Trouble In Paradise

Chapter 21: The New Green Arrow

I scoured into vast and deep jungle. I waited hesitantly for the siren, hoping that I could win. I really need that special suit so that I can impress Jessica. That is, if she will say yes to me.

The silence was replaced with a loud honk! I smiled as I hunted my prey. I found my first target, Joshua. I drew my arrow, aimed, and released. The arrow soared swiftly and hit Joshua in the head. He cursed terribly and saw that I shot him from far.

Very far.

He replaced his cusses with encouragements. I even heard him say, "Go get 'em Tiger!"

I left silently to avoid Joshua's commotion. A paint-arrow whizzed past my leg. I ducked to the nearest tree. I readied my arrow and went out of my cover. I saw the woman who charged towards me to shoot me point blank.

Crap.

That was when I saw a man next to a tree, readying his arrow towards me.

Double crap.

Then another woman on the left walked as she readied her arrow.

Triple crap.

I looked behind me and saw Maxwell, ready to shoot.

I'm soooo screwed.

My instincts took over, adrenaline rushing through my body. The woman who wanted to shoot me point blank came at a quick pace. Just as she was about to shoot, I took an arrow and smashed the head into her chest, eliminating her.

The other woman shot, but I dodged it and ran to her. She tried doing my Arrow Smash (that's what I called it), but I ducked underneath. I realised that Maxwell shot an arrow, so I used the woman as a meat shield. The arrow hit her leg instead of mine. I let go of her and drew my arrow, held my breath, and shot the man by the tree in his chest.

Maxwell tried my Arrow Smash, but I caught his wrist and drove it towards his back. I kicked it, Maxwell on all-fours. I quickly drew an arrow and shot him in the head when he looked. The impact forced his face to collide with the dirt.

Everyone gasped when I took all of them out in a matter of seconds. Then the man said, "Looks like we shouldn't have doubted you. You got a few tricks from Arrow." That is when everyone clapped. Maxwell was clapping as well when he got up.

My celebration soon ended with an arrow missing me by an inch. I looked back to see Jessica, notching another arrow. I took cover by a tree. That is when I had an idea. I studied the tree carefully and found it good enough. I climbed up, finding branches to place my feet and grooves to hook my fingers. Soon, I was on top and moving along a thick branch. I crouched on it and took out my bow.

I found Jessica on the ground, still looking for me. "Come out Chad! I know you're here." I notched my arrow and whizz! The arrow struck Jessica on her shoulder. She looked at me and asked, "How'd you get up there?"

"I climbed." I replied bluntly.

She nodded and went to the eliminated area. I put my back against the tree trunk. I found a staff member running from another staff member.

Pfft. Amateurs.

I aimed and shot the guy chasing the staff member. The guy that was being chased could not believe his eyes. He frantically searched for me. I laughed loudly yet he still could not find me. I whistled loudly as I drew my arrow. Just as he found me, I shot the arrow in his face.

I jumped to the nearest branch and continued my hunt. When I made it to my fifth branch, I felt like I got the hang of being in a jungle wielding a bow and arrow. I found my next target, the man with the grassy back. Just as I was about to shoot, I slipped off the branch.

I was able to grab a lower one, but only with my legs. I hung upside-down and the man saw this. He smirked and shot the arrow. If I did not swing myself a little, I would have got shot. I tried notching my arrow, but it is hard to do that once you are hanging upside-down from a branch. I missed him.

He missed me.

I missed him.

He missed me.

This continued for a minute until I decided to swing myself to the trunk. I swung, grabbed the trunk and slid down. Immediately, I made a duck-and-run for a waist high rock. I took cover there. Once the man shot, I notched my arrow, went out of my hiding place and jumped onto the rock and propelled myself into the air.

My notched arrow was then released.

It hit the man square in the face as I fell onto the soft, brown dirt. "Well played, kid. Well played." He said as he moved to the eliminated area. Within seconds, a honk rustled the silence. Was that the siren? It was.

Which means I won!

I went to the entrance and found everyone clapping for me. Apparently, I noticed a big flat screen television with game footage of how we played, even live footage. So they saw how a real archer is suppose to be.

"Right!" Joshua hollered. "We have reached the end of our paintball session. But we still have prizes to give. Team Ghosts, get your gear!"

Team Ghosts received their gear.

"And now, the winner of the free-for-all tournament is.............Chad Newman! C'mon m'boy!"

I smiled as they talked about Green Arrow. Oh yeah. I received a golden ticket to the special area for a suit for tomorrow night's ball. "Congratulations! Now, nobody is leaving here empty handed. Tomorrow night's ball, we will give out free DVDs of today's game footage. And to be honest, you should take it home 'cause this fella," Joshua put his hands on my shoulder, "Made this game a roaring success and I will make an announcement internationally about this game!"

Cheers went all around. "Now let's get back to my resort."