Chase

Sofia could not sleep that night. Matters would probably make her ridiculous in no time if she kept on thinking of them. She got up and pulled some arrows from their weaponry and grab the bow on the side. Archery must have a nice stuff to try since swordsmanship is quite tricky to her. Sofia went on the glade nearby. It was a good place to start. She seeks for a good target and she found one — a wide limb of a nearby oak tree.

  Sofia went near the tree and offered her respect. She positioned herself and began to aim upon her target. Straightening her arms, she pulled the string and let go. The arrow flew but it just hit the ground not the limb. Sofia let out a sigh, archery is not that easy after all. She went to pull the arrow. It hit the visible roots of the tree. She felt pity over the oak. “That might be hurt,” she whispered as she carefully pulled out the arrow. She went on a few times but it just keeps on hitting the same spot. Sofia began to be disappointed over herself. It was seemed so simple yet she cannot do it the right way. She took a deep breath and spun her head slowly. “For the last time…” she whispered and pulled the string harder. She shot the arrow and bingo! It went out of nowhere. I was hopeless, she thought and shook her head in despair.

  An arrow was shot from somewhere. It hits the limb of the tree, right on its very core. The arrow was glowing, bright red in color. Speckles of sparkling carmine dust was surrounding it. Then it turned to ashes and vanished in the thin air, an illusion. “You’re doing it the wrong way,” a subtle voice from behind spoke. Sofia turned around but saw no one. She was then hit by a small bark of a tree on her head. Lifting her eyes, she saw a handsome familiar face, staring down on her. It was Chase. Sofia was surprised to see him sitting over a broad bough of a sassafras tree. How long had he been sitting there? Sofia suddenly felt a little streak of shame.

  “How long have you been there?” Sofia inquired.

  “Long enough to see how crude you are,” came the icy reply. Chase jumped down on a bended knee, soundless like the wind. Mirage of sparkling bow appeared on his hand. He pulled the string and an arrow appeared, then he gently released it. It hit the same spot where the vanished arrow struck. For a prodigy of warfare, what else to presume? The young man turned to Sofia who was stunned by his Gift. The bow turned into carmine dusts and vanished.

  “Your turn,” Chase said with a scornful look. He had always this feeling of superiority over her. Sofia made a face and draw out another arrow from the quiver on her back. She stretched her arm forward while the other pulled the string with an arrow ready to soar. She held the bow tightly as she aimed for the goal. Her hands were trembling, tensed. She knew he was staring at her.

  “Loosen your grip. You’re shaking,” he said as he draw closer to Sofia whose face were turning red. Her heart beats faster than usual. She could feel the sweat running down the corner of her face. Sofia begin to follow what he had instruct her to do, loosening her grip on the bow.

  He touched her shoulders lightly. “Lower.” Sofia try to concentrate but she cannot. Not if this nerve-wracking, eye-catching creature was around. Chase distanced. He could feel that she was nervous when he was around. “Focus.” She heard him spoke with a different tone.

  “I’m trying, okay!” she unpredictably shot back, aiming towards the target.

  Sofia heard him smirked. “Loosen up. You seemed like a hopeless plank,” he mocked, crossing his arms over his chest. He was awfully rude, indeed. Sofia gritted her teeth, murmuring to herself. This guy is making fun of her. She draw all her attention on the tree, holding the arrow level for a breath. She glanced back at him before releasing it. A moment later there was a satisfying thwack as the arrowhead sunk into the limb of the tree. Partly close to where his vanished arrow hits.

  Sofia laughed with glee. She turned to Chase and made a face. “See that?” Sofia said, raising a brow. She went to pull the arrow out, measuring the distance of their turns. Hers was just an inch away from the center where his had landed.

  Chase scoffed. “A lucky turn after all,” he said. “You should be thankful that tree was not moving.”

  Sofia throw him a threatening look, aiming for another shot. It went straight to its center. The young lady hopped with joy. Chase was somewhat overwhelmed. Sofia was just a beginner yet she could fire a bow right into its target. He let out a discreet smile and turned to leave.

  “You’re leaving?” Sofia noticed him and halted.

  “What do you think?” he said without turning his back. Sofia laid in silence as she watched him leave. She want to ask where he was going at this point of hour, but it just stayed on her thoughts. She knew it might pissed him out. Besides, that man wants to be alone all the time. Chase suddenly paused and said, “I appreciate if you come.”

  Sofia was surprised by his suggestion that made her stiffed for a sec. She put the arrow back on the quiver and followed him. A feeling of excitement swarmed over her. It was Chase who asked her to come, was not that funny?