The Last Theiro

01

Tessa
•••

I placed the arrow across the middle of my bow with the bowstring in the arrow's nock. Pulling back the arrow and the bowstring and, using my dominant eye, I looked down the arrow and aligned it with the target. My hands remained steady as I let go of the string and I watched as the arrow penetrates through the center of the red dot, straight on target.

I looked down at my bow and smiled, as that bow has been my steady partner all these years, safe at my side. I've had for as long as I could remember, which is not long as my past was nebulous, missing the fragments that would help piece it all together. I don't remember much about my parents, Cassia said that they had died when I was younger. All I had was that bow that had once belonged to my father. The bow that fires arrows straight and true, always right on target. I would feel less at ease walking these forests without it, I guess some things become a part of you over time.

I walked over to the tree, on which the target was painted, and pulled my arrow out of its thick oak. I restrung my bow, the deep wood flexed in the dawn. It took just a moment, then I slung it behind me with the arrows, each as perfect as the last.

The winter sun had already risen over the horizon and Cassia would get worried if she didn't find me back at the cabin. She always worried when I ventured the forest alone and she thought I wouldn't be safe. I tucked my hands in the pockets of my tracksuit and made my way to the cabin, my footsteps muffled by the grass beneath my feet.

I looked over at the cabin and sighed. The cabin was built out of golden bars of sunlight through majestic oaks and elms. It had an eerie look to it as it stood there with weeds grown all around it. It's not much, but it's home.

Barging through the front door, I wiped my feet on the mat at the threshold, took off my coat and hung it by the door. I placed my bow and quiver on the coffee table and walked into the kitchen, making myself a steaming cup of cocoa.

A few moments later, Cassia entered, with red hair in a mess around her face and green eyes droopy with sleep.

"Morning." Her voice was thick with sleep and she yawned as she poured herself a mug of coffee. "Why are you up so early?"

"Err..." I stammered, knowing Cassia would be angry that I went out in the forest alone, but I couldn't lie to her.
"I went out in the forest, shot some targets." I shrugged.

Cassia's green eyes widened in shock as she scowled at me. "You can't go out there alone, Tessa. It's too dangerous!" She yelled.

"Why are you always so worried about me going into the forest alone. It's not like anyone is going to kidnap me, nobody even knows we live here, except Eden and Peter." I groaned.

Cassia pursed her lips and joined me at the table. She leaned forward and put her hands on mine. I flinched away from her touch and she frowned.
"I know you would love to escape this place, to venture outside the forest. But you can't, it's too dangerous."

I turned my head away from her and scowled. "How do you expect me to listen to you if you won't even tell me what danger I'm hiding from?!" I raised my voice and got up from the table.

Cassia shook her head slowly and ran her hands over her face. "I don't expect you to believe me, I just want you to understand," she pleaded. "When Thomas died-"

I cut her off and threw my hands up. "I'm not having this conversation now," I said and left the kitchen.

Cassia's hands spun me around and I met her green eyes that swam with tears. "No, listen to me. When Thomas died, I promised him I'd look after you. I promised him that I would protect you. But how can I do that when I can't even protect you from the simple dangers you may face." Her bottom lip quivered and a tear rolled down her cheek. "He left me one thing to do, and I can't even do that."