Page 153 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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63

Havoc

The Tavern feels different now.

Full.

Alive.

Safe.

But underneath that?

There’s tension.

Waiting.

Building.

We all feel it.

Ace leans against the wall near the door.

Blaze is checking the gear.

Wolf’s on comms.

Trigger hasn’t moved from his post in hours.

“They’ll come back,” I say.

“Yeah,” Blaze replies.

“No way they’re done.”

I nod.

Because I know that too.

This isn’t over.

Not even close.

I glance across the room.

Aspen is helping Grandpa settle into a chair.

Dylan sits nearby.

Buddy at his side.

This is what they’re protecting.

This is what Tank died for.

And this is what I’m standing in front of now.

I shift slightly.

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