Pāhonoa te oro

The footsteps stopped. Right above them. A soldier spoke: “Nothing here. Keep moving.” Another voice: “They’re hurt. They won’t get far.” Jessie’s jaw clenched. The footsteps slowly faded. One by one. Until silence returned. Jessie waited… then finally exhaled. He looked at Sarah. Her eyes were barely open. “Hey,” he said softly. “You’re still with me, right?” “Yeah…” “Good.”