Enter the Shadows: Book One of the RTS Series (First Full Draft)

Chapter Thirteen

Leala

"Is there any reason you want to take that out again?" Leala's mother asked her in the middle of cleaning out the garage.

Leala shrugged. "I kinda want to get back into archery again, and I remembered we had the old set from Christmas a few years ago. Do you know where it might be?"

Leala's mother put down the box she had been carrying. "I think it's been mixed with the camping gear if I'm not mistaken. It should still be in its original box, since we didn't use it a whole lot. Before you go looking for it, though, would you mind helping me carry this?"

"Sure!" Leala got on the other side of the box and lifted in unison with her mom, carrying the heavy box into the other room.

"Just know if you end up not using it, you need to take it to the donation center."

"Of course, Mom!" Leala called back as she went into the garage again. There was no way she was planning on letting this go to waste after everything that had been happening.

It took a while of digging and searching, but she found the old archery set buried with the camping supplies, a layer of dust already settled on it. It was still in good condition, although the bow would definitely need to be restrung. Holding it felt familiar to Leala, even after it being in storage for so long.

Leala smiled. "Found you at last."

She set the box aside and cleaned up the mess she made looking for it, then almost ran back to her room with the box held tightly.

The bow was the same size as the one she had been summoning for the majority of the fights, and it would safer to practice with a physical bow instead of the glowing weapon. She almost laughed at the questions her parents would have about the situation that would arise from using it for practice.

Leala set the box on the bed, accidentally disturbing a sleeping Olivia. The cat jolted awake, and stared up at Leala with wide, amber eyes.

"Sorry about that." Leala rubbed the top of the cat's head. Olivia started purring loudly at the gesture. After petting the cat for a moment, Leala focused on trying to tighten the string of the bow. It took a good amount of effort, but eventually she got it fixed. It had been a while since Leala had to restring a bow, and was glad that the glowing light bow didn't need to be restrung.

When the string was tight enough, Leala dug out a few arrows from the storage box; there were only six that could be functional, but they should be enough to practice with. After setting everything up, Leala took the equipment and went into the backyard to try it out.

Her dad was standing out in the yard, setting up an old archery target stand closer to the fence. He looked up at Leala. "Hey, it's all set up. Why the sudden urge to pull it out again?"

Leala held up a hand to block out the sun. "I just thought to give it a go after all this time. You know, see if my aim is still good. And it's giving me something to do."

"Well alright," Her dad smiled a bit. "Just make sure not to hit the dog."

"I'd never do that!" Leala cried.

"You know I'm just messing with you," he said with a laugh. "We'll keep him inside for now, just so he doesn't accidentally run out and trip you or something."

"I'd appreciate that."

"Have fun, and drink plenty of water. It's supposed to get pretty hot this afternoon." With that, Leala's dad called to Sebastian. The dog happily bound across the yard and followed Leala's dad into the house, leaving Leala alone with her archery. Already she could feel the heat of the afternoon, and if things were normal Leala would probably be in her room working on a drawing. However, this was far more important.