Jumper

Chapter 1: Life At Its Worst

My mind stirs in odd ways. I believe I have had a dream, but there was nothing to see. I hear blood-curdling screams and cries; every so often a light dances around my eyelids. The noises are joined by grunts, the clinks of weapons, and there are sounds of slicing flesh.

I don’t quite pull together what is happening until it is too late.

My eyes open to see the reflection of flames on my ceiling. My body immediately starts to sweat and my heart is beating severely, trying to escape its cage, my chest. This can’t be happening. Please, no.

…

5 Days Before

…

I want to live a fulfilling life, one of happiness and honesty. Yet I don't think it will ever be possible. I am stuck at the edge of a cliff, dangling over and balancing for my life. My life is one of danger, of absolute certainty of death in the early years of my life. I fall victim to every possible death, every injury, and every abuse. It's not a life I get to choose, but one I fall into. I can't escape. I'm stuck in a fatal position that I'll suffer a life through before I finally give up. It's suicide. I'm saving people at the extent of my downfall. Goodbye world. I didn't like you anyways.

          Dry, hot, and humid. I've adapted to the harsh weather of the African Plains since I was born here. The Plains Tribe is one of the tribes with all the wrong resources. It’s hot, but there’s little water to rehydrate. There’s elephant leather, lion’s fur, and snake’s skin, but wouldn’t that be more useful to an arctic tribe? Thank God we have a trading system. It allows us to trade resources with other tribes to fit our needs.

  The sun is forcing perspiration to run down my tan face, and I can’t wipe it away with a bow and arrow in hand. But then again, there are things worse than sweat.

A sharp tack stabs my back; Treydanse stands behind me. He's as mediocre a person as he is a boyfriend. I can’t really explain why I hate him so much. There’s nothing to hate him for. The way he treats me is normal in a relationship, but it pisses me off since it’s him.  Maybe it’s because of the fact I didn’t get to choose who I’m with. I’m stuck with him, without any reconciliation from me to see if it’s okay. I didn’t get to choose.Although, I don’t have any idea of whom I’d choose anyways.

His sturdy chest heaves against my back as he breathes.

“And release.” He says.

Of course I release the arrow, just to be nice. It shoots straight into the heart of the tree I aimed for, a perfect shot.

          If I could, I’d aim at him and release as soon as possible. But I can’t do that since I’m the chief’s daughter, and the chief’s daughter has a reputation. If I can’t kill you, you might as well kill me.

          I turn to face Treydanse, his jawline defined and firm. “You teach me as if I’ve never used a bow and arrow before.”

          He laughs and looks in my deep chocolate-brown eyes.

“I just like spending time with you and looking at your gorgeous face.” He kisses me passionately, but I don’t feel any sensation.

          I don’t like spending time with you.I can get how girls are jealous and like the smooth, masculine complexion of his face, and those harsh blue eyes, but it’s not appealing to me. Treydanse is conceited, and I don't like that. I don't like anything about him, the fact that he's the most prevalent teen in our tribe, or that he is the most brutal Palibar's son. Being the son of a warrior, he has expectations to live up to as well. He’s the black splotch in the sunshine, the hate in the kindest heart, the bruise on a healthy body.