An Excerpt from Haven Hill Here’s where the story left off last time. Kate slammed the door behind her. The frame shuddered. She fell against it, chest heaving. It felt like the very fog was clinging to her clothes, cold and damp. The metallic taste of fear was still sharp on her tongue. Ariel lowered the pistol, shoulders shaking. “Mom?” Kate nodded once, holding up one finger to say wordlessly, just a minute. She was unable to speak for a moment as she sucked air into her lungs. She locked the door, slid the deadbolt home, then replaced the armoire with Ariel’s help. Only when the barricade was in place did she feel like she could speak. “I reached someone,” she said finally. “Help is coming.” Collins and Ariel both sagged with relief. Collins shut his eyes. Then Ariel’s expression darkened. “But Logan—” “He’s still out there.” Kate’s voice held no tremor, just truth. “And he’s coming back.” A faint, distant scrape sounded outside—something against the siding. Not a full attack. Just a reminder. Kate closed her eyes and forced herself not to flinch. She knelt beside Collins. He was pale, breathing shallow, but alive. “Evan,” she said softly, touching his shoulder. His eyelids fluttered. “Still here… ma’am.” His eyes unfocused for a second, then snapped back. “You did good. I’m going to move you someplace safer.” His brow furrowed. “Safer than the floor?” “Yeah,” Kate whispered, and despite everything, her voice warmed. “Come on. Let’s get you tucked away. I’m depending on you, Evan. I need you breathing steady, and I need you keeping my daughter safe. I’m going to prop you up so you can breathe better, and you are going to protect Ariel. Got it?” “Yes, ma’am,” Collins made an effort to salute, then grimaced in pain. She motioned to Ariel, and together they eased Collins upright. He groaned, clutching his abdomen, but didn’t protest. Kate took most of his weight, guiding him toward the refrigerator. Ariel pulled blankets aside to clear space behind it—her old hiding spot. The place she’d run earlier today when Logan attacked the deputy. They settled Collins down gently. He slumped against the wall, breathing unevenly. Kate crouched and checked his chest seal—edges adhered, no leak. She touched the abdominal bandage—still holding. His skin was cool but not clammy. Shock, but controlled. “You’re holding steady,” she murmured. “Just stay awake for me.” He swallowed. “Trying.” Kate reached into the first aid kit and pulled out a small foil packet of glucose gel. She squeezed a bit onto her glove and touched it to his lips. “Just a little,” she coached. “It’ll help.” He nodded shakily and let her feed him a few drops. Ariel watched, clutching her pistol in both hands, pointing it safely toward the floor. “Is there anything else we can do for him?” Kate brushed a thumb along Ariel’s cheek. “You’re doing everything right. You’re helping. That matters. Can you please keep him talking? Ask him about his little girl.” Ariel blinked fast, then nodded. Outside, something thudded lightly on the porch. She distinctly heard a step, then another sound, like a boot dragging. His injured leg, Kate thought. The boards gave a faint answering creak, as if the porch itself recognized him. Logan was testing their perimeter again. Kate felt rage bubble up. How dare he be on her porch? Her jaw stiffened stubbornly. Time was running out. She grabbed three boxes of ammo and some extra magazines she had in the same drawer, then sat on the floor beside Ariel and Evan. “Are we… are we getting ready?” Ariel whispered. Kate didn’t answer with words. She opened a box and began loading magazines with quick, practiced movements. The soft click of each round sliding home echoed through the cabin like a heartbeat. Ariel helped, her hands trembling as she fed bullets into a spare mag using a speed-loading device. One round slipped from her fingers, but she steadied herself and loaded the next cleanly. Evan held out a shaking hand for a magazine and a box of ammo. Kate gave him those, along with a speed loader. Kate handed Ariel a full magazine. “Pocket it,” she said gently. “Just in case.” Ariel obeyed. Kate secured two mags at her belt, checked the Glock’s chamber, then laid the machete on the table. She wiped its blade with a towel, calming herself with the familiar, methodical motion. Collins rasped from behind the fridge, “Ma’am… Kate…” She returned to him, crouching again. His eyes were clearer now—pain-bright but focused. “If he comes through that door,” Collins said hoarsely, “I can still… shoot. Don’t leave me useless.” Kate hesitated, but only for a single heartbeat. “Ariel, how would you feel about getting your chance to tase Logan?” Ariel looked mutinous for a flash, then handed Collins the gun, butt first. She pressed it into his trembling hand. Kate said earnestly, “I’m going to get you back to your little girl. I need you to keep mine safe.” His jaw tightened. “I can do that.” Their eyes locked, two parents, determined to get out of this situation alive. Ariel knelt beside him, taking her position: tucked, hidden, heart pounding, but brave. Kate brushed Ariel’s hair back and kissed her forehead. “You watch him,” Kate ordered gently. “You stay hidden. No matter what you hear. No matter what happens.” Ariel’s eyes filled with tears. “Mom, don’t go.” Kate cupped her face in both hands. “I have to. If I stay here, he’ll force his way in. He’ll be in here with you. If I go out there… I choose where the fight happens. I choose the battlefield.” Ariel swallowed hard, nodding. “Please come back.” Kate smiled, fierce and soft. “That’s the plan.” She stood, holstered her Glock, clipped the flashlight to her pocket, and checked the front window. The fog was a wall. Silent. Waiting. It was as if the cabin itself was holding its breath. “Kate…” Collins called weakly. “…End it. It’s you or him.” She looked back at him, at Ariel pressed against his side. “I will.” Kate made a gap she could squeeze through. She placed her hand on the doorknob. Drew a breath. Then… CRACK. The unmistakable sound of breaking glass came from somewhere on the other side of the cabin. About Daisy Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging author and blogger who’s traded her air miles for a screen porch, having embraced a more homebody lifestyle after a serious injury. She’s the heart and mind behind The Organic Prepper, a top-tier website where she shares what she’s learned about preparedness, self-reliance, and the pursuit of liberty. With 17 books under her belt, Daisy’s insights on living frugally, surviving tough times, finding some happiness in the most difficult situations, and embracing independence have touched many lives. Her work doesn’t just stay on her site; it’s shared far and wide across alternative media, making her a familiar voice in the community. Known for her adventurous spirit, she’s lived in five different countries and raised two wonderful daughters as a single mom. Now living in the beautiful state of North Carolina, Daisy has been sharing her knowledge through blogging for 15 years.  She is the best-selling author of 5 traditionally published books, 12 self-published books, and runs a small digital publishing company with PDF guides, printables, and courses at SelfRelianceand Survival.com You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, and X. The post Haven Hill: Chapter 35 appeared first on The Organic Prepper.