Mehk and Itna

Target Practice

        When the sun rose, Mehk awoke to the sound of something sharply hitting wood. He looked at his tear-stained shoulder, then at the empty spot beside him. Rising, he crawled out of the tent. His eyes fell upon Itna, who was facing away from him. As he was about to approach her, he saw her pull out the last two daggers from her belt. He stopped moving, not wanting to startle her. He looked around her at a target she had tied to the tree. The other three of her daggers were driven into its center.

        A growl-like sound came from Itna as she threw another, a loud clink was heard as it hit another dagger, causing it to fall from the bullseye. She took a few deep breaths and Mehk saw her grip tighten on the last dagger. He could see the tenseness in her shoulders as she stood. Snarling, Itna threw her last dagger. The string holding the target in place was cut and it fell to the ground. Mehk decided to finally approach her.

        "Itna?" He said calmly as he placed his paw on her shoulder. She turned to him, her face stained with countless tears. He pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. She hugged him back, nuzzling his chest and burying herself in his embrace, even if only for a few moments. Eventually, they let go, staring at each other.

        "I-I should clean up my target practice over there," Itna said, trying her best to smile. Mehk nodded, walking over to the target to help.

        As Itna finished pulling her daggers out of the splintering target, Mehk cleaned up the bits of woods scattered about, "How old is this target anyway?" He asked as he finished picking up everything.

        Itna looked over, "Actually, I made it this morning..."

        Mehk looked at her, studying her to see if she was joking, then looked at the broken and worn target. "How long ago did you wake up?"

        Itna shrugged, then stumbled a bit, "Sorry, I'm a bit tired." Mehk led her to the water to clean up. As she washed her face, she looked over, "So, can I hear about where you used to live? The place with the scientists you spoke of?"

        Mehk took a deep breath, "Well, It was a human compound in the middle of the desert. I was normally confined to a four foot by seven foot cell, with bland walls, not a window in sight, cameras in several places to watch my movements, and a metal door with a button in which i had to press to request for the door to be opened. The entire compound was a horrid place for someone like me, or as they called me, a halfling. Nobody cared about me in there, all they cared about was this." He raised his robotic arm. Sighing, he dropped his arm, looking into the water.

        Itna nudges his side lightly, "Well, at least you're free, right?"

        Mehk smiled, nodding, "And I got to meet you."