THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

Lena's POV The darkness of the cave muffle the sounds of the outside world like a heavy blanket. Beside me, I can sense Nyla's anxiety; her breath is shallow as we wait in quiet, hearts hammering in time. Every stir outside shocks me and reminds me that we are not yet safe. Nyla says, "I can't believe we're hiding in a cave," her voice just heard above the echo of our breaths. "This seems out of a storybook." Though it doesn't reach my heart, I manage a little smile. "At least it's better than being caught, right?," says I answer, injecting a little humor into the exchange. Nyla's eyes show the faint light coming from the door, and I could see hope glitter in them. "Right." But trying to lighten the tone, she says, it's not exactly a holiday destination either. I nod, grateful for her attempt at comedy even if it seems like a thin covering over our reality. "Let's just hope it stays quiet for a while," I add, my voice smoother than I feel. The minutes run on, and the cave seems more like a jail than a haven. I find myself going back over the chase in my head—the terror, the fear of being discovered, the vulnerability. Though I know I cannot let it control me, it is overwhelming. I must be strong for Nyla and the others in addition to myself. What feels like an age passes before I hear footsteps withdrawing. My heart starts racing once more. "Do you believe they departed?" Leaning near the door, I strain to hear. "Maybe," Nyla says, her voice almost above a whisper. We cannot, however, be overly cautious. I nodded and bit my lip. Though the threat is always present, I want to believe we are protected. Settling back against the cool stone of the cave, I murmur, "We should wait a bit longer, just in case." Sitting here, my thoughts return to Daniel and Elias. The anxiety chewing at me is not going away. Are they dangerous? Did they make it out from under? I hope I can get in touch to find out if they're okay. My chest feels like it is weighty from uncertainty. Nyla breaks my dream by shifting next to me. Her brow wrinkled in sympathy, she replies, "What do you think Adam wants with you?" I inhale deeply, the answer ringing in my head. "I'm unsure. Whatever it is, though, I cannot allow him to define me. I have battled too much to let that happen. "You have changed a lot, Lena," Nyla says gently. "You were so self-conscious at the first meeting. Now, though, you are prepared to fight. Her comments really appeal to me. I recall the reluctant girl who questioned her value. "I guess I've had to," I responded, my voice rich with feeling. "Every obstacle has helped me to discover my strength. I cannot be the girl I was before. Nyla nods, a little smile flickering through her concern. You know that; you are inspirational. You are thriving, not just surviving. Her remarks cause me to get warm. " Thanks, Nyla. Without you and the others, I couldn have done it. All of you have driven me toward excellence. Our moment is broken at just that by an unexpected noise outside. My heart thumping, I stiffen and struggle to hear. Steps once more, but this time they are more intentional, more focused. My heart pounding as I draw Nyla closer, I say, "Stay quiet." Breathing, we strain ourselves against the cave wall. The feet get louder, and I can now hear low, urgent voices. One voice orders "check over there." One cannot be far from another. We have to track them before Adam returns. I look at Nyla; terror flashes in her eyes. Her voice quivering, she says, "They're looking for us." I whisper back, trying to remain cool and let them pass. "They'll go on if we keep quiet." I inhaled the breath I never realized I was holding as the voices drift off into the distance. "That was close," I say, still feeling a pulse. Nyla says, "I hate this," a frustrated voice bubbling through. "Why can't we head home straight away? Why are things going this way? I know exactly what she is feeling. "I'm not sure," I said gently. We cannot, however, give up hope. Not alone are we in this. We will make it over; we have each other. The cave shuts once more, but the atmosphere seems different now—charged with doubt. The sensation that Adam is approaching us and that the clock is running out is one I cannot get rid of. After some time, I look to Nyla; determination is pumping through me. "We ought to decide where to go next. We are not going to be able to live here indefinitely. Nyla fixes me with a firm glance. "You are correct. We have to follow up with Daniel and Elias. Our best opportunity to resolve this is via them. We begin silently scheming and weighing our choices. Recalling the map of the area in my memory, "if we head east, we could circle back to the river and find a safer path back to camp," I say. "Good notion." We must exercise caution nevertheless. Nyla agrees, her voice calm as we go over our strategy: Adam's soldiers will be hunting for us and we cannot let them surprise us once more. I glance one last around as we are ready to depart the cave. For me, this location has been a place of contemplation as much as a temporary refuge. Now I feel differently—stronger and more conscious of my goal. "ready?" My heart thumping with both terror and delight, I ask Nyla. She says, "Let's do this," with determined glistening eyes. We leave the tunnel; the forest opens out before us in dappled sunlight. Nearby, I can hear the faint rush of the river; this sound suggests familiarity and safety. Glancing over my shoulder, "Stay close," I say. "We will keep to the trees." I can't get rid of the sense of being watched as we negotiate the underbrush. Every shadow seems to move, every rustle feels just close. Though I ignore those ideas since the surroundings are dangerous. I must be concentrated. We go low and quiet, for what seems like hours. Tension permeates the air, and I could feel Nyla uncomfortable next to me. Glancing at me, she says, "Do you think we're getting closer?" My heart in my throat, I say, "I hope so." "We have to be getting toward the river." As I say, there are echoes of a crack among the trees. We stop, our eyes running to the sound. "What was that?"? Nyla exhales, terror teping into her voice. "Stay low," I say, heart pounding as I sweep the surroundings. I hardly have time to respond when suddenly someone breaks from the woods. One of Adam's men, his eyes searching the surroundings with a hungry intent, I automatically reach for Nyla and draw her back as a man approaches. Over there! he yells, pointing at us. "They're here!" "Run!," Adrenaline pumping through me, I scream as I fly in the other way dragging Nyla behind. Branches breaking under our feet as we hurry away from danger, we dash among the trees. "Where are we headed?" Fear is clear in her voice, Nyla calls. "Points toward the river!" This is our greatest opportunity. I yell back, trying to run quicker. The weight of anxiety settles over me as the noises of chase get nearer. The gushing water of the riverside was a sharp contrast to the turmoil behind us as we broke through the woods and skied to stop. "What now?" Nyla asked With her laboring breathing. I survey the river looking for a safe crossing. Here is not where we can stop. We have to find a path across, I say, peering up and down the bank. The sound of footsteps approaches, louder now as we consider our alternatives. I find a tree that has fallen bridging the river. "There!," asked I point and speak with urgency. "We can cross that!" Nyla nods and we run to the log. As we inch across the unsteady surface, the water roars beneath us and I sense the strain rising. Though we have no choice, each step seems like a lifetime. Keep on! I call, looking back to see shadows starting to show out of the woods. We are driven ahead in a hurry. I shout behind us halfway across. halt! Please not move! The command resonates and sends me a jolt of terror. "Don't turn around!" I yell, my eye on the other side focused. I feel the log change underfoot as we approach the finish. "Hold on!." Desperate clutching Nyla's arm, I yell as we trip off the end and into the muddy bank. We landed forcefully, the impact taking out my lung capacity. "Get up!" I yell and start to stand. We have to move! I hear the noises of pursuit approaching as we raise ourselves; the urgency pushing us ahead once more. But still something