

Thunder rumbled after school. Eman hugged Zuzu, his stuffed monkey. "My tummy feels noisy," he whispered. Zeke grinned beside him. "Let’s be the Armor Squad!" "We’ll listen, breathe, and pray."

They tucked into a quiet corner. Eman closed his eyes. "Rain and heartbeat," he whispered. Zuzu nestled close. "God, you are near," he prayed. "In, two, three; out, two, three," Zeke coached.

The lights flickered; the hallway boomed. "Shield of faith up!" Zeke said. Eman touched his heart. "Belt of truth: I am loved." Zuzu saluted with a floppy paw.

The storm softened to gentle taps. Eman smiled at Zeke. "Peace boots on," Zeke said. Zuzu rode in Eman’s arm. "We listened, breathed, prayed," Eman said. "Loved, protected, never alone," they whispered.
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