Pāhonoa te oro

The gunfire echoed again behind them. Closer now. Jessie forced himself forward, half-carrying her through the trees. “We’re not stopping,” he said. “Do you hear me? We’re not stopping.” Sarah nodded weakly, clutching her side as warmth spread beneath her hand. The forest blurred around her. The last thing she saw before her vision faded was Jessie’s determined face— And the shadows of soldiers closing in behind them.