The Hunting

Chapter 5

We stood there for a couple of minutes in silence, trying to figure out what to do. My mind was turning. I realized that I was playing with my dad's necklace, it's always been a nervous habit of mine. Finally, Nate spoke almost sarcastically, "Well shit, I wasn't trained for this."

I wanted to smack him, "We need to do something! They are about 300 yards away from the Burrow."

Nate looked at me, "You think I don't know that! We're not invisible Arden if they walk our way they'll be able to see us."

I whispered, eyes never leaving the fire, "We need to go get someone."

"It'll be about twenty minutes before we reach someone, and it might be too late. What if we blow the horn?"

"And alert them! I think that's worse than walking to get someone."

"Do you think you can shoot them from this far? I'd hate to admit this, but you're a better shot than I am."

I shook my head, "I don't think so, between the dark and all these trees; I'd be like hoping for a miracle. Also, if I miss, they will see the arrow alerting them of our presence."

Nate flung his hands in the air almost exasperatedly, "Well, we can't just sit here! I'll be damned if we do nothing, we have to do something. If they don't see us tonight, then they definitely will in the morning. I mean, a huge wood wall is pretty suspicious."

I went silent. I know we need to do something, but what? Even though I know this isn't the right thinking, but I can't help but want to know who those people are. I spoke, "Maybe it's some grazers and browsers passing through?"

He shot back almost immediately, "Yeah, and it could also be a hunter or even a scavenger."

"But we'll never know if we don't get closer."

"Are you shitting me? The last thing we're going to do is get closer to them! We don't know who or what mindset they are in."

I had to hold my voice back from yelling. Nate was getting on my last nerves, "Well then what do you recommend we do? I can agree with you that we can't just sit here, and one of them could walk closer any minute and see the Burrow. We need to stop arguing and start planning! Our job is to protect the Burrow and if we continue to sit here and do nothing, then something horrible can happen!"

Nate grimaced deeply. He looked like he wanted to punch something, "Dammit!" He exclaimed. I watched Nate as he had an internal battle with himself. After what seemed like forever he finally sighed, running his hands through his golden hair, "Fine, we will get closer to them to check them out. Now, what do you have planned?"

We discussed - more like argued - for a couple of minutes until we finally agreed on a plan. Another thing that soldiers carry is an emergency rope, we would climb down the wall and head towards the fire. Nate will go at them head-on and I will swing wide and come from the opposite direction. Nate will try to converse with the people and try to see who they are. He is going to be taking off his breastplate so he doesn't seem too mysterious. While he is talking to them, I will have my bow at the ready just in case it goes bad. It is also my job to have the horn handy just to alert the other guards because if we have to fight, we might as well alert some of the others.

I am really hoping that this will be peaceful and I don't even have to show my face. I have killed plenty of animals in my time hunting, but that was for food. Granted, I did feel bad to some extent, but we need animals for multiple different things. We need animals for food, clothes, and even weapons. But never in my lifetime did I think I was going to have to kill a human. I might not have to, but I don't know what I will do if it comes to that. Even in the safety of the Burrow, we have hardships, during the cold winter, the Burrow really struggles. Also, going out past the wall is extremely dangerous. Around us, there are many other predators trying to find their next meals: grizzlies, wolves, and mountain lions are some of the predators we have to face. During the summer, there are many plants and berries out that cause humans to get poisoned or sick. If you eat the wrong thing, well let's just say that you're making a trip to the sick house... well, if you're not dead by then.

I was spacing out until Nate nudged me with his shoulder, "Are you okay Arden? If we're going to do this, you need to be paying attention."

I shook my head, " I know, it's just that I never thought this day would come."

Nate agreed, "Neither did I."

My feet landed on the ground silently. I took a deep breath and looked at Nate. I grimaced a million thoughts running through my head. Anything could happen in the next couple of minutes. I opened my mouth to speak but Nate, who was landing on the ground. He then walked to me and wrapped his arms around me. He looked down at me with sad eyes. He only said four words to me, "Stay hidden, stay safe." 

I hugged him back, "You too Nate."