STRAIGHT LINE OF FIRE

Lena's POV I turned to face the soldier coming out of the forest and felt a panic attack. His look was icy, free of the desperation and horror we all experienced; his outfit was neat. His weapon gleam caught my eye, and the realization that our time was running short set my heart racing. "Drop your weapons!" he said with authority. You're surrounded! Enclosed. I turned around fast and saw he wasn't flirting. Between the woods, shadows started to move; more troops were closing up on us. "Run!": I yelled, instinct driving in as I seized Alex's arm. He objected, "Wait, Lena," but I dragged him with me, not daring to turn around. Once the woodland felt like a haven, it now seemed like a prison closing in all directions. Branches smacking at our cheeks and the underbrush grasping at our feet drove us farther into the forest. I could not afford to slow down; my breath came in sharp spurts. I owed it to my buddies to defend. "Where are we going?" Jacob phoned with a strained voice. "Anywhere but here!!" Adrenaline driving me forward, I screamed back. I noticed a little road down the hill as we swirled left. "there!" We may lose them down in the valley! I insisted, setting the example. We staggered up the road, the sound of our attackers vanishing behind us. Though the troops had undervalued us, I knew it would not continue. We had to gather once again and create a strategy. At the bottom we discovered a little area encircled by towering trees. I panting heavily, turned to face the group. My mind racing, I responded, "We need to find somewhere to hide. We cannot, however, keep sprinting endlessly. "What about the old barn we drove by earlier?" Finn advised, wiping off his brow of perspiration. Good idea, I said, looking at Jacob. "Can you help us back up?" He answered, already in motion, "Yeah, but we have to be quick." I felt uncertainty weighing down me as we retraced our steps among the woods. Would we be able to? Actually, could I keep us safe? My ideas were cut short when we saw the barn in the distance, its aged wooden planks glaringly different from the vivid green of the forest. Jacob cautioned, "Stay low," as we neared and we turned behind the barn wall. "Do you see anybody?" Perched around the corner, I inquired. "Nothing yet," he said, but the strain in his voice suggested he wasn't sure. I murmured, gently pulling the door open, "Let's get inside." It groaned menacingly, and I flayed at the sound. Inside, the barn was dark and dusty, the faint scent of hay hanging about. I had a flood of nostalgia—this barn brought back simpler times and my boyhood. But time did not allow one to linger on the past. We had to pay survival first priority. "Okay, we have to hunt for some supplies," Jacob said. "Maybe something useful here." I nodded, but my gut started to feel weighty from anxiety. We also have to decide where to go from here. I glanced at Alex as we searched the barn. He was looking about, his face thoughtful. "Lena," he whispered gently, getting closer. "I have been wondering about what follows from this." My heart still missed a beat. "What does this mean?" "We cannot simply return to how things were, if we make it through this," he continued, his voice low. We have to act on the Order. His comments seemed to me like a gut strike. He was correct; with what we had seen, we cannot just return to our daily lives. "I know," I said, getting a boost in will. But first we need a strategy. I turned to see suddenly a loud smash outside. "They are here!," I yelled With a pulse pounding. "hide!" As we scumbled behind the hay bales, Jacob screamed. I inhaled as people started walking toward the barn. Though their words were muted, the troops were approaching with an urgent quality. "We are aware of you existing there! Come out with your hands up, one of them yelled. I looked about for a way out as panic tore at my throat. I said hurriedly to the others, "We have to find another exit." Finn continued, his voice faltering slightly: "There's a back door." We can slip out that way. "Lead the way," I said, heart thumping. Finn was headed toward the rear, and time seemed to be pressing down on me. We couldn't afford to second guess, I knew. "Go, go!," I snarled and pushed Alex ahead. Hurrying to the rear of the barn, I peered out the entrance to make sure the coast was free. Though I knew I wouldn't endure, the soldiers were still entirely preoccupied on the front. "Now! I murmured and ran outdoors. My heart thumping in my chest, we rushed into the woods and fled. Driven to locate a secure area for regrouping, I set the example. As we descended farther into the forest, the woodland seemed alive around us, leaves whispering and branches stirring. We slowed down, then I turned to face my buddies. We have to keep on moving. We cannot allow them to catch-up with us. Alex grabbed my arm to stop me and murmured, "Lena." "We should discuss what's ahead." I met his eyes and saw the worry painted on his face. "I know, but first we have to concentrate on survival. Later is something we can schedule. "We cannot just run forever," he urged. "We will be caught once more without a strategy." His comments really spoke to me. Indeed, he was correct. I had to be the leader they needed, take command. Taking a long breath, I said, "Okay." "Let's choose a secure place for our regrouping. There we can develop a strategy. Finn nodded with a relieved grin. "A little farther in is an ancient hunter's home. We can hide out there. "Lead the way," I responded, overcoming my anxiety. I became increasingly urgent and determined as we walked among the woods. This was our battle; we had to stand up. I became somewhat hopeful as we arrived at the cabin. With a strong door and a little window overlooking the forest, it was ancient but robust. Jacob said, "Let's check it for supplies," then entered. I nodded as I looked about. Though dusty and gloomy, the hut seemed safe. I couldn't get rid of the sense of time running short while we searched. Lena, look! From a corner of the hut, Alex yelled carrying a dusty-old gun. "It's not loaded, but it could still be handy." I picked it from him, and felt its weight in my hands. "We'll need anything we can get," I said, resolving the hardening inside me. "Okay, everyone gather around," Jacob said, pointing for us to take seats. We have to develop a strategy. I sensed the weight of the occasion as we formed a circle. This was our opportunity to reverse the tide. "First, we have to find out what the Order has scheduled," Jacob said. "We might have a chance if we can interfere with their business processes." I looked around the group and remarked, "They're looking for us." But perhaps we can slow them down if we can attack first. "What if we broke into their base?" Finn offered. "We could compile information to learn their actual goals." I stammered, his idea weighing heavily on my heart. It's dangerous. If they catch us…" 'They won't," Alex interrupted, his stare stern. "We are stronger as a whole. We have already confronted each other a lot. His comments gave me the bravery I needed, and I nodded gently. You're right. We have to go to battle for them. Fear cannot now rule us. As we worked on our strategy, I sensed our friendship growing. Every one of us had overcome our anxiety and discovered our voices; together, we would create a road ahead. A great bang sounded outside, shaking the cabin walls at about that moment. As I approached the door, my heart fell. "They located us!" Adrenaline pumping through me, I yelled. Prepare yourselves! Jacob cried, snatched the weapon from my hands and ran for the window. As we got ready for the encounter, I sensed the strain in the air. This was it—our time to fight together. I steadied myself as the door sprung open, prepared for whatever was ahead. We had gone too far to turn around now. Every heartbeat made me feel the fire of will blazing within me. We were warriors prepared to battle for our future, not only survive. The time has arrived to stand up and united we would weather the storm.