Eli's Justice by Daniel Griffin

Author:Daniel Griffin [Griffin, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Six

Dawn broke over Shadow Gulch with a sharpness that seemed to slice through the last of the night’s darkness. A heavy silence hung in the air, denser than the usual morning calm, as if the town itself held its breath. Eli Stone walked the perimeter, his eyes as keen as the hawk from which his friend took his name, scanning the horizon where earth met sky in a tenuous line.

He moved with purpose, every step deliberate, pausing to adjust a lookout’s position or to whisper a word of encouragement. There was no room for error, not today. Each townsman and tribesman stood shoulder to shoulder, a living barricade against the chaos that threatened to spill into their lives.

Eli could feel their collective tension—a mix of fear, determination, and an unspoken trust in him. It weighed on him, yet he carried it as he did his own past—quietly and with an inner strength that belied his somber expression.

The sun climbed higher, washing over the cliffs and spilling golden light into Shadow Gulch. It should have been a comforting sight, but today it served as a stark reminder that they were exposed, vulnerable. He checked each rifle handed to him with practiced ease, ensuring they were ready for whatever lay ahead.

"Remember," Eli said to a young man whose hands trembled ever so slightly on his weapon, "steady breathing, steady aim. Don't rush your shot."

The young man nodded, swallowing hard but managing a determined set to his jaw as Eli clapped him on the shoulder and moved on.

At the edge of town where makeshift barricades had been erected overnight, Silent Hawk stood like a statue carved from the very land he honored. His presence was reassuring in its steadfastness.

"They'll be expecting us to be unprepared," Silent Hawk said without turning to look at Eli as he approached.

Eli nodded. "That's why we'll surprise them."

A glint of admiration passed through Silent Hawk's eyes before he returned his gaze to the distance. Together they stood for a moment in silence—a shared understanding between them that went beyond words.

As Eli continued his rounds, checking on those assigned to watch shifts and patrols, he felt something he hadn't in a long time—a sense of belonging. These people were no longer just faces he passed in his daily life. They were his responsibility, his challenge—and perhaps in some way, his redemption.

By midmorning, activity within Shadow Gulch had reached a steady rhythm. Women filled canteens and distributed ammunition while children moved underfoot with more solemnity than usual. Every so often, Eli caught snippets of conversation—plans for defending their homes or whispers of what life might be after this day.

Maria emerged from her saloon with a tray of sandwiches and cups of strong coffee. She made her rounds among the defenders with a word or smile for each one. When she reached Eli, she held out a cup steaming with the bitter brew.

"You need to keep your strength up," she said softly.

Eli accepted it with a nod. "Thank you." Her

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