Capítulo 10: Chapter 10: A Fortress Under Seige

The morning light streamed through the cracks in the heavy curtains, casting thin beams of sunlight across the dusty floorboards of the mansion. We'd barely slept after last night's watch, the sight of that shadowy figure lurking in the woods still fresh in our minds. It had taken everything we had to convince ourselves that we were safe, at least for the time being. But deep down, I knew better, whoever, or whatever, was out there wasn't going to give up easily.

We had to be ready.

Raven was already up and moving, her determination to fortify the mansion driving her from room to room. I could hear the soft thud of her boots on the floorboards as she worked, the sound reassuring in its own way. Marcy was in the kitchen, sorting through the remaining canned goods and trying to piece together something that resembled a meal. Elijah and Tobias had taken the first shift outside, keeping watch for any sign of movement in the woods.

And then there was me, standing in what must have once been the bedroom of the mansion's previous owner's son, surrounded by relics of a life long forgotten. The room was large, with old wooden furniture and faded posters on the walls, remnants of a time when the world was whole and life was simpler.

As I moved through the room, clearing away cobwebs and dust, something caught my eye, a set of ornate wooden stands in the corner, partially hidden by a pile of old blankets. Curiosity piqued, I approached and carefully pulled the blankets away, revealing what had been hidden beneath them.

Katanas. Two of them, each resting on its own stand, the polished blades gleaming faintly in the dim light. The hilts were intricately designed, wrapped in dark leather and adorned with subtle patterns that hinted at their age and craftsmanship. I reached out, my fingers brushing the cool metal, feeling a strange sense of reverence for the weapons.

"George, what are you doing up here?" Raven's voice called from the doorway, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I turned to see her leaning against the doorframe, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of the katanas. "Where did you find those?" she asked, stepping into the room.

"In the corner, under some blankets," I replied, stepping aside so she could get a better look. "Must have belonged to the son of the family who lived here."

Raven's eyes gleamed with interest as she moved closer, her fingers brushing over the hilts. "These are beautiful," she murmured, almost to herself. "And in perfect condition."

Without hesitation, she picked up one of the katanas, testing its weight in her hand. The blade was sharp, the balance perfect. Raven's eyes lit up with something close to excitement as she adjusted her grip and took a step back, raising the sword in a ready stance.

I watched, transfixed, as she moved through a series of practice swings, each one fluid and precise. It was clear that she knew what she was doing, her body moving with a grace and strength that made it look almost effortless. Her muscles tensed and relaxed with each movement, the blade slicing through the air with a soft hiss.

I couldn't take my eyes off her. The way she moved, the way her body glistened with sweat as she practiced, it was mesmerizing. She was strong, powerful, and absolutely beautiful. I found myself captivated, my breath catching in my throat as I watched her, unable to look away.

Raven must have sensed my gaze because she suddenly paused mid-swing, turning to look at me with a raised eyebrow. "Enjoying the show?" she teased, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.

I felt my face flush, caught off guard by her directness. "Uh, yeah, I mean…" I stammered, trying to find the right words. "You're really good with that thing."

Her smirk widened, and she took a step closer, her eyes locked on mine. "Thanks," she said, her voice low and a little breathless from the exertion. "I took some martial arts classes back in the day. Always liked the katana."

I swallowed hard, feeling the tension between us grow thicker with each passing second. She was standing close now, too close, her presence overwhelming. My eyes flicked down to her lips, then back up to her eyes, and I saw the same look reflected in them, desire, curiosity, something that had been building between us for a while now, simmering just beneath the surface.

But before either of us could act on it, the moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching from the hallway. We both turned as Marcy appeared in the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest as she took in the scene with a knowing smile.

"Am I interrupting something?" she asked, her tone light but with an edge of amusement.

Raven quickly stepped back, the playful smirk disappearing as she cleared her throat and set the katana back on its stand. "Just practicing," she said casually, though I could see the flush of color on her cheeks.

Marcy's smile widened, but she didn't press the issue. "Well, when you're done practicing, we could use some help downstairs. We're going to start boarding up the windows and reinforcing the doors."

Raven nodded, still avoiding my gaze. "I'll be right down."

Marcy gave me a quick, knowing glance before turning and heading back down the hallway, leaving the two of us alone again. The tension that had been so palpable just moments ago lingered in the air, but neither of us seemed willing to acknowledge it.

Instead, Raven busied herself with adjusting the katana's position on the stand, her movements a little too deliberate. "We should get back to work," she said, her voice more composed now.

"Yeah," I agreed, though I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment that the moment had passed. "We should."

We left the room together, the unspoken tension still hanging between us like a heavy cloud. I wanted to say something, to break through whatever wall had just gone up between us, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, we made our way back downstairs in silence, ready to face whatever came next.

As we descended the staircase, the smell of wood and sawdust filled the air, Marcy had already started boarding up the windows, her movements quick and efficient as she hammered the boards into place. The mansion's double doors were propped open, and I could see Tobias outside, setting traps around the perimeter while Elijah kept watch from the porch.

"We need to make sure every entry point is secure," Marcy said as we approached, her tone brisk and no-nonsense. "These windows are old, and the doors aren't much better. If anyone tries to get in, we want to make it as difficult as possible."

Raven nodded, already moving to help with the next window. "I'll reinforce the doors after we finish with the windows. We can use some of the furniture to block them off from the inside."

I watched as they worked, the sound of hammers and nails echoing through the mansion. The tension from earlier still buzzed in my veins, but I forced myself to focus on the task at hand. We needed to be ready, whatever was coming, we had to be prepared.

It wasn't long before the windows were boarded up, the old wooden frames reinforced with thick planks that would make it difficult for anyone, or anything, to get through. Marcy and Raven worked together to reinforce the double doors, dragging heavy pieces of furniture in front of them to create a barricade that would buy us time if we were attacked.

By the time we were finished, the mansion felt more like a fortress than a home. The sunlight barely filtered through the boarded windows, casting the interior in a dim, eerie glow. But despite the ominous atmosphere, there was a sense of accomplishment in the air, we had done everything we could to protect ourselves, and now all we could do was wait.

"Not bad," Marcy said, wiping the sweat from her brow as she surveyed their work. "This place should hold up pretty well."

Raven nodded in agreement, though her eyes were still distant, her thoughts elsewhere. "Let's hope so."

As we gathered in the living room, the tension from earlier slowly started to dissipate. We were tired, but there was a quiet sense of camaraderie in the air, a shared understanding that we were all in this together, no matter what happened next.

"Why don't we take a break?" Marcy suggested, her tone lighter now. "I can whip us up something to eat. Nothing fancy, but it'll do."

"Sounds good to me," I said, grateful for the chance to sit down and take a breath.

Raven nodded, though she still seemed distracted. "Yeah, I could eat."

As Marcy headed off to the kitchen, I settled onto the old, worn couch, feeling the exhaustion begin to catch up with me. My mind kept drifting back to that moment upstairs, to the way Raven had looked at me, the way my heart had raced in response. There was something between us, something that couldn't be ignored, but with everything else going on, I wasn't sure when, or if, we'd ever have the chance to figure it out.

But for now, all I could do was focus on the present, on the task of keeping us all alive.

And that task was about to get a whole lot harder.

As I settled into the worn couch, I felt the weight of everything we had done so far pressing down on me. The mansion felt secure, but there was no denying the uncertainty that hung in the air. The shadowy figure from the night before, Tobias's warnings, and the tension that simmered just below the surface between Raven and me, it all made it difficult to relax.

Raven took a seat across from me, her posture tense, the katana she'd found earlier resting within arm's reach. Her eyes were distant, as if she was lost in her thoughts. I wanted to reach out, to say something that would break the ice between us, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, I just watched her, trying to figure out what was going through her mind.

After a few minutes of silence, Marcy reappeared from the kitchen, carrying a tray with several bowls of steaming stew. The rich aroma filled the room, and I realized how hungry I was. She set the tray down on the coffee table, giving us all a warm smile.

"Rabbit stew," she said, her voice light and cheerful despite the tension in the air. "Tobias caught a rabbit in one of his traps, and I managed to find some canned vegetables that were still good. It's not much, but it's hot and filling."

"Smells great, Marcy," I said, reaching for one of the bowls. The warmth of the stew seeped into my hands as I held the bowl, and I couldn't help but feel a small sense of comfort in the simple act of eating a hot meal.

Raven took a bowl as well, her expression softening as she took a sip of the stew. "This is really good," she said, glancing up at Marcy. "Thanks."

Marcy beamed, clearly pleased. "I'm just glad I could make something decent with what we had. We're going to need our strength if we're going to keep this place secure."

As we ate, the atmosphere in the room began to lighten, the warmth of the food and the fire creating a brief sense of normalcy. For a little while, it almost felt like we weren't in the middle of a dangerous, post-apocalyptic world. It felt like we were just a group of friends sharing a meal, laughing and talking about nothing in particular.

But that sense of peace was short-lived.

A loud crash echoed through the mansion, followed by the sound of shattering glass. The bowls in our hands clattered to the floor as we all jumped to our feet, our eyes wide with alarm.

"What the hell was that?" Elijah shouted from the hallway as he came rushing into the room, his crossbow at the ready.

"I don't know," Raven said, already grabbing her katana. "But it's coming from the back of the house."

We didn't waste any time. Leaving the remnants of our meal behind, we rushed through the mansion, our footsteps echoing in the empty halls. As we approached the back entrance, the sound of heavy footsteps and low voices reached our ears, there were people outside, and they weren't friendly.

Tobias was already at the back door, his expression grim as he peered through a small crack in the boarded-up window. "We've got trouble," he muttered. "A group of them, thugs, soldiers, I can't tell. But they're armed, and they're trying to break in."

"Amos," Raven hissed, her eyes narrowing as she gripped the hilt of her katana. "He must have followed us here."

My stomach dropped at the mention of Amos. The man was relentless, and if he'd found us, it meant he wasn't going to stop until he had us back under his control, back in that hellish place where he could continue his twisted experiments.

"We can't let them get in," I said, my voice firm despite the fear gnawing at my insides. "We fortified this place for a reason. We need to hold them off."

Elijah nodded, already moving to check the barricades we'd set up earlier. "We need to make sure they don't find a way through. Tobias, take the second floor, get a vantage point and start picking them off if they get too close."

Tobias nodded and sprinted up the stairs, his rifle in hand. Meanwhile, Marcy grabbed a heavy poker from the fireplace, her face set with determination. "I'll stay here and reinforce the barricade. If they manage to break through, I'll be ready."

Raven turned to me, her eyes filled with a steely resolve. "George, you and I are going to head outside and flank them. We can't let them focus all their attention on the front entrance."

"Right," I said, adrenaline flooding my system as I grabbed my metal pipe. "Let's do this."

We moved quickly, slipping out of the mansion through a side door that we'd left unbarred for emergencies. The cool night air hit us like a wall as we emerged into the garden, the darkness thick and oppressive. But there was no time to dwell on the fear that gnawed at my insides. We had to act.

The sounds of the intruders were louder now, gruff voices barking orders, the clanging of metal against wood as they tried to force their way inside. Raven led the way, her movements silent and purposeful as she circled around to the back of the mansion. I followed close behind, my heart pounding in my chest as we crept through the shadows.

As we rounded the corner, I caught sight of them, a group of six or seven men, armed with makeshift weapons and wearing ragged uniforms. They were gathered around the back entrance, their faces twisted with the anticipation of violence. The sight of them sent a surge of anger through me, these were the men Amos had sent to drag us back to that nightmare, to use us as his playthings. I wouldn't let that happen.

Raven glanced back at me, her eyes sharp and focused. "You ready?" she whispered.

I nodded, gripping the metal pipe tightly in my hand. "Let's give them hell."

With a silent signal, we moved in. Raven was a blur of motion as she darted forward, the katana slicing through the air with deadly precision. She caught the first thug off guard, the blade cutting through his weapon and sending him stumbling back in shock. Before he could recover, Raven struck again, disarming him completely and leaving him writhing on the ground.

I wasn't far behind. As one of the thugs turned to face Raven, I swung the metal pipe with all my strength, catching him across the back. He let out a grunt of pain, dropping his weapon as he fell to his knees. I didn't give him a chance to get up, I brought the pipe down again, this time across his shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground.

The element of surprise was on our side. The remaining thugs scrambled to regroup, but their initial shock at being ambushed by what they must have thought were easy targets gave us the upper hand. Raven moved like a force of nature, her katana flashing in the dim light as she cut down another thug, her movements swift and precise.

But the thugs weren't completely untrained. One of them managed to get a swing in with a crowbar, aiming for Raven's side. She twisted at the last second, the blow glancing off her arm instead of landing full force, but it was enough to throw her off balance.

"Raven!" I shouted, rushing to her aid. I caught the thug with a quick jab to his ribs, forcing him back, and then followed up with a blow to his leg, dropping him to the ground.

Raven recovered quickly, nodding her thanks before we turned to face the remaining thugs. They were down to just a few now, but they were more cautious, keeping their distance as they regrouped.

We didn't give them the chance to plan another attack.

Elijah, who had been watching from a distance, finally took his shot. The twang of the crossbow cut through the night air, followed by the sickening thud of the bolt finding its mark in one of the thug's shoulders. The man screamed in pain, clutching at the wound as he staggered back, his weapon dropping from his hand.

Tobias, from his vantage point on the second floor, opened fire with his rifle, picking off another thug with a well-placed shot. The remaining men, seeing their numbers dwindling, hesitated, fear finally overtaking their bravado.

"Retreat!" one of them shouted, panic clear in his voice. "Fall back!"

They didn't need to be told twice. The last of Amos's thugs turned and fled, disappearing into the shadows of the forest, their footsteps fading into the distance.

We stood there, breathing heavily, our hearts pounding from the adrenaline. The battle had been short but intense, and the reality of what had just happened began to sink in. We had defended the mansion, our home, from Amos's attack, but it had come at a cost. Raven's arm was bleeding from where she had been hit, and my own muscles ached from the exertion.

But we had won. For now, at least, we were safe.

Marcy emerged from the mansion, her face a mixture of relief and concern as she took in the scene. "Is everyone okay?" she asked, rushing over to check on Raven's arm.

"We're fine," Raven said, wincing slightly as Marcy examined the wound. "It's just a scratch. Nothing serious."

"Let me bandage it up," Marcy insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument. Raven reluctantly nodded and allowed Marcy to guide her back inside the mansion. I followed closely behind, still gripping the metal pipe, my knuckles white from the intensity of the battle.

As we stepped into the mansion, the warmth of the fire and the familiar scent of the rabbit stew greeted us, a stark contrast to the cold, dangerous world outside. The mansion, though battered and worn, felt like a refuge, our refuge.

Elijah and Tobias entered a moment later, both of them looking worn but satisfied. Tobias slung his rifle over his shoulder and nodded to me. "Good work out there. We sent them running."

"Yeah," I agreed, my voice still tinged with the adrenaline of the fight. "But they'll be back. Amos won't give up that easily."

"We'll be ready," Raven said, her voice steady despite the pain as Marcy wrapped a bandage around her arm. She met my eyes, and there was something unspoken between us, a shared understanding, a resolve that this place was worth fighting for.

As Marcy finished bandaging Raven's arm, she turned to the rest of us with a determined look. "We need to stay vigilant, but we also need to take care of ourselves. That fight was close, and we can't afford to be caught off guard again."

Raven nodded in agreement. "Marcy's right. We need to stay on our toes. Let's take shifts on watch tonight, and in the morning, we'll go over what needs to be done to reinforce our defenses even further."

Elijah, ever the practical one, spoke up. "I'll take the first watch with Tobias. We'll make sure nothing else sneaks up on us."

"Good," Raven said, standing up and testing her newly bandaged arm with a slight flex. She winced a little but didn't complain. "And George and I will take the second watch."

The way she said it left no room for argument, and honestly, I didn't mind. Despite everything that had happened, I felt an odd sense of comfort knowing I'd be standing watch with her.

"Sounds like a plan," I said, giving her a small, reassuring smile.

Marcy, ever the caretaker, shooed us all toward the kitchen. "Before we do anything else, let's eat. We need to keep our strength up."

The tension that had gripped us during the fight began to ebb away as we gathered around the small, makeshift dining table. The rabbit stew Marcy had prepared earlier was still warm, and despite the circumstances, the smell of the meal brought a sense of normalcy that we all desperately needed.

We ate in relative silence, the only sounds the crackling of the fire and the occasional clink of spoons against bowls. The warmth of the food helped chase away the lingering cold from outside, and slowly, the adrenaline that had kept us on edge began to fade, replaced by exhaustion.

As we finished the meal, Marcy looked around at all of us, her gaze lingering on each of us in turn. "We're a good team," she said quietly, her voice filled with a mix of pride and concern. "We've got each other's backs, and that's what's going to keep us going."

Raven nodded in agreement. "She's right. We've faced worse than this and come out on top. We'll keep doing it. This mansion is our home now, and we're going to protect it."

I felt a surge of determination as I listened to them speak. Despite the odds, despite the dangers that lurked outside, we were still here. We were still fighting, and we weren't going to give up.

As the evening wore on, Elijah and Tobias took up their positions for the first watch, heading to the upper floors to keep an eye on the perimeter. The rest of us cleaned up the remains of the meal and settled into the main hall, the warmth of the fire lulling us into a brief sense of peace.

Raven and I sat near the fireplace, the tension from earlier still lingering between us, but now it felt different, less urgent, more like a shared understanding. We had fought together, defended our home together, and that had forged a bond between us that was stronger than any unspoken attraction.

As the fire crackled and the shadows danced on the walls, Raven finally spoke, breaking the comfortable silence. "George… about earlier."

I looked at her, my heart skipping a beat. "Yeah?"

She hesitated, her eyes flicking to the fire before meeting mine again. "I just… I want you to know that I'm glad you're here. With everything we've been through, it's good to have someone I can count on."

I felt warmth spread through my chest at her words. "I feel the same way, Raven. We're in this together, and I'm not going anywhere."

She smiled, a genuine smile that reached her eyes. It was a rare sight, and it made my heart swell. "Good," she said softly. "Because I think we're going to need each other more than ever."

We sat there for a moment, just looking at each other, the unspoken connection between us stronger than ever. But before the moment could go any further, Marcy cleared her throat, drawing our attention.

"I hate to break up the bonding," she said with a grin, "but you two should get some rest before your watch."

Raven chuckled, the tension easing away. "She's right. We'll need to be sharp for the second watch."

I nodded, though part of me was reluctant to leave the warmth of the fire, and Raven's company. But I knew she was right. We needed to be ready for whatever might come next.

We all headed to our respective sleeping spots, though sleep didn't come easily. My mind was still racing from the events of the day, from the fight, from the moments I'd shared with Raven. But eventually, the exhaustion won out, and I drifted off into a restless sleep.

The mansion was quiet as Raven and I took up our positions for the second watch. The fire in the main hall had burned down to embers, casting a dim glow that barely illuminated the room. The only sounds were the occasional creak of the old house settling and the soft rustle of the wind outside.

We moved quietly through the mansion, checking the barricades, making sure everything was secure. The night was still, almost unnervingly so, and the memory of the shadowy figure from the previous night weighed heavily on my mind.

As we stood near one of the boarded-up windows, I glanced at Raven, the flickering light casting shadows across her face. "Do you think they'll come back?" I asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the stillness of the night.

Raven was silent for a moment before she nodded. "Yes. Amos won't give up. He's determined to get what he wants."

"And what do we do when he does?" I asked, the question hanging heavy in the air.

She turned to look at me, her expression resolute. "We fight. We protect what's ours. And we make sure he regrets ever coming after us."

I couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for her in that moment. Raven was fierce, strong, and determined, everything I admired in a person. And as I stood there beside her, I knew that whatever came next, we'd face it together.

As we continued our watch, the night seemed to stretch on endlessly. The darkness outside was thick and oppressive, but the mansion felt like a beacon of light in the midst of it all. We had turned this place into our sanctuary, and we were going to defend it with everything we had.

But as the hours wore on, a sense of unease began to settle in my gut. Something felt off, like the calm before a storm. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched again, that the danger wasn't over yet.

I glanced at Raven, who seemed to be deep in thought as she scanned the shadows outside. "Do you feel that?" I asked quietly.

She didn't answer right away, but I saw the tension in her shoulders, the way her hand hovered near the hilt of the katana she now kept by her side at all times. "Yeah," she finally said. "Something's not right."

We both stared out into the darkness, our eyes straining to see beyond the limited light. But there was nothing, only the endless blackness of the night and the trees swaying gently in the wind.

Still, the feeling of being watched persisted, like a prickling at the back of my neck. I tightened my grip on the metal pipe, ready for anything, but hoping against hope that we were just being paranoid.

The night dragged on, the mansion shrouded in an eerie silence that only heightened my nerves. Raven and I continued our watch, checking the barricades, peering out into the darkness, but nothing moved. The world outside was still, as if holding its breath.

Despite the quiet, there was an unspoken tension between us, a connection that seemed to grow stronger with every passing minute. We had been through so much together in such a short time, and the weight of those experiences hung heavy in the air around us.

Eventually, we returned to the main hall, the dim glow of the fire's embers offering the only source of light. The exhaustion of the day's events began to catch up with us, and I could see it in Raven's eyes as well. She tried to stifle a yawn, but it escaped nonetheless, a sign that even someone as strong as Raven needed rest.

"We should take turns resting," I suggested, my voice low as I set the metal pipe aside. "We need to stay sharp, but if we're too tired, we won't be any good in a fight."

Raven nodded, her expression softening as she glanced at the couch. "Yeah, you're right. But let's stay here, by the fire. It's warmer."

I didn't argue. The thought of staying close to Raven, of being there in case something happened, brought me a sense of comfort I hadn't realized I needed. She settled onto the couch, and I grabbed a blanket from one of the nearby chairs, draping it over her as she stretched out.

"Thanks," she murmured, her eyes already half-closed.

I sat down on the floor beside the couch, leaning back against the armrest. My eyes felt heavy, and despite my best efforts to stay alert, I could feel the pull of sleep tugging at me. I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep going without rest.

As if sensing my thoughts, Raven reached down and gently took my hand in hers. The simple gesture sent a wave of warmth through me, and I looked up to see her giving me a tired but reassuring smile.

"Just for a little while," she said softly, her thumb brushing over my knuckles. "We'll keep each other safe."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The connection between us felt stronger than ever, the unspoken bond that had formed over the past few days solidifying in that quiet moment. Holding her hand, I felt a sense of peace, a calm that I hadn't felt in a long time.

The fire crackled softly in the background as I leaned my head back against the couch, still holding Raven's hand. My eyes drifted shut, the warmth of the fire and the comfort of Raven's presence lulling me into a state of relaxation that I couldn't resist.

The last thing I remembered before sleep claimed me was the feeling of Raven's hand in mine, grounding me, reminding me that despite everything, I wasn't alone. And as we drifted off to sleep together, side by side, I felt a sense of hope, hope that no matter what came next, we would face it together.

comentário 0 comentário

Votar

ENVIAR PRESENTE

Load failed, please RETRY