the dull thud of an arrow
note: here’s chapter one if you missed it
Nothing brought her greater satisfaction than the dull thud of an arrow finding its target. The buck crumpled to the ground instantly, a growing pool of crimson staining the dirt and underbrush. Time to return to camp, tonight’s meal secured.
Arrow rode into camp just as the sky turned orange. The splendor of the sunrise between the trees distracted from the sinister clouds in the distance, near the mountains, moving quickly toward the camp and threatening to bring with them a deluge. No matter, the cabin would protect them. She laid down the deer next to the fire pit and headed indoors.
“Did ya get our dinner?” asked Ax as she closed the door and removed her cloak. “I sure did,” she replied, “it’s a fairly large buck.”
Aura entered the den from her room, newly awoken, by the look of her hair. “How was the hunt this morning?” she asked.
“Successful,” Arrow replied with a smile, “Though, it looks like we’ll be eating indoors tonight.”
“I’d say, that storm looks fierce, and should be here in another hour or two… you don’t happen to know if Snare is headed back yet, would ya?” Ax asked.
“I didn’t see him this morning, but he’s usually smart enough to know when to head back,” Arrow said.
“Usually,” said Aura with a smirk.
Ax gathered wood from outside and lit the stone hearth in the den of the cabin as the temperature outside fell in anticipation of the storm. “Where is Snare?” he wondered aloud; the fire began to crackle.
Just then, a noise outside caught the attention of the three. Looking up and knowing each of the others had heard the noise, they headed outside.
“Snare?”
Aura’s question hung in the air, but no sign of whatever made the noise remained. “Must’ve been an animal,” said Arrow, a little uneasily.
“I’m not sensing one…” Aura replied.
“It’s probably nothing, but I’m gonna go check the perimeter, just in case. You two can go back inside,” said Ax.
“As if,” Arrow said, as a loud crash sounded from the forest.
“That was something,” said Ax.
Moments, later, Snare rushed into view, backpack bouncing up and down as he moved as quickly as possible toward the camp.
“Snare?” Aura repeated, this time with a concerned tone.
“There’s something…!” Snare managed to gasp as he reached the perimeter of the camp. “There’s… something behind me.”
“Did you get spooked?” Ax said with a laugh. Then, from the same direction Snare came, a pair of red eyes, moving quickly toward the group.
“What is that?” Arrow asked, panic in her voice rising.
“Run!” yelled Snare, wasting no time rushing into the cabin, closing the door behind him.
In an instant realizing that, weaponless and defenseless, he stood no chance, Ax followed Snare into the cabin. Aura, hands now ablaze with a purple hue, stood her ground, Arrow behind her.
The creature slowed at the perimeter, standing upright and sizing up Aura in silence. Then, with an ear-piercing scream, it lunged. Arrow dove out of the way as Aura hurtled dozens of feet into the air over the creature. It landed on all fours, confused but unharmed. It turned its gaze to Arrow.
Arrow stood and began to back up, looking around for a way out, but not seeing Aura or finding any makeshift weapons. “Umm… Aura? Little help, perhaps?” Arrow stammered. Deciding to take her chances, Arrow began to run, looking over her shoulder as the creature followed, gaining ground on her with each leap.
She turned the corner of the cabin and headed for the door to find Snare and Ax emerging from the safe haven, now armed. “Need some help?” Ax asked with a grin. ‘Cheesy as ever, even in the midst of danger,’ thought Arrow.
“Yeah that’d be great,” she replied breathlessly. The creature rounded the corner and paused, glaring at the trio as Snare and Ax stepped in front of her and raised their weapons. The creature eyed Snare’s large knife and Ax’s battle axe and began to back away.
“Not in the mood for a fight?” Snare laughed as he and Ax stepped forward with new confidence. The creature let out another earth-shaking scream, and Arrow closed her eyes and covered her ears in an attempt to insulate herself from the harshness. Ax, also covering his ears, dropped his weapon, while Snare blacked out and crashed to the ground. They watched helplessly as the creature stopped screaming, dropped to all fours, and began sprinting back to the forest. Suddenly, a flash of purple hit the creature’s side, knocking it over and throwing it several feet in the air. It landed hard, and a second hit followed, then a third, as the creature lay still.
Aura dropped from somewhere above and gracefully landed next to it, the purple fire fading from her hands as she motioned the others to join her. She bent down to check for signs of life.
“I’m not sure how it’s still alive,” Aura said as she noticed its faint but gasping breaths. A clap of thunder sounded in the distance and shook the ground. “Let’s head indoors,” Aura said.
“But shouldn’t we…?” Arrow began.
“Do what? Let it survive, maybe it’ll tell the whole Great Woods to leave us alone,” Aura interjected. Ready to move indoors, this answer seemed to satisfy the group, as Aura took the still-unconscious Snare to his bed and Ax went to move the deer inside so that preparation could begin.
Related
— James Stellar is dead: an Edenstar story
