Breath In The Dark // P. BLACKWOOD

Chapter 6

Not Edited

Her lungs felt like they would burst and her throat was felt dry, so uncomfortably dry. Tears blinded her as she ran as quickly as her long legs could carry her, vaguely aware of the stinging it brought her, bolting through the forest like an Olympic champion at start gun; quickening her pace to an all-out sprint.

A gunshot fire that rang in the distance had caused a flock of startled birds to fly off.

By a ranch, at the back of a house, were two of the Kinkle members. A gun nestled in the arms of the eleven-year-old female, and her seventeen-year-old brother supervising.

"Urgh, I can't do it." The tween huffed in frustration as they both looked at the target she, yet again, missed.

"Yes, you can,"

"No, I can't. I suck," she put the weapon down and crossed her arms, "And dad's gonna hate me more than he already does." She furrowed her brows. Looking down, she lightly kicked the sand under her boot.

"Woah, Dad doesn't hate you. Were did you get that idea from?" He stepped closer towards her.

"He just does. I can tell. I feel it when he sees me. He treats me differently and unfairly. And he doesn't spend time with me. So maybe if I could get this one thing right, I could go hunting with him and show him that he could be proud of me." She explains her full proof plan.

Tom sighed, knowing why their father was more distant towards the girl who was trying so hard to get his approval. He felt guilty he couldn't explain it to her. He crouched down,

"Listen, Dad doesn't hate you alright? I'm not gonna make excuses for him. He should speak to you himself," he didn't want to add more than necessary there, "but I know for a fact that no one could hate you. It's just not scientifically possible," He teased.

"You're kind, super smart, funny and well, you're not too ugly, just some big ears..." he joked again, Mora hit him on the shoulder feigning offence.

"Ouch, and strong, too, apparently," He rubbed pretending it hurt, seeing the proud look in her eyes.

"So anyone one who doesn't appreciate your awesomeness, well it's less dead weight for you, isn't it?" She smiled, nodding.

"And you should know without a doubt, that whatever happens in future I would never ever not care about. You're my family until the end of time. Got it?"

"Got it."

"Good. Now, come on, let's try this again shall we."

Fixing her posture and taking in his advice, she was able to hit a bullseye. "Wooh! Do you see that? That's even better than how I shoot now."

Mora was so giddy with excitement and proud at herself at his reaction. From then on, she didn't fight so hard to get others approval.

The pounding noise of her boots resonating as her feet hit the hard ground, crushing the dried leaves and dead twigs were overlapped by her heavy breathing. Her heart pulsating hard inside of her chest with thick grief and fear she felt as she ran. Her clothes and hair, slick with perspiration, clung to her skin.