STILLNESS BEFORE THE STORM

Lena's POV As we gathered close to the fire and the flickering flames created shadows on our faces, the air was charged with expectancy. The conflict in the pit of my stomach—excitement mixed with fear—was palpable. Everything rested on the strategy we had just developed; tonight was the night we would attack the soldiers. "Alright, everyone, pay attention!," Sara's voice broke through the whispers to drag us from our reverie. "We have one chance at this, and I want everyone to concentrate. Remember, their supply run has to be disrupted. We fight for everyone who cannot fight back, not only for ourselves. I looked around the circle of faces, some assured, others nervous. While everyone of us bore a weight, our common goal bound us. Jacob's hand brushed mine, a little but anchoring action. We were in this together, and that insight gave me tremendous power. "Lena, Sara shouted, dragging my focus back. Jacob and you will be members of the distraction squad. Your duty is to call their attention while the others manage the supplies. I nodded, stifling my anxiety. "What is the intended diversion?" "We need you to generate a diversion close to the east road. Finn and a few others will head right for the supply truck once you have their attention, she said. "We will let you know when it is time for retreat. Maintaining their entertainment value will help. "Got it," I said, thrills of adrenaline pumping through me. This was my opportunity to prove I could help, to fight with allies. Jacob turned to face me, a sobering look. We will stay in the shadows. We desire nothing except to be free from corning. "Right," I murmured, resolving to wash over me. "Let's do this." I saw friendship rising as the group broke out into teams. We were a unified front, each of us with our own part to do in this struggle, not people lost in terror. As we headed to the appointed location, the moon hung high in the sky giving the road ahead a silvery sheen. Every stride caused my heart to hammer, a continual reminder of what was on line. I looked at Jacob, whose determined jaw set itself. His assurance gave me bravery, and I couldn't help but be glad he was here. With eyes darting over mine, he questioned, "Are you ready?" I said, trying to grin, "As ready as I will ever be." We possess this. We moved across the underbrush, the noises of the forest surrounding us—whispers of leaves and far-off ruckus. It felt weird, as though we were living in a universe apart from the turmoil that had engulfed our life. We stopped behind a group of trees when we arrived at the east road. Tension permeated the air, and I could faintly see headlights glancing at me from far away. My pulse accelerated and my gut started to clench. Remember the strategy, Jacob said, his voice subdued. "We draw attention and then hide when we get the signal." I nodded and inhaled deeply to help me to the ground. This was it—that instant of truth. The headlights got stronger, and shortly a procession of cars emerged from behind. Rumbling along the road as I saw the troops enter, their features lit by the strong lights, my pulse accelerated. "Now!," Jacob murmured desperately, and without thinking I entered the clearing. "Hey!," I yelled, my voice ringing in the silence. "Over here!." The cars shrieked to stop, troops rushing out brandishing guns, uncertainty painted on their faces. Jacob was darting behind me, moving silently as I grabbed their attention. "Is all you have right now? I taunted, heart pounding with adrenaline and terror. Finn and the others needed enough time for their move. I had to buy them. The troops started to move, their faces darkened. "Get her!" one said, gesturing toward me. My pulse thumping, I turned to run, dodging leaves and branches as I descended down into the forest. Behind me, the yells of the troops could be heard as their footsteps tore across the underbrush. Lena,! Jacob phoned, his voice piercing the anarchy. " Stay close!" Running, the sound of their chase resounded in my ears and I experienced a panic attack. I , however, let dread rule me. I had to come to believe Jacob. He would look out for me. I spotted someone sprinting across the forest as I ran. FINN! Hoping to grab his attention, I screamed. But I staggered over a root and dropped hard to the ground before I could get to him, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs. "Lena!," Jacob's voice boomed out, and he was there next to me helping me get back on her. "Are you good??" I panted, attempting to recover my breath and said, "I'm fine, just... give me a second." Closing in, the soldiers' yells got louder. We needed to relocate. "Over there!!" Jacob pointed to a neighboring clump of trees. "We can hide there!" With the weight of the circumstances firmly on me, we ran toward the thicket. Though my shoulder throbbed, I pushed through the discomfort. We have to withstand this. I could hear the troops looking for us as we bent under the trees, their voices tinged with anger. "Split up!" one said. "Examine the area!" She cannot have gone very far! A cold crawled over my back. I could feel the anxiety returning as they drew near. I looked at Jacob, whose mouth was closed and eyes were darting about his surroundings. "What if they find us?" Whispering, anxiousness boiling under the surface. "They won't," he said, his voice firm. "Just stay quiet." Trying to slow my rushing heart, I inhaled deeply. Believing Jacob seemed to be my only lifesaver in this sea of doubt. Minutes passed like hours, the tension fraying thin. The soldiers' murmurs could be heard, their steps away from us. Though brief, relief came over me. The earth under us shook as a sudden loud explosion broke the night air. The roar resonated across the woods and my heart fell. "What Was that?" My heart beating once again, I gasped. Finn! Jacob cried out, eyes wide with insight. "They're under attack!," He reached for my hand without thinking. "We owe it to them to help!" "Are you insane?!",I objected, my terror seizing me. "What if they run across us?" "We cannot leave them behind," he said, fire in his eyes driving him on. He was dragging me farther into the tumult before I could argue more. We couldn't turn away our friends; I knew he was right. But a sensation of dread sank into the pit of my stomach as we neared the explosion's cause. We pushed across the underbrush, and I gasped as we came out onto a clearing. Flames danced in the darkness, lighting the anarchy playing out. Gunfire resounding around us Finn and a group of rebel fighters were involved in a bloody struggle with the troops. "We have to do something!" Rising inside me terror, I yelled over the noise. Jacob looked at me, his face sharp. "Keep close!" We have to figure out how we could help them! Seeking an opportunity, we sprinted toward the brink of the clearing. The fight raged on, every minute bursting with weapon clashes and buddy shouts. Look! Jacob gestured to a stack of containers just across. "We can cover with those." We dropped behind the containers to collect ourselves. The firelight created spooky shadows on the ground, and I could feel the weight of the circumstances descending on me. "Lena, I need you to focus," Jacob replied, his voice low but forceful. "We have to set up a diversion so Finn may gather himself. Right, I murmured, my head whirling. "What are we supposed to do? "We will generate a diversion on three counts. You toss something while I cover you, he said. "Ready"? My heart hammering in my chest, I nodded. "One; two; three!" With the ruckus attracting a swarm of troops, I grabbed a nearby rock and threw it toward them. They pivoted, yells exploding as they refocused away from Finn. "Go!!" Jacob pushed, and we ran toward Finn's group as adrenaline shot through me. I started to feel relief as we got to them. "We are here!," Shouting, I tried to be heard over the anarchy. Finn raised his head, his countenance a mix of astonishment and resolve. Lena: Jacob: You ought not to be here! We couldn't let you go! I panted in response. "We have to reorganize! Jacob phoned, looking at the struggle. "We cannot allow them to take the front stage." Finn nodded, organizing the others gathered around us. " Alright, pay close attention! We have to retouch them. We are more powerful and united! I discovered fresh strength as the conflict got more intense. We were defending something more than just ourselves. Every second we stood united drew us toward recovery of our freedom. Driven once again, we returned into the chaos, each yell and weapon clash feeding our will.