The Seven

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

            Jonathan leapt towards Skye with a sudden burst of newfound energy. Rolling aside, Skye allowed herself a short rest. Panting heavily, she leant against a tree trunk. Closing her eyes, she thought back to how it all started……

            “Jonathan!”  Skye shouted out towards her boyfriend’s looming figure. Jonathan stirred, and glided towards her with the faintest hint of a smile on his lips. “Hey babe,” Jonathan responded, brushing aside a stray strand of her hair and pecking her nose. She smiled, inhaling Jonathan’s familiar scent and hugged him. Just then, a voice all too familiar rang out. “Jonathan Wu! What in the blazes do you think you are doing?!” Mr. Farc, the snottiest teacher, thundered. Or at least tried to thunder. It sounded like he was squeaking instead. Jonathan tensed up involuntarily upon the sound of his name. Turning around, he bowed stiffly. Upon the gesture of Mr. Farc, he walked over slowly. The teacher bent down and whispered softly, so soft that no human could hear it. But – But Skye was not human, and she heard four words that would haunt her to grave. “Catch Skye, or else…” Skye could see the conflict of emotions in Jonathan’s eyes. But eventually, he made his decision. Pivoting on his heel, an action that Skye had loved to see him do in the past, Jonathan stalked towards Skye, his figure growing larger in her line of vision. Something had changed in him. She had often seen him like this with others, but never thought that she would ever be on the receiving end of his predatory stance. Well, I guess its just you and me, Skye thought grimly. Whipping herself around, she flung herself out the window……

            THUD! Skye jumped up in shock, her heart beating as fast as a cheetah. The tree right next to her head groaned and slowly toppled over. As part of the dense foliage was slowly removed, a beam of light bounced off the trunk of the tree, illuminating the outline of an axe briefly before the sun disappeared. Turning around in a circle, Skye surveyed her surroundings warily. As luck would have it, she was right smack in the middle of a forest clearing, making her vulnerable prey for all concerned. Skye was not stupid. She had observed animal behaviour too long for her not to have learnt some survival techniques herself. And right now, survival techniques would be sorely needed.

            Jonathan looked down at Skye, his bow and arrow at the ready. Aiming closely, he narrowed his eyes. This would be a sure-kill for Skye. Sighing in resignation, he notched an arrow, and let loose…

            Closing her eyes, Skye concentrated on her breathing. One, two, one, two… Opening her mind’s eye, literally, she felt the presence of all the objects, both living and non-living, around her. The feeling was exhilarating…. That is, until she realized that there was an arrow whizzing towards her, made of the same material as the earlier axe. Archery. Jonathan. Skye’s heart clenched painfully at the thought of him. Let me out! I can help! Skye groaned. There was only milliseconds more to spare and she didn’t want to be involved with an argument          with her inner angel. Come on! I can help and you know it! Skye shook her head and attempted to clear her head so as to reach the same equilibrium as just now. But she soon realized that it was not needed any more. Shifting backwards at an inhumane speed, she swiftly dodged the incoming arrow. However, she had not accounted for the second arrow that was speeding towards her. Stumbling backwards, she attempted to avoid it as well, but to no avail. It neatly lodged itself into her arm and she shrieked in agony. Her mind went haywire and her defences faltered for just a millisecond. But that was all her angel needed. Swooping in triumphantly, it overrode all of Skye’s defences and soon took over. Pure white wings burst out from behind Skye’s back as she yanked the arrow out brutally. The skin knit itself back together within seconds, leaving only a light pink scar in its wake. Skye surveyed her surroundings. The table’s had turned, and it was time for Jonathan to pay.