Poisoned Arrow

This is a fan fiction based on the TV show Arrow, starring Stephen Amell. I do not own Arrow nor do I plan to make a profit using this story. It is merely something I am writing as a fan. Please note Zarina William's my character and does not belong in the TV series.

Chapter 1

Damaged

"There are so many voids in my life right now. Are you volunteering to close the dark pits?"

~Zarina Williams~

My story begins on November 12th 2015. My name is Zarina Williams. I am 18. I come from a wealthy family with old money. My parents were killed 3 years ago so now my loving uncle is raising me. I am not being sarcastic either. He can be weird at times, but he's my only living relative in the world and I love him dearly. I attend a private school like all rich kids, and the boys adore, however mostly because they think they can get into my pants (or skirt in this case). I'm sarcastic , witty, smart when I have to be, oh and yeah, I am obsessed with the night.

Life has always been a bitch to Zarina, whether she was being a good little girl like her uncle wanted her to be, or whether she was the cheap little punk in black. So when her friend Ella suggested they do some burrowing, that it meant shop lifting $5,000 of Calvin Klein dresses. It wasn't much of a surprise either, that she had been the lucky one that got caught and Ella escaped. Too bad. Her day might have had a worth if she had grabbed the $400 wrist watch instead of a $15 hair Barret. So whilst her girlfriend was partying in her new dresses, Zarina would be grounded...once again...for the third time this week.

So here she sat, slouched in a very uncomfortable white plastic chair, waiting for the cops, or as usual, her uncle. Now let to be honest, she and the chair were friends. Maybe not this exact chair, but chairs just like this one. Zarina wasnt to be misunderstood though. She wasnt a thief and had never stolen anything before today. That's when life became a bitch. When she wasn't wallowing in her dark voids, her friends got her into trouble at school or other places. Why did she hang out with them? Because the preppy witches at her preppy school, were made up mostly of paper and plastic. The poor things couldn't even be recycled.

Zarina was mad at the moment. Not for getting caught since she was already used to that, but mainly for getting lost into most adorable pair of blue eyes she had ever seen in her entire life. She could have sworn that they were so beautiful they would have stolen a mummy's breath away. Yes, a guy was one of the reasons she had gotten distracted andcaught, but it wasn't just any guy. It was a man. Mature, good looking and most likely taken.

"Ms. Williams?" The manager called her name, snapping her out of her day dreaming.

"Your free to go...this time. However if you ever again from my store, I will press charges." He says and gives her a stern glare over his glasses, however Zarina refuses to react. She already knew the drill. Her uncle paid of the debt, they went home, she is grounded and then she or her friend think of something creative to do again.

The manager with graying hair sweeps his hands before himself in a gesture that means she should leave now or he will change his mind now. She stood up quickly and walked out of the too small security room. As she walks down a hall and out of a door, she prepares herself with a deep breath. She already knew her uncle, a burly, bearded man, would be outside waiting for her. His brown eyes would show pain, because she had yet again done something. Zarina was surprised. Instead her uncle, there he stood.

He was absolutely gorgeous. His light brown hair was neatly cropped, his blue eyes were like sapphires and when his gaze was level with her own, causing the girls insides to do somersaults. He had a five o clock shadow, and even though Zarina wouldve normally despised it on any other man, he looked beyond amazing with it, especially since it brought out his golden skin. He is wore a tailored shirt, slacks and jacket which just screamed money. The man was also less the 2 feet away from her. When the stranger broke eye contact, she released a breath that she had no idea she was holding. What the heck just happened? Not only that but hadnt she seen him somewhere before?

Mr. Blues eyes faced the manager and gave him a polite smile whilst shaking his hand. "Thank you so much Mr. Queen." The manager says and Zarina let her jaw drop.

"M-M-Mr. Queen? As in Queen consolidation? As in play boy billionaire who was a castaway for 5 friggen years?!" She looked wide eyed at him and gaped like a fish. No wonder he looked familiar. He was on every fashion magazine and business magazine in Starling City. He was every girls dream and every boys true idol.

Mr. Queen looked at confused at her slightly starstruck expression but nodded anyway. The girl closed her mouth trying to at least seem less...uncivilized. Her uncle wasgoing to drive a fit if he found out a famous person like Oliver Queen had seen her shop lift. "Look, I appreciate what your doing, I really do, but I think I'll just wait for my uncle to the bill and then I'll go." She smiled politely and tried to walk back into the security room, however the manager catched onto her escape plan.

"The bill has been taken care of. Since Mr. Queen is a close friend of your late father, he offered to pay it off. He also has offered to drive you home. I think the offer is very nice, don't you agree Ms. Williams?." The manager emphasized her last name causing her to cringe.

'So now I have to let him drive me home. And since when did my dad know him? Sure my family was wealthy, but we arent billionares.' Her thoughts were tumbling back and forth.

"Uh..." Speechless she stared at Mr. Queen.

The manager glared at her and spoke in a snobby voice, "Honestly such a spoilt brat, she's lucky that you paid her bill. I'd have pressed charges if you hadn't intervened. She could at least say thank you." He used a tone as if she were a charity case. She glared at him, but looked back at Mr. Queen.

"Thank you so much Mr. Queen." She had meant it sincerely, but it still came out sounding snotty and sarcastic. She winced internally, noting that a change of tone was needed. Mr. Queens cool gaze landed on her, not in the least bit offended. He seemed to study Zarina, from top to bottom. However with his eyes she didn't feel self conscious. She felt confident. As if that mans penetrating gaze could help her rule an army.

"I assure you Mr. Hick, there was no thank you nessesary. After all we were all young and did mistakes once." Its the first time he had spoken. But now that he spoke, his voice is imprinted on Zarina's mind. It was deep, dark, but not too dark. It had a slight edge to it, with a hint of danger but also gentleness. He was way too old for her, but for some reason it isn't sticking in her head for very long. As she studied him back she noticed his body was fit, probably well defined as well. His long legs and strong arms were as captivating as his eyes. But his posture was something else. He stood with pride, not arrogance like most wealthy men. His eyes seemed lonely. All she really wanted was to embrace tightly and...Okay, time to go home.

"Ah, yes. I do believe I've had the same discussion with your mother regarding Thea. Tell me, how is your sister's behavior?" The manager asked with a smug smile. Zarina already hated his guts.

"I assure you, Thea has been in a good behavior for a while now." Mr. Queen's voice was calm, however she didn't miss the fact that his eyes narrowed.

"I think I'll just go...and wait for my uncle to pick me up..." She said it awkwardly and began edge away from the two men.

"Actually Ms. Williams, I will be driving you home today." The smooth voice replied and she only manage to stare when he gave her a smile.

"I...uh...thanks?" It came out as a question.

He placed a hand on the small of Zarina's back and led her out of the store as he nodded his farewell to Mr. Hick, the manager. The pressure of his hand against her back, caused goosebumps to arise. The girl swallowed hard and as they walked outside. One thing was for sure, whether it was the warmth of his hand seeping through her coat, or the biting cold, she was shivering. If he felt her vibrating, he was a gentleman and didn't mention it. Somehow with him near her, she was aware of so much more now but mainly aware of him. The city seemed no longer dull, but bright and beautiful.

The pair arrived at his car which was a dark blue BMW. As he opened the car door, Zarina felt taken aback at chivlary. The moment was stolen as soon as she began to study the cars leather exterior. She sat down in the leather seat, letting herself sink in as sit down on the seat. She felt almost instantly at home. The dark exterior felt like she was under the night sky, its calming aura and easing he tension out of Zarina's rigid posture. Mr. Queen sat in the drivers seat next to her and started the car. She hadn't even noticed him coming to the other side.

"Mr. Queen, I really do appreciate you helping me out of that situation." Zarina states as she stares out of the window when he pulls the car into reverse. He headed into the street, which at this time of day, was packed with people driving home from work.

"Its quite alright. And please call me Oliver. I'm not that old yet after all." He gave the girl a knee shaking smile as he glanced at her sideways. Zarina gave back a small smile, her own hazel eyes meeting his blue ones. He cut eye contact to finish his route down the street.

"Well then Oliver, you can call me Zarina." She replies smoothly as once again, she peered out of the car window.

"Can you do me a favor?" Staring at her hands, she asked him a little timidly.

"If I can, I will."

"Please don't tell my uncle?"

"I'll make you a deal. If you promise not to do it again, then yes, I won't tell your uncle." He stared ahead as he spoke.

"What makes you think I'm entitled to make any promises to you? You are a stranger after all." She stared at him intently, eyes narrowing.

"The same reason that makes you feel entitled to ask me for a favour. I have already filled in two favours for you, so a third will not be an issue. However I do think I am allowed to ask one small favor of you as well, don't you agree?"

She stayed silent for a few seconds, realizing he was right. Oliver had given her his time to drive her home and he had paid off the store manager. She shouldn't ask him for anymore favours. However as much as he hated to admit it, she did need more help.

"Fine...I'll try not to get into another situation such today. Good enough?" She raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

"It'll do...for now. We will have work on a real promise next time though." He gave a crooked smile and Zarina felt her heart speed up.

"What makes you think there will be a next time?" She asked part of curiousty and mainly so she could distract herself.

"Call it...intuition? I sense a big event happening this week. There I will see you again." He gave a smile, but hidden was in his eyes. Like he knew something she didn't. She shrugged and now noticed that he was in front of her uncles gated property.

"How did you...?" She looked at him questioningly.

"I told you...I knew your father." He stated as he stared intently at the gates.

'Oliver Queen is by far, the most mysterious and attractive man I've ever seen' Zarina bit her lip to hide her thoughts.

She opened the car door and wanted to step out, however Oliver's warm hand grabbed her wrist. She felt electricity sing in her blood. He was stopping, but as she waited he didn't speak. Looking at his face she could see him holding back. As if he wanted to say something but changed his mind. He let go of her wrist and stared ahead intently, his throat bobbing as he swallowed.

"Why did you help me Oliver? Don't use my father as an excuse." She watched him, picking up every frown line he had. He looked at her, his gaze so intense she felt dazed and vulnerable.

"You reminded me...of someone I know...someone I feel like I half know. Seeing you, just made me realize your most likely going through a lonely rebellion." He didn't smile this time, however his words hit the nail on the head.

Zarina averted her eyes. "You can't go saving everyone. You can't save me."

His reply surprised her. "I can't save everyone...that's true. But I can save you from yourself."

Zarina didn't dare look up at him. Her red wavy hair fell forward, providing a curtain from his penetrating gaze. How did he know her so well?

"There are so many black voids in my life right now. Are you volunteering to close these dark pits?" She looked up at him.

"Im afraid only you can save yourself from despair lovely one."

"What if i can't? The pain is too much..." She whispered to herself and stared at her pale hands. His golden ones held hers lightly, their warmth engulfing her, washing away the cold. "Then I'll take away the pain."

"Be careful...you might get lost in my pain."

"No...you might get lost in mine..." He whispered now, and his looked lonely. Swallowing, Zarina pulled her hands away and stepped out of the car. The spell was broken, and the cold seeped into her soul, making her feel empty. She welcomed it.

She smiled. "Thanks for the ride. Good bye." She shut the door and waved, but still heard his reply.

"I'll see you soon Zarina." And with that sentence in her head, she saw him back the car out of the driveway, and drive off.

Oliver Queen had just dug into Zarina's soul.