Broken Wings

~13~

On another tree, hidden behind the first, he saw none other than Star. She looked up at him, not in a Murderous way, but in a way that silently cried out for help, mercy, something.

Completely unarmed, her bow and quiver kicked off to the side, now almost empty. And her wings weren't just messy anymore.

Blood caked into the feathers as the arrows protruding from her wings pinned her up against the tree. As she stared at him, her eyes darted up over his shoulder, and then it hit him. Or more so, her.

An arrow landed right in between her eyes, and they glazed over, right before her head drooped to the floor.

Immediately, Phoenix turned around, staring at Haze with wide eyes. He couldn't believe it. After all this time, there was no way...

The cat looked at him, pulling out another arrow. A malicious grin started to creep it's way onto his face, and he drew back.

"So, any last things you'd like to say, bird?"

Phoenix held his tongue, refusing to speak, and instead glaring at him.

"None? Oh well, that's a shame. None of the others really got theirs, you shouldn't be so selfish."

Phoenix remembered the quiver, and how he had seen an arrow remaining.

Haze took aim right at his head, preparing to shoot. As soon as he let go however, Phoenix dove to the ground. He pulled himself towards the arrow, pulling it out and glaring at Haze. The cat made no move to stop, continuing to taunt him, as he pulled out another arrow.

As he approached, Phoenix quickly raised it, jabbing it into the cat's foot. He howled in pain, reaching down to pluck it out.

My sword is still in Flash Flood, but my bow is in the airplane! Let's go Phoe bow!

Phoenix took it as his opportunity, running in the direction of the airplane. As he opened the door, an arrow just barely missed him, clanking against the metal frame.

Phoenix slammed the door, frantically searching for his bow. He realized it was at the other end of the plane, but Haze's sword was just below him.

He reached down to grab it, and then noticed MCA once more, the poor enderman still pinned to the ceiling. It was that brief pause that made him oblivious to the door, and only when it hit him did he realize.

The arrow pierced his wing, dragging him down and pinning him on the ground. Haze now stood a few feet away, grinning down at him.

"No, I don't think so."

Phoenix could see the bow just behind him, and he scrambled to get it, but the arrow held his wing firmly in place. He started to tug, and felt the burning pain of his wing starting to tear.

Tears were now streaming down his face, as he tried desperately to reach it. He was so close, but his feathers were just barely brushing it.

He let out a cry of pain as another arrow pierced his second wing, and he was forced to lie on his back, looking up as the cat came closer.

"Haze please! You don't have to do this! Please!"

Haze just grinned wider, starting to laugh.

"Oh, oh this is just pitiful. The amazing Phoe begging for his life, unable to save any of his friends? I love it!"

He finished, breaking into laughter that rang in Phoenix's ears, and made him cringe.

"Haze, ple-"

"Oh no, no you don't understand Phoenix. I'm living my dream. My dream of finally getting to kill you guys!"

He continued to laugh, then looked Phoenix in the eyes. The bird started to struggle once more, the arrows tearing his wings even more.

"You can't even fly, can you? And you're a bird! It's so sad, so very sad, but maybe we should make it better! Here's my gift to you, Phoenix. Before you draw your last breath, is there anything you'd like to say?"

Phoenix looked up at him, still struggling, though each movement made him wince.

"Haze... Please..."

"Is that all? You're just gonna sit there begging for your life? Really? You're more of a coward than I thought. Well, I guess that's how life goes."

Phoe watched him closely, and his eyes widened as the cat reached down, picking up his sword.

"I wonder what it's like when you die here, if you're really truly dead. For all we know this is some kind of experiment, or maybe just a dream."

He froze, holding the sword above Phoenix. Then, he smiled.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye..."

Then, he leaned down close to Phoenix, smiling, before whispering in his ear.

"It was fun, but sun's going down, and it's time to go..."

Tears streamed down Phoenix's face, as he felt the tip of the sword on his chest.

There was a flash of blinding pain, and then everything faded to black...

~~~

SO, how's that for a murder mystery? Haze is one Mighty Murderer huh? Is this the end of the story? Of course not! There are even more chapters coming, so get ready! I hope you enjoy them!

~ Alice W.