Page 200 of Rangers Mountain Rescue
He nods once.
Then turns toward Dylan.
“Hey, buddy,” he says, crouching down to his level. “I need you to be brave for me, okay?”
Dylan nods immediately.
“I’m brave.”
Havoc’s mouth twitches slightly.
“Yeah, you are.”
He gestures toward the far wall. “I’m taking you to Grandpa’s room. Rylie is there. I want you to stay with them.”
The room is next door; it only took a couple of seconds before we were there.
“You ready?” He asks.
No.
Not even close.
But I nod anyway.
“Yeah.”
Because I don’t get the luxury of not being ready.
Because this is my life.
Because whoever came into this Tavern—
came for us.
And I’m done running from that.
Havoc reaches for the door.
Pauses.
Glances back at me one more time.
And there’s something in his eyes that wasn’t there before.
Not just protection.
Not just responsibility.
Something deeper.
Something that makes my breath catch.
Then it’s gone.
Replaced by steel.
The door opens.
