GLIMPSES OF THE PAST

Lena's POV The speed with which the coziness of a fire may become chilly is peculiar. Sitting next to Daniel last night, I had a flash of optimism as we shared our dreams and worries. Now, though, that hope seems like a far-off memory extinguished by the shadow of Adam's comeback. The light rises and my chest starts to hurt regularly. His threat is like a black cloud hovering over us, and I can't get rid of the impression that we are headed toward a storm. I give the others a quick look. While Nyla is gathering her equipment, a focused look on her face, Daniel stands beside Elias, their heads lowered in subdued discussion. Though doubt exists, I know that resolve is the same fire that drives me. "Are us ready?" I inquire, my voice consistent in the middle of inner conflict. Daniel looks at me, his face austere. "We must maintain forward motion. Adam cannot once more lead ahead of us. Nyla finishes packing and comes along, her brow wrinkled. "What did you think he meant last night? Regarding being beyond our comfort zone? I swallow hard, recalling the way Adam's eyes glinted with a mix of malice and something else—probably sorrow. "He seems like he wants to scare us. He is engaged in mental games. With a stern voice, Elias advises, "Let's not fall for it." "We have come too far to let him push us about right now." I feel the weight of my own anxiety mixed with a flutter of will as we begin off. The dangers of Adam cannot define us. Every stride reminds us that we are racing toward a future we are striving to construct, not only from something. The road across the forest is overgrown, and as we go branches brush across my arm. Though I have always enjoyed the forest and its sense of life, today it seems to be a maze full of secret hazards. Every rustling makes me stiff, and every shadow appears to reach out for us. Daniel says at last, "Let's take a break," sensing the mounting strain among us. We come across a clearing with the light shining across the limbs. I choose a fallen log, appreciative of a minute to breathe. Lena, Daniel says, seated next to me. "What should we do, should Adam follow us once more?" I inhale deeply and consider the options right before us. "We must stay close together." Use the surroundings to our benefit. We also have to know when to flee, though. Should he indeed have been dangerous... I stutter, the idea of running across him once more making my spine cold. Daniel tells me, "We'll be ready," his fingers brushing against mine to send a little spark of fire through me. "We have suffered more than him. We cannot allow fear to control us. I nod, but really fear is a tenacious friend. It hangs on me like a second skin. The impression that Adam knows us too well and understands how to take advantage of our shortcomings bothers me. As I begin to feel a little lighter, a low growl follows a loud snap across the woods. As I get to my feet, my pulse rushes and adrenaline floods me. With wide-open terror in their eyes, the others approach. "Did you hear that?" Nyla speaks barely above a whisper. Daniel nods while his eyes dart among the woods. "Keep vigilant. It may be an animal, but we cannot be too cautious. I searched the nearby forest for anything that could make noise. As the roar echoes once more, deeper this time, my pulse speeds. Then, from the underbrush, a big wolf with matted fur and wild-eyed moves forward. "It's only a wolf!!" I say, attempting to project bravery beyond my own feelings. But Daniel's demeanor shifts, and I can see the anxiety carved into his features. No. It is not simply a wolf. It seems... wild. It is not terrifying to us. My heart is hammering agonizingly in my chest as it prowls nearer. Deepening in resonance amid the silence of the woodland, the wolf's snarl becomes Wherever we might run is nowhere. Daniel says, "Back up slowly," his voice calm despite the circumstances. Don't move quickly. I hold my breath and fix my gaze on the thing. Though its roughness chills me, it is lovely. It lunges forward, just as I believe we may be able to escape. "Run!." Daniel yells, then we all start in various directions. My legs propel me across the forest, branches whirling into my flesh. Panic drives them. The wolf behind me is audible to me; its growls mix with my racing heart. I negotiate the underbrush, excitement pumping. I only think of survival. I hear a cry out all of sudden. "Lena!?" It's Daniel here. I am not alone. I exploded into a little clearing and saw him staring there with terrified eyes. Over here, he screams, gesturing for me to join him. Running toward him, the growling of the wolf became louder behind me. I can see the wolf closing in, its gaze fixed on me just as I get to Daniel. Prepare yourself. Daniel says, looking about the space. I could see the steely determination carved on his face. The wolf, however, is faster. It leaps toward us fangs bared in a single second. I scream, but Daniel pulls me behind him automatically as the wolf settles where I was standing. He yells, "Back!" standing in front of me. His body is stiff, his muscles coiled and ready to defend me. The wolf yells, eyes fixed on Daniel. Though it flickers in his eyes, I can see the terror being replaced by something stronger. extreme protection. We have to frighten it off, he continues, looking about for anything we may use. The tension is broken suddenly by a piercing snap. Panting fiercely, Nyla and Elias emerged into the clearing. "What happened?," ask With eyes flitting between us and the beast, Elias questions. "You have no time!" Daniel says, once again positioned before me. We need to divert it. Get ready with something to toss. I can feel my anxiety constricting my chest as the wolf approaches, but I refuse to let it control me. "I can help!" I yell, my voice louder than I could feel. "We can't let it corner us!" Daniel nods, then I look about for anything I may possibly use. My hands lock around a strong branch, and I grab it firmly feeling the rough bark on my palm. On my count, Daniel says, his voice consistent. "We are going to toss all we possess. We have to project ourselves as more than we are. "Got it," Nyla exclaims, spotting a stone and firmly grasping it. "Ready??" Daniel asks, staring right at me. One... two... three! Each of us throws our improvised weapons toward the wolf. The stone falls momentarily when it strikes its shoulder. It snags, turns its attention toward us, and I can sense wildness in its eyes. "Keep it distracted!" Daniel yells, his voice charged with desperation. "We must gradually back off!" We begin to withdraw, moving together. Though I can see the uncertainty in the wolf's eyes, its growls cover the air. "Anyway!" I yell, driving down my anxiety. The wolf leaps once again just as we approach the edge of the clearing, but Daniel is ready. He picks up another branch from the ground and swings it forcefully to hit the side of the wolf. The monster yelps, temporarily shocked. "Go! Not now! Daniel shouts, and we escape across the woods as quickly as we can. Panting fiercely, we at last arrive at a rocky outcrop after what seems like an eternity of sprinting. Adrenaline still pumping through our bodies, we duck behind the stones. "Is it gone??" With a faltering voice, Nyla asks. "I think so," Elias says, looking back toward the path we arrived on. We pause to collect our breath; the truth of what just transpired is seeping in. The way the wolf surged at us, the way I could still hear its howls resonating in my ears, and my pulse racing at the possibility of what may have occurred should Daniel not have been present. With a shaky voice, "That was too close." I go to Daniel, who is aware but breathless resting against the rocks. "You okay?" he probes, his brow wrinkled with concern. I nod, but I can feel the strain returning. "I am, but I really did not enjoy that. It seems like it transcended mere wolf behavior. It was... fundamental. Indeed, Daniel says, running his hand through his hair. But we took care of it. We stayed together; what counts is that. Nyla speaks louder now and pipes up. We have to remain on our path. Adam's not going to wait for us to recover. I inhale deeply and nod to indicate agreement. Now the forest seems darker somehow. Still, I sense the link between us getting tighter and the same experience drawing us closer. We fight for each, not just against Adam.