RISING TIDES

Lena's POV I startled up to the sound of breaking branches and muffled cries, then started to panic. Dawn's low light poured long shadows over the room via the dusty windows. "Get ready!," I yelled, giving Alex strong shakes. We must relocate. Here we are! "What?," Still stuck in the fog of sleep, he blinked fast. "Who's Here?" "The Order," I said, my heart thumping in my breast. We have to leave this place. I glanced at Jacob and Finn, who were already awake and eyes open with awareness, as he staggered to his feet. "We have to block the door," Jacob murmured, his voice calm in the middle of the turmoil outside. "Help me with the furniture, Finn. Lena, have a look at the windows. I nodded and hurried to the closest window to observe armed soldiers moving across the forest. Their dark clothes blended into the shadows, but the glimmer of their weapons caught morning light and sent chills down my spine. " Where's the closest exit?" Adrenaline flooding my veins, I asked. "We'll have to pause for it out the rear," Jacob said, his voice calm but firm. "We must first hold them off long enough to safely release Alex." Right, I muttered, resolving flooding over me. The weight of the event—this was our struggle for survival, a turning point for us. Pounding footsteps got louder as we pushed furniture against the door. I turned back to Alex, who was trying to get rid of the last bits of sleep. "Can you stand?" My voice is steady as I requested. "I'm fine," he said, although his face told another tale. "Let's just get out of here." "Don't push yourself," I cautioned, worrying, into my voice. You ought to be able to fight. He insisted, "I said I'm fine," although his tone clearly showed distress. Finn said, his tone grave, "Let's concentrate on getting out first." "We can dispute who is and isn't later." Someone slammed against the door from the outside, upsetting the stuff we had packed. The door shivered. I pushed the panic down even though it returned. On three, Jacob said, looking at every one of us. "ONE... two... three!" As another smash echoed across the cabin, we shoved against the door with all our might. "Go, go, go!," Jacob yelled, and we ran backward across the house. We shot through the rear door into the crisp morning air, pine filling my lungs. My pulse raced as I turned to see the men of the Order pouring out of the cabin front, rifles drawn and ready. "Over There!" Finn gestured toward a little distance away thicket of trees. "We can lose them in the woods!" " Move!" Jacob yelled, guiding the charge as we ran toward the forest cover. Though I could hear yells and footfall behind us, adrenaline shot through me and drove me ahead. I turned back to find Alex straying to keep up as we approached the brink of the bush. "Alex!," exclaimed My heart pounding, I answered a call. You are able to do this. Just a tiny bit more! "I'm right behind you!" he yelled, resolved clearly on his face. A shot suddenly sprang forth, reverberating over the space. Turning to see Alex stagger with hands gripping his shoulder, my gut fell. Not! Screaming, I ran back toward him. He said, gritting his teeth, "Get out of here!" "I could not hold them off!" Like hell you can't! I turned back, tears running over my eyes and reached him. We are in this together! Jacob and Finn caught up to us at just that, their faces a mix of terror and will. " Assist him!" I screamed. "We are unable to leave him!" "I'll cover you," Jacob responded, looking back at the marching warriors. "Guide him to safety." "Are you sure?" Desperate, my voice started to change. "Just get!," Jacob pushed us ahead and roared. Right behind you will be me! I nodded and reached for Alex's arm, slung around my shoulder, guiding him limp toward the woods. Finn watched, poised to protect us should the troops get too near. I felt our situation falling apart as we staggered into the thick underbrush. Alex needed to be kept safe by me. We were all fighting for him; I could not lose him right now. "Just a little further," I said, my voice calm even in the tumult. We will find somewhere to hide. Alex panted, "I'm okay," but his expression showed clearly the suffering. Just keep on traveling. Deeper into the forest, the trees closed in all around us. Though the noises of the soldiers receded, I knew they wouldn't give up easily. They persisted nonstop. " Here!," Finn said, pointing at a sizable group of shrubs. "We can hide in there!" We veered into the undergrowth, and I tried to regain my breath by orienting Alex against a strong tree. "Are you badly hurt?" I asked, looking for the cut on his shoulder. "I'll be fine," he answered, while his eyes clearly showed agony. Just a flesh wound, I suppose. "You have to see a doctor," I said, terror once more starting. We cannot let this slow us down. "I declared I'm good." He snapped, but his voice quit. Just let me have a minute. Trying to calm him, I murmured gently, "Okay, just breathe." "We'll solve this together." I turned to look at Finn, who was fiercely staring about. "What are we supposed to do now?" "We wait," he said, staring down the treeline. "Let them pass; then we get back together with Jacob. He will come to locate us. "What would happen if he didn't?" I asked, dread tumbling into my voice. "What would happen if they found him?" Finn said, "He'll be okay," but I could see the doubt in his eyes. He is tough. As we do. I nodded, trying to hang on that optimism. The stillness of the forest encircled us, and I could hear the Order looking for us far off. My heart surged, every minute spanning eternity. I studied Alex, whose face was pallid but firm, as we sat in the thicket. He was resolved to keep on even if he suffered. I understood his changes since our initial meeting. The lad I knew vanished, replaced by a ferocious warrior prepared to give all for our cause. Suddenly disturbing the quiet, he said, "Lena." I have to tell you something. "What is it??" With a thumping heart, I asked. He stopped, as though he was contemplating his remarks. "If something occurs... if we do not make it out of this..." "Don't say that!" " I broke off, my voice growing. "We are going to succeed. As a team, we are! Taking a long sigh, he said, "I know. "But I believe in us; you should know that. In any case. With a lump in my throat, I answered, "I believe in us too." "We'll struggle through this together." I held my breath, straining to hear, just then as footsteps grew nearer. "Did you Hear that?" Finn said softly, his eyes wide. "Yeah," I said, panic starting once more. "They're nearing each other." Finn pressed closer to the earth and muttered, "Stay quiet." As my heart raced and I looked to Alex, the rustling got louder. Fear clear in his eyes, he turned back to me. Then, shocking me, a soldier from the Order emerged from the undergrowth. Drawing his weapon, he was looking around. As I pushed back against the tree, my breath stopped in my throat and I prayed he would not notice us. "Check over there!" he said to someone trailing. "They could not have gone far!" As I concentrated on Alex, who was breathing, every muscle in his body tightened and I could feel my heart hammering in my chest. "Stay down," I muttered desperately. The soldier drew closer just then, and as he looked about, I could see the will in his eyes. He yelled, "Where are you hiding?" a dark smile started to grow on his face. Another shot suddenly came from behind him, and the soldier staggered forward, thudding ground underfoot. "What the—," says Finn began, but I pushed a finger to my lips to tell him to keep quiet. Leaning to the side, I tried to find out what had happened; my heart surged as I saw Jacob coming out of the forest, his face marked with a look of great resolve. His hiss, waving us ahead. As I moved for Alex and Finn to follow, relief poured over me. From our hiding place, we hurried toward Jacob as he led us more into the forest. "What happened?" My voice stuttered with relief, I asked. He answered, "I took care of one of them," looking back to make sure we weren't followed. "They will not stop looking though. We have to keep on moving. "Alex is hurt," I added, sounding urgent.