"What's happening?" 

"Who got those trucks?" 

"Where did they even come from?"

I grin, gripping the wheel tightly as I carefully maneuver the massive truck through the gate. Behind me, three more trucks rumbled in, each with trailers swaying slightly as they came to a halt in front of the loading bay. Climbing down from the cab, I dust off my hands and throw a wide grin at Mr. Jones. His astonished expression is priceless, his gaze flickering between the trucks and me as if I'd conjured them out of thin air.

"How? And where did you find these?" Mr. Jones asked, his wide eyes darting between the trucks and me, as if struggling to make sense of it all."

I blink, shit I forgot a cover story. Keeping a neutral expression, I search my mind for something Jordan might say. "Just got lucky," I said with a casual shrug that felt anything but natural. "Spotted them parked at the end of the road, had a quick chat, and... well, here they are." It was an embarrassingly weak lie, and I could practically feel Jordan's exasperated glare all the way from here.

Mr. Jones flinches at the sudden rattle of a trailer, his composure momentarily slipping as the sound cuts through his astonishment. The trailer carrying cows is hidden behind other trucks, his mind too preoccupied to register the strong smell of cattle. As he walks around the trucks, he stops short, catching sight of the large trailer filled with cattle. "Ah, that's right, they also run a cattle farm," I explain. "Most of their neighbors are farmers, so there are plenty of cattle, other animals, grains, and produce around there."

Shocked at the sight, my feeble excuse for how I found them goes unnoticed as the new additions finally register in his head. "Make space for the cattle—fence off some grass and set up a water trough," Mr. Jones instructed. "Newcomers, you're in charge of the livestock since you've got the experience. If there's no room for them to sleep, expand one of the rooms. Everyone else, unload the trucks fast—the sun's going down." Following his commands, people shuffle out of the building, forming a human chain to pass supplies inside.

The new family starts to unload the cows, directing those around them to steer the animals into the newly constructed pen. I assist by moving the trucks, now slowly emptying, to a more distant part of the lot for the next day.

By the time the sun sank below the horizon, casting the yard in deep orange shadows, the supplies were neatly stored, and the trucks moved out of sight. Mora guides the newcomers to their rooms, their weary faces softening with relief, while the rest of us drag ourselves to bed. With the lights off and dimmed, I lie in bed, and one by one, the others join, settling in after the exhausting day.

Silence envelops the room, the four of us quiet... until Jen's voice cuts through the silence. "Kain, where did you even go? There's no farmland anywhere near here—we're right in the middle of town," Jen says, her sharp tone breaking the quiet.

I sigh, rolling onto my side to face the four sets of questioning eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "I started by checking the perimeter like I was supposed to," I said, keeping my tone even. "Then I found a bike and decided to go a little farther out. Before I knew it, I'd gone farther than planned—ran into Jerid on the road." Now, this lie is more convincing. I do feel a bit guilty for not being truthful, but with Sam present, it's not possible to reveal the truth.

"Okay," Jen says, lying back down in her bed. The others follow suit, Sam a bit more hesitantly than the rest.

As I lie back down, I wave my hand, and the last of the light in the room fades out.

"Kain, can you head out again today?" Dia asked, tying her hair back. "We're almost out of grain for the cows, horses, and sheep—and we need chicken feed too. We left some at the farms; could you bring some back, please?" Dia asks, tying her hair back to keep cool in the August heat.

"Of course," I say with a grin. "I'll be back before dark. Will one pack of each do the trick?"

She nods. "That should hold us over until the next raid in a few days. You're a lifesaver, Kain." I chuckle as she reaches out to hug me, but I sidestep and pat her back instead.

With a wave, I head out, grabbing the bike from the rack beside the door, the small trailer hitched behind. Pedaling through the gate, I give a wave to the gatekeeper as I disappear from sight.

The late August breeze sweeps past as I pedal, houses blurring into a tapestry of colors long lost to the wind. Bright red X's adorn the doors of buildings, moans echoing in a somber hum behind them, while yellow C's signify those devoid of food, people, and supplies.

The perimeter check—a routine scout assignment—took only a few minutes, the task so ingrained it had become second nature. I push the pedals to the earth as I head out to inspect the barrier I erected over a month ago, further ahead. An invisible shimmer, visible only to those with hawk-like vision, encircles the area in a vast dome of glistening web. Touching the barrier, I reinforce any sections that have weakened since my last inspection.

With a nod, I turn and pedal leisurely back to the farmhouses. The sun has just passed the center of the sky when I arrive. I hastily load the trailer to capacity with heavy packs of wheat, seeds, and feed. Satisfied with the haul, I rest the bike against a tree, propping it up securely.

As I brush my hand against the tree's bark, a stream of invisible energy flows from my arm into the tree, infusing life into its branches. Guided by my touch, they sprout to form a hammock. With a smile, I settle into the hammock and sigh contentedly. Eyes closed, I inhale deeply, the clear air filling my lungs, and as I exhale, my body unwinds, the air swirling momentarily before returning to its natural flow.

The sun casts a bubbly haze over the dusty gravel, its heat scorching my lifeless skin, unable to breach my leathery exterior. Birds sing in the distance, their melodies creating an orchestra that harmonizes with the rustling leaves. As the echoes of life hummed around me, I recline in the hammock with my arms folded behind my head, the weight of Mother's gift cradling me in its quiet embrace. 

How have I, an entity meant to be monstrous, arrived here? Yet, I am that monster, whispering sweet, irresistible nothings into my ear. A feral grin spreads across my face, my fangs catching the sunlight. "A monster born from death, yet a harbinger of life—oh, the irony."

"Yes, it is, huh? I wonder what was going through that great old Mother's mind when she gave you those... what would you call them, gifts? Powers? Magical prowess?" I hurl a ball of boiling water at the fool behind me who thought it wise to sneak up on me. "Hey, that was unfair," he yells, wincing as the hot water drenches the tree behind him.

His lovely wife dispels the magic that kept them hidden, revealing the eight people. As I roll out of the hammock, it disappears back into the tree, and I stand to greet the newcomers. My eyes widen—eight people, only eight. Shouldn't there be more? Eight, eight, eight...where are the other four?

I slowly raise my gaze to the eight figures before me. Duffle bags and backpacks, dirty clothes, scratches, and...I take a deep breath...the dry scent of blood, the stench of death. "What happened?" I growl, my teeth clenched as anger and dread churned in my chest. The triplets rushed over, their tear-streaked faces burying into my legs. I instinctively placed a hand on their trembling backs, the weight of their fear settling over me. I raise an eyebrow at the adults in front of me, waiting for an explanation.

"It was an attack," Jordan says, his arm wrapped around Bella, who leans against him wearily.

I clench my teeth. "By whom?"

He exhales heavily. "We don't know, but they breached our defenses and... targeted the others first."

I punch the tree beside me snarling, the splintered wood imbeds into my knuckles as the tree shatters. The triplets flinch but maintain their grip on my legs. As I pant, my nails dig into my palms, black liquid oozing through my fingers.

My parents approach, placing a comforting hand on my back, while my sister stands by Bella, holding her hand tenderly. My shaking muscles seize as I lean into my parents' soothing touch. After taking a few deep breaths, I face Jordan again. "How did this happen?"

"They had a powerful witch, one that by Bella's calculations could break through your barrier and hers. It happened so suddenly; before Bella could detect the breach, they had already entered the house," he says, sighing and closing his eyes, yet his composure remains unshaken. "There were many of them, both demons and vampires, while the witches stayed hidden. They targeted the triplets first. Your friends' parents attempted to intervene, but they only ended up serving themselves as a feast for the vampires..."

My mind goes blank, a cold weight dropping in my chest. I had promised Jen and Kaitlyn they'd be safe—sworn it to them with every ounce of conviction I had. Clutching at my chest, I promised them. The cheerful faces of Jen and Kaitlyn's parents flash through my mind, their grateful expressions as they greeted me, their relieved stares upon seeing their daughters safe, their hollow eyes as they lay covered in their own blood. My muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike, my vision flickering red as the blood roared in my ears. The urge surged through me like a feral beast: hunt them down, tear them apart, make them pay. No, I won't. I can't. I glance at my parents, their faces marred with scratches from the arduous journey, eyes brimming with sadness. My ears start to ring and my vision turns red as I look at them, smelling their dried blood and gazing into their saddened eyes. I take a deep breath calming my racing thoughts. I can't do that to them, not again.

Jordan continues, "They held them off long enough for me to get the triplets to safety while Bella rescued your family. By the time we could reach them, they were already gone. We hurried out as quickly as possible, found a car, and followed Bella's spell here. I'm—"

I hold up my hand, shaking my head "No, Jordan, it's okay, I would have done the same, I know you tried, that's all that matters."

He sighs, rubbing a hand over his face, non-visible bags under his eyes deepening. I pat the triplets' backs and lean down to meet their gaze.

"Pretty," Jaylin murmured, reaching out toward my crimson eyes as if they mesmerized her.

Taking a deep breath, my eyes soften and return to their normal colour as I muster a smile. Gently holding her hand, the weight of the loss bears down on me. "Yes, Jaylin, pretty. You must be tired from being in the car for so long and walking such a distance."

"Hey!" Jordan yells, kicking grass at me as I tease him.

"You don't become invisible and get this dirty just from driving, buddy," I dismiss his rude mutterings, turning my attention back to the children. "So, who wants to sleep in a nice big bed and have some warm food?"

They jump up and down, shouting. "Do you think there's cake?" Josh asks, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

I pat his head. "Sorry, little bud, but I don't think we have any cake. But, I'll see what I can do, okay?"

"Yes, yes," he replies, running back to my bike by the tree.

With a grin, I place a hand on Bella's shoulder as I walk by. "You did well." She nods, offering me a weary smile.

Jordan lifts her, allowing her head to rest on his shoulder. "Sleep now, Bell; you need rest."

"Hmm," she murmurs, closing her eyes and surrendering to his embrace. Her usually vibrant self is nearly as pale as mine, drained from overusing her magic.

I smile, approaching the bike. Clapping my hands, I address the children fiddling with the packs in the trailer. "This won't carry all of us to our base, so..." With a snap of my fingers, a new wagon crafted from wood and moss materializes before us, summoned by none other than myself. "Who's up for a ride?"

With grins, they all clamber in as I attach it to the bike. "Hold on," I shout, then start pedaling. The trees become a blur as we pass, the setting sun painting the sky in rich hues of orange and pink. As the vibrant colours stretch across the horizon, they reflect off the clouds, creating a stunning palette of warmth. The triplets' laughter rings out like bright bells, their hands raised high as they let the wind whip through their hair. I glance back, smiling at their delight. I ease the air barrier slightly, letting the wind rush through, tousling their hair, making the ride so smooth it feels like flying.

Slowing down we come to a halt just out of the gatekeepers' view, and I pull up behind a building, well within their blind spot. As they dismount, the wagon disintegrates, wilting like a dying flower. "Do you have your cover story?" I inquire.

"Sure, we're your friends, and obviously, they're your family. We came this way after seeing a message you left, found you by chance, and you're leading us back here," Jordan replies with a grin.

I shake my head. "We can fabricate any lie except a solid cover story."

My dad chuckles. "That's what you pick up from being around him too much."

"Seriously, I might consider changing that bad habit," I respond, half-joking.

"Hey, that's rude. Now look what you've done, Brain. Who will I bring along for break-ins?" Jordan exclaims.

My dad raises his hands, keeping his lips sealed—a wise move, Dad. Without waiting for their signal, I begin pedaling slowly towards the large building as they walk beside me. The fence has been replaced by a more solid wall made of wood and cars, its cage-like appearance concealed by wooden panels covering the chain-link fence. Small barn-like structures are tucked behind the wall, leading to a fenced-off grassy area for the animals.

Tall structures stand sentinel at each corner and gate, vigilant for any approaching people or the undead. As we draw nearer, the gates swing open and people emerge to greet the newcomers.

Dia rushes over, likely having been informed of my return. She exclaims with joy upon seeing the trailer of feed. "Thanks, Kain, as always," she says, acknowledging the new arrivals as she and some helpers pull the trailer towards the rear where the animals are kept.

The gates close behind us with a hard click as we slowly walk closer to the building. Mora comes running Mr. Jones is most likely busy with other work. "And who might we have here?" she asks.

Jordan reaches forward shaking her hand gently "I'm Jordan a close friend of Kaindra's, this is my wife Bella and our kids Everly, Josh, and Jaylin."

My dad walks forward to shake Mora's hand "I'm Kaindra's father Brian, my wife Stella, and my eldest daughter Kaylee, pleased to meet you..."

Mora smiles, "I'm Mora, one of the people in charge of our safe zone. It's a pleasure to meet you." My father steps back beside my mother, allowing Jordan to take the lead. "Kaindra, could you show these three little ones around while I talk with your parents and friends here?"

I nod, beckoning the triplets over. "Come on, guys, let's go raid the kitchen." The three children rush to my side, grabbing my hands and dragging me toward the building's front doors. Glancing back, I nod towards the building; Kaylee waves to our parents and jogs to my side.

Lifting Jaylin, Kaylee pinches her nose. "What food do you think we'll find in the kitchen?" she asks, settling Jaylin on her hip as they walk.

Jaylin squeals, clapping her hands excitedly. "Lots and lots of food! The building is huge, so the kitchen must be really big, even bigger than the one at home."

We enter with laughter, swinging Everly and Josh by their hands as we navigate the halls. Onlookers take note, the four newcomers quickly becoming the subject of whispers. Though lunchtime has passed, the counters still offer light snacks for those arriving late from work.

"We've arrived," I announce. Kaylee sets Jaylin down while I release Everly and Josh. The two eldest scamper to the counter, tiptoeing to survey the modest spread of food. "Let's grab a bite, Jaylin," I coax, and she nods, trailing behind her siblings.

Beside me, Kaylee observes the children with a smile, watching them ponder their choices. "How bad was it?" I inquire.

She exhales deeply, her smile unwavering despite the sadness in her eyes. "It was bad," she says, her voice tinged with sorrow.

Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Is there anything I could have done?"

She shakes her head. "Nothing."

My hand clenches. "I'm sorry," I whisper, my voice cracking.

A hand rests on my shoulder. "It's okay," she whispers back. "I know."

Her hand slides off my shoulder as she walks forward to join the children at the counter. I grasp her hand; her skin is warm and glowing against my own ice-cold touch. I squeeze her hand, soaking in the warmth she provides. "I'm glad you're safe," I say, my eyes on the ground.

She squeezes my hand in return. "I know." Letting go, my eyes follow her figure as she moves towards the children, a bright smile on her face. The light from the windows wraps them in a golden halo, casting a tender glow over their forms while I watch from the shadows. The warmth of the sun glazing over me, never quite reaching me as it once did.

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