The moment the woman collapsed at their feet, something shifted in Lori.
The fear, the shock, the uncertainty—all of it melted away, replaced by a cold, focused clarity. This was what she had been training for her entire life. This was what she was meant to do.
"Forget bringing the medical kit. Get her inside," she commanded, her voice steady despite the racing of her heart. "Now."
Attia lifted the woman effortlessly, cradling her against his chest as he carried her into the farmhouse. Lori followed close behind, her mind already cataloging the injuries she had seen—the torn clothing, the blood, the pallor of the woman's skin.
They laid her on the kitchen table, clearing away the clutter with a single sweep of Attia's arm. Lori grabbed the medical kit from the cupboard—a comprehensive
