Survival

Alaric

I step out and a gust of heat hits my face, the desert stretches out for miles, on one side of the house is desert. Miles of sand, dust floating around in the soft breeze, an orange sky, with hues of red, like fire. On the other side is the woods, our house is built just on the edge, a few more houses stretch out along the edge. I look around and go towards the woods, trees are pale green and burnt from The age of Imperfection. Breathing slowly, I make my way through the dull trees. I find a tree near a pool of water and climb it, heaving myself up. I sit on a thick branch and take a sip from my water sheath, making sure I watch closely, not missing any prey. I hear a rustle in a cluster of bushes, silently, I draw my arrow and slide it into position. I tilt my bow upwards as the rustling continues, a human emerges. But they aren't human. It's a Wolfane. It stands, a human body, with long black claws like a wolf, a large snout, and sharp yellow teeth protruding from its mouth. It looks around, but doesn't notice me, I remain still as stone. It smiles slightly and drops to its knees, sticking its snout in the water. Its head splashing viciously almost like it's attacking the water. I breathe out as quietly as I can but the Wolfane's head snaps up, water dripping from its fangs. It growls and snaps its jaw wickedly. I draw back my bow, three fingers just below the arrow, arm locked back.

"I don't want to shoot you" I shout. He can't talk back, he just growls. The Wolfane inches closer its head turning to the side, the grotesque smile twisting.

"One step closer and I won't have a choice" I say standing on the branch, the Wolfane almost underneath. He stops, looks up at me and turns around, he gets down on his hands and knees and runs away quickly. I breathe out and turn around. I see my friend Myra Amador. I smile. She stands on a branch a few trees across. Her red hair hangs in waves down to her chest. Her arms extended holding her bow, she relaxes and smiles, her pink lips soft. I love her.

"Hey Rick" she says and drops from her branch, effortlessly landing on her feet. I jump down and land on my feet, stumbling a few steps. She catches my arm and her bright blue eyes look into my green ones. She shakes her head and lets go, I try to catch my breath.

"What are you doing here Myra?" I ask hanging my bow over my back.

"Hunting with my best buddy" she says happily as she punches my arm lightly.

"Want to set up some snares and go back to my place?" I ask pulling on my sleeves.

"Hmm, trying to get me back to your place, huh?" she teases.

"You know I don't like leaving Caleb and Hanna for too long" I say taking the snare equipment out of my bag.

"I know" she says quietly and places her small, delicate hand on my arm. I turn around and walk off, I can't let her get into my head, she'd never love me back.

"You coming?" I ask and she nods and continues walking. I bend down after walking a while and set up a snare, Myra watches me, every move I make, she watches. I get up and she's leaning against a tree looking at me, I walk towards her. This is it. Now or never. I put my arm on the tree and my other one clasps her hand. She looks up.

"I love you" I say bravely. She looks confused.

"I love you too" she says and smiles. I press my lips against her soft ones. Instant sparks explode in my mind. My lips move in sync with hers, our hands still linked, I pull away, smiling.

"I can't tell you how long I've wanted to do that Myra" I say dazed.

"I can't tell you how long I've wanted you to do that Alaric" she says looking past me. I turn and find a man twice my size standing across the clearing.

"Who the hell are you?" I ask turning round putting my arm across Myra.

"My name is Adrian Zedler" he says holding a sword in his left hand.

"What do you want?" I ask, I feel my arm move and Myra stands next to me.

"Well, your little lover will know" he says. My face twists in confusion, I look at Adrian. He has black hair that hangs by his shoulders, greasy, he has a large bumpy nose and tanned skin, he is taller and stronger than me. I look back at Myra, she smiles, but it's not like before.

"You see Alaric, I needed money and a way to get away from my awful family" she says taking steps towards Adrian.

"Great explanation Myra" I say angrily.

"Oh honey, you didn't let me finish yet, anyway I met Adrian in another village, he told me that he'd take me away from them and give me money, but I would have to kill certain targets" she says taking the sword from his hands, he draws one from his belt. 

"So, you are an assassin?" I ask trying to mask my hurt, I loved her.

" Yeah, of sorts anyway, we got told our next target was Alaric Emmerson, and at first I was sad but then I decided, who would care?" she says drawing the tip of the sword across the dirt.

" I thought you were better than this Myra" I say aimlessly, like she'd suddenly change her mind.

"Hmm, apparently not, your judgement is way off, anyway so I thought perfect, he trusts me, I mean he's in love with me" she scoffs.

"You knew?" I say painfully.

" You're not exactly subtle Alaric, so I came back, hung out with you, became more flirty, then when you were at the point where you'd do anything for me, we kill you, neat little plan" she laughs, tossing her red hair back.

"Why are you doing this, who wants me dead?" I ask.

"That information you can't find out I'm afraid" she says faking sympathy.

"I don't know why I ever loved you" I say holding back a sob. She turns around and starts kissing Adrian, my fists curl up and it takes everything in me not to lunge forward and rip Adrian's head off. I could never hurt Myra. She turns back around and wipes her lip smiling, the next moment I see Adrian lifting his sword.

"Myra" I scream, but it's too late, he plunges his sword into Myra's back, blood staining her white shirt red. I take my bow, my fingers fumble trying to get the arrow in and I pull back and let the arrow fly, it misses. I draw another from my quiver.

"I like to work alone, she was a nice, piece on the side, fantastic lover" he says and laughs, this time my arrow hits his throat, his next step forward is stopped as he falls to the floor.

"Whoever is trying to kill me is going to have to try harder than that" I say coldly and walk away from a dead Myra and a dying Adrian.