Lena's POV
I turned to face the soldier coming out of the forest and felt a panic attack. His look was icy, free of the desperation and horror we all experienced; his outfit was neat. His weapon gleam caught my eye, and the realization that our time was running short set my heart racing.
"Drop your weapons!" he said with authority. You're surrounded!
Enclosed. I turned around fast and saw he wasn't flirting. Between the woods, shadows started to move; more troops were closing up on us.
"Run!": I yelled, instinct driving in as I seized Alex's arm.
He objected, "Wait, Lena," but I dragged him with me, not daring to turn around. Once the woodland felt like a haven, it now seemed like a prison closing in all directions.
Branches smacking at our cheeks and the underbrush grasping at our
