Angel Girl 〰➰〰 [TWD] [On Hold]

If There Is A Fish, There Is A Way

I woke up with a gasp, my mouth and throat dry. I shakily untied my gag and looked around, my short brown hair clinging to my sweaty forehead. My breaths were shallow and controlled as I gently untied the gag and the rope around my waist and stood, peering down at the base of the tree to see what woke me.

Sophia stood, her fist still raised in mid knock on the base. She had a sheepish look and a light blush dusting her freckles as she looked up at me. I raised a finger to my lips and reached up, untying my backpack. When everything was nice and packed up I carefully climbed down the base.

The soft crunch of the leaves under my feet was seemingly the only sound in the cold morning. The forest having a few scattered bird calls, still seemed empty and foreboding. I shivered in the cold and turned to face Sophia with a grin.

"It's, like, four in the morning! At least we can talk for a few hours before your group is up." I chuckled and shook my head. The forest was still a bit dark as dawn was slowly creeping and crawling its way up to light the horror the world had become.

"Here, I got these for you." She said softly holding out the rest of my missing arrows. My face lit up and I quickly cleaned them and put them in my quiver. "Thank you! It means a lot!" I smiled as I pulled my gear over my shoulder and thought of where we should spend our two or so hours.

I reached my hand out and gently grasped her's as I led us a bit deeper in the forest towards a small stream that was run-off from the water basin that her camp was by. The water sparkled, its clear ripples snatching beams of light and having them dance across the surface. Sophia giggled as a small minnow fought against the current, trying to get back to the basin. I looked over when I heard the pretty sound and felt my cheeks grow warm as she met my gaze.

"I don't think he's getting back any time soon. It's kinda sad though, that he can't get home." Her voice was a bit sadder now and I knew she was remembering her own home, one she could never go back to. "What if we helped him get back?" I asked softly. She looked at me, her smile wide and beautiful. Helping a fish was definitely worth that smile.

"I- I, uh, have a can. We can catch it and you can put it back in the basin." I stuttered, turning to rifle through my bag and pulling out a burnt out can. Toby always told us to burn out cans, so they don't attract animals while also being able to be tools like a scoop or cup.

I handed Sophia the can and jumped to the other bank. I squatted down as Sophia crouched and positioned the can. She obviously was a bit impatient and kept scaring the little fish away. Lucky for us the little thing was so determined to get home or he would have swam away. Sophia's embarrassment shone on her cheeks as she made another wild swipe, completely missing the designated target.

"Need any help? It's fine if you do, took me forever to learn, and I had a creek behind my house!" I chuckled as she huffed and plopped down on the muddy embankment  before realizing it. "Ew! Oh yuck!" She laughed before tossing me the can and standing in order to shake off like a dog, making mud splatter on my face.
"After I catch this fish, you'll pay for that!" I growled, my tone teasing and childish.
I gently scooped up the fish I had dubbed, "lil 'scaper" and very carefully jumped the embankment, taking care not too jostle the fish.

Sophia followed silently as we snuck to a far corner of the basin and I squatted down and set the can in the water. Sophia watched over my shoulder as lil 'scaper peeked his little brown head out of the can and slowly swam into the deeper water. He turned around and looked back at us silently as I pulled the can from the water and set it aside. In curiosity I gently put my hand in the cold water and watched as lil 'scaper swam up and nipped at my index finger before darting away like a shadow, he was back home.