Playlist for the Apocalypse (Sweet Pea/Betty)

Track 12: Do You Realize?

October 17th, 2018

Betty didn't even breathe as she lowered herself down on the foliage of the forest, ducking her head under a branch and moving her foot so carefully as not to snap a twig. Holding an exhale on the other side of her lips, she drew back the bow inch by inch, never blinking as she focused all of her energy on the deer in front of her. It was huge; a buck. The antlers on it alone were bigger than her arm span.

She could imagine how gleeful she'd feel if the first deer they bagged was one she got. It was only going to work if she made this shot, and if she made it well. Otherwise, Sweets would never let her live it down if she missed it.

She waited until the majestic animal padded a little bit closer. She leaned forward, angling the bow and using her chin as a anchor. She tried to remember all the things that Cheryl had taught her so many months ago, at Lodge Lodge, and all of her own tips she'd picked up while practicing.

The animal turned its head, its eyes shining and bright. One part of Betty hated killing an animal as beautiful and regal looking as this, and it brought back memories of Bambi traumatizing her, but her grumbling stomach reminded her of the more important things in life.

Like, well, food.

She sent a prayer up to anyone that would listen moments before she let the bow go.

The twang resonated, reaching her ears and the ears of the buck, but not fast enough for either to make any sort of move. The arrow went right through the deer's throat, embedding itself deeply, causing blood to spray upon the decaying leaves below its hoofs. It took off, startled and in pain, and Betty ran after it, whistling to Sweet Pea to indicate the animal was on the move.

Sweet Pea, who was keep watch a safe distance away, broke into a sprint with Betty. He managed to keep up with the deer better than Betty, but it wasn't going to last long. It was bleeding all across the forest and it wasn't long before Betty caught up to them. Sweet Pea had grabbed the buck and was holding it steady, and it was too weak to fight it's way out. Sweet Pea's entire shirt was saturated with blood as he pressed himself against it.

"Little help?"

He could have killed it himself, had he gotten the right angle, but Betty thought maybe he was waiting for her. Letting her do the killing blow.

She sunk her knife into it's brain. It slumped to the ground, Sweet Pea jumping back, as not to fall under the weight of the fur.

It probably was in pain before it died, Betty thought, looking at the blood running down the neck, as she extracted the weapons. A clean shot would have been right through the eyes. This wasn't a clean shot.

It was, however, a shot.

This was the first time a deer had stumbled across their path they'd been able to kill. They'd both been practicing against the side of the barn, sending arrows to a crudely painted bullseye when they had a moment to spare. Guns were too loud. Traps were only good if they were lucky. Knives were too close range.

They were going out daily now, ever since the temperatures in nights had dropped. A week ago, Betty noticed sometimes that when the sun dipped below the horizon, she could see her breathe.

When she pointed this out to Sweet Pea, he'd said 'Winter is Coming'. She'd only raised an eyebrow. She may been a geek, but Sweet Pea was a nerd.

They always went together. One notched the arrow and hunted, the other stood guard.

They were evenly matched in who was the better hunter.

Sweet Pea had experience. He'd hunted before, with good success, with guns. Arrows was a new experience for him. His strength also topped Betty's. When he sent an arrow flying, it could go right through an animal.