Lost in a Maze

Chapter 30: Another man down

I love the sound of archery. You mightn't know what I mean, how I could possibly love the clatter of arrows rattling against each other as they huddle together in the quiver, or the snap of the bow string hitting against your forearm on the unlucky occasion. It's not that. It's the moment of release, the moment you hold your breath and focus on your target, on whether or not it will be hit. Whether you'll waste another arrow.
The quick swish, and pleasing thunk as it finds its target, almost as if I'd directed it with my mind and nothing more.

It took my mind off things, reassured the anxiety that would build up inside me, telling me I have no way of defending myself, or anyone for that matter. The practises, they brought ease to my worries, let my mind wander. But the one thing that annoys me is when someone interrupts a particularly deep thought, a particularly risky attempt at a harder target. Third morning of Alby's injury, it was Teresa who interrupted.

I had the arrow feathers brushing against my fingertips, my elbow pulled back, I almost held my breath. But then a twig behind me snapped, and instinctively I spun around, directing my hit towards the noise. I didn't let go, not yet. I would never, not until I found out what it was. However with Teresa, I was just about pissed off enough to hit her and not care, so I let it fly, knowing it would merely hit the tree right beside her head.

She jumped back in shock, slowly looking round at the arrow that may have well pierced her skull. "What the hell?! You could have hit me!"

"Yeah could have, but I didn't." I replied, reaching back to take another arrow from my quiver.

"You know I have a right mind to-"
I rolled my eyes. "What do you want Teresa? Run out of boys to flirt with, is it my turn? Or are you still going round people who are taken, and are going to see Emily next?"

She scoffed, half laughing at what I'd said. "Who in their right mind would want to flirt with you?!" She scorned, her hands on her hips.

Running my tongue along my top lip I nodded, smiling at her snide remark. "Do you have a reason for being here?"

She hesitated, blushing a little. "Well I had come to apologise, but now I think-"

It was my turn to scoff now, I swiftly loaded an arrow and pointed it at her head. "Fuck off."

"You wouldn't dare." She said simply, folding her arms and leaning against a tree. Despite her nonchalant appearance, it was obvious she was still scared, by the wide look in her eyes and the way she bit at her bottom lip.

"You think?" I said before releasing another arrow, smiling as it landed a millimetre away from her ear.

She reached up and pulled it out of the tree with great difficulty, cursing at me as she did. "Stop that alright?!"
Once she succeeded in retrieving my precious arrow, she tried to snap it in half.
"You need a little help, or?" I offered, doing everything I could to hold back my laughter.

"I've got it." She snapped, giving up and throwing it onto the forest ground. "You're such a bitch you know that?!"

"I'm the bitch? I'm sorry- did I miss the part where you properly tried it with my boyfriend the other night?!" I exclaimed, sweeping up the arrow from the ground.

"You're so insecure." She smiled, taking a few steps to the sides in front of me, she was afraid I'd point another arrow at her.

"Leave me alone Teresa, you're so bored and it's pathetic. Go do something to help." I inspected my arrow, and happy that it was unharmed, returned it to the quiver with its sisters.

"I can't wait to see your face when you all find out." She muttered, I pulled back another arrow and directed it at her, making her stumble backwards.

"What did you just say?! I fucking knew it, you know something. What's that supposed to mean anyway?" I demanded, the grip on my arrow lessening.