Chapter 35

Shadow Valley – Texas 1871

"I'm taking the little ones for a splash in the creek," Halona announced, stepping into the doorway. Her voice held a hint of excitement, a welcome break from their exhausting days of packing.

Buck glanced up from the worn map spread across the table. A flicker of concern crossed his face. "Just down by the house, alright?" He cautioned, his gaze lingering on hers.

"Don't worry," she reassured him, the amusement evident in her eyes. She walked over to where he stood and kissed his cheek softly. "We'll be right next to the west pasture."

Isaac and Megan, their laughter echoing in the clear air, raced ahead of her down the pasture. Here, beneath the now familiar expanse of the sky, a bittersweet emotion tugged at Halona's heart. This place, harsh and unforgiving at times, had also been a refuge.

It was the place she called home, a place where she'd finally begun to feel a sense of belonging. California, with its promise of sun-drenched beaches and endless possibilities, wasn't a return, not truly. It wouldn't be the California she knew.

A smile touched her lips as she watched the children splash in the cool waters of the creek. How different their world would be once they reached the ocean. She already envisioned herself teaching them to swim, their laughter mingling with the sound of crashing waves.

Suddenly, a deep voice shattered the idyllic scene. The unmistakable click and cock of a gun jolted Halona from her daydream. Terror gripped her as she turned to see a man aiming his weapon directly at her.

"Please," she pleaded, pushing past the lump of terror in her throat. "Don't hurt them."

A cruel laugh ripped from the man's lips. "Ain't interested in them half-breed brats."

Stepping cautiously forward, she addressed the children, her voice firm, "Go home. Now." Her gaze remained fixed on the strange man, unwavering.

The man's response was a lightning-fast lunge. His hand clamped around her neck, a brutal vise that stole the air from her lungs. "They ain't gonna be back in time to save you." The gun dug into her side, sending a jolt of pain spiking through her. Her vision swam as a strangled cry ripped from her throat.

Fury contorted the man's features, his eyes blazing with a hatred that threatened to consume him. "You killed my wife!" His voice was hoarse with grief and rage as he accused her.

Halona recoiled, her heart racing with fear. "Sir, please," she begged, feeling small and helpless under his intense gaze. "I don't know your wife."

Halona's heart raced in fear as she backed away from him, pleading for mercy. But his pain had twisted into something primal and merciless. He lunged forward, grabbing her wrists with vice-like grip.

"Lies won't save you now, witch!" He snarled, producing a rope from his pocket with a vicious yank. He bound her wrists with such force that it left her gasping for air.

Desperate to escape, Halona thrashed against him but he was an unbreakable force. The muddy ground offered no relief as she clawed at it in a futile attempt to free herself.

"You think you can get away with this?" He snarled, pulling out a wickedly sharp knife. "There are only two ways to deal with a witch like you - fire or water."

He shoved her to her knees, the impact sending a searing pain through her leg. Before she could react, he plunged her face-first into the shallow creek. The cool water stole her breath, filling her with terror and confusion. Though it was barely a foot deep, the jagged stones scraped like razors against her skin.

With a surge of adrenaline, Halona managed to push herself up and knock him off balance. Gasping for air, she scrambled to her feet, mud-caked dress weighing her down. A brutal hand yanked her back down, slamming her face into the muddy ground. The metallic tang of blood filled her mouth as stars exploded in her vision.

"Please," she choked out, desperation and fear choking her words as she struggled against him.

He only laughed, a cruel sound as he shoved her head underwater once more. Panic and pain surged through her body, the lack of oxygen burning behind her eyes. Was it the blow to her head, or the suffocating terror that caused the world to fade into darkness?

In that moment, Halona knew the true meaning of terror - to be at the mercy of a vengeful man consumed by rage and blinded by grief.