VIEWED THROUGH THE STORM

Lena POV All around us, the noises of anarchy broke out—a chorus of yelling soldiers and breaking branches. Desperate to keep Alex stable as we bent behind the tree, my heart flew as I tightened my hold on his arm. "Did Finn vanish?" My voice was hardly audible over the noise, I murmured. "I hope so," Alex said, his breathing unsteady. We have to put faith in him. Looking at Jacob, who was peering through the undergrowth trying to assess the circumstances, "We have to move," he added, eagerness tinging his words. We won't have a chance if they locate us. "Where would we like to go?" I questioned, my brain whirling. We cannot stay here or return to the cabin. "The stream ought to guide us toward higher ground," Jacob said. "We might have a better view from the ridge if we can reach it." I nodded, thrashing through me with adrenaline. "OK, let's move, but gently." I experienced a mixture of anxiety and will as we negotiated the underbrush. For us, this marked a turning point and we had to transcend the turmoil. Although every step seemed weighty, I knew we had to press on. We trailed the stream, its soothing bubbling contrasting with the strain in the air. I turned back to Alex, whose face was fixed in a determined attitude despite obviously suffering. Though I could see he was struggling, I respected his will. "Are you alright?" With a quiet voice, I asked. He answered, "I'm fine," but his voice was strained. "Let's just keep going.." My heart sank as suddenly we could hear feet behind us. "They're approaching!" Jacob Hissed, his eyes wide. "Hurried! We ought to hide! I hauled Alex behind a big boulder jutting out from the edge of the creek. Breathless and stiff, we pushed ourselves against it. Fear started to weigh in my stomach as the soldiers' voices got nearer. They were nonce stops. I closed my eyes for a brief reminder to inhale. For Alex and Jacob, I had to be solid. The troops went by, their boots crunching on the gravel. I inhaled, then felt Alex's shoulder brush against mine. "What if they find us?" he asked, terror tumbling into his voice. "They won't," I said, although uncertainty tore at me. "Just keep quiet." We slid back into the shadows and kept down the stream once the troops moved far enough apart. I kept staring at Alex, urging him to be strong. "How much farther?" He sweated beads on his forehead and panted. Not much, Jacob said, setting the example. "We simply have to reach the ridge. We will occupy the high ground with an improved view. Though it was tempered by our reality, I had a burst of hope. Time was running out, and I couldn't get rid of the impression that we were under hunting pressure. A sharp yell suddenly resonated behind us. "They followed this direction! Trace the stream! I looked back and felt a panic attack. "We have to hurry!," We jumped over boulders and rushed along the bank avoiding branches. Our footsteps were muffled by the sound of rushing water, but I could sense the soldiers' hurry closing on us. I looked to Jacob as we came upon a sharp slope. "We have to climb up!" "Go!" he pushed, guiding me to drag Alex upward as we fled for better footing. As I ascended, my muscles ached, but I persisted despite the agony, concentrating just on getting to safety. We stopped at the summit to gather our breath; the view opened out before us. Under the midday sun, the woodland opened out endlessly like a sea of green. Jacob pointed out the horizon and remarked, "We can see if they're still following us." My heart thumping in my chest, I gazed out. "Can you find anything?" "Not yet," he said, brow wrinkled in focus. I suddenly noticed motion among the trees below. "There!" I pointed, my gut turning around. "They are still arriving!" Then we have to relocate once more, Jacob remarked with a firm voice. "We are unable to stay here." "Where to?" Anxiety washing over me, I questioned. "Old cabin not far from here," he said. Though it should offer some cover, it is abandoned. "Lead the way," I responded, resolving the theft under attack. I watched Alex, clearly laboring but still moving forward. Are you good? "I'm with you," he murmured, his voice scratched but firm. I had a mixture of hope and anxiety as we descended the ridge. This was our opportunity to get back together, but the impression that we were under observation persisted. I opened the cabin door when we at last arrived, wincing as it crested angrily. Inside was dark and musty, dust whirling in the light shafts that passed through the broken windows. "Quick! Internally! Jacob pushed for us to walk in. We entered and I closed the door behind us, the sound resonating in the quiet. Though it felt like a tomb, the cabin was our temporary haven. "Let's hunt for supplies," Jacob said, gesturing toward a flimsy table in the corner. I cautioned, staring out the window to make sure we were not being followed. I started to get uncomfortable as I looked around the room. The air was heavy with neglect; the walls were naked. It felt as though hope had long since given up here. " Found something!" From the rear chamber, Jacob called with great enthusiasm. My heart rose when I hurried over to see canned food and a few water bottles. " That's fantastic!" I cried out, relief pouring over me. From behind Jacob, Finn whispered, "Here, let me help." Finland! You really made it. I hurried over to toss my arms around him. "I was really worried!" "I told you I would," he added, beaming despite the dirt splattered across his face. "I just created a little diversion; that's all." "Let's not discuss how you did it," I said, stepping back to study him. Just promise me you will be careful. "I promise," he responded, his face growing solemn. But we have to move swiftly. They are still searching for us. "We know," Jacob responded, sounding urgent. We cannot stay here for very long. I started to be really appreciative of my pals as we started to compile materials. We were still standing together notwithstanding all we had gone through. Alex replied, his voice slicing through the suspense, "Lena." "You're doing really well." I only want you to be aware of it. Startled by the warmth in his eyes, I stared at him. Thanks, Alex. Just trying to keep everyone safe here. You are, he answered with a forceful voice. "You have kept us together when things seemed unworkable." His comments really spoke to me and gave me strength. Having battled to keep our group afloat, his recognition helped me to see how far we had progressed. "We'll get through this," I answered, staring right back. We will figure out how to call off this. Driven once more, we completed gathering goods and devised a strategy for another relocation. I carried the weight of the moment as we got ready to leave the cabin. We were a family created in the furnace of difficulty, not merely survivors. Leaving the house, the sunlight seemed like a gift. I inhaled deeply, allowing the earthy and pine smells to occupy my lungs. Looking at each of them in turn, I added, "We stick together, no matter what." "Always," Jacob shot back with a sharp look. "Together," Finn said, a smile breaking across the dirt on his face. "Together," Alex said, a flash of will in his eyes. I started to feel direction as soon as we entered the trees. We would confront whatever obstacles that were ahead as one. Our relationship was strong, and together we would weather the storm. Right then, I heard a rustle in the undergrowth. Turning to see a soldier from the Order emerge from the shadows, my heart surged. "Run!"— Adrenaline flooding me, I yelled and turned to run. But it was too late; the soldier had already raised his weapon; my heart dropped as I understood the conflict was far from finished.