GLIMPSES OF THE PAST II

Lena's POV Whispers filled the air as I stood next to the abandoned cabin window, the moon creating silvery beams dancing across the dusty floor. Anxiety and excitement drove my heart; the weight of the upcoming expedition pressed down on my shoulders. The far-off echoes of our plans whirl around in the darkness almost audible. "Lena?," asks The gentle voice of Nyla drew me from my reverie. I turned to find her few feet distant, her forehead wrinkled with concern. "Are you okay??" I nodded, though doubt bit me. "Just... wondering about what's ahead." She said, "I'm scared," her voice almost above a whisper. "What should happen should something go wrong?" Wanting to reassure her, I moved closer to her but knew my own anxieties reflected hers. "We have gotten ready as best we could have." Recall the conversation we had about Being a team means we will help one another. But what if they learn we are here? Nyla's voice faltered, and I could see her hands shaking just slightly. I reached out and felt the warmth of her flesh under my palm as I laid my hand over hers. "We shall then adjust." We will figure out how to go through it together. She drew a long breath, clearly gathering her bravery. "You are correct." I just have to believe in our strategy. Exactly, I responded, attempting to give my words some power. "We are more resilient than we first realize. We have already surmounted a lot. Daniel and Elias arrived in the room just then, their faces austere. Daniel murmured, looking at us with an eagerness that chilled my spine, "We have to go." "It's time." "Right," I responded, my chest thumping in time. I turned to Nyla, who nodded resolutely back to me. The chilly evening air enveloped us like a cloak as we emerged outside. The forest loomed, black and enigmatic, as if it were concealing secrets the night could expose. I sensed a foreboding mixing with the excitement of our task. Leading the route, Elias went silently and quickly across the underbrush. "Stay close," he said with a forceful tone. "We have to hang together." I was wondering whether we were being observed as we strolled. Every crack of a twig had my heart pounding. I turned to Nyla, who had wide, attentive eyes and seemed equally nervous. "What if we come upon Adam's men?" She murmured, anxiety crawling back into her voice. Trying to project confidence, I said, "If we do, we'll handle it." "We have trained specifically for this. We're poised. We at last arrived at a vantage point with a view of the camp after what seemed like hours. The silence of the woodland around us contrasted sharply with the flickering lights and subdued murmurs. Figures moved around, and my gut turned with a mix of terror and will. Breaking the quiet, Daniel said, "Let's split into pairs." On the left side of the camp, Nyla and I will set off a diversion. You go to the right, Lena and Elias, and look for intelligence. Should things sour, we will signal one another. "Okay," I said, experiencing an adrenaline surge. " Just be careful." Nyla nodded reassuringly in my direction. "You also. We will get back here in thirty minutes. "ready?," With his gaze fixed on mine, Daniel questioned. Stealing myself, I said, "Let's do this." We went to our own places, and as I neared the camp with Elias, my heart surged. We slid behind a row of trees, our motions hidden by the darkness. The air buzzed with laughing and conversation, and I could see a blazing fire just beyond the tents. "Do you know of anyone significant?" Whispering, Elias looked about the tree. Squinting, I tried to see faces in the low illumination. "Not quite yet." Still, we need to find out their intended plans. We approached, and I caught fragments of conversation. They discussed their planned strategic locations and the forthcoming attack on our community. The idea of our house under attack chilled me down. My heart pounding, I said, "We have to stop this." "They cannot be let to hurt anyone." Agreed, Elias murmured, his jaw stiff. But we still need additional data. Just then, I saw an elderly man with a scar across his cheek engaged in conversation with a couple of younger men, aside from the rest. I related to him somehow; he felt familiar. I murmured to Elias, pointing to the man and waiting. "Do you see him?" Elias wrinkled and nodded. Definitely. I spotted him. Does anyone know him? I hesitated, memories pouring back with great speed. "I believe I am. He belonged to the squad that invaded our village. I remember him from back then. Moving closer, Elias said, "We should listen in." The strain grew in the air with every stride. They want to learn more and battle with my dread of being caught. We snuck in behind a stack of boxes. With a low, austere voice, the man replied, "I heard they're getting more supplies." "We have to hit hard and quickly. This presents our opportunity for personal leadership. "Do you think they'll fight back?" one of the younger men questioned, his tone doubtful. "They're weak," the older man snipped. "They will fall apart under duress. They will be pleading with us for charity. At his comments, my gut turned. This is worse than I had imagined. They were preparing a full-scale attack, hence, if we delayed, what we battled for could be lost. "Lena, we have to back-off and report this," Elias said in a hurry. Not yet, I said, heart pounding. "Let's listen a little more." We could pick up something absolutely vital. My breath stopped when the older man spoke once again. "Be sure you look for any stragglers. Nobody can flee here. That summed it up. I could not keep quiet any more. I responded hurriedly, dragging Elias back: "We have to go." We started to withdraw gradually, but as we turned a voice cried out behind us. hey! Two people! As we ran toward the protection of the woods, panic tore through me. Footfall hammering behind us, the sound of our assailants getting louder. "Lena," This approach! Elias yelled, slanted to the left. Adrenaline driving us forward, we avoided through the woods. Every beat in my chest reflected my anxiety. I turned back to see shadows moving in the darkness, their yells became more desperate. "We have to divide!" Realizing the danger of hanging around, I yelled. " Meet back at the cabin!" Elias nodded, resolved to paint on his face. "Be cautious!." "Stay smart!" I yelled then turned off into the forest. Pushing into the underbrush, I sprinted with branches grabbing at my clothes. My breath came in jagged gasps, terror pushing ahead. Their footsteps behind me could be heard. I staggered suddenly, then dropped to the ground. As I twisted my ankle haversingly, pain rushed through it. Under my breath, I muttered and tried to straighten myself. I had to continue on. I heard someone yell from behind just as I started to stand. "She exists there!" I was pressed for time and couldn think. I started off once more, neglecting the agony shooting from my ankle. Their footsteps became nearer, and I could hear my heart hammer in my ears. Pushing through the trees, I prayed for a means of escape. My surroundings were hazy, and the only thing that counted was keeping as much distance between me and them as could be. I broke through the forest suddenly and staggered into a little clearing. Desperate for somewhere to hide, I turned about. Realizing there was nowhere to go sank my heart. Then I heard them behind me, voices rising. "She is close." Don't let her vanish! Breath catching in my throat, I slipped behind a dropped log. My heart was pounding, the silence of the evening sounding terrible. Emerging from the foliage, the figures had determined faces. I inhaled, wishing they wouldn't find me. One of them murmured, looking about, "She can't have gone far." "Split and look around the periphery." I tightened my hands and started to panic. They were going to come find me. A loud crack sounded across the clearing just then—a limb breaking underfoot. Just in time, I turned to find one of the males staring squarely in my direction. "There!," he said, squarely pointing at me. Adrenaline racing through me, I shot in the other direction. I could hear their feet hammering on the earth as they yelled behind me. Heart pounding, I turned back. I could feel defeat weighing in as they were surpassing me. I saw a little thicket ahead just when I felt I could no longer run. Hoping to find some cover, I headed toward it and plunged into the underbrush. I lay still, listening to the tumult outside while my breath came in little gasps.