"Adolf. Come on. Help put the animals in the truck."
The shout cut through the yard like a blade.
Iyisha stopped breathing.
Rhea did too.
They stayed pressed against the cold ground behind the stacked timbers, not daring to move even a finger. They listened to the goats cry, hooves scraping, metal clanging as the men dragged frightened animals toward the loading truck.
So that was the purpose.
"They came to take supplies," Iyisha whispered under her breath, barely forming the thought aloud. Her chest tightened. If Heart lost the livestock, winter would break them long before spring.
Only after complete silence settled again did she lift her head. She peeked over the timber pile. No movement. No shadows.
"We need to find the others," she said.
Rhea's legs buckled as she stood. She let out a sob she tried and failed to silence. Iyisha grabbed her arm quickly.
"Come on. I got you," Iyisha said, though her voice trembled too.
