A Trip To Another Land

Chapter 4: Accidental Misfire

The hike was beginning to take a toll on Joey as he grew tired. I picked him up and carried him, he drifted off to sleep soon after. We decided to stop for a bit, so Joey could rest, not on my shoulder.

"Hey, if you want I can show you how to use your bow and arrow?" Alana offered.

"Sure, that sounds like fun." I say as I lay Joey on the blanket I set on the ground. Charlie plopped down beside Joey to keep him company in his nap. We left to go farther from the camp, leaving Joey, Luna, and Mulan there.

"Okay, first get your bow out." I pull my bow from the quiver and wait.

"Now, look at that tree over there, make your body perpendicular to it. "Straighten your back, plant your feet shoulder-width apart." She says as I get my body into the correct position.

"Next, point your bow at the ground and grab an arrow and attach the back of the arrow, a.k.a the nock, to the bowstring." I fumble trying to place the arrow on the bowstring and drop it. I pick it up and try again.

"Now, pull your bow up and hold it towards your target. Hold your breathe and pull back on the string towards your face, aim, count to three and release when you breathe out."

When I get ready to release my bow I hear Joey coming running up behind me and look towards him. I don't notice my aim shifts until I release, looking back to the tree, noticing my arrow is not there.

(tppov)A hundred feet from where Anjel and Alana were, Qadira and Darren are stopped in the forest. Darren had Qadira pressed against a tree, kissing her softly. This is where they snuck away to be alone and away from their families. They grew up together, it was almost destined that they'd fall in love. Darren had a smile so bright you'd think he held a candle in his mouth. He had dark brown hair that would constantly fall into his eyes. His eyes were so green they looked like a prairie in the summer after a rain shower. He had a small build but still had a bit of muscle to him. He wore a brown shirt that covered his brown pants, on his feet, his worn out brown boots. Qadira was a thing of beauty, her eyes a silvery grey, so grey they resembled two moons in the sky. A small smile which she only wore around Darren. Her hair a brunette braid of untangled hair. She wore a dress that was white on top and brown on the bottom.

"Darren, please." Qadira giggled and pressed her face into his shoulder.

"What, my dear? What have I done?" He asked with a smile.

"Stolen my heart it seems. I wish we could just stay here forever, in this forest together."

"Maybe we can. I have a plan my dear."

"What is it, my love?" She held her breath for a moment as Darren stepped back into the clearing.

"Why do you look so worried Darren? Surely it has got to be a good plan."

Just as Darren was about to propose, the arrow Anjel misfired moments ago pierced into his back, only the tip of the arrow pushing out the front, puncturing his heart. A small splatter of blood doused Qadira's dress. Darren's eyes widened as he looked at Qadira, falling to his knees.

"Darren! No!" Qadira screamed, running to him, catching him as he fell.

Tears spilled from her eyes as she held her lover's lifeless body in her arms. I never got to tell him I loved him, she thought as tears streaked her cheeks. The ring he was to propose with, was clutched in his hand, she uncurled his hand to see it there. Seeing this only broke her heart more. She slipped the ring onto her finger. She heard voices ahead and left Darren's body there.

"I'll be back for you dear." She whispered to his body as she stroked his cheek with her hand.

She followed the sound of the voices, staying hidden. She saw Anjel, Alana, and Joey standing there, she looked for the one with the bow as she was the one responsible for her losing Darren. She followed them until she saw the other two and watched as Anjel and Mulan embraced. I will have my revenge, she thought before heading back to get help to bring Darren home.