SHADOWED BETRAYALS

Lena's POV As we assemble in a poorly lit room of the ancient safe house, the stress in the air is practically tangible. As we go over our next moves against Beckett, my heart races. Long shadows on the walls created by the flickering light overhead make one feel as though we are all only shadows of the persons we once were. "Alright," Daniel replies, hunched over a table laden with maps and papers. "We have to have a well defined strategy. We cannot afford to be carelessly irresponsible. I nod and pick up every syllable. "What's our best chance of landing in his office?" Sitting across from me Finn seems reflective. "If we time it well, we may slip in under reduced protection late at night. We have to deactivate the alarms and stay away from the cameras. "What if we were discovered?" Concerned in his voice, Jacob asks. Daniel says, "We won't," We have come too far to reverse now. I can feel the weight of the occasion pushing down on me as we plan. The stakes are never lower than they are now, and I am well conscious of how far we have gone since I first started this group. Though I still battle uncertainty, I am no more the terrified girl who fell into this fight—I am developing a leadership quality. Finn breaks off my thinking, "Lena, are you with us?" I see his look and momentarily see the flutter of worry in his eyes. Indeed, I am present here. simply thinking. "About what?," he asks softly. "About what happens if we fail," I say, my voice just above a whisper. "What would happen if Beckett wins?" Finn sits forward with a sincere look. We are not going to fail. Not able to. Consider all the others depending on us. We owe this to them. His comments start a fire within me. Fear cannot control my behavior. I have to think we can achieve that, that we can permanently bring Beckett down. Stronger in voice, I respond, "I'm in." "Let's do this." I find something strange while we are finishing our strategy. Unspoken remarks and buried anxieties abound in the air. Usually so forceful, Jacob appears unfocused, his gaze flitting about the space. I choose to follow up with him. I say gently, "Hey," moving closer. "You alright??" He stares at me and momentarily I detect sensitivity in his eyes. "I find myself constantly wondering about what may happen should we be discovered. I want no one else lost. Reaching out to lay a touch on his arm, I swear not to lose anyone. You are in this with us. Jacob nods, but his countenance remains troubled. A tremendous bang from outside jolts us from our discussion just then. "What was that?"? Daniel asks, his voice shrill with panic. Finn says, heading for the door, "Stay here." "No, I'm going with you," I say, stepping in time with him. I cannot just watch from behind here. The crisp night air as we go sharpens my senses. The moonlight creates spooky shadows on the ground in the vicinity. Finn gestures toward the forest line and says, "Look over there." "Something's moving." Heart racing, I gaze into the night. "What if it were Beckett's men? "Then we need to be ready," Finn says, his voice serious. "Let us flank them." We move carefully, the soft grass muffled underfoot. I can see people hiding in the darkness as we go close to the woods. My breath freezes; more of them than I expected. "What must we do?" I call out a whisper. Pulling me behind a nearby wall, Finn shouts, "Get back." "We have to gather once more." My heart falls at just that moment when someone walks into the moonlight. It is Marcus. Lena, Finn! Thank God I came onto you! He rushes near us and yells. What are you doing here, Marcus? Relief flooding my chest, I ask. "I watched a group of Beckett's men walking this way, glancing around tensely," he says. "I couldn't let them come upon you." Finn narrows his gaze. "How did you find out we were here? Marcus says, his tone grave, "I have been observing their movements." They are right on you. Beckett looks around with eyes. I get shivers running down my back. "What should we do??" We must relocate. Marcus is adamant now. "They will catch up with us if we stay here." I can't get rid of the discomfort as we head back toward the safe place. Something seems off. Marcus seemed so close. Why? Had he been on our side or was he actually following us? Finn says, "Lena," then pushes me aside. "You trust him, right?," says My voice shaking, I said, "I'm not sure." "He has gone through a lot. Though I can't get rid of this feeling, I want to think he is among us. Finn nods, knowing in his eyes. "We will monitor him closely. Just keep careful. Others are already on edge as we get back to the safe home. Jacob sees Marcus and his eyes enlarge. "What's he doing here?"? Trying to soothe them, I say, "He warned us about Beckett's men." " terrific. Just what we need, Jacob says behind crossed arms. Can we kindly concentrate? Daniel cuts through the tension by interjecting. "We have to decide where to go next. Finn says, assuming leadership: "Let's review the plan." I see a persistent uncertainty as they go over our alternatives. Though the doubt bites at me, I want to believe Marcus. Following a heated debate, we decided on a revised strategy whereby we would form two teams. Marcus and I will set distractions to deflect attention from Daniel, Jacob, and Finn as they proceed to compile information on Beckett's main office. "Be careful, Lena," Finn adds, staring back at me. "Stay near Marcus". I will, but the discomfort persists. I grab a quick look at Marcus as we are ready to go. Though I can see shadows under his eyes, he appears concentrated, driven. Are you set? I probe, seeking to sense his mental condition. "Yeah," he says, but his voice suggests something left unsaid. The evening is weighty with expectation as we go near Beckett's land. As we get to the spot, I can hear my pulse resonating in my ears. "Stick to the plan," Marcus reminds me as we approach his property's boundary. "We start to create diversions; then we reorganize. "Got it," he says, but his stance suggests some strain. We gently slide into the darkness. As I look around, my heart thumps and nerves in the rear of my brain prickle. The weight of the moment is down on me, and I know one mistake may cost us everything. Marcus murmurs, pointing to a small gathering of guys next to a car over there. My heart is accelerating, "Let's make some noise," I say. I get adrenaline pumping as we toss pebbles to provide a diversion. All at once it's thrilling and terrible. A voice yells out suddenly, "Who's there?" My stomach turns over. "Run!," I yell and drag Marcus back as we dash into the woods. Hearts thumping as we negotiate the darkness, we sense footsteps behind us. This is unbelievable—that this is occurring once more. "Continue!" Marcus calls back across his shoulder. Deeper into the forest, the trees close in around us. My breath comes in jagged spurts, anxiety wrangling at my chest. As I believe we have lost them, I see a brief movement. "Marcus!" I scream, but too late. From the shadows comes a person, and before I can react Marcus is dropped to the ground. I stop; dread floods my senses. "Get off him!" I yell, sprinting ahead, but the guy easily holds Marcus down. "Lena, no!," Marcus shouts in an attempt at retraction. As I get closer, my heart races; dread and wrath boil inside me. Allow him to leave! The guy laughs, a dark smile sweeping over his face. Little daughter, you shouldn't have come here. I grab a nearby branch before I can think and swing it with all my might at the man. It strikes with a painful thud, and he stumbles back temporarily dazed. Marcus, stand up! I yell, desperation driving my voice. Marcus pulls the man off with a surge of adrenaline and scumbles to his feet. We have no time to squander. "Run!!" I yell, and we start once more, our boots hammering into the earth as we dash across the woods. I can hear the man behind us screaming for more men. "They're arriving!," Marcus stumbles. Keep on! I urge, pressing on, terror driving me. At last we explode.