TURNING TIDES

Daniel's POV As we wait, my pulse thunders in my ears and the cabin is still. The tension seems to be pushing down on us from all sides as shadows flutter across the walls. Every muscle in my body is coiled tightly, just waiting to be used. Lena is standing next to me; her facial expression is insensible, but I can see the fire in her eyes. She is in line for this. I look at Marcus, who is steely focusedly staring out the small window. He draws my attention and nods silently, a recognition of what is to arrive. Though everything we have gone through together seems different. Everything we have done seems to have brought us to this point; I cannot get rid of the impression that one way or another, nothing will be the same after tonight. Outside, Lena's hand brushes mine and the sounds get louder. She neither pulls back or flinches. I glance at her and get an unusual wave of peace. Since all of this started, she has evolved so much—became someone I hardly know but greatly admire. Her fortitude and determination have only gotten stronger; as much as I worry about what all of this is doing to her, I can't help but be glad of who she is now. "Are we ready?" She hushes, her voice hardly audible. I nod and hold my weapon closer. " As ready as we will ever be." The door opens, and the person outdoors stops momentarily. Silence marks a beat, then everything explodes. We react, each of us assuming our places. As we eliminate the first few guys that charge in, Marcus and I move in time to cover each other's backs. Though it is chaotic—a jumble of shadows and sounds—we fight with all we have. I miss Lena in the middle of the fight, and a cold fear creeps into my chest. Though every bit of me is screaming to find her and make sure she's okay, I can't afford to be distracted. Adrenaline pushing me ahead, I fight my way over the assault swarm. At last, I see her peering through the tumult. She is standing her ground even though she is cornered and back pressed against the wall. Her eyes have a finessness, a strength I have watched develop daily. She is fighting for the future we are attempting to create as well as for us. I know she will not stop. I push through with one last surge of vitality and reach her side to remove the man who had her pinned. She glances up at me and briefly I detect relief in her eyes. She says, barely a whisper, "Thanks." "Anytime," I say, speaking equally softly. As the last of the attackers falls, the chamber at last quietens. Marcus comes along; his face is white and his breathing is labored. There in stillness, three of us stand surrounded by the traces of the struggle. Though a sad triumph, it is nevertheless a victory. Marcus breaks the quiet and says, "We have to start moving." "They will send more once they discover we have brought down these guys." Lena nods, her face becoming rigid. "Then let's not waste any time." I have a weird mix of feelings as we get ready for our trip. Relief that we survived this fight, pride in Lena and Marcus for their fortitude, and residual discomfort. This is not over—not even marginally so. And I cannot get rid of the impression that something much darker is just waiting for us ahead. I am walking with Lena as we head back into the forest. She looks at me, clearly asking a question. Her voice whispered, "Are you okay?" she says. I nod, not sure if it's totally accurate. "Yeah. Just wondering about what comes next. She nods slightly and with understanding. "Me too. Still, we will get through it. Combined. Her comments are straightforward but really speak to me. I know we will tackle it together whatever comes next. And I sense hope for the first time in a very long period. As we traverse the woodland, the night deepens; the sounds of nature stand in sharp contrast to the violence we left behind. Almost calm, it reminds us of the world outside our problems. Still, I can sense the weight of the fight we just waged hanging in the air even now. Not one of us talks; everyone engrossed in his own thoughts and worries. We eventually arrive in a little area and choose to relax for some while. Marcus starts the first watch, settling at the edge of the clearing and staring down the darkness. Lena sits next to me, looking far away. I pause briefly then reach out and lay a hand on her shoulder. Hey, you did okay back there. She stares at me, a slight smile pulling at the margins of her mouth. You did as well. A hush that seems weightier than anything we have experienced pauses here. She then says, her voice almost above a whisper. Daniel... Ever wonder whether we will survive from this? If we can live without always peering over our shoulders? Her inquiry catches me off guard and makes me sad. Not exactly, I don't have an answer. Still, I know the belief I wish to have. "Sometimes," I said, my voice gentle. "At least we're fighting for something that matters even if we don't." She nods, her eyes far off. Absolutely. That seems all we can do. Each of us immersed in our thoughts, we sit silently. And I have an unusual calm over me as the evening wears on. Whatever happens, I know I'm where I'm supposed to be—with people who count, battling for a future we share. I hear a slight rustle in the woods as I start to drop off. My hand searches for my weapon as my heart skips a beat and I tighten. Marcus is already moving; his eyes narrow as he looks over the darkness. "Did you hear that?" Lena says softly, her voice tense. I nod as my heart is thumping. We hardly had time to relax, and already it feels as though we are once more in the thicket. But this time the sounds seem different—nearly familiar, even deliberate. A figure walks into the clearing as the rustling gets louder, and I feel my blood stop. Someone from a history I felt I had left behind, someone I never expected to see once more. As the man approaches, I at last identify them—a former friend who battled by our side but turned against us in trying circumstances. Their eyes are cold, analytical, and I notice the flutter of a smile on their face as they consider our bunch. "Long time no see," they say with a mocking voice. Missing me? I get a flash of wrath, an emotional tsunami I had buried. Once someone I trusted, this traitor understood our intentions, our shortcomings. And today they are standing here, a menace we never observed approaching. Lena moves forward, her burning eyes "What would you like?" The traitor shrugs and expands their smile. Oh, just tightening a couple slack ends. You didn't think I would let you leave? I look at Marcus; his face is black. We were surprised; we are outnumbered. But I am sure we will not back down—not now, not ever. I get an unusual calm over me as the suspense mounts. This is it, the last clash we have been preparing for. Looking at Lena and Marcus, I also know we are ready. Whatever transpires, we will confront this together. The traitor steps forward with narrow eyes. Their voices are chilly and final, "this ends tonight." I look at them, a ferocious will burning in my chest. "You are right," I say. " It does." And as the moonlight glints off our guns, I know this is the conflict that will define us, the struggle either breaking us or drawing us closer than ever. Not now is there any turning back.