Author's POV:
The safehouse trembled under the weight of Tian's assault, its cracked walls shuddering as tank shells exploded outside, blasting chunks of concrete into the night. Wu Haoyu crouched over Huang Yanyan, shielding her frail form as medics dragged her gurney deeper into the building, away from the collapsing entrance. Her blood soaked his hands, her thigh wound a gory mess despite the tourniquet, and her breathing came in shallow gasps, each one a knife to his chest. The family stumbled in behind, Wu Ling limping with her machete, Wu Qiang leaning on his cane, Huang Jiang clutching a scavenged rifle, old warriors battered but unbowed. Yue followed, sobbing over Yang Wei's stretcher, while Lin Mei and Liang secured the rear, pistols low but steady.