Chapter 19

33 1 0
                                    

I was now staring up at the big poster. "What now Mr. Smarty Pants?" He tsked. "Oh yee of little faith. Have you doubt?" He pulled the backpack from his shoulder. "Okay King James. What's in the bag?" I ask. He pointed at me. "Now this is where you come in. I've asked around your little... friend group. I've heard you are quite good with a bow." He produced a compound bow and four arrows. "You got four shots Legolas."

I quirked an eyebrow. "Why did you find this out?" He shrugged, standing. "I thought it might be valuable information." I crossed my arms and eyed the weaponry before I snatched it up. "I only need one."

He pointed to the sloppy nails holding the poster up. "You need to hit that. Once that side falls we can pull the other one down. Good luck Katniss." He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "This will be interesting to watch." I rolled my eyes but took my stance.

My left foot was out in front, right in the back. I gripped the bow, getting a feel for it. I grabbed an arrow. It was a dull practice arrow, but it would work. I notched it and took aim. I inhaled deeply, and as I exhaled, released. Of course I hit my mark, I've been shooting since I was 7. The nail fell as did that half of the poster.

I turned towards him. "Satisfied?" He straightened. "Well my sources weren't lying. Nice shot." I gave him the weapon back. "Is that a compliment I hear?" I ask, smiling. "Of course not." He scoffed. "Mhmm."

"Get on my shoulders." He said. "Um, excuse me what?" He got on his knees. "Get on my shoulders. So we can reach the string." I crossed my arms. "Why can't I just shoot the other nail?" He sighed. "Because it's easier this way." I made a noise. "I have a better idea." I went off and dragged a table over.

"I got this." I got on the table and set my sights on the string. I took a leap, and my fingers snatched the string, the poster coming down with me. "Got it!! Let's go have a bonfire!!" I called walking out and dragging the poster with me.

It was now Wednesday. We had buried the poster somewhere deep in the woods, and left it there to die. DIE EVIL POSTER!!!!

.........*ahem* Anyways! Park and I were finally through with each other for good and we were now free to live our own lives. FREEDOM!!

............. I really am a dork. So my next adventure consisted of Alice and tumblers. "Here's yours. And here's yours. Oh, Autumn! Come back you forgot yours!" Alice yelled. I groaned, hands full of cups. "Alice I'm dying over here! I have a horrible disease called boredom!" She scoffed. "And you say I'm dramatic. I need your help Opal. Please!" She cried. "You ARE the dramatic one. And fine, I'll stay. But if I fall over dead I'm coming back to haunt you." She scrunched up her nose and stuck out her tongue. "Love you too."

I had an awful dream last night. My parents and my brothers were driving my father to a meeting. We knew it was dangerous but he had to go. The building was lined with people from the FBI, and my father walked in while we stayed in the car. Later, someone was brought out on a gurney. We figured out it was my father, but before we could get out of the car men in black appeared everywhere and a bomb goes off. We get down on the bottom of the car, then when it's safe we exit. My family goes after my father and I wander. When I look around, Elliot came running towards me. He showed me his hand, and it was full of big bloody holes. I've never heard my brother cry since he was 4, but he was sobbing. And all I could do was hold him. When I looked over his shoulder, Axel had a gash on his face. I started to cry.

I awoke with a start, sweating and tears streaming down my face. I turned on my lamp and tried to draw, but it didn't bring me peace like it usually did. Eventually my pencil just stopped moving. I knew I had to see my brothers to make sure they were okay.

I tiptoed into their room. They shared a room but not a bed. They each had their own twin beds. They had a simple room, with a small desk in between the beds. I walked quietly over to Elliot's bed on the left. He slept in a ball like me. While I kneeled by his bed, I brushed his hair out of his face. I carefully lifted his hand, and saw it was hole free. I then crawled over to Axel's bed, and brushed his curls from his face. It was blood free as well. When I was satisfied, I slowly left their room. When I tried to sleep again, I just couldn't get Elliot's cries or Axel's gash out of my head. I ended up crying myself to sleep.

I was half awake, but sunlight was streaming through into my room. I heard two people come into my room, and they started whispering. "Alright ready? I'm gonna jump on her in 3,2..." "Whoa whoa whoa. Hold up El. Her cheeks are glistening and her eyes are swollen." They walked closer. I was no longer half asleep, but I pretended to be fully asleep. "Oh no. Her nightmares are back." Axel said. "What? She hasn't had one for..." "6 months I know. I thought they were finally gone this time." I heard one of them scratch their neck. "Why didn't she wake one of us up?" Elliot asked. "I'm guessing she wanted to see if she could handle this one on her own, but I'm pretty sure she cried herself to sleep last night." Axel said.

Elliot sighed. "Poor Opal. Why can't they leave her alone?" He asked. "She can't escape from her own mind. She may beat it, one day, but not now." Axel stated. He came over and wiped my face with his thumb. "She can do it." I heard them both leave. I sat up in bed, and shed a single tear before getting up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey guys. It's me, the author. I know this chapter is kinda a bummer from the usual comedy and light hearted-ness, but this part is huge character development for Opal. Not only does it show that she loves her brothers deeply, but it shows a new part of her that she tries to hide. Remember her nightmares, they're important. Thanks!
@KS

UnpredictableWhere stories live. Discover now