TIES THAT BINDS

Lena's POV The fire blazed in the growing evening, throwing flickering shadows on the faces all around me. Though the surface level conflict was evident, we had laughed, told stories, and developed tactics. Adam's threat loomed over us like a black cloud, and I could feel our choices weighting down. Emma was seated near me, her eyes wide with both terror and excitement as she took in all about her. Her growth in such a small period really makes me respectable. I had traveled myself; I knew all too well this trip. She said, "Lena," dragging me just apart from the throng. "Do you really think we should be trusting them?" I turned back toward the gathering. The man who had before questioned us was engrossed in discussion with Nyla, detailing future relocation plans. "I think so," I said gently. They have battled their own demons. But trust is something else entirely. It takes time. Emma nodded with a wrinkled brow. "I just don't want to be let down again." Reaching over, I felt the warmth of our relationship by squeezing her hand. Neither of us do. But we cannot let terror control us. We must go forward, collectively. Her face turned determined, and I could see the flutter of hope starting inside her. That's encouraging. The dimming flames made me consider my history. I considered the first time I had entered this universe of risk and ambiguity. I had been afraid, by myself, and doubtful of my own skills. But here I was now, guiding people, and I had to welcome responsibility. Breaking through my ideas, Nyla remarked, "Hey, you." "We will be looking over the perimeter. Desired to come? "Yeah, let's go," I said, keen for some movement. I needed to clear my head; exercise would help. I could feel the nighttime chill enveloping us as we turned away from the firelight. "Do you suppose we're ready for whatever Adam tosses at us?" I questioned, then looked at Nyla. Nyla shrugged, her confidence unwinds. "We have gone far; we will never be perfectly ready. We have to believe in one another and ourselves. "Rights." I inhaled deeply, the weight of authority once more descending upon me. "We cannot let anxiety control our decisions." We saw movement in the shadows as we got to the edge of the clearing. Freeze, adrenaline pumping through me. "Did you notice that?," I murmured. Nyla nodded, her eyes narrowing as well. Stay low. We moved forward, the sounds of our surroundings vanishing into the background. One could cut with a knife the thick enough tension in the air. Then out of the shadows a man appeared. As I got ready to face whoever it was, my heart surged. stop! I stepped forward when I phoned. The figure spun to show Jake, a familiar face. Relief and uncertainty erupted in my heart. "Jake!," You're here doing what? Lena! I have been searching for you! he said, moving into the limelight. His eyes seemed to be bursting with need. "We don't have much time." "why?" What is going on? I asked, looking for any indication of threat. "Adam's men are approaching more closely. They are on your path, Jake said, peering warily into the forest. "I needed to warn you." "Thank you," I murmured, the truth of our circumstances falling down all around. "We have to get back together." I turned back to Nyla, still watching Jake warily. "This is friend Jake. He has assisted us in the past. Still cautious, Nyla nodded gently. But we have to know what we are up against. "Let's go back to the fire," I said, eagerness driving us ahead. The gang was still seated around the fire, their features lit by the flickering light when we got back. I answered them fast, covering the circumstances. I cautioned, feeling the weight of my words drop over us, "Adam's men are getting closer." We still have to get ready. Marcus, the man running the group, nodded firmly. "We will have to divide to compile supplies. One cannot spend too much time in one spot. Agreed, I responded, sensing the strain in the atmosphere. We have to generate a diversion. It might give us time to go farther off. Then we will have to strengthen our defenses, Nyla said, her voice firm. "We have to be smart about this if we stand a chance." Emma was seated somewhat apart from the others, her face serious, as we planned. I went over, knelt next to her. Are you good? I said gently. She raised her head to see me, her eyes flickering with doubt. "What should we fail for?" "We won't," I said firmly, suddenly driven. "We have gone too far to reverse right now. Remember too that failure is only a stepping stone towards knowledge. Everybody is in this with us. Emma grinned slightly, and I could see the strength coming back to her eyes. " You really believe that?" I do, I said, feeling the conviction in my words. And I really believe in you. The following several hours passed as a whirl of activity. We set up our defenses, compiled tools, and plotted our escape paths. The air felt thick with intent, and I could sense our group's will building. We rested while the moon rose high in the heavens and sent a silvery radiance over our camp. I settled next to Emma, who was using a stick to sketch something in the ground. "What are you sketching?" I leaned in closer and asked. She looked up, her prior anxiety broken by a smile. " just a scheme. I want to make sure we stay clear-cut. We could get lost. I examined her sketch and liked her meticulous approach. "Look fantastic. You really are really adept at this. "Thanks," she said, a trace of pride tumbling into her voice. I simply wish to assist. You are helping, I said to her. Your opinions count. You are starting to take the front stage on this team. She grinned at my comments and I felt warmth in my chest. These kinds of events helped me to remember how far we had come. We dropped down for a few hours of sleep as night grew darker, the stress of the day starting to weigh on me. Lying on my side, I listened to the noises of the forest. But I avoided sleep. Thoughts of Adam, the threat we encountered, and the life of people I had come to know tore through my head. It was thrilling and terrible; I had never been accountable for anybody else before. I suddenly heard rustling nearby. Adrenaline surged through me as I shot straight ahead, my heart racing. "What was that??" I murmured quickly. Marcus emerged from the darkness with a tight face. "We have to relocate." The men of Adam are close. "Are you convinced?" Panic building inside me, I asked. "Positive. We have to depart immediately, he said, his voice low but firm." I roused the others fast, desperation driving me. Get going! We have to get moving! I took Emma's hand as everyone raced to their feet and felt her quivering just faintly. Whispering to attempt to soothe her, "Stick close to me." Our pulses pounding, we raced fast yet silently over the forest, our breathing laboring in the still night air. Rising above, the trees created shadows that seemed more menacing than they had ever done. Trying to be as quiet as possible, we negotiated the underbrush. The tension in the air was palpable, every movement aggravating the anxiety that had crept into my gut. Lena, what if they come across us? Emma softly murmured, her voice trembling. "They won't," I answered, attempting to project confidence despite my heart racing. We are moving far too quickly. But just as I was finishing my speech, a yell emerged from a far distance. My heart went down. One cried from behind us, "There!." "They're over there!." Run! Adrenaline pumping in, I yelled as we shot over the forest. As we rushed, branches whippled across my flesh and I started to panic. I could hear the voices getting closer, footfall resonating behind us. We had to figure out how to drop them. "Make your way toward the creek!" Nyla pointed forward and yelled ahead. "We can hide there." I nodded, driven to sprint faster. The brook was near, but the sound of attackers got louder, urgency biting at my gut. We arrived at the shore, and I turned rapidly to face the gathering. We must go across! We hopped across the rocks one by one, but Emma stopped. She sobbed, dread clearly on her face: "Lena, I can't!". "Just trust me." I waved my hand and urged. "You are able!." She inhaled deeply, then jumped and landed badly on the other side. I drew her fast to safety, relief overwhelming me. "Keep on your mobility!" I yelled, and together we kept on, hearts thumping with terror and will. Seeking to keep more distance between us and Adam's soldiers, we headed farther into the woodland. Our path was illuminated as we negotiated the thick underbrush by the moonlight streaming through the woods.