Lost Amongst Many

Chapter 22

(And we're back to Lava P)

Kenneth and Kara went back to their house, and Mitch seemed frozen for a few moments before glancing at Jerome, then following Kenneth and Kara.

Sneaking to the very edge of the city limits, I watched as the men from the city collected in a big group outside a tall building with a cross on top, weapons raised. I saw mostly swords, but a few spears bristled, and only one bow. That bow was going to be an issue. The archer had nailed Jerome in the shoulder, so it was clear he could aim well. He was a threat.

A memory washed over me. Jerome and I had gone to my meadow, and an archer had nearly killed me with precision accuracy. This was the same archer. The same archer meant he had no sense of limitation, or humiliation. I was about to teach him some, though.

He took notice, and drew an arrow. This took the attention of all the other men, and they watched. I stood ready, watching his arrow carefully. He was overconfident, his shot on Jerome removing doubt and replacing it with pride. He needed to know humility- true humility. Missing an easy shot was a perfect way.

He released the arrow, and I darted to the side at the perfect time. The arrow clattered to the asphalt, victimless. He stood there, mouth agape, and the others chuckled. He tried again, a little angry. I repeated my sidestep. Another clatter. He gaped like a fish, opening and snapping his mouth shut.

The other men laughed full-fledged. I saw humiliation spread along the facial features of the archer. His face turned red, and I 'cracked' a smile, as Mitch so poetically put it. The other men were distracted, laughing and talking amongst themselves, ignoring the archer.

He pulled an arrow so quickly, I did not have time to react, and he shot. It sunk through my leg, and buried its tip in the asphalt, pinning me to the road. Jade saw this, and flattened her ears, growling whole-heartedly. The group refocused their attention on me, and now were surprised to see me trapped by an arrow.

Jade came over and snapped off the tip of the arrow which was buried in the road. She took me by my scruff and threw me on her back.

"Jerome, we must go! Now!" She grumbled, as she ran straight past him.

He turned on the dime and ran after Jade. She weaved through trees and skidded to a stop outside the back door to the house Kara lived in. Jerome barked, and Mitch appeared in the window.

His eyes widened, and he struggled to open the door in his panic. He held out his arms, and Jade handed me over to Mitch, who rushed me to Kara. She was casually sitting at the dining table with a cup of tea, and a book.

"What happened?!"

"I don't know! Jerome and Jade just dropped him out back!"

"Go ask them now while I fix this. It may take a while."

"Okay..."

He ran off.

"Preston, I need to you take a deep breath into this mask I have here. You'll feel a bit drowsy, okay?"

I nodded, and did as asked. She was right. I felt very drowsy and tired, and fell asleep quickly.