Ruin: It's Our Fault [BK. 1]

Somewhat Okay, Ch.8

[Picture: Amèlie]

Η φύση έχει τις παγίδες της

Nature Has Its Traps

TARA'S POV

"Let me get you some water." I rise, nearly out of the door already, but the girl--Lydia-- called after me.

"No, really, you've done enough for me." She examines her wound, which was now bandaged nicely and healing underneath.

"How do you feel?" I ask, lowering myself to my knees so we line up eye-to-eye.

She smiles back at me, "A lot better. Thank you."

"Tara!" I hear my leader, Amèlie, call from outside and I swing around to face her. "I'm taking them out on a quick scout." She explains. "Care to come?" She ties her red hair up, and I did the same with my own.

"Of course. Where are we going?"

"A bit south of the river bank, we won't be gone long." She tells me before facing the injured girl, "You stay here."

"No." She shakes her head, "I can go." She rises with a bit of trouble, but stood proudly.

Amèlie sighs, "Survivor-"

"Lydia." She corrects instantly, her dark hair curling around her face.

"Lydia," Amèlie continues, a sad edge to her voice, "are you sure you can handle this? If we are to come across any Traitors..."

"I know. I'll be able to fight."

"Fine, then," She adjusts the bow around her shoulder, "we will be on our way."

The past week has been the most hectic week of my life. Finding out that our population was ending was something I didn't take so lightly. The Hunters found me almost starved to death, but they helped me, so, in return, I joined them. It was hard to become one at first, since I'd grown up learning how to shoot a gun. One of their few rules was: Only use bows in battle. Therefore, I put my shotgun days behind me and was taught to work a bow. It's a very satisfying feeling to fire one, actually, but I hadn't had to lately, which was good- it meant the Traitors weren't able to find us.

Our small group of Hunters spent countless hours making our community the safe place it is. We even have an expectant mother, so there is still hope for our future generation.

I follow the others until we were rejoined by the new group of Survivors.

Amèlie explains, "Today we will show you how us, the Hunters, work. First, leave your guns."

"No." The brunette girl, whom I have thought to be their leader, steps forward, "We still hardly know you."

"Please." I back up my friend, "You will be supplied with a bow and arrows. It's the way we do things here."

They hesitate, glancing at one another.

"You can get them back when we come back." I add, catching eye contact with Amèlie, who didn't look to happy with my statement.

Graham rushes over to Lydia, who just came into view, and the way they looked at each other made me wonder if they had known one another post-ruining.

I grab my bow, leading the way down a sturdy ladder. One-by-one they follow me down until our shoes plant into the muddy ground. We have been getting light waves of rain here and there, but nothing heavy at all.

Conversation is quite limited as we put a good distance between us and our camp.

"We'll split up." Amèlie tells the group, "I'll take three of you, and Tara will take the other two. We will show you how to work your bow, hiding spots from Traitors, and how to track."