BENEATH DE SURFACE

Lena's POV The office air carries considerable expectation. Finn and Jacob linger over the folder, my phone gently shining on their faces while we take pictures of the documents. Every camera click seems like a small victory even yet I can't get rid of the sense that we're rushing against time. "We need to get this information to the right people," Jacob says, his brow twitching as he flips over more papers. "Beckett will find out if we slow down." Finn says, concentrating on a lip bite, "right." How can we leave here undetectable? Looking about the room for any signs of an escape route, "maybe we can use the rear exit," I reply. "I noted it in our method of approach." Nodding, Jacob is Let us summarize quickly. We dwell not in the woods yet. Shouts follow as we are ready to go; a great smash from the corridor shocks us. My heart lets go. I scream, horror grabbing my chest: "They're here." "Hidden!" Finn exhorts; everyone runs for cover. I stoop behind the desk, using shallow breaths to attempt to control the growing horror. "We must relocate right now!." Jacob talks fervently, his eyes flitting to the door. Before we can make decisions, the door crashes open and a group of armed guards surges in. One yells loudly, "Search the place!" "They can't be far!" I stare at Finn; his face is tight yet strong. His eyes flash with a fire—a determination that gives me a little more bravery. He steps carefully toward the door, gesturing for me to say nothing. As the guards start checking about the office, I experience a sense of annoyance mixed with apprehension. We have gone too far to find ourselves caught right now. I go over the papers we gathered knowing they hold the secret to everything. "Let's create a diversion," Finn says. "We might be able to slide past if we can bring them out." Glancing over the space, he asks, "What do you have in mind?" "There's a window," I reply, pointing to the little glass pane behind us. "It will take their attention off of us if I break it." Finn stops considering the risks. Lena, that might be harmful. Should they hear you, what then? "I would rather take the chance than sit here and wait to be caught," my voice strong. We ought to attempt it. Finn and Jacob both move aside and nod in accord, thereby freeing me. With each step, my pulse thumping, I approached the window nervously. I go to it, prepared to break the silence, and inhale deeply. I raise my arm prepared to smash my elbow into the glass. As I'm about to strike, the guards begin to walk toward our hiding area. I have panic attacks. I won't let them find us. I rapidly struck the window, and the office is surrounded with glass smashing noises. The guards pause; heads turn toward the disturbance. One of them cries, "Over there!" and dashes after the sound. "Seeit! "Right now!" Finn hisses; then we soar for the back escape. As I see the troops sprint by, my heart thumps in my chest. We sneak through the door, our boots thumping on the hallway floor. Our footsteps resounding around us, we rushed along a little passageway. It's amazing how we are actually doing this. Though I know we're still not safe, the thrill of escaping pumps my pulse. Which way?" Looking back to see we are not being followed, Jacob queries. "Leave!," I shout and gesture to a poorly lit tunnel seeming to lead outdoors. "At the end there ought to be an emergency exit!" As we gallop the direction of a growing will, I can feel the uncertainty and fear starting to fade. We have faced much before; I refuse to let anything stop us now. I discover the emergency escape as we near the hall's conclusion. My pulse thumping, I open the door and we stream into the evening breeze. The chilly air over my face energizes me. "We got it!." Finn , his eyes bright with excitement. Not yet, Jacob answers, glancing about the parking lot. "We have to head straight to the car and move fast." As we run across the lot, my pulse races and I locate our car. But headlights begin to glow along our road of escape as we arrive. I halt and my heart stops as well. With much emphasis in his voice, Jacob yells, "It's Beckett's men! Get in. Finn screams, already seated in the driver's seat. Adrenaline is pouring through me, I rush behind and Jacob leaps right next to me. Finn closes the door exactly as the first guard races at us. I shout, my voice booming with terror: "Go, go, go!" Finn pushes the car into gear, and we fly forward with tires screeching against the road. Finn swives the car to narrowly avoid the bullet shattering the rear window, as I glance back just in time to see a guard hoist his gun. Finn whirls across traffic along the street, momentarily excited at getting away. My heart hammering in my chest, I lean forward on my seat. "Did we miss them?" I inquire and back off warily. Jacob responds, "Not yet," his voice tense. We had to turn off the main road. "Haaks on!" Finn shouts and rushes quickly onto a side street. The car jostles aggressively, but I grab on hard; the thrill pushes me forward. "We have to decide our next action," I say, trying to be clear among the turmoil. When we are not directly in danger, Finn pulls over to collect his breath; the motor hums gently. When I look at my friends, the weight of the occasion begins to show through. We have the documentation; I attempt to keep my voice cool. We cannot stop just now though. Finn dabs at his brow from the sweat, looking at me with fresh intent. "What is the approach?" My brain whirls, "We have to get in touch with someone we can rely on," I say. "Someone who can help us to expose Beckett." "Do you think everyone we know we can trust?" Skepticism tumbling in his voice, Jacob explores. I answered, "I trust us," matching his gaze. "And we have to believe others out there want to bring him down also." As we sit in the car, the nighttime air cools around us and I can feel what we have gone through dragging down my shoulders. I wanted to let it break me though. We have gone too far to the desert just now. Finn adds, "Let's head to the safe house," his eyes locked ahead on the road. "This is our best chance to gather once more and forward-plan." agreed, with a glutter of optimism. "We cannot disregard our objective." Finn is turning the car back into the main road, and my heart gets more determined. We are in this together, hence even under trying circumstances I will not let fear reign. After a terrifying trip, we arrive at the safe house—an old home buried in the bush. This is a place I used to often think of as a hideaway where we could create quiet future ideas. Finn pulls over and relief pours across his face. We made it, he yells. Jacob opens the door and steps outside into the cool midnight breeze. "Let's hope this place is still safe." We arrive and I survey the known surroundings. The cabin appears like a haven, far from the turbulence we just avoided. I let calm surround me by profoundly breathing. "We should search the cabinets looking for any supplies," Jacob replies. I reach for my laptop and head to the tiny desk in the corner. I could verify whether we missed anything by looking over the records utilizing it. Sitting down, my fingers hover over the keyboard and I feel weight in my chest. We still live in peril, and Beckett is really often used. But at this moment I get motivated to keep on battling. "Lena?," Finn's voice pushes me out of my thoughts. I look for him standing at the door and see plainly on his face concern. "Are You Good?" I nod then attempt to smile. " I will be. Just contemplating all that has happened. Sitting next to me, he says, me too. Still, considered as a group we are more potent. We have survived up until today. I am comforted by his presence, really. "I merely cannot get rid of the impression that this is only the start." We all startled as a loud bang cut off our meeting. Jacob fires wide-eyed, straight ahead. "What was that"—questioned Stay here. Finn went toward the door after ordering. "I'll see it out." < Once more thumping, my heart tells him, "Be careful." As Finn walks outside, I glance at Jacob, who also appears very nervous. We have to be ready for everything, I say, grabbing my phone and searching for the best routes of escape.