Chosen - A Children of the Gods Short Story

Chosen

“Are you coming into the forest tonight, Reka?” Niko’s lips were close to my ear as he whispered of secret gatherings. My skin danced with the tingles of excitement, not just at the prospect of freedom from the eyes that always watched, but also from the sensation his breath caused as it spilled down my back.

I looked at him as I reached my arm back and lobbed the rock at my target. He looked away to confirm if I had hit my mark. He shook his head and his eyes held wonder.

“How do you do that? You were not even looking that time.”

“They are rats. If I relied on my eyes I would never hit one. They make horrid noises with their little claws. Makes my skin crawl.”

Still standing with his hands behind his back, careful not to actually touch me, he laughed. “So you are saying you hear your targets?” He shook his head again and the humor drained from his eyes. The look he gave me made my mouth feel dry. I swallowed trying to wet my tongue. “You never answered my question.” His voice was very low. I almost leaned in to hear him.

I swallowed again before answering. “If you are going, so am I.”

He spun in a full circle on his heel. “Good,” he said, and pegged another rat with the rock he hid behind his back.

“Good,” I repeated, looking at the dead rats against the fence.

Lizanne hobbled up and scowled. “You started without me?”

“Rats wait for no one, Lizzy,” Niko said, pushing his face near to hers. She squeaked and stumbled back, pulling away from him, rolling her eyes.

“You are in a mood.”

Her comment stopped me as I drew my arm back. I looked at Niko. He did seem lighter than normal. I held in my smile and launched my projectile at the little scurrying creature across the yard, nailing it dead on.