Pāhonoa te oro

Hands reached for him. Missed. The edge of the camp was close. So close. A soldier lunged from the side— Jessie shoved him away hard and broke through the last line of tents Then— The bush swallowed him. Branches snapped. Leaves tore at his clothes. But he didn’t stop. Behind him, the soldiers slowed. Shouting directions. Trying to follow. Jessie veered sharply off his path, cutting through thicker brush, forcing distance between him and them. He ran until the noise faded.