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Author: Rachy
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-08 15:19:10

MAXINE

I sat up, heart pounding, straining to listen. The house was silent, but the uneasy feeling persisted.

I slipped out of bed, moving quietly towards the door. As I stepped into the hallway, a chill ran down my spine. Something was wrong.

The kids were all silent. I made my way toward the living room, where I found Cinder, Oz, Raine, and Zel deep in conversation. They all seemed to fumbling with one thing or the other, strapping things to their waist or their ankles.

Surprisingly, Cinder was the only one dressed normally. The others wore fighting leather. They looked up as I entered.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"There are rogues in the vicinity. We think that they're trying to break into our decoy house not too far from here." Cinder explained.

My mind immediately went to the children. If there was fighting, they could be in danger.

"The children," I began.

"Don't worry. They went into hiding. They know what to do." Cinder offered me a reassuring smile.

I nodded, joining them. "W
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    MAXINEI shut my eyes, fear gripping me in a way that it had never done before. I had been shot. Never have I been shot before. I looked down at my body, searching for the gun wound.I needed to stop the bleeding. But I realized that I was fine. I looked at Oz, he was unarmed. And then Cinder. She was also unarmed.I heard the thud behind me and turned to see one of the rogues drop to the ground, gripping a gun wound on his chest."Thank you, Zel." Oz exhaled even though she couldn't hear him.Cinder frowned. A few moments later, Zel and Raine ran into the house. "Are all of them gone?" Raine asked.Oz nodded. "Yes." He replied, "Nice save, by the way. That was quick." He told Zel. She smiled."Where did you get the gun?" Cinder asked, her voice firm and authoritative. She did not sound pleased."It doesn't matter, Mom. I know you don't like guns but they're easier than swords and daggers, and even arrows." Zel replied.I wanted to defend her but it wasn't my place. I didn't have a sa

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