Old Blood

Consequences

The night air was cold against Tess’s skin as she wandered deeper into the dark forest. The dense canopy of trees above blocked out the moonlight slightly, and the farther she walked, the more the forest seemed to close in around her. Her breath came out silent and slow, and her heart occasionally paused as the unfamiliar forest loomed, every branch and rustle in the underbrush feeling menacing.

She couldn't remember how she had gotten here. The last thing she recalled was the soft glow of the campfire and Ms Grimshaws calm voice fading into the night as sleep had overtaken her. But now, she was alone. The familiar sounds of camp were gone, replaced by the eerie silence of the woods.

The path ahead was obscured by the fog, making it difficult to see more than a few feet in front of her. Every direction looked the same—trees, shadows, and more trees. The disorientation made her head spin, and a gnawing sense of hopelessness settled in her chest.

Her pace slowed, hesitation gnawing at her as she neared the clearing where the light hung. She could see it clearly now, hovering just above the ground. A lantern? No. The light was cold, pale, and unnatural.

And then everything went still.

She felt her eyes open slowly making her sit up slowly, her head spinning as the world around her seemed to shift back into focus. There was no longer a forest filled with the same oppressive darkness. Instead, the familiar sounds of the night returned, the chirping of crickets, the rustle of leaves, and the distant howl of a wolf outside her tent.

“Don’t be so afraid”  Dutch’s voice echoed in her mind. “Nobody here is gonna hurt you.”

Slowly, she stood up, her legs unstable beneath her but stronger than they had been in days. She took a deep breath, her fingers brushing against the rough canvas of the tent flap. With a firm push, she glanced out into the camp, realizing it was night and everyone was asleep.

Tess sat perched at the entrance of her tent that warm morning, her gaze fixed on her horse grazing on the grassy ground. The simple sight of her horse enjoying its freedom and the peacefulness of the scene brought a hint of contentment to her expression. The soft sounds of the horse munching on grass and the gentle breeze filled the air, creating a soothing atmosphere.

She observed several camp members passing by as they went about their daily tasks. Her focus, however, was diverted to a nearby conversation between Dutch and Hosea. As they discussed their next plans, Tess attempted to listen in on their discussion, her curiosity piqued by the snippets of conversation that drifted her way.

She sat there with her mind, she found herself in a state of semi-consciousness, her thoughts drifting away.

The familiar voice sliced through her thoughts, jolting her back to the present moment. Her head turned towards the source of the voice, and her eyes widened slightly with surprise.

"Sure wasn't expecting to see you sitting outside."

The words hung in the air, breaking through the silence that had enveloped her earlier. The voice belonged to Arthur.

The girl's expression shifted from a brief moment of surprise and confusion to a more relaxed one. She offered an awkward yet genuine smile, the tension easing from her face.

"Oh... hello, Arthur"

Her soft greeting slipped out, a simple acknowledgement that carried a hint of warmth in it.

Arthur's amused tone carried a hint of curiosity as he posed a question to her.

"I got a question for you"

His words were laced with a friendly demeanor, suggesting that he wanted to engage in conversation.

"How well can you shoot?"