marcelo's forehead, which felt icy to the touch. She exchanged a worried glance with Jeremiah. "There's something wrong with the boys," she stated, placing her palm against Elliam's forehead, which felt scorching hot.