The next wave came from three directions at once.
Francis heard them before he saw them, the soft compression of boots on crusted snow, multiple sets, moving fast and no longer concerned about concealment because concealment had passed as a useful option the moment the front door came in. They were committed now and they wanted it fast and loud and final.
He pulled back from the doorway as the first figure broke from the tree line at a run, crossing the yard with a weapon up, and Francis let him come, let him get to the porch steps, and then he stepped out and took him down hard and clean and the man hit the porch boards and didn't get up. The second figure was five yards behind the first and saw what happened and adjusted his line, veering left, and Hale was there, not shooting, moving
