The story title was actually named after a TV channel, heh heh.

Enjoy. Hope ya get to like it, and toooooooodles.


My horse neighed as it trampled on the buttress roots, I shielded my hand automatically at the response of the bright sunlight breaking into the sunny sky. The hunters beside me chattered continuously about some topic I barely knew, but this time, I didn't have the gentle aid of my father beside me. I held my bow in front of me, the sleek, metal designs engraving the deadly weapon, etched with gleaming diamonds. This was my favorite-and only present my dad gave.

I ran my fingers through my smooth, chocolate brown hair, my crystalline blue eyes closing, the memories of me opening the dear present from my dad, right before his soul faded to oblivion right in front of my teary eyes.

He was a strong man, a legend, a golden idol shining in front of every warrior's heart. He was a god among the legendary hunters. He was made into a perfect king, all his subjects loved him dearly, as me, a princess of the kingdom, was following his steps slowly, blending into the world of killing, despite the crows from my mother.

Alas, one day, he was bitten by a creature, and disease failed his body.

"My princess... this is the first- and last gift you'll receive from me..." The feeble father handed me a wooden box, decorated with a simple red ribbon, which my eyes took it with curiosity. My mother's hand was on my shoulders, tears dripping from them, one by one. I opened it slowly, revealing a shining bow that dazzled my very eyes. "Take my hunter blood inside you," He murmured. "Be a queen for me, and my subjects."

With the very words escaping his mouth, a scream and a moment of despair fell as the king closed his eyes, and it never opened again. I snapped my eyes open, trying to banish the dark moments away, and focused on our target.

"Well, why not let's place a bet here, on our highness?" I turned to see someone with a thick beard and sunken eyes chuckling at me, his bow strapped back at his horse. I tensed, as the hunters around me nodded and laughed, some shouting in agreement."Very well." I steadied my stallion, and it reared a little to the left, but I took it as nothing. "May I know what would be the challenge?"

"Try to capture a deer, lass." He snickered, joined by the other hunters, and I looked away in rage. I couldn't cool down under the statements or implications for underestimating the king's daughter, or other females. My mother would not let this language get out of my mouth, so I resisted myself. "Very well, gentlemen. A deer you desire, a deer you shall have. Please restrain your patience, hunters, while I'll get your prize."

With that, I turned my horse, and dove back into the depths of the forest, forcing the speed of the stallion ran along the dirt as fast as possible. It was in late spring, so spotting a deer is not a unusual catch. As soon as the crowd's dirty voices had faded from my ears, I lingered at the lines of nature, and my horse's gallop slowed into a trotting pace. I smiled, feeling the sensation of being inside the nature like a deep sigh.

I tried to seek for a stag, lying on a sea of grass, nibbling on its gift from the nature. To say the truth, I never wanted to kill a creature. They were so beautiful, like faeries, which doesn't exist, my mother said. The way they walk, the way they hunt, the way they beautify the way of the Mother Nature. My armor clattering rang in my ears as the quietness grew, and finally, I heard a rustle that broke my enchantment. I turned my head, my soul jumping to a alert state as the rustle grew.

There was a wail- a painful, agonic wail that sent a needle through my heart. I hurried my stallion to the site, and trotted as quietly pas possible to the source of the noise. For a instance, I was fearing that it would be a beast, a lion, to be scared of.

Fear trickled in, but I pushed it back with great determination and the help of bravery. I readied my bow, and inched forward, the dread filling in every eerie silence, until I shoved a leaf blinding my sight revealing a powerful stag, wailing and thundering its muscular legs on the leafy ground. I gasped where its signature horns had gone, and spotted a boy squatting in hazel brown hair, brown eyes and a lively smile of victory plastered on his face as he ran through the horns in his hands like silk.

"Ahem." I cleared my throat, quietly gaining his acknowledgement. He looked up, his eyes shining with mischief. "Why, hello, young pretty, what are you doing here with a..." He stared at my weapon with bemusement. "... bow? Ladies hunting? Please."

Another one. I gripped my bow fiercely, and his eyes widened as I sighed in exasperation. "For first, you have no right to steal one that is rightful from Mother Nature, and Mother Nature herself. Second, do not estimate the power of women. Who are you?" I narrowed my eyes at the boy, who chuckled at me.

"Jack Overland, the charmer of the village." He smirked, earning my quizzical look. Nature destroyers doesn't look so handsome to me. "What are you doing in this dangerous forest yourself, pretty girl?" He bowed gentlemanly, and I frowned. It is true that they called me the beauty of the kingdom, every prince was crashing each other like foolish oxes to get my hand, even though they knew it was worthless. For me myself, I don't get my own looks. I glared at him earnestly. "For your information, I am hunting."

"You're kidding me."

"As kidding as you're a charmer. You don't look half as handsome."

"Oh really, woman?" He chuckled at me, but his eyes were slightly burning with rage.

Another neigh broke the conversation, and I looked down at my white stallion with anxiety. The stag wailed too, and fled into the depths of the woods. Jack looked around, his eyebrows furrowing. "What's up with that coward-" He was stopped by a growl, then accompanied by a few more. My horse neighed again, leaping up and down in protests. Fear poured down again as a furry beast in black coat leaped into sight in front of me and Jack, growling and barring a array of dagger like teeth.

"Wolves!" I yelled, holding up my bow, an arrow ready at my grip. Jack yelled, diving into cover, and dove in front of me. A few more came to sight too, their beady yellow eyes locked on me. I stiffened, and shot a arrow at one of them. It struck his eye, causing it to roar with agony, and the pack of wolves growled, advancing on us for the sake of one of their fallen brother.

I went to grab more arrows, dread rose as I realized my quiver was empty as I touched the bag. One of the hunters must've stolen them all. Anger growled, but faded quickly as I realized there was no route of escape.

Jack wouldn't stand a chance against the.m. I had to think of a idea...

I reared my horse up, and zoomed into a sharp turn, speeding up so fast my sight was no longer clear.

I galloped into the woods, deeper and deeper until no trace of familiarity was hinted around me. I looked back, and all the wolves were on persuit, their teeth still poking out of their jaws. The pack was closing on me, faster and faster, as my control on my fear growing uncontrollably weaker, until I saw a cliff breaking the steady ground. If I succeed in leaping through the cliff, I might be able to get rid of the beasts, and get myself to safety. But if not...

Courage slammed down the my cowardly self, as I focused on my target.

You can do it, Veronica.

"I hope you're ready, Baikon." I whispered softly to my steed, and continued our escape to freedom.

Faster...

Faster...

Finally, I giddied up Baikon, and came to the ledge of the cliff.

I leaped... and felt the wind coursing through my skin like a hand, and glimpsed at the back, watching as the beasts fell into the abyss, to their death. Sympathy and guilt filled me as I watched, then I looked back. Relief plunged into my soul like a pair of ferocious wings sweeping at me, and Baikon's hooves dove into the dirt. I dismounted from him immediately, and laid on the ground, heaving for breath, letting my messy soul settle into a clear state.

I didn't notice the vines creeping up my leg.

When I felt a prickly sensation hit my shin, I sat up in pain and almost shrieked at the sight of mass vines entangling my feet like a solid tornado. I stared in horror as the vines of a human eating tree wrapped around Baikon's leg too, causing him to neigh, and trample to the ground helplessly, a heavy weight slamming onto the soil. Then I felt myself being pulled- slowly, but not in a constant speed.

I grasped my bow, the upper part dragging on the soil. The lower edge was curved into a deadly blade, but it wasn't sharp enough to cut two bunches of vines, leaving the meat of the wolf. THat's pretty much why I didn't prefer to use the blade just now. A painful dilemma hit me as I was given a very limited time to chose among two lives- me, and Baikon.

Then I made my decision.

I stretched my hand, Baikon was just beside me. I charged the blade on the grasping vines, and started to saw. My instincts screamed at me, knowing that I would die any moment, but I shoved all of it away. As soon as the last of the vines snapped open, Baikon immediately stood up and flew into the woods, into the wilderness.

This time, I could feel the vines pulling over my face, covering my nose, then my eyes. It was like a thousand needles being secured around you, a strike of pure agony. Before I could get overwhelmed, I whispered the last words;

"Be Free."


I am Veronica Alexander.

I thought I was dead.

Forever.

Then I opened my eyes again.


And... *snores* Review, follow, favorite, please? XD THANK YOU!