Adventure of Grant Dunn 1

Grant reaches the church as dusk presses against its stained windows. Inside, civilians crouch behind overturned pews while Ella Bauer kneels over a field radio, fighting static.

The Marine corporal keeps one hand on the receiver and the other raised for silence. Beyond the walls, scattered movement scrapes through the surrounding streets, drawn toward every careless sound.

Near the entrance, Minerva stands with her weapon ready, athletic frame angled toward the doors. Her long black hair shadows mismatched eyes as she studies Grant instead of the street.

The radio crackles again, a strained voice breaking through beneath the static. Every civilian turns toward Ella, while movement outside gathers closer to the church.

Grant gives Ella a firm signal for silence, then moves through the darkened nave. She lowers the receiver without answering as the radio crackle dies beneath her hand.

He reaches the nearest doors and braces their loose crossbar into its brackets, then drags a heavy pew against them. The wood grinds once, loud enough to turn heads.

A splinter punches through Grant's palm as he settles the weight. He clamps his hand shut, absorbing the sting without letting the civilians hear more than a breath.

Outside, the scraping movement pauses. Shadows pass across the stained glass, then collect near the entrance without finding a way through the reinforced doors.

Ella keeps the radio dark against her chest. The civilians settle behind the pews, while Minerva resumes watch beside Grant, weapon trained toward the silent entrance.