Chapter 4

Talya walked through the woods slowly. Her mind wandering here and there. Differentthoughts and ideas coming and going on. She knew it was a terrible thing to be doing, especially now. Her father could be anywhere, he could be watching her right now. And yet...she couldn't help it.

She was sixteen now. Far too old to still be living in the woods with her father. She needed to venture out. Talya wanted to be out in the world so badly. It was like a lust, a craving that she just couldn't help. She wanted to meet new people, to taste new foods, to go on adventures, and to live her own life and help people in anyway that she could. That was all she wanted, more than anything else. To help people.

She stopped and crouched down. Her hand dropping in between the decaying leaves and broken branches. Did she hear him? She sure as hell thought she did in that moment. A small crack, a breath maybe?

Ugh, that was the one thing she didn't like about this game. The anxiety. The paranoia. It did a number on Talya and she always felt overwhelmed and like the adrenaline would force her heart out of her chest.

But at the same time, she got off on it. She loved it.

She cocked her head up and put her ear to the sky. Listening for any signs of movement. But Talya also knew that her father was smart. If he had made a noise he would have stopped dead in his tracks and silenced himself just as fast.

Talya put her hand on the tree next to it. A White Birch. She felt the moisture within and sent her will down to the roots. She listened through the soil and through the tree. Hoping for some sign of her father.

Then she heard it, a whistling. Coming right at her.

She planted her hand firmly on the ground and cart wheeled to her right. The vine shot passed her and tore her shirt's side.

She took hold of the fabric and cursed to herself. "God damn it, Dad. That was my nicest practice shirt."

Quickly Talya stood up and began to sprint to her right. Her arms behind her and she turned her head to see water flying at her in a wave.

Talya planted her foot in the ground and swung both her hands upward. Taking the grass in front of her and launching it high into the air. Then turning and pulling it over her head, it lay on her backside. The water washed over it and crashed down just in front of her face. Freezing solid and entrapping her in a sphere. She quickly whisked her hands in circle and turned it back into a liquid. Causing it to wash down around her.

She could hear her father's footsteps running at her.

She let out a yell as she spun around and propelled her hands forward. Launching the grass that had encased her forward like hundreds of missiles aimed at her father.

Talya watched in awe as he lifted himself into the air on a boulder from the ground with one hand of bending and bounded over the missiles. Flipping with such ease that she couldn't help but be astonished.

But that astonishment turned to fear as he landed, immediately sending roots from his left and right with speed that she had never seen. An explosion emanating from their tips as they sliced through the air around them like butter.

Talya extended both her arms outward and then pulled them back close, causing two branches from either side of her to grow toward her. One closer to the ground and the other about ten feet higher. She launched herself into the air and used the branches as launching pads to send herself further and further up. Extending more and more branches wherever she needed them.

But the roots still chased her. Their targets were locked and they were not giving in. Talya bounded higher, dodging them left and right. As one grew closer than the rest she spun and hit it with her heel. Knocking it backward and deterring it for the moment.

Talya pushed herself off of one of the branches and landed feet first on the bark of a tree. Then launched herself forward, spinning between the roots and causing them all to embed themselves into the tree behind her. She hit the ground directly behind her father and crouched and spun. Sweeping his feet out from under him with her own.

As he hit the ground she brought a flattened and pointed hand to his neck. The tips of her fingers pushing against his Jugular.

"Done."

Talya and her father walked back to the cabin slowly. Both of them exhausted from their session. It had become rather repetitive however, as of recently. Quite apparent that Talya had surpassed her father in just about every way. She had become strong and agile.

And her father knew that it was about time to let her go into the world.

As they came to the door he stopped. Letting his arms fall to his sides.

"Talya…" He said quietly.

Talya turned toward her father. Resting her hand on the handle of the door and flashing him a loving smile.

"Yeah dad?"

He closed his eyes and let out a long breath. Then he spoke. "It might be time, Talya. It might be time for you to go."

Author's Note:

I would love to hear what you guy's think of this so far. What you guys think could be improved and where you guys might like it to go. Anything at all really would be helpful.

Reviews would be much appreciated!