Venture

Chapter 14: Dusk's Arrow

Once again, the exhausting hike began. Marching, the girls ate their packed granola bars to gain energy. Amora had lost count of the days they've been on the island. She felt like it's been years in the jungle and yet, they still couldn't find that wretched, hidden cave. She was growing insane.

     Esther and Scarlet hiked quietly. They were too fatigued to argue like they usually did. Alex led the way, thankful for the peaceful silence. Although, deep inside, she was worried as to what might become of them if they couldn't find the cave sooner. She knew that her group were on the brink of insanity.

     The archer peeked down on the dirt to see a shadow circling above them. Her light brown eyes shot up into the bright azure as she reached for her bow and arrow. "Guys! Look!"

     Alex, Esther, and Amora followed Scarlet. Up in the air was a bird. A giant bird. Their leader grew suspicious. She couldn't make out what kind of bird it was. It seemed to have the same body type as a hawk and had light brown fur that matched Scarlet's irises. The wings flew gloriously above them, flapping and gliding. Its talons were long and keen. The bird's beak was as dark as midnight and its eyes were bloodshot red.

     "What the hell is that?" Alex muttered. Something about this bird gave her the chills and it wasn't the good kind.

     The archer aimed her arrow at the flying animal. She made sure to grab the right angle and released. The bird cried out in agony and plopped onto the muck. Scarlet dashed forward to meet the dead bird with the rest of the girls following behind.

     Once they reached the animal, Alex and her group were startled to see that it was much bigger than they anticipated. The bird lay still with Scarlet's arrow stuck in its head. Alex shoved her friends back, warning them to stay behind her. She carefully tiptoed closer to it and nudged it with her boot. The animal didn't feel suspicious, Alex thought. It just looked suspicious. 

     Esther spoke, her accent ringing through the trees, "I've never seen-"

     Suddenly, the animal shot up and nipped at Alex. The leader fell back, wide-eyed and panting. She fumbled for a ninja star in her belt, but the bird prevented her from doing so as it clawed its talons for her. 

     "Leader, lay back!"

      Without hesitating, Alex did as she were told. 

      Slice!

     The bird's head slid off its frame, crimson eyes still glaring. Its feathered body fell limp on Alex's boots, who immediately kicked it away. Midnight blue-black blood sprayed onto Alex's dark gray tank top and her military-green cargo pants. She looked up to see Amora observing the strange liquid on her blade.

     "Thanks," Alex whispered under her breath as Esther helped her back onto her feet. She recoiled at the sight of her clothes.

     "What the fuck was that?! That thing should've been dead the second my arrow pierced through its fat head!" Scarlet complained angrily, kicking a rock. 

     Ignoring her friend, the leader gazed intently into the bird's open bloody eyes. Alex felt like the bird was somehow still alive and watching. She had never seen anything like it before. Something about the animal terrified, yet fascinated her at the same time. 

     Esther, who had her hand on Alex's shoulder, took charge, knowing her friend was in shock. "Let's keep moving." She caught a glimpse of the strange animal and shuddered. "We won't get any further if we stay like this."

     Thea's wielder and the archer nodded in agreement and resumed their hike.

     "Come on, Alex. It's just a bird. I've never seen anything like it, but then again, it's our first time in a jungle," Esther assured, worry flickered in her blue-green irises.