The Huntress Beneath the Stars

"Addie, darling. Go stay inside of the tent. Lock it. Don't come out. I have to check on your father. He went into the forest and isn't answering. He hasn't even taken his bow and quiver. Something is wrong. Stay here."
"But Mum, I-"
"Stay. Nothing bad can ever happen to you, okay? That must never be the case. You are too special to let yourself go. Even if you are alone." My mother grabbed me by the arm, and even though it ached, I didn't pull away. I needed to memorize her touch, to soothe me when my heart ached. When she was no more. I needed to make sure I could see her in my mind, hear her voice, love her. When she was gone. "Just remember, Adrianne, we love you. And you will find us. I'm sure of it."
She ran from the tent with her bow loaded, hiding behind a tree. Loud thumps could be heard, and the ground shook. A large shadow loomed before my mother, the woman notching her arrow to the bow, aiming with precision. I could hear an arrow whiz through the air, hitting it's target, whatever it was. A roar split my eardrums. A scream followed, and then all was silent.

That moment will always plague my mind. Whatever happens. The brave, strong girl that everyone calls Adrianne is a shell, protecting my inner self. That is the most absurd thing you will hear in this part of the world. "Oh, young Adrianne isn't half as powerful as she looks! She isn't even strong enough to let the memory of her parents go." That's right. I'm not ready to let them go. I know they are still there, and one thing is sure. A huntress's instincts are always right. I promise you, I will find my parents. And their abductors will pay for what they did to my family. I'll make sure of that.
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#627 as of 6/13/17
Second book in the Novella Uprising series