Arms widened, shoulders tightened, feathers tickled my palm as the string was pulled away from the wood. Two strong fingers held the long, thin metal in the back; one guided it at the front. Black and red feathers, three of them, wavered in the wind, tied together by leather and attached to the metal. Dark brown wood, sleek and shining, held the long string in place.
Green grew everywhere at my front. It sprouted from the ground, as well as the skies. Even at my feet, grass was dancing joyously as the wind whispered through the trees and bushes. The bark of a tree, exposed by light, shone patiently, waiting for the arrival of the gift that rested in my hands.
The only sounds were my breath and the voices of songbirds. Robins sang the deep, twanged notes, while the ravens squawked melodiously, finches squeaked, doves cooed, and sparrows chittered. Even the owls would ask the occasional question.
I released the arrow, the black, red, and gray swirled as the metal was sent flying at an amazing speed. The sharp point of the thin, petite weapon shattered the bark's rough surface, chipping it beyond any repair.
Behind me, I heard footsteps. The bow was loaded in under a second and I turned around only to point an arrow at the heart of my mentor, the Hawk himself. A long wooden staff was pressed against my chest and a knife was ready for back up.
"Failed. Again." Clint commented disappointedly.
I lowered the bow and sighed, staring at the ground while realizing my wrongs. I had heard the whisper of the staff against the grass, the knife scraping against its leather sheath. His shoes had made cracklings from the leaves on the ground. He was upwind was well, while wearing his usual cologne.
Why hadn't I reacted? There was certainly enough time.
"You didn't react because you knew it was me. My scent had made you disregard the weaponry." He explained.
I nodded slowly, embarrassed, realizing that was exactly why.
"Remember-"
"The only friend you can trust is a dead one." I interjected.
He grinned. "You were listening! Well, now you know. Remember it for next time."
I nodded again, only this time with a small smile.
Did you like it? Not like it? Personally, I think it's too short. And it's cheesy and confusing. But tell me what you think. Something I can fix?