They Do Exist

They Do Exist (17)

I woke up the next morning to meet Gabe at the field.

He was waiting like always.

Except something was different.  This time he had two shields instead of one.

He must have noticed my suspicion because he laughed.

“It’s time to put you to the test.”

“Uhm…ok.” I was still suscpicious.

“You’ll take a bow and arrow and a shield, and I’ll take a bow and arrow and a shield.  I’ll run into the forest like always and this time when you come after me, I’ll be shooting arrows back.  You’ll have to defend yourself, as well as trying to shoot at me.”

“So is this like… a game?” I asked.

“Sure.  I guess it kind of is.”

My jaw dropped.  “There’s no way this is a game.  Not with you.” I was in disbelief.

“Yeah, Yeah.  Just grab a shield and count to thirty.” He took off.

I sighed.  Grabbing shield and turning around.  “One… Two… Three… Four…”

I started.  I felt like I was five again, playing hide and seek.

Finally I counted to thirty and started jogging into the forest.  As soon as I entered, an arrow shot right by my ear.

I ducked instantly. Uhm, WHOA.

“Pay attention, shortie.”

I looked to see where the voice was coming from and aimed my bow but I didn’t see anything.

I kept jogging and saw a flash. Thankfully, I put up my shield in time. I gulped.  Was he trying to kill me?

Again, he caught me off guard and almost took off my head.

I was getting frustrated.   “I thought I taught you better than that.” I heard his voice right behind me.  Before I could aim he was gone.  But I was sure he was there.

Wait a second… “GABE! THAT IS NOT FAIR.  DO NOT USE YOUR TRANSPORTING SKILLS TO SURPRISE ATTACK ME!” I yelled into the forest.

No reply.

Another arrow.

Another block.

“Your enemy won’t be holding back, Layla.”

I shot immediately from where I heard him speak.  I saw him momentarily, but he raised his shield and caught the arrow and then disappeared again.

I call cheater.

The summer wind blew around me, and all was quiet for a while.  Too quiet.  The anticipation was killing me.  Not even the forest animals or whatever were moving.

I closed my eyes and took a breath. The arrow was too thin to see coming in this dense forest.  I’d have to listen out for it. I heard a whale slicing through the air and immediately put up my shield, blocked.  As soon as it hit the shield I pointed my bow and arrow and shot. Gabe barely missed it.

I felt the adrenaline of a possible win pump through me and I took off after him.

He would vanish and reappear, running away.  But I was keeping up, I guess all those years of track paid off.  I shot another arrow while his back was toward me.  Another bare miss.

I smiled.  I was getting better at this, and he knew it.  Suddenly he vanished altogether and the chase had seized.  I had no idea how far in the forest we had gone.  But it was still warm, so I figured we were still in the summer realm.  I looked up around me.  The sun shot through in rays through the canopy of the trees.  The trees were extremely tall.  Over 200 feet tall.