"On the Run"

Part 11

As they walked, Kuvira couldn't help but feel a growing sense of frustration. They had been on the move for hours, and yet they still hadn't found a safe place to hide Aria. Opal seemed to sense her unease, and she shot Kuvira a reassuring glance. "We'll find a place soon," Opal said, her voice low and soothing. "Just a little farther." Kuvira nodded, but she couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time. The Order could be closing in on them at any moment, and she knew that they couldn't keep running forever. Aria, sensing Kuvira's tension, reached out and touched her arm. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know I'm slowing you down." Kuvira forced a smile onto her face. "You're not slowing us down," she said. "We're just being cautious." But as they continued on, Kuvira's annoyance grew. They had been walking for what felt like hours, and yet they still hadn't found a safe place to hide. She was starting to feel like they were wandering aimlessly through the forest, with no clear destination in sight. Opal seemed to sense her frustration, and she called a halt a few minutes later. "Let's take a break," she said, her eyes scanning the surrounding area. "We can't keep pushing on like this." Kuvira nodded gratefully, and the three of them sat down on a nearby rock outcropping. Aria pulled out a small pouch of food and offered Kuvira and Opal each a piece of dried meat. As they ate, Kuvira couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. They were vulnerable, sitting out in the open like this, and she knew that the Order could attack them at any moment. But as they sat there, Kuvira noticed something strange. Aria seemed to be watching her, her eyes fixed on Kuvira's face with an intensity that made her feel uncomfortable. "What's wrong?" Kuvira asked, her voice a little sharper than she intended. Aria hesitated, her eyes darting towards Opal before returning to Kuvira. "I just wanted to ask you something," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Kuvira raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" Aria's eyes locked onto Kuvira's, and Kuvira felt a shiver run down her spine. "How did you know that I was in trouble?" Aria asked. "How did you know that the Order was after me?" Kuvira's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. She had assumed that Opal's magic had somehow sensed Aria's distress, but now she wasn't so sure. Opal's voice cut in, her tone a little sharp. "Kuvira, I think we should keep moving. We don't have much time." But Kuvira wasn't listening. She was staring at Aria, her mind racing with questions. How had Aria known that they were the ones who could help her? And what did she really want from them?