The cabin was empty.
After being away for nearly three weeks, he'd been anxious to get home. He had run the last half mile eager to be home and see his family. He couldn't wait to hear his children's voices and kiss Rebecca but arriving he was shocked to discover the cabin was empty.
Even from a distance, he had thought something was wrong. The candle that Becky always kept lit for him, was melted and dark. Swinging the door open he was greeted with only silence. His legs turned to jelly as he saw that the fire was out, and the cabin was cold.
"Becky!" He called her name knowing she wouldn't answer, and his voice ricocheted off the cabin walls. Turning he saw that a cup of milk sat at Rose's spot at the table. The milk was thick and curdled. He ran then, knowing something was terribly wrong. His heart hammered inside his chest. He pounded on the closed gates of the fort. Zach Morgan and Esa Green let him in. Seeing their faces, he knew before anyone spoke.
"There was a raid," Esa explained. "Six days ago. They killed Charles, and Tom took an arrow to his left arm. Yad was hit pretty bad, but Cincinatus thinks he might make it yet." Daniel stared at him.
"They took three women. All of them were outside the fort when they came. Elizabeth Murdoch and her sister Grace were coming back with water." He paused. "And Rebecca." Daniel's shoulders slumped. He looked down.
"Where. . ." He began.
"They're safe. Inside the tavern." Zach interrupted and before he'd even finished his sentence Daniel took off at a run to the tavern.