Foreverland

Chapter VI

Chapter VI

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For the next couple of weeks, Iris trained hard with Peter and Liam, perfecting her throwing, and improving her hand-to-hand combat. She'd apologized to Cam for getting so frustrated with him, which he fiercely refused to accept, claiming there was nothing for her to apologize for. She and the boys became closer in those weeks, and she felt a bit safer going out into the woods with them now that she knew somewhat how to defend herself. Peter was still a mystery to her, and she was afraid he might always be. 

Something that scared her was her level of comfortableness. She had caught herself calling the boys' den home once or twice. Iris hoped this whole situation was temporary, obviously wanting to remember who she was and get back to wherever her true home was. However, she feared she was starting to create a new identity for herself, one that she would never be able to change. 

She was following the boys through the woods after a day of fishing, and was absent-mindedly watching Peter's back as he walked in front of her. His hair was slightly disheveled and damp from the water. She could again see those slightly-pointed ears peaking out when he turned his head, and the scar on his face twitch as he spoke to Cam. At this point, she almost wanted to know his story more than she wanted to know her own. 

Suddenly, a thick log came swinging down, knocking Max back and hitting Cam head-on into his chest. They both let out a loud grunt, and before she knew it, Iris was grabbed up and flew into the air. She was tangled in something, and squirmed around trying to escape. 

Iris looked down, and saw she was stuck in a net. She tried to reach for her dagger, but her wrist was caught in the rope.

Liam was bent over Cam, who wasn't moving, and max was pushing himself up off the ground. Peter ran directly under Iris. 

"Are you okay?" He shouted up at her. 

Her heart was pounding, and she was a bit shaken. For a second, she thought she was caught by a reaper. She could've still been, but at least there weren't any dragging her away. 

She nodded. "I'm okay," she said shakily. 

"I'm gonna get you down," Peter said, pulling an arrow out. 

Iris started squirming again. "Not like that! I'll fall!" 

"We have to go quick." He aimed. "Reapers will be here any second."

Iris got very serious then, looking frantically through the trees for any sign of movement. "I'm scared."

"Don't worry, I'll catch you," Peter said. 

Her eyes whipped down to him. "I'm too high up, we'll both get hurt."

"We have to take that chance, they're close," he said. 

Iris let out an involuntary whimper at the thought of the reapers getting her, but she wanted the boys to be safe. She gulped. "Go on ahead! You need to carry Cam."

"Don't be stupid," Peter said. He gave a nod to Liam and Max, who lifted Cam and started running further into the woods towards the den. 

Peter lifted his bow. "Ready?"

Iris nodded when she heard a soft pounding and rustling from somewhere in the forest. "Yes! Do it!" 

He shot the arrow, which hit the net above her, ripping through the rope and sending her spilling  out. Peter dove, letting her fall on him before she hit the ground. She scrambled up onto her feet and yanked Peters arm, pulling him up as more sounds echoed closer. Peter grabbed her wrist and started sprinting through the woods.