IN THE ABYSS

Lena's POV We run along the dark and narrow lane, shadows hanging to the stone walls. My pulse rushes and adrenaline floods me. Every instinct yells at me to keep going, to flee the threat hiding around us. Still, in the middle of this anarchy, I can't get rid of the niggling idea that we are hand-feeding Beckett. "over here!" Finn begs, pointing to a rusty fire escape ladder rising toward the top of a neighboring structure. Though his face is set with will, I can detect anxiety in his eyes. Sure, are you sure? I look back down the alley and ask. The noises of search became more intense. "What if they see us?," asked "We have no option here! Jacob breaks in, his voice strained. "We will be if we do not get off the ground. We must have a viewpoint. I nod and chew my anxiety. "Alright, let's go!." Finn and Jacob trail closely as I climb the ladder. My hands slide on the frigid metal, but I grab it firmly to compel myself to keep going. As I approach the rooftop, the landscape below fades and the noise dulling to a distant roar disappears. We gather behind an old air conditioning unit attempting to regain our breath once we are on firm ground. I look at Finn, who is looking for any activity beneath here. His mouth is closed, his eyes focused narrowly. "We have to figure out how we might get back together with the others," he continues, his voice calm among the tumult. "What if they are taken prisoner?" I wonder: the anxiety returning. "What if we are running late? "We won't be," Finn says with contagious assurance. "We cannot now give up hope. We owe it to them to trust. "Trust?," Jacob laughs and looks over the brink. Trusting anyone in this situation might kill us. Then we create our own schedule, which surprises me with the conviction in my voice. "We cannot permit Beckett to rule us any more. We have to go to battle for him. I sense the strain in the air changing as we go over our choices. We are planning our future action, not simply running now. Though little, it is a notable shift. Finn's stance shows it: he stands somewhat higher, a flutter of optimism in his eyes. Jacob also looks more involved; his irritation becomes drive. Finn says, his brow wrinkling in consideration, "maybe we could set a trap using the blueprints." "We could entice Beckett's men away from the main building knowing where they are situated. "Right," Jacob responds, his voice growing more solemn. We need a diversion, though. Something large enough to grab their focus. "I can divert you," I responded, a sudden thought flashing across my head. "I'll head back toward the main road and set something off to pull them away. Two of you can slip in from the rear. No way, Jacob says, shaking his head. "It is far too dangerous." We cannot afford to lose you. "I won't be alone," I say, pulse racing. Finn is going to accompany me. We are qualified to perform this. Together. Finn glances at me, my words soaking in weight. Searching my eyes for conviction, he says, "You really think this will work?" My voice is calm, "I believe in us." "This is our opportunity to reverse the trend." I sense the excitement rising as we work on our schedule. Every second that goes by is full with expectation, a surge of exhilaration tempered by our task. Though we are walking into the future, I refuse to let anxiety control my decisions. Finn says, "Let's move," resolve clearly on his face. We gently but fast go back down the fire escape. I turn to Finn, my heart bursting with a mix of hope and anxiety. He looks at me and gives a comforting nod that will help me to keep on. The evening air is laden with anxiety as we descend. We slink into the darkness and head for the main road. My heart starts racing in my chest as soon as we are in position. "Ready?," says My voice just above a whisper, I ask. Finn says, "Ready," with a sobering look. I inhale deeply and call every bit of bravery I possess. "Let's start this." I then leave our hiding location and start to shout. 'Hey! Over here!" The guards turn, looking at me. A couple of them lift their firearms, but I'm not slow. Come meet me! I yell, exhilaration driving my audacity. Finn backs off, poised to shield me when I move. Making a noise, I dash along the street dodging parked vehicles. Shouts behind me, the sound of feet closing in, are audible. One of the soldiers cries, "Get her!" and I start to fear but I fight it. We had been waiting for this exactly. I turn back and see Finn racing after me, his eyes fixed on mine. Heart racing, I rush into an alley and hear the guards behind closely. Turning a bend, I search for whatever I might possibly need. Though the alley is covered in garbage, I find a metal trash can. I grab it without thinking and flip it over to put distance between my attackers and myself. The lane echoes with clattering metal, and I seize the diversionary opportunity to flee. Finn's voice in the distance inspires me to keep on. "Lena!," he yells. "This way!," said I keep pushing myself as our goal motivates me ahead. I refuse to let terror rule. I no longer want to be a pawn in Beckett's game. At last, my pulse thumping, I broke out from the alley into the main street. I turn back and see some guards running after me. But my eyes caught something else: Finn, headed for the compound's rear door, had a focused look on his face. "Go Finn, go!" I yell; the exertion has left my voice rough. "We must enter." He nods and darts for the door while I keep the guards distracted. I see Jacob coming out of the shadows, his look sharp, just when I believe I will be caught. He cries, "Lena, come on!" pointing for me to follow him. Adrenaline driving me forward, I sprint near him and negotiate the last guards. "They're right behind me!!" I yell, then glance over my shoulder. "Come inside! Now,Jacob orders, and I grit myself through the door just as the guards are closing in. Once inside, we panting heavily as we slouch against the wall and close the door behind us. "That was too close," Jacob says, wide-eyed with adrenaline. Finn remarks, a little relief evident in his voice: "We made it." "Let's now seek evidence." The tension in the air builds as we descend into the property. We are on a mission to expose Beckett, not only escaping from him now. I sense a fire starting inside me, a will to see this through to the very last. Finn says, setting the example: "Let's head to the office." "We will have everything we need if we can locate the records." My heart hammering in my chest, we negotiate the hallways. Though the stakes seem larger than they have ever been, I won back off. We are in this together; I will not allow anything to split us. My breath freezes in my throat as we arrive at the office and I open the door. The room is dark and quiet; the air is tense. My pulse racing, I enter and look for any indication of the proof. Finn digging through the drawers walks to the desk. "It has to be here," he says, his brow wrinkled in focused attention. Jacob moves to the side of the room and says, "Check the cabinets." I look about and find my eyes fixed on a big file cabinet. I inhale deeply and then start to walk over opening one drawer at a time. Though the contents are a muddle, I begin to thumb through them while my heart races. I murmur, "Come on, come on," frustrated as I go through the papers. "Lena, look! Finn yells, flinging a folder marked "Operations." "This could be it!" Hurrying over, I glance over his shoulder as he opens the folder. Inside are reams of documentation, specifics on shipments, and the identities of Beckett's employees engaged in activity. Jacob says, "This is huge," and widens his eyes. "We cannot let this land in the wrong hands." I advise "Let's take pictures," bringing out my phone. "We must log everything." I can sense our purpose weighing down on me as we begin shooting images. This is our opportunity to present Beckett and at last take charge of our destiny. Still, deep down a persistent anxiety persists. And what would happen should we fail? What happens if this falls short? Finn whispers gently, "Lena," and looks at me. "We will find this to work. Taken together. I nod, a spark of hope flickering inside me once again.