Survival Of The Fittest

Ch. 2

When I noticed the other arrow joining Tiffany's and Nevaeh's bringing down the buck, my first thought that there were other survivors. My second though was what if they would hurt the girls.

With that thought in mind, I pulled both girls down into the brush with me. Laying on our stomachs. Barley being hidden by the barren shrubbery around us. Luckily the hides they were wearing were tanned into a soft white almost cream color, making it easer for them to blend in with their surroundings.

Motioning them both to remain down and quiet, we watched and waited for the owner of the other arrow to appear.

We saw him before we ever herd him. That tells me this is nothing new to him. He was a skilled tracker and hunter.

He stood almost six foot tall with long shoulder length brown hair, that was in a desperate need of a washing. He had sky blue eyes, that his long hair obscured from view. I could tell he was well muscled, the sleeves on his flannel shirt were ripped off at the shoulders, revealing sun kissed skin tanned a light brown by the sun, only enhances his pecs that were on display. He was clad in a pair of blue jeans that seamed to hug all the right places.

Damn I've been alone too long, that I'm checking out a stranger that poached our deer.

When he approached the deer crouching to retrieve his arrow, I knew when he spotted the other two arrows. His head jerked up scanning the area for us. He continued to look for about five minutes, before a noise behind him drew his attention. He turned quickly with his crossbow raised ready to take out who or whatever was quickly approaching.

He must of knew the people that emerged from the woods for he heaved a sigh, and lowered his weapon.

I could hear their conversation from our hiding spot, I wanted to know if they were just passing threw or staying in the area, if so we would have to go deeper in the tree houses. We didn't want to be discovered and have to fight for what is ours. The girls were still pretty young I don't think we would survive if that were to be so.

"Damn, you Rick I could of shot your ass, next time call out when your closes."

The guy just named Rick. had shaggy brownish grey hair that was trimmed to his ears with a like wise colored beard. He was dressed in fairly clean jeans and a woolen sweater with what looked like a sheepskin lined jacket.

He laughed lightly and replied with a shake of his head, "What's got your panties in a twist this time Daryl? Still pissed that Merle wouldn't come hunting with you?"

"Naaw, man someone else is here with us. Look there are two other arrows other than my own. I was just scanning the tree line for them when you came along! We don't want another threat we can't face another group as it is. We are in the open in a place we don't know with kids. I just want to keep everyone safe this time."

"True, with Maggie being pregnant we can't be to careful. At least we will have some food today, that will make the kids happy. How bout I help you get this deer back to camp before the people who shot those other arrows comes a calling for the kill."

The guy Daryl just nodded quickly pulled the arrows out and dropped them to the ground, before having the guy Rick help him get the deer up on his shoulder. Once he had a good hold of the deer, in single file the disappeared back into the tree line.

I cursed silently in my head about them taking our kill, all the while we waited a good ten to fifteen minutes before getting up and retrieving the girls arrows before heading home. All the while trying to make as little sounds and tracks as possible.

The sun had just began to set when we reached our home. For the night we will stay where we are, but tomorrow we will head to one of the other treehouses. Just incase those people find their way here.