Checkmate

Chapter 3; The Archer's Lair

Th arrow hit the target with an utter force that resonated around the sound proof room. Bullseye I inwardly sighed and closed my eyes.

"Miss, please miss" I whispered to my self and released an arrow to the ceiling. I opened my eyes to a voice I had not wanted to hear.

"Now why would you want to do that?" I opened my eyes and and gasped with horror as the target had been hit yet again.

"Go away." I say monotonously as I place down my bow and quiver.

"Now why would I do that?" He said sarcastically

I huff and placed the weapons away in their place. While I do this, he watches my back silently. I hear his deep breath as I move closer to find him staring.

"It's funny.." He starts then begins to laugh.

"What? What's funny?" I demand and wait until he stops.

He comes closer and moves a piece of my hair making me cringe.

"What's funny? Mm mm how about the fact that you thought you could be normal. Honestly,let's be realistic." I start to walk towards the door as he shout the rest towards my back.

"You were born a warrior, you were trained a warrior, and you will love and die as a warrior. Nothing is going to change the dark part of you." I stayed just long enough to hear him say this before walking out and slamming the door shut behind me.

*****

I watched him slowly disarm the weapon in less then 10 seconds. He had impressed the room of smoking cocktail guests. I scoffed and the room turned towards me as my father cleared his throat.

"That is a nice job my boy but my daughter can disarm a gun in 3 seconds flat." He boosted as the crowd encouraged me to show them my 'talent.' I rose and moved towards the table of drinks where a firearm lay.

"Start the clock." I feel his intense glare as my hands move swiftly and familiarly over the gun and its inner chambers. After I finish the time is called and sure enough I had done it in 3 seconds flat.

I stare at the gun laying on the tabletop at a loss for words. I knew I could do it but part of me wished I could fail. I watched as the gun was taken back to its owner.

Rushing out of the room, I dodge people left and right to reach the stairs. I am stopped by many people but I push and shove and move towards the door instead. A warm gush of air drifts towards me as I leave the house.

Running, I find the garden and find security in the gazebo. I sit on the built in swing and wished to be a child again. My eyes fluttered shut as I imagined my mother's fingers running through my hair as she finished a braid.

"There." She had said "now you look like a real girl" we laughed and she pushed me as I screamed about the height. The memory flooded away as someone cleared their throat breaking through my thoughts.

"I told you, you couldn't escape it." Alessandro states matter of factly.

"What is your damn problem?!" I am infuriated as he leans against the refined wood.

"Well, it's simple isn't it. I have none except that I am here to impress you and honestly I do not find you worthy of impressing." My slap makes a loud noise as his cheek is stained with a red handprint. My palm tickles lightly as the fury in my eyes could kill.
He stares at me as his hand finds my throats. He is too quick and I am held by the neck against the wall in seconds.
"Listen to me clearly, I am here for one thing only. non mi infuriare, credimi so come fare le persone più forti deboli"
(do not infuriate me, believe me i know how to make the strongest people weak)
He released me as I gasped for air and ran after him, throwing a punch and then kick. He caught both and pushed me closer until our bodies were flushed against each other.
"This was a warning, do not test me again" he turns and walks away.

This time I let him and watch his figure disappear back into the house. Whatever he was up to, it wasn't good. I went inside with a promise to figure out why this man was here and what he wanted from me and my family.