The Final Battle
The peace shattered at dawn when the cabin's perimeter alarms went off. Footsteps crunched in the snow outside. Heavy boots.
Ethan handed Iris a small revolver and a key. "There's an underground tunnel leading to the frozen river. Go now. I'll take care of them."
Iris gripped his jacket, her eyes tearing up. "I'm not leaving you, Ethan!"
Ethan leaned down, gave her one last fierce, unforgettable kiss, and smiled. "I’ll find you at the river. Trust me."
He cocked his rifle and kicked the front door open, stepping out into the blinding white snow as the first shots echoed through the valley.
