UNRAVELING THREADS

Lena's POV Though the café was a haven among the tumult, even its friendliness felt oppressive. I looked at the papers strewn across the table, the truth of our circumstances weighing down on me. Plans and operations directed by Beckett filled every document, and the idea of revealing him excited and terrified me. "Okay, so first what do we do?" Leaning forward, Mara asked with a concentrated brow wrinkle. Finn answered, his voice firm, "We need to get our allies together and disseminate this information." "But we have to exercise caution. After our attack, Beckett will be on great alert. Jacob nodded and lightly tapped his fingers on the table. "We should get in touch with everyone we know. Our prospects are better the more people we have. I observed them, respect building in my heart. These comprised my family and friends. Every one of them had battled their anxieties and fought beside me; now we were about to engage in a decisive battle. But uncertainty crept in once more when I descended upon the paperwork. Should this strategy fail, what then? Imagine us approaching a trap instead. "Lena?" The voice of Mara cut across my ideas. "You good? I blinked and shook my head to help me to think clearly. "Yeah, I'm good." Just consider the stakes involved here. Finn stretched out and laid his hand on my. "We will sort this out." Remember? We are more powerful together. His touch centered my fragmented ideas and set a flame through me. I inhaled deeply and concentrated on the here-now. "You're correct." We cannot allow anxiety to rule us. Allow me to create a schedule. I became more and more purposeful as we planned. Every time we spoke about our future steps, my will strengthened. Though it would not be simple, we had the ability to bring Beckett down. We had to use smart thinking about this. "Okay, let's divide into groups," I said, growing more confident. "Finn and I can handle getting in touch with our friends. You and Mara can review these data to find important sites and numbers we should aim for. "Sounds great," Jacob exclaimed with contagious excitement. "We are qualified to do this." I sensed our friendship deepening as we developed our schedules. We were forced to be reckoned with, not just survival. The next several days were a frenzy of activity. We contacted our supporters, building a web of help from our friends. Every chat made the weight of the earth seem to change. People thought about us, in our struggle against Beckett, and that belief drove my will. Following a tough day of planning, one evening I stood on the rooftop of our safe home with Finn and watched the sunset color the heavens orange and purple. It was quiet, a far cry from the turmoil that lay ahead. Levers back against the warm concrete, I muttered, "I can't believe we've come this far." "It feels surreal." Finn turned to smile gently at me. "Lena, you have developed quite a lot. You seemed so self-conscious when you initially started visiting us. Now take a look at you. His comments really connected with me deep inside. Driven by anxiety and uncertainty, I considered the girl I used to be. I felt then like a warrior prepared to battle for something better. With thanks bursting in my heart, "I couldn't have done it without you guys." Finn's eyes grew focused and severe. But you also have to start believing in yourself. Right now, you are a leader with the ability to change things. His eyes' genuineness set my heart racing. " Thanks, Finn. That suggests a lot. Simply... I want to make sure none other is lost. He nodded, softening his face. "We will do all within our power to guard one another. I pledge. I knew then how much Finn had come to represent to me. Our relationship had evolved beyond friendship and I sensed a flutter of something more—something I wasn't quite ready to articulate. Tensions started to grow as we were still getting ready. We had to keep one step ahead as Beckett's forces grew increasingly aggressive. Mara entered one evening as we were gathering to decide on our last plan, her face white. "You will not believe what I just heard." "What is it?" With a beating heart, I asked. "Our group has a mole," she continued, her voice shaking. Someone is providing Beckett with information. A cold crawled along my back. "What do you know?" With wide eyes, Mara said, "I overheard a chat between two of our contacts. "They brought up particular specifics regarding our intentions, stuff only someone inside would be aware of. "Who Could it be?" With a quiet voice, Jacob asked. "I'm not sure," Mara said, irritation tumbling through her words. Still, until we work this out, we cannot trust anyone. Finn slanted forward, a scowl wrinkling his forehead. "This renders everything different. We have to find the mole before it is too late. There became a knot in my gut. The thought of treachery was nearly intolerable. "What if it's someone we have been working with?" Finn cautioned us then as well. We cannot tell them we are onto them. I could sense the tension in the room rising as we considered ways to find the mole. The stakes were more than they had ever been, and our struggle against Beckett had evolved into one against our own shadows. Working to find the mole, the next few days were tight. We convened in private, trying not to reveal anything too specific. Trust was in great demand, and I could see the stress it was causing everyone of us. One evening, I went back over our talks in my head as I laid in bed. My thoughts turned to the times we had spent together—laughing, friendship, even the more subdued, private moments with Finn. The knowledge of how much we had come to rely on one another made me realize how much betrayal felt like a blade to my heart. Tossing and turning, I eventually got up and headed into the kitchen. I had to go clear-headed. The cool air was rejuvenating, and I heard footsteps behind me as I filled a glass of water. Can't sleep? Finn inquired, slanted against the door. I groaned and ran a hand over my hair. "Just considering everything.." He moved nearer, worry written on his face. " About the mole?" Indeed, I said, turning to face him. "I simply cannot get rid of the impression that time is running short. What if we search for them later on and it is too late? Finn came to stand next to me, his presence steadying me. We will. We only have to keep alert. Remember also that we are not by ourselves. I nodded thanks for his help. "Know. We seem to be running against time, really. He hesitated then remarked, "You've led us quite brilliantly. I know Lena, you are great. You could help us to get through this. His comments warmed me in a way I could not ignore. " thanked Finn. Hearing that means a great deal. He moved in front of me before I knew it, our shoulders touching. "Know that I will be right here with you whatever happens." I experienced a flood of feelings at that instant. I wanted to draw in him, to bring us closer. But the weight of our circumstances prevented me. "We have to concentrate on the current work," I murmured, my voice almost above a whisper. "Agreed," he said, a tinge of disappointment in his gaze. "But once this is all over we can work things out." His words set my heart racing, a swirl of hope and doubt within me. Though the weight of Beckett and the mole seemed like a black cloud over us, I wanted to believe we could negotiate our emotions. Shaking off the moment, I remarked, "Let's get back to planning." When we got back to the living room, the others were already gathered, and I became even more resolved. I couldn't allow outside distractions to color my judgment. not now. I could sense the strain in the air as we dug back into our plan, uncertainty weighing down on us. Anyone could be the mole, hence I had to keep my attention. We afford to let our defenses down. A few days later, as we were polishing our ideas, we all jumped at an unannounced pounding at the door. Uncertainty poured over us, I looked at my buddies. "whose could that be?" Jacob said silently. My pulse thumping, I indicated for everyone to keep quiet as I walked up to the door. When I glanced through the peephole, a familiar face greeted me. "Who is it?," Finn stepped in closer and asked. "It's Daniel," I said, warily opening the door. From our ally group. He entered with a sobering look. "We should chat. It's regarding Beckett. "What's going on?," My gut knotted with uncertainty, I asked. Daniel replied, looking about the room, "I got intel that he's planning a major move against us." "We have to be ready; he is organizing his troops. "Why are you showing us this?" With mistrust tumbling into his voice, Jacob inquired. "Because I trust you," Daniel said, staring me in the eye. Additionally because I