THREADS OF FATE

Lena POV Jacob was here, and I found it unbelievable. Among the turmoil, the familiar visage seemed like a lifeline tossed to a drowning sailor. Relief poured over me when he emerged from the darkness, but it was soon replaced with concern as I considered his messy look. He seemed weary, as though he had been sprinting just as fiercely as we had. "Lena," he whispered, his voice a hushed whisper, eyes flying to the nearby forest. "What took place?" You seemed safe, then. We were, I said, heart pounding. At least, we considered ourselves to be. But the Order turned up here. I turned to look back at Alex and Finn, observing the transaction with dubious looks. We hardly made it out alive. "Very hard?" Jacob's brow wrinkled. What do you mean? I said, the words flowing before I could stop myself, "Alex got shot." He is tough, though; he is good. We should migrate. We cannot hang about if they are looking for us. "What do you mean, they are looking for you?" Urgent creeping into his voice, Jacob asked. "I heard the Order's patrols were getting more aggressive, but I thought you'd have time to plan." "We tried," Finn said, stepping forward. But when lives are on line, plans alter. They unexpectedly caught us. Jacob nodded, his demeanor stiffening. "We must then reorganize and develop a fresh approach. Not far from here sits a safe house. We can wait low till we decide what to do next. "Are there any more like this? Hope flickering inside me, I asked. " Anyone else who might help?" "A few," Jacob said. They are scattered and terrified, though. We had to first get to the safe home. We can then compile any remaining allies. "Lead the way," I murmured, resolve building in me. I turned back to Alex, who was attempting to collect his breath leaning against a tree, as Jacob led. Though I could see the strain on his face, he grinned as he looked at me. "Guess we have some backup now," he remarked, his voice light in spite of the circumstances. Indeed, and a chance to really fight back, I said, hope growing in my heart. We started following Jacob and the shadows closed in all around us. Though the forest was alive with sounds—crickets tweeting, leaves rustling—my concentration was on our task. Though I felt the weight of the planet on my shoulders, I was not alone now. We were stronger together than either individually. Following what felt like hours of negotiating the deep forest, we arrived at the safe house—a little, run-down cabin tucked far into the woods. Jacob opened the door to see a poorly lighted interior covered in peeling wallpaper and dusty furnishings. Trying to lighten the tone, he replied, "Welcome to our fortress." Finn said, entering and peering about, "It looks like it's seen better days." Jacob retorted, "It has." "But for now at least, it's safe. Here we can reorganize and decide on our next action. "Let's get Alex settled," I replied with a worried voice. "He deserves rest." Alex insisted, "I'm fine," but his attitude defied his words. "We have to give the Order top priority." "Resting will help us focus," I said, which sent him to the worn-out sofa in the corner. You cannot push through this one. He started to object, opening his mouth, but I raised a hand. "Just for a short period of time. We absolutely need you at your finest. I could see the weight of tiredness in his eyes as he dropped into the sofa. Turning back to Jacob and Finn, who were already sorting the goods strewn around the cabin, "Do you have any medical tools?" I asked, looking about the low illumination room. "There ought to be some in the rear," Jacob nodded toward the door. I'll check. I went back to Alex, kneeling next him, while he moved to locate what we needed. "How are you doing?" I said gently. Just sleepy, he said, his voice hardly audible above a whisper. I'm fine, though. I will be ready to fight shortly. I took his hand and gently squeezed it. We are going to need you. When things have been tough, you have always been the one to inspire us. He grinned, a flutter of affection in his eyes. "I will always struggle for us, Lena. As you know. The air between us changed and I sensed a kindle connection. Though I had always depended on him, now it felt more profound. Our fight now was for each other, for a future we both desired, not only for survival. Returning with a little first aid kit and some bandages was Jacob. He remarked, knelt next to Alex, "This should help." "Let's have that shoulder looked at." "Thanks," Alex murmured, bracing himself with more force now. I watched the room alter as Jacob started bandaging and cleaning the cut. The conflict hovering above us gently lifted to be replaced with friendship. Bound by the challenges we confronted, we were all in this together. Jacob stood back and assessed his work once he completed. He responded, "You'll live," with a chuckle, but his eyes betrayed worry. "But you have to relax." "I will," Alex said, his voice strong. "I just need a little rest." "Good," Jacob replied, turning back his gaze to me. "We ought to go over our action plan. The Order won't just sit about; they will be looking for us. "Right," I said, a surge of resolve under way. "We have to strike them hard and quickly before they can reorganize. Should we be able to relocate them from the main camp, we could find an opportunity to assemble more allies. With a sobering look, Jacob said, "I have a few contacts who might help." But that's dangerous. We will have to move deliberately. "We cannot let fear stop us," I murmured, feeling the weight of duty fall on my shoulders. "We owe it to people who have suffered already. We have to fight back. Finn nodded, slanted against the wall and crossed his arms. You're correct. We cannot act only in reaction. We must go to them with the battle. Then it settles, Jacob remarked, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "We will begin compiling our allies tomorrow. We will have to move fast. "Tomorrow? " Alex interrupted, seeming worried. That is not a long time we can wait. "Alex, you need to relax," I urged him, worried about returning to me. Should you fall, you will not be of any use to us. Frustrated, he insisted, "I can handle it." " Right now, you cannot," Jacob said, his voice strong yet sympathetic. "You are not in shape to fight. You have to start recovering. Tomorrow we will move; then we will act. Alex went quiet, his tiredness at last catching up with him. I could see the fight raging in his mind, the yearning to heal conflicting with the drive onward. Fine, he murmured at last, his voice defeated. "But only because I trust you people to make the right decisions." "Good," I murmured, thanks flowing in my heart. I swear we will have a plan ready. That settled, we then alternated in telling tales of our experiences and the challenges we had encountered since the Order's founding. Every story strengthened our relationship and reminded me of the power we held working together. Alex was struggling to keep awake as the night went on; his eyes fluttered as he leaned back against the sofa. I slid to his side, felt the warmth emanate from him as my head rested against his shoulder. "You okay?" he said softly. My heart pounding, I said, "I'm just grateful." "We have a chance to fight back; we are still alive." He grinned, a coolly spreading warmth over me. Lena, we are going to triumph here. We will, I know we will. I closed my eyes and let the cabin's consoling quiet surround us. Knowing that we were not alone helped me to find serenity for the first time in a while. We were ready to meet whatever lay ahead and had one other. The hours went by till finally the silence of the cabin sent us into an uneasy sleep. Though I dreamed of wars still to come and of faces lost and victories gained, I sensed a light of hope flickering in the darkness all through it. And I knew we would rise to greet dawn—together. I was jolted awake as I sank into a deeper sleep by a loud crash outdoors. There were yells all around, and I started to panic. Get up! I yelled to start Alex waking. "They are here!."