Beyond The Ridge

Chapter 3

Every couple of hours Octave would change to a different animal. Mostly a doe (female deer).
I would try to strike a conversation, but she just ignored me.
After a while I noticed that I saw wooden buildings. They were small, but looked to be painted camoflauge. I guess my good eyesight and hearing let me know what all my surroundings were.
Then all of a sudden "Thump"
I fall down with a piercing pain going through my chest cavity. My vision goes blurry. And Octave takes over, pushing me to the back of my mind. She runs not looking at my opponent.
While hiding behind a tree just meters away from where I got shot she shifts into my human form.
She grabs the shaft of the arrow and pulls, but when she does I just feel like I'm in more pain. It must have some kind of broadhead (won't pull out, can only be pushed thru).
Before I snap the shaft I hear a twig snap. I freeze in place, and get as hidden as I can manage in my 5ft and 8in figure. My galaxy colored hair isn't helping either. So instead of moving more I just stay still.
After a couple of seconds I look around my hiding spot only to see a handsome man about 19 (Astrid's 17). He has beautiful light blue-green eyes with a short and messy hairstyle. With chiseled features. Since he is only wearing a pear of pants I can see that he has two tattoos one of a Amur Leopard and a White Antelope. The tattoos hold so much detail it's magnificent. He also holds lots of muscles including an attractive six pack. While adorning a bow and arrow.
After gawking at his handsomeness, I look at my appearance. I am covered in blood while having an arrow sticking out of my chest.
After minutes of waiting for him to speak he says in an accent I can't decipher "Are you ok?"
Then I reply with an annoyed tone "You just shot me! What do you think!?"
Instead of waiting for a response I grab onto the shaft of the arrow and snap it. I throw it to the side and sit up. I check my back for any sign that the tip of the arrow is poking out, but to no avail I can't see it. I grab the small part of the shaft that is still poking out and push it as fast as I can. I feel it slice thru my back. Then I grab the broadhead and yank out the rest of the arrow. When I look up I see the man still staring at me.
He says in shock "I thought for sure I saw a deer. You were moving faster than humanly possible."
I stand up dripping blood all over the grass and hold out my hand to him. I feel so comfortable around him. I don't know why but I also feel I can trust him. While holding out my hand I say "The names Astrid."
He replies "Preston"
I blurt out "It fits."
"Excuse me" he says
"The name it fits you."
"Thanks I guess. Do you mind telling me what your doing out here in the woods?"
I just reply with "I'm searching."
He gives me a confused look, but switches to concerned once he notices me covered in blood again.
He reaches down behind a tree and grabs a bag. He searches through it for a minute or two before grabbing out a first aid kit. As soon as he does Octave says aloud "I'm fine. Really."
He looks at me like I've gone crazy and says "You're gonna bleed to death. You need to treat your wounds and then bring yourself to the hospital."
Octave takes control once again and starts to run. Before she can get 10ft she trips. When she looks up to see who tripped her it's Preston. Octave silently whispers to herself "That's impossible."
TO BE CONTINUED