Vermillion Dawn

[5] Blinded

I crouched behind a tree, my bow readied for action. 

Another rustle echoed through the still air. I held my breath, my fingers tightening around the string and arrow. I couldn't miss. Our food stock was getting lower everyday. Trevor had announced that we would be cutting rations by a quarter. Some of the people grew angry, others panicking, but I felt a heavy weight settle upon my shoulders. 

It was my responsibility to hunt for the camp, it was my job to make sure everyone had food. I felt like things could go south very quickly if I started being seen in a bad light. I already knew that Micheal and his goons hated my guts. Nobody else really had a serious issue with me but now that could change. I would go back to be being the outsider and everyone would shun me. 

I grit my teeth, I couldn't let that happen. I needed to try harder. Just like Rincho taught me, I had to fight. It was my only chance. I didn't even want to imagine what this camp would turn into without food. However, I didn't understand why we couldn't just move down the mountain. Rincho wouldn't indulge any information, no matter how much I asked. 

My chest completely deflated when I watched a small bird fly out of the bush. I leaned against the tree and pinched the bridge of my nose. I was hoping for some bigger game. Granted, I hadn't seen very many birds lately, but still we needed deer or bear. I had no idea what happened to that doe I lost the other morning. I was still angry about that. 

I tried tracking to see where the animals went but I found very few tracks and I always lost them at the creeks. I set up traps around the area for both small game and big game. I was, again, sorely disappointed when I checked all my traps to find them empty.

It wasn't looking good and I turned back to my horse with a sigh. We would keep riding. I had to ride higher up the mountain but I knew it was hopeless. The foliage was thinner and it was less appealing for larger game. I knew they were going down the mountain. They were migrating to lusher meadows below our camp. If I could ride down for a day, I was sure I would find something. 

But, Rincho forbid it. Well, I shouldn't say that. Practically everyone in the camp forbid it. Even Trevor had to give me a talk about staying up the mountain. I didn't understand it and that wasn't a surprise at all. I seemed to be the only person in this camp that was blind. I was clueless to the world beyond. And for some reason, Rincho aimed to keep it that way. I wasn't happy about it.

I rode further up the mountain than I ever had before. Still, I found nothing. I saw no signs of wildlife. My horse was questioning me with a flick of his ears. I sighed. Once again, I would return to camp empty handed and somehow, that was getting heavier to bear. 

I missed breakfast because I stayed out alot longer than I usually would on my hunt. When I rode back through camp, it was midday and everyone had dispersed to do their jobs. However, I saw a couple men preparing the humvees. They had cans of paint and they painted camouflage patterns onto the military vehicles. I knew they were going for a raid. 

I hurriedly took care of my horse and beelined it back to main base. I had taken care of Mizzy this morning before I left for my hunt and I knew she was down at the creek helping the women wash clothes. I saw men gathering for the raid, they were gearing up and I searched for Rincho. 

The moment Rincho saw me, he shook his head. I didn't even have to voice my demand, he already knew what I was thinking. 

"I'm going," I said anyway. 

Rincho sighed, "No. We've talked about this." 

I huffed, crossing my arms, "There's no point for me to hunt anymore, so I can help with the raid."