Sweven

She could hear the footsteps. Less than a mile away, drowsy and heavy steps. Not a man’s. I wouldn’t reach even if I run fast. She heard ragged breaths. Someone was putting up a fight. Impressive.

Her hands shivered. She could now hear two breaths. One shallow, almost inaudible, and the other heavy, could be heard from even further. She pointed her arrow towards the source of the heavier breath. The arrow flew through the middle of the giant trees and hit the bull’s eye.

Her jog had now turned into walking. “Thank you, you saved my life.” She asked, “How do you know I did it?” “The people in the city have heard of the forest child. It’s a pleasure meeting you.” She kneeled on the ground, whispered a little prayer, and shot the wild beast that she had killed earlier from a distance that no archer could ever.

They walked a little distance into the forest, talking about various things. The man whose life she had saved, had a vibe very charismatic. His eyes were ruby-red, the color of the eye she couldn’t witness.

“And now, we have to stop,” she said and continued, “The red line wouldn’t allow us to go any further.” “And I thought you were blind,” he said. “Not so long ago, I wasn’t. One of these wild beasts scratched my eyes off. My master saved me that day, and his bow is saving me now,” she said, pointing to the bow.

“Your life is tragic. Is that why you wear the bandage?”

“That, and you cannot bear to look at the socket, I suppose.”

“I am for her”.

She looked at him, surprised. So he knows about her. “Kill me if you want to, but you’re not crossing the red line.” “Your bow and arrow may be swift, but my legs are swifter.”

She pointed her arrow and stretched the bow. This man will not take her. I won’t let him. He has a dagger, I heard the clink when we were walking. Whatever it is, she’s the forest’s…

“Kill me,” a voice echoed. Wait, that wasn’t one voice. He, a woman, children, what’s happening? Where should I aim?

When she kept pointing in every direction possible, a knife came out of nowhere, directed towards her heart…

To be Continued…