Significant Annoyance

Archery #2

Honestly, I won't let you down this time.

Nico checked his watched. 2.55 pm. Perfect. The archery range was a five minute walk from his cabin. It was pleasant autumn afternoon. The leaves on the trees had turned into pretty shades of red, orange and yellow.

Nico reached the archery range. He spotted Kayla, who was apparently shouting orders at three people, who were standing at the offence line with their bows drawn. His eyes were searching for a certain blonde son of Apollo. He went closer to the range. He could hear what exactly Kayla shouting about.

" -yes, yes, that's right Josh. Austin, for goodness' sake, Keep. Your. Elbow. Straight! And Solace, I swear-" She spotted Nico. Immediately her features relaxed and her face broke into a grin. "Hey Nico", she said, extending her hand.

Nico looked at Kayla. Unlike most of her siblings, she had bronze-tanned skin,. Her bright, cobalt eyes contrasted against her dark skin tone. The corners of her eyes crinkled as she smiled. Her straight, cocoa brown hair, that fell to her shoulders, fanned around her face. Drew and her minions had often teased Kayla because of her dark skin, but honestly, Kayla was beautiful in a way that Drew, even with the help of her heavy makeup, could never be.

Nico shook her hand. They were strong, roughed and calloused- as if she had spent her time stringing bows and practising shooting. "It's nice to meet you", Nico said.

"The pleasure 's all mine", Kayla replied, smiling.  "Pick a bow and a quiver and stand at the offence line. I'll be back in a sec."
She then raised her voiced and said: "C'mmon guys, take a five."

The three guys standing at the offense line let out a sigh of relief. They crowded around Nico.

"Hey man, wassup?" Josh asked.

"I'm alright." Nico answered. Austin clapped Nico back and said: "It's good to see you."

Will was standing behind Austin, quietly examining his cuticles. "Why are you hiding behind Lake, Solace?", Nico asked. Will snapped up and saw Nico standing in front of him. 

"Umm...sorry, well uh...hi Nico, nice to see you here, you turned up." Will stammered. 

"I turned up?" Nico asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I mean...uh...I didn't really, you know...well", Will waved his hands around and then dropped them. 

That's when Austin interrupted them. "Uh, Nico, you'll need a bow. we've got a lot of spare bows in that shed at the end of the rink. Will must go with you. Now, I'm a little busy here, you know...uh...helping Josh string his bow. You see, Josh here is terrible at archery. Needs help with little things." That actually seemed like a not-so-subtle attempt to cover Will's stuttering. "His...um...bow string is loose and if he doesn't do it on time, Kayla will be very angry and she would...uh...unscrew all the nuts on his favourite guitar. Wouldn't she Josh?" Austin looked at Josh pointedly. They seemed to be a having a silent conversation like: 

What the actual heck Austin? Unscrew guitar nuts? Really?

Could you think of a better excuse?

But honestly...

JUST NOD YOUR FREAKING HEAD!

Josh nods his head vigorously. "Yeah so Will? Please accompany Nico to the shed, help him select a good bow and a quiver and come back as fast as you can." Austin finished and gave Will a look which said: Don't mess up this time. (At this time, honestly, I feel like I'm writing shit cause I am having a major writer's block :-()

Will motioned Nico to follow him. The walk to the shed was quite short. Will pushed open the shutters. The shed was full of target boards, broken bows, empty quivers, arrow heads and arrow shafts. "Well, finding a good bow here isn't as difficult as it seems", Will said, reading Nico's mind, "But you'll have to search. I'll help you, of course. I guess, you should start from here." He picked up a decent looking bow and said: "What about this one? It's in a pretty good condition, and I guess the size is also correct-"

"WILL!" Someone screamed so loudly, that Will dropped the bow. It sounded like Kayla. 

"WILL!" Someone shouted again, this time closer. Rapid footsteps were heard; as if the person in concern was running. Will and Nico quickly sprinted out. It was Kayla. She skidded to a halt in front of Will and Nico.

"Will..."she said, doubling over, panting and trying to catch her breath. "Kayla, calm down. What happened?" Will asked. 

"Emergency...patient came in...Josh is there...come quickly...fill you in on the way..." She replied. Will quickly nodded his head and broke into a sprint. 

Nico was simply standing there, trying to assess the scene and trying to decide his course of action, when Will called out to him: "What are you waiting for, di Angelo? Come along!"

Nico broke into a run to keep with Will and Kayla. Kayla was filling him in with the details. "Nyssa got him in...10 year old kid...machine malfunctioned or something, I'm not sure...looked pretty bad...Josh was muttering something about multiple third degree burns round-"

"I know, I know.  I have been asking you a single question since the past five minutes: how did the child get such severe burns?" Will impatiently.

"You won't like it."

Will waved her statement away. "I heal people, and I see many things I don't like. Nothing new out there. So tell me."

"Oil of vitrol" 

"What??"

Kayla nodded her head grimly. The effect of this on Will was instantaneous. He stopped dead at his tracks. The colour drained out of his face. His pupils dilated; his sapphire iris widened. He pressed his now-paper white lips in a single line. His eyes shone with tears. Will's usual cheery, sunny expression was replaced by a expression Nico never saw Will wearing, neither did he dream of seeing: fear and trauma.

                                                                              ********

Guess who decided to update! Me!

I know, I know. I kept you guys waiting for too long, just in case you were. Feed me to the harpies!!! But I sooo busy with school work!

Well, next week my final exams are starting. I have got some serious studying to do, if I want straight As in  8th standard.

Looks like doing too much of Math has spoiled my creativity, given to my short and shit-like chapters now-a-days. But I promise you, better days will come!

I will try to update very soon. I will also try my best to write good chapters. Please, please keep ON reading my fanfic.

Also, vote and DO NOT forget to comment. It's lovely to hear your views in the comment section. Constructive criticism is highly welcome.

THANK YOU FOR 329 READS!!! LOVE YOU GUYS SO SO SO MUCH!!!

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See yaaa !!!!! :):):):):):):)