THE TURNING TIDES

Lena's POV As I watch Daniel scurry to compile our supplies, my heart still races. The sense of anxiety that hangs in the air and thickens with every second is not going away. Half-expecting Adam's soldiers to show up at any moment, I sweep the treeline behind me. "Hrush!" They follow directly behind me! I yell, panic coloring my voice. Once Daniel understands the seriousness of the matter, his attitude changes from uncertainty to urgency. Everyone now! Grab what you can, he says, his voice steady yet forceful. Rising quickly and with deliberate motions, Nyla and Elias putting goods into their bags Though I feel guilty about putting children at risk, I cannot let that stop me. I have to guard them. My head runs with what I heard while I help pack. Ideas for me. Adam would want me alive for what? Though I know I shouldn't let the questions overwhelm me right now, they whirl in my thoughts. Our first need is to flee. "Did you note how many there were?" With his brow wrinkled and his voice quiet but anxious, Daniel asks, dragging me aside. "Just two that I saw," I say, attempting to sound more assured than I feel. "But they noted Adam wanted to photograph me. Before he sends more, we have to leave this place. "Right," says His eyes darting around the clearing, he chooses to split into couples. Nyla, Lena and you follow the east road. I shall go north with Elias. We will meet in the late evening at the old cottage. Are you sure that is safe? Nyla probes, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "What if they join us?" Glancing back toward the woods, Daniel says, "It's our best chance." "We have to migrate." At now. I start to flutter with anxiety in my chest as we get ready. Being apart from Daniel once more bites at me. I look up at him and say, "Be careful," my voice just above a whisper. "I will," he says, his eyes darting over me. "Just follow the plan." We will cross paths once more. I glance one final time and turn with Nyla toward the east road. Though the jungle looms ahead, black and menacing, I push the terror aside. I cannot let it control me. I have to be focused. As we venture more into the forest, the sound of the trees nearby contrasts sharply with the anarchy we just fled. "What do you suppose Adam wants from you?" Breaking the quiet as we negotiate the difficult footing, Nyla asks. Frustration boiling under the surface, I say, "I wish I knew." "I feel as though I'm running blind based on the bits I heard. Whatever it is, though, I cannot let him have me. Nyla nods with a sobering look. Lena, you have matured really greatly. The person you first joined us is not the same. You are formidable. You are free to face this. Her comments set something inside of me moving. I recall the girl who would stop at every turn, terrified to face her anxieties. But nowadays? I battle for something more than just myself. "Thanks, Nyla. I value it; my voice is more steady now than it has been. We keep on, the underbrush crushing underfoot. The air is cold, and I sense our tension—a mix of fear and will. As we arrive at a little clearing, I hear a twig snapping behind us. Again, my heart raced, adrenaline coursed through me. "Did you know that?" I whisper in desperation. Nyla nods and opens her eyes. "We ought to continue. fast. I can't get rid of the sense that we are being observed as we rush more into the forest. Every rustle, every shadow causes me to shuck. The planet is alive with peril. We eventually find a little creek after what seems to be hours. We stop to gather our breath; the sound of flowing water is a nice diversion. Nyla says, stooping next to the water's edge, "We should take a moment." I kneel next to her and icy liquid splashes my cheeks. "We can't stay too long," I tell her, looking back toward the road we traveled from. "We have to keep on going." She says, her voice lower now: "I know." Still, we also have to discuss what is happening. Lena, you cannot hold all this bottled up. I inhale deeply and feel her words weigh. "This is merely... I choose not to fight this battle. I was trying to survive, and now I feel as if I am being pushed into something I do not entirely grasp. Nyla nods with a steady look. "It's natural to feel that way." But today you are not alone. We are in this together. Her consolation helps me to remember the link we have created. I see her eyes and find a strong will reflected back in them. You're right, I have to acknowledge. "I guess I forgot about the people fighting beside me. I have been so concentrated on the threat." "We'll sort it out together," she replies, a smile breaking through the stress. You are battling for all of us, not only for yourself. Her comments really speak to me, and I get a hope explosion. Taking her hand, I squeeze it tightly. Thank you, Nyla. I wouldn't forget that. I hear noises far away as we get ready to go. My heart drops. "They're approaching! I hiss, panic flooding across me. Nyla's eyes widen in panic, and we start to get to our feet ready for movement. We tuck into the forest, our motions quiet as we strive to fit into the darkness. The voices got louder, and I could pick out brief exchanges. Frustrated male voice says, "Which way did they go?" "I thought they headed this way," another says. One cannot be far from another. They have to be found before Adam returns. My pulse slows down. They are looking for us; should we be captured now, it will be all over. I look at Nyla, her face a mask of focus. We have to leave this space. We slink farther into the forest, dodging any limbs liable to break beneath our weight. The tension holds even as the voices fade. I hear crackling behind us just as I believe we are safe. "Did you learn about that?" My heart is pounding once more, I whisper. Nyla nods with a sobering look. "We had to hide." I look about and see a thicket of shrubs close by. "Over there!," We hurry toward it, bending low. I point. As the commotion approaches, I hold my breath and pray they never discover us. I could see two males with shadowy features across the branches. "where could they have gone?" One grumbles with irritation. The other says, looking about, "They can't have gone far." Let us divide. You go north; I will go south. As they start to go in different directions—one right toward our hiding place—my heart falls. Trying to calm myself, I firmly grab Nyla's arm. "Stay still," I say in whispers. The man passes near enough for me to glimpse his features. He has a hard look and sharp features. He pauses unexpectedly, staring across the undergrowth. I inhale, asking him not to see us. "Lena!," he says, his voice low but firm. "We are sure you are here. Come forward now; this will be simpler for you. My digestive tract turns. Adam's man here is seeking for me. Though I desire nothing except to give myself up, I cannot hide myself indefinitely. Nyla movies near me at just that, her foot catching on a branch. As the man veers quickly in our direction, I cannot control the gasp that comes out of my mouth. He yells, "Found you!" and lunches forward. "Run!," I yell and grasp Nyla's hand as we flee our hiding location. As we run further into the forest, adrenaline floods my body; branches whip at my arms and legs. Footfall behind us, strong and deliberate, I can hear. Don't stop! I yell and prod Nyla to sprint faster. My lungs burning, we speed over the forest, but I resist giving in to terror. I cannot let them find us. I then see a small trail headed up a high slope. In this sense! I phoned, straying off the main road. Nyla trails and we ascend as quickly as we can. Though we're getting distance, I can hear the man yelling behind us. I stop to regain my breath at the crest of the hill and look about for somewhere to hide. Ahead, partially covered by shrubs, is a little cave. "Overthere!" We hurry toward it, getting inside just as the noises of pursuit get louder. I point. We stoop in the darkness, our breaths heavy gasps. "Do you suppose they looked at us?" Nyla whispers, wide with terror in her eyes. "I'm not sure," I say, straying to search for any indication of them. We are surrounded by the gloom of the cave, and my heart is pounding. We have to be silent. Time extends as we sit silently, the tension hanging weightily in the air. My heart is hammering right now.