The early light crept over Refuge, illuminating the walls and walkways that separated them from the dangers outside. Jack was pacing near the storage area, his face set with worry as he looked over the crates of supplies stacked against the walls. Over the past few days, unsettling incidents had escalated from minor inconveniences to pointed acts of sabotage. Barrels of water had been slashed, essential tools were disappearing, and there were signs—symbols, even—that something darker was at play.
Mara joined him, casting a wary look around before speaking in a low tone. “Three crates emptied last night, and another water barrel ruined. Whoever’s doing this is hitting us where it hurts.”
Jack clenched his jaw, frustration evident in his voice. “And they’re doing it from within Refuge. Magnus isn’t just out there anymore, Mara. He’s here, working through someone who knows exactly where to strike.”
She nodded, her eyes narrowing. “So what’s our move?”
“We shore up defenses and stay quiet. If Magnus’s spy wants panic, we can’t give it to him.”
Jack, Sam, and Ezra got to work on the defenses. They reinforced weak points along the walls, set up new rotations for trusted residents, and encouraged others to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Word spread quickly among those they trusted, and soon a quiet vigilance fell over Refuge. Everyone moved a little slower, kept their voices a little lower, glancing over their shoulders whenever a shadow moved.
Later that morning, as Sam and Ezra hammered planks onto a new barricade by the eastern gate, Lila approached, her brow furrowed with determination. She looked at her father, her voice steady. “I don’t want to just sit around and watch all of you work. Show me what to do.”
Sam hesitated, pride and worry both flickering across his face. He put down his hammer and gestured for Jack to carry on without him.
“Alright,” he said, guiding Lila to a quieter corner. “If you’re serious about this, we’ll start with the basics. But you have to listen carefully to every word. You’re quick, you’re strong—those are good things. But when you’re up against someone bigger, you have to rely on more than strength alone.”
Lila nodded, her face serious. Sam took her hands and positioned her arms, showing her how to brace herself. He instructed her to keep her weight forward, to stay balanced even if she was taken by surprise. Then he showed her how to throw a punch that would be strong and direct.
“Don’t go for anything complicated. It’s about surviving, not winning. Aim for soft spots. Throat, nose, anything that’ll put distance between you and them,” he said, guiding her hands gently as she tried out a few jabs.
The first few attempts were hesitant, but she quickly found her rhythm, her movements becoming faster and more confident with each try. Sam watched with pride as she threw a solid punch, the force of it echoing in the quiet space around them.
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“Not bad,” Sam said with a grin. “You’ve got strength, kiddo. And you’re a lot faster than I was at your age.”
Lila looked up at him, her voice thoughtful. “Do you really think we’re in that much danger? That Magnus would risk attacking us here?”
Sam’s smile faded as he considered her question. He placed a hand on her shoulder, looking her in the eyes. “If that day comes, we’ll be ready. And no matter what, I’ll be right there with you.”
She nodded, the determination in her eyes unmistakable. “I don’t want to be afraid, Dad. I want to help keep us safe.”
He gave her a quick squeeze on the shoulder. “You’re doing that already, Lila.”
They spent the rest of the dayy in quiet preparation, each of them bracing for what felt inevitable. When the evening came, Jack gathered Mara and Ezra, prepared to confront the council again. The council hall was somber, the flickering candlelight casting uneasy shadows across the walls. Marcus sat at the head of the table, arms crossed as he watched them approach.
Jack met his gaze head-on, his tone resolute. “We’ve found more signs of sabotage. This isn’t random trouble—it’s targeted, organized. Someone is preparing Refuge for an attack, and we’re running out of time.”
Marcus sighed, leaning back with a look of irritation. “Jack, you’ve brought these claims to us for weeks. We’ve increased security, we’ve added patrols. What more do you want from us?”
Jack’s frustration flared, but he held his ground. “I want you to take this seriously. You’re downplaying every sign, every piece of evidence, and it’s going to cost us.”
A council member shifted uncomfortably, casting a glance at Marcus. “Maybe… perhaps we could increase patrols at night? Just as a precaution?”
Marcus shook his head, a stubborn set to his jaw. “We don’t have the manpower to stretch ourselves thin over rumors and paranoia.”
Jack clenched his fists, struggling to keep his voice steady. “You’d rather sit here and pretend everything’s fine? There’s too much at stake to ignore the signs.”
But Marcus didn’t waver, his expression hard as stone. Seeing no way forward, Jack turned and left the council hall, with Mara and Ezra close behind. Outside, he took a deep breath, the frustration tightening in his chest.
Mara looked at him, her voice grim. “They’re not going to listen, are they?”
Jack shook his head, his expression resolute. “No. So we’ll do what we can on our own. Let’s keep watch, reinforce where we can, and prepare for what’s coming.”
Later that night, Sam and Lila sat on the rooftop of one of the storage buildings, looking out over Refuge. The stars were dim, barely visible against the blackness of the night sky. Lila leaned against her father’s shoulder, a quiet strength in her gaze as she looked out toward the walls.
“Dad,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, “do you really think we’ll have to fight? Do you think Magnus is coming?”
Sam wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. “I don’t know. But if he does come, we’ll be ready. And you’ll know what to do.”
She nodded, her gaze fixed on the distant shadows near the eastern wall, where the darkness seemed to deepen. “Thank you for teaching me today.”
He smiled, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “You’re stronger than you know, Lila. And you’re never alone.”
They sat in silence for a while, the quiet weight of anticipation heavy around them, each moment a reminder of how quickly everything could change. But with her father’s arm around her, Lila felt a spark of hope, a sense of readiness for whatever lay ahead.