The Canary Cry

chapter one

CANARY CRY

Her feet barely make a sound against the forest floor as she pushes herself further despite the ache in her muscles begging for a reprieve, that she can't give.

She needs to disappear.

But how do you hide from a group of people, who specialize in disappearing into the shadows?

Stumbling over her own two feet she grabs onto the nearest branch which snaps under her weight, sending her crashing into the forest floor less than gracefully. Twigs and branches instantly claw at her skin easily tearing into the fabric of her clothes but none of that compares to the branch she lands on that decides to dig into her side.

Her hands sink into the grass that her fingers curl into as she grinds her teeth to compartmentalize the pain. She shakes her head at her carelessness knowing if Thalia could see her now she'd be disappointed, not like she should care what the woman thought.

Frowning she pushes herself up only to drop to the floor again as an arrow whizzes through the space where her head was just at.

The sound of faint footsteps could be heard all around her as she laid on the forest floor as she her fingers search for the branch that she pulled down in her clumsy descent. Her fingers curl around the branch in a deadly grip as her knuckles whiten before she rolls over grabbing the branch that decided to puncture her side.

Taking a deep breath she stares up at the bright blue sky looming above her as she focused on the footsteps around her that began to halt one by one. They were surrounding her just like they were trained too.

A smirk instantly reaches her lips, as her soft features contort into that of someone who wasn't going down without a fight.

Swiftly getting up she crouches behind the nearest tree only to spot the one who shot at her earlier. Their eye lock in an intense gaze before they notch another arrow at her. Rolling out of the way she jumps to her feet before racing towards them as they begin to shoot arrows at her rapid fire.

One nicks her shoulder as she adjusts her grip on the branches in her hands as if they were her batons.

Another sails past her head as she nears her attacker, knowing she stood a better chance at close range.

Dodging the rest as she neared them she swats an arrow out of the air with her thickest branch which works as expected, sending the arrow clambering to the floor as she lunges at her opponent who drops their bow in favor of fighting her head on.

They collide in a sickening smack as they block each other's advances.

Letting out a feral scream she slams her branch against their side only for it to snap under the force. Not wasting any time she tosses it to the floor before dodging a fist to the face, that collides with her forearm. She staggers despite herself causing her to loose her hold on the branch in her left hand.

Throwing both her arms up to protect herself she buys her time with hit after hit, bruises forming on her arms. Despite wanting to attack she knows the art of patience letting the adrenaline spike in her system, fueled by the rage in her bones.

Her feet slide against the forest floor as she looks into the familiar eyes of her opponent waiting for the finishing blow. The kick comes from her left side which she catches with ease before using what little strength she has left to fling them into the nearest tree.