THE UNKNOWN

Lena's POV As we gathered in the shadows regaining our breath following our limited escape, the night air was heavy with anxiety. It was easy for us to lose ourselves in our worries as the gloom enveloped us like a shroud. The picture of Adam's sharp eye stayed with me; it had great weight as a threat. "We have to find cover," I muttered at last, shattering the quiet. " Somewhere to regroup and make our next move." Nyla nodded, her big, nervous gaze Where, though? We are not able to return to the cottage. It is quite perilous. Daniel browsed the treeline, his brow wrinkled in contemplation. "Two miles from here is an ancient cabin. Although it has been deserted for years, it might provide some cover. Still slanted against the tree, Elias straightened himself. "Do you think we might get there undetectably?" "We have our best shot here," I said. "We have to move fast and stay in the trees. Come along. We went stealthily across the underbrush, the moist ground muffled our footsteps. Though Adam's men's terror persisted in the air, I could also sense a sliver of optimism. We were with each other and living. That had to count for some. I glimpsed my friends as we creeped along; every one of them was battling something different. Usually so full of sunshine, Nyla was shaded by anxiety and had wrinkled brows. Daniel was stiff; his jaw locked as he concentrated on the road forward. And always the guardian, Elias was keeping a wary eye on our surroundings. "Are you good??" We stopped to gather our breath behind a group of trees, and I asked Nyla gently. You seem a little bit off. She looked at me, vulnerability flickering across her face. "I simply become terrified, Lena. Should they come upon us, what then? Suppose anything happens to us? I stretched out to lay a consoling hand on her shoulder. "We will be good. Together, we have confronted so much. We are going to get through this. Her eyes fixed on me, and I could see the struggle inside her. "What would happen if it falls short? What would happen if Adam surpasses our expectations? Though he is strong, he is not unbeatable. We are strong because we have each other. Though I felt the weight of my own worries crushing down, I hoped my words would reassure her. Correct. She whispered, a little smile breaking through her concern. We at last arrived at the ancient cabin, which seemed to be an eternity. Surrounded by dense plants and trees, it stood twisted and ignored. As we pushed the door open, it creaked menacingly to expose a dark inside covered in dust. I said, "Let's check for supplies and make sure it's safe," looking about the space for any possible hazards. Nyla and I looked about the main area while Daniel and Elias went right to check the rear room. I couldn't get rid of the sensation that we were being watched as we sieved through the dusty remains of once-home. Lena, have a look at this! Pulling a frayed blanket from his chest, Nyla phoned. "It's not very much, but it might keep us warm." "Good find," I responded, appreciative of her inventiveness. With hope shining in her eyes, she said, "maybe we can make this place a little more homey." "Just until we decide what to do going forward." I laughed gently, grateful for her attempt to define the atmosphere. "Yeah, maybe we could toss a party and hang some fairy lights." Nyla chuckled, and the tension in the room momentarily relaxed. But the harsh reality we lived with replaced the laughing, just as fast as it had come. Elias came back with a sobering look. "I looked at the rear and for now it appears clear. Still, we have to exercise caution. Adam's soldiers are not easy give-up targets. "What do we do right now??" Daniel rubbed his neck and inquired. We cannot only wait for them to approach us. Pacing the little room, I said, "We'll need a plan." "We have to decide where to go next—find supporters, get in touch with everyone who might be of use to us." And how may we accomplish that without attracting notice? With a steady yet strained voice, Elias asked. "We split up," I said. "I can make contact with survivors by visiting nearby communities. You might come with me, Nyla. Daniel and Elias might remain here and strengthen the cabin. Are you sure that is safe? Concern etching her features, Nyla asked. "We must move quickly even though I know it is dangerous. Adam is hunting us; we cannot sit about. We must carry the fight to him. Silent for a minute, Elias nodded. "I trust you if that is what you believe to be best. Still, we have to exercise caution. Indeed, I told him, feeling the weight of leadership falling on my shoulders. We will be back before morning. Just be alert for anything strange. We were ready for our individual missions knowing a strategy was in place. I felt a mix of exhilaration and anxiety as Nyla and I loaded our bags. This presented our opportunity to seize our destinies. I responded, stopping to meet her stare, "Nyla, I know this is scary, but we must let fear control our behavior. We are doing this in concert. She said, her voice calm, "I know." "I just want to be sure we return safely." And we will. We will keep an eye on one other's backs. Friends do that. She grinned, a real flame of confidence flickering back. "Right." Together. The moon was high in the sky as we left, giving the road ahead an ethereal glow. Every rustle and murmur in the forest seemed alive, aggravating our stress. I inhaled deeply, arming myself for what was next. "Stick close," I urged her as we walked gingerly down the path. "We cannot afford to get split." We proceeded silently, the sound of our feet muted by the dropped leaves. I was both thrilled and scared by the unknown. And what if we discovered allies? What would happen should we fail? "What if they are already gone?" Nyla broke the quiet by asking. "What if we cannot locate anyone ready to assist?" "We then continue to search." We keep on, I said, with a firm voice. Hope is something we cannot give up. People that wish to fight back exist out there. We just have to look for them. Nyla nodded, still clearly worried in her gaze. "You're right." We simply have to keep concentrating. One hour of walking brought us to the first adjacent town. It was still, the streets empty and hauntingly quiet. As we walked along the poorly lighted lanes, peeking into deserted stores and homes, I started to feel uncomfortable in my stomach. "Do you suppose anyone is still here?" Her voice a little above a whisper, Nyla asked. "I hope so," I said, looking about for any life. "We have to try at least one of the former meeting venues. They may have left anything or messages. We headed for the old community center, windows broken and doors open. Inside, the traces of a once-bustling location were strewn around the floor. With my heart pounding with every floorboard creak, I moved gingerly over trash. "Look!," said Nyla gestured to a wall dotted with hurriedly scratched notes. "They left communications!" Reading the words of others who had gone through the same hardships we were now experiencing, I rushed over. As I saw the will in their messages, hope shot into me. We must locate these persons. They might still be in circulation. But the sinister sense of being watched returned as we searched the middle. I turned to face the door, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on the edge. Nyla said, "Lena," her voice tight. "Do you feel that?" The sound of footfall echoed from outside before I could reply. My pulse sank. "We must hide!" We covered behind an adjacent table, holding our breath as the footfall got louder. I could see a man passing past the broken door. "Who's there?" A voice cried out, suspiciously strong. I murmured to Nyla, clutching her fingers tightly, "Stay quiet." I waited for the figure to pass and my heart raced. The door creaked open, showing a big man with sharp eyes and tough features just as the footsteps started to vanish. Before entering, he warily peered about the room. "Hello??" He called once more, looking about. "I know someone else is here!" Uncertain of whether to expose ourselves, Nyla and I exchanged apprehensive looks. I held my breath, watching him advance inside. Show Yourself! He insisted, his voice clear and forceful. I moved from behind the table, raised my hands in submission without another choice. "We mean no damage." Nyla stepped carefully, copying my lead. The man took us in and widened his startled eyes. With a somewhat hesitant voice, he said, "Who are you?" I go by Lena and this is Nyla. We search for allies—survivors just like ourselves. We wanted to see if someone still lived after learning about this location. The man examined us, his face changing.