CROSSROADS OF BETRAYAL

Lena's POV I'm beginning to wonder if any of us will make it out of this in one piece. As I negotiate the forest, the weight of it all is weighing down on me; every step I make is marked by the gentle crunch of leaves underfoot. Though I can sense Daniel and the others about, this quiet between us seems thicker than it has ever been. Although we should be a team, with the betrayal everything seems tattered and delicate. Every shadow in the dark and weighty night feels as though it is observing us, poised to see whether we will break. When Marcus indicates, sticking up a fist, we at last stop. We exist here. A few meters ahead is the secret meeting place where, ideally, Daniel and I spent days assembling allies. As Daniel inhales, I see lines on his face deeper than they were yesterday. Though he hides it well, his normal confidence is waning. I have always loved him for his ability to put on a brave front even in the middle of disaster. But tonight I found the gaps. His voice barely above a whisper, he asks, "Ready?" I nod, a bit tighter, hold on my dagger. As ready as I'll ever be. We advance and shortly we find ourselves in the clearing. The allies start to show up one by one, cautiously glancing from the shadows and sporting dubious expressions. Elias is the renegade we picked up from the village; his keen eyes track all we do. Beside him is Nyla, a sharpsaver with a short fuse and a scar running from her temple to her chin. And a few others; faces I haven't yet committed to memory but will have to if we are to entrust our lives to them. Walking ahead, Elias crosses his arms. What then is the strategy, Daniel? When Daniel speaks, his voice is consistent. "We are going to follow him. We are familiar with his hiding places and routines. We will group ourselves and cover more ground. Elias lifts an eyebrow. And should we discover him, what then? The query hangs in front of us. None of us especially want to consider it, let alone express it. "It depends," Daniel says at last, his stare unbroken. "We will bring him in if he is alone. If not... " He pauses, allowing the words not spoken to sink in. If at all possible capture him. But if not, there only remains one other choice. I attempt to interpret his feelings as he talks, but he seems locked off. I used to be able to see right through him, to tell from his demeanor what he was thinking. He is now a stranger hiding under a known face. Elias and Nyla glance at each other, and I can sense their uncertainty, the doubt boiling just under the surface. I hold no guilt toward them. We are telling them to go after someone who knows every action and to gamble everything. It's a hefty assignment, and part of me questions if we are merely preparing ourselves for yet another catastrophe. I find myself teamed with Elias as the gang breaks out to occupy places. He speaks up at last, his tone subdued but incisive as we are softly traversing the woods. With his head focused ahead, he asks, "Do you trust him?" "Who, Daniel?," asks I answer, but I already know where this is headed. He moves to nod. "You two seem rather close." But following all that has happened...I question if he is the appropriate leader for this. His comments had more impact than I anticipated. I want to stand up for Daniel, correct Elias, and let him know that Daniel is the only person qualified to guide us. Actually, though, I am beginning to wonder about things as well. Daniel has been different after the betrayal: far-off, focused, nearly compulsive. Either way, it's driving him more and farther away from the person I once knew. I'm not sure if he merely wants closure or retribution. I give a noncommittal response, something that will appease Elias without disclosing my own uncertainties. "Daniel has always led quite powerfully. He is doing what he knows. Not convinced, Elias looks at me. "I hope Lena, you are right. Since I'm not sure whether another error will be survivable. The hours pass in tense quiet while we hunt. Every leaf rustle and every shadow in the distance has my pulse racing. Elias's stare on me feels as if he is waiting for me to crack, to confess that I am not sure what I am doing. I hold my head high, though, concentrating on the current work. And then we find him just as morning starts to break. Alone, he is standing on the brink of a cliff with his back toward us. We have been hunting for this friend who turned on us. My heart beats as I look at Elias; he nods silently to indicate direction onward. We approach gently, trying to keep quiet, but he turns around and starts to smile. He must hear us. "Ah, I was wondering when you'd show up," he replies, his tone sarcastic. Elias grips his weapon tightly, but I move forward attempting to keep my voice steady. 'Why, Adam? Why had you turned on us? Adam's smile falters, just momentarily, and I see a flutter of something in his eyes—probably regret. But it's gone as fast as it seemed, replaced by icy rebellion. You were holding me back, he replies, his voice tight. "All of you. You were blind to recognize what I was meant for. Though I let the words sting not show. So you sold us out? Left us to look after ourselves? He gives a shrug. Sometimes one has to make compromises. Elias surges forward, but I stop him with a head shake. Adam has to keep talking if we are to persuade him to expose more. Part of me yearns to know whether there is any friend I once knew remaining inside him. "Was it worth it?" My voice is just a whisper, I ask. Turning your back on everyone who trusted you? Adam's face stiffens, and for a second I believe he will say something—to own perhaps a mistake. Then he chuckles, a hollow, sour sound that makes my spine shingle. "You wouldn't grasp, Lena. You are really too weak. Usually have been. Though I feel a flash of wrath, I restrain myself and try to remain cool. "Maybe I am." At least I have folks who look out for me. Are you able to say the same? He seems surprised for a time, as though I have touched a sensitive nerve. He then recovers, his eyes going frigid. This never had anything to do with loyalty. It relates to survival. And you are simply dead weight if you lack the strength necessary for survival. Elias has had enough. He moves nearer, his voice low and lethal. "Adam, you were the one that turned on us. It is you who decided on power above allegiance. Talk not of survival to us. Adam smiles apathetically. "Consider what you wish. Nowadays, it makes no difference. You come too late. He turns and vanishes into the jungle before I can even digest his remarks, leaving us shocked. I look at Elias and see the resentment in his eyes—the frustration of having come so near only to lose him once more. Though my voice lacks the firmness I want it to have, "We'll get him," I say. "We'll find him.." Elias only nods, his jaw tightly closed. "We would want better. Alternatively all of this has been for naught. I can't get rid of the anxiety building in my chest as we head back to camp. Adam is more dangerous than ever, and right now he knows we are coming for him. I can only wish we are ready and that Daniel's strategy will keep us safe. But looking at Elias and at the fresh allies we have added to our circle, I begin to question if trust is even feasible now. And I wonder how much more we are ready to risk to bring down a friend we used to know.