As im sure most of you know by now, I've been very busy as of late but here we are again.
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Journal entry #35 Morning
I came home last night and realized I'd left the door to the storage room door open, meaning that by the time I made it to my room Cupa was hiding under the covers from the ginger-haired monster that set its sights on 'hunting' her.
I'm not saying any of that wasn't Pickles fault, but come on.
...
...
He was trying to snuggle with her.
''I never thought I'd say it...but I really wish we had less Golems.'' I muttered to myself as I narrowly dodged the 5th one in the last few minutes, carrying a bag of Iron Ingots from Harvey the Blacksmith. I had enough to make at least 2 more Golem's, and knowing Mr. Alexander he'll probably make me create the next batch myself.
Because apparently 8 Golems isn't enough...
All the while I tried keep my mind off of Cupa. But it wasn't easy in the slightest.
I mean, by definition I was harboring a monster (Villagers words, not mine) in my own home. But that 'monster' was no more than a scared girl who would have no chance if any of the Villagers found out about her. And with my terrible track record of not shutting my mouth, I had to be extra careful about what I say. I've never had someone stay in my house before, at least not for longer than a day. And if I was correct about Cupa's injury needing a week to heal, I knew it was going to be a long one. Don't get me wrong, its nice to have someone else to talk to and Cupa seems like a nice girl. (Still can't wrap my head over the whole creeper thing). But I've never had to nurse someone back to health before, let alone feed them, provide them with clothes or keep them away from a ginger haired cat.
Not that I don't mind helping her, but there's only so much I can manage at once.
It didn't help that I couldn't stop thinking about the arrows in the underbrush. Could those have been fired at Cupa? I had to find out who was on watch last night. Scratching off names as I assisted in odd jobs. Was it guaranteed to be the same arrows fired at Cupa?, no. As everyone keeps pointing out, there was a lot of activity last night, hence the new Golem's. But my conscience won't rest until I know who it was. Not because I plan on telling them...
''Hey, whats up? Oh by the way, did you happen to shoot an innocent girl in the foot last night? O.k thanks, bye.''
But I needed to know what they saw. In a selfish way I feel like it'll bring me some peace. Well, that and I would know who to stay quiet(er) around. I can't risk any of them, even if the chance is small, recognizing Cupa, who by every account wouldn't stand a chance against them. She's fast im sure but is also quite lucky to have escaped with her life. If what she says is true that she was chased into the woods, then said villagers might be on the lookout. And while our night watch is sub-par at best, I've seen them use bows to take care of zombies and creepers long before they can even reach the perimeter.
Then again, it all depends on who was shooting.
Most of the villagers will simply place their bets on locking their doors at night, since keeping eyes on the perimeter is more of the Golems job. But Sam came up with the idea of a 'night watch' ever since poor Toms untimely death after leaving the village after nightfall. More or less the new precautions were meant to act as an early warning system for the Golem's or to try and keep people from leaving at night.
Clearly didn't stop me. Unless Mr. Blanco was part of the watch and just let me walk by, thought I doubt that. My guess is by the time I left and brought Cupa back, they were focused on other mobs. Aside from the Golem we encountered there were no other villagers in sight, so they must have been near the opposite edge of town.
The selection for the watch wasn't exactly by random choice, more like whoever volunteered. I've even taken up the shift a few times on more or less, boring and uneventful nights.
Though one time I did see a wolf try to climb a tree to reach an ocelot. It failed.
Rarely if ever did anyone have to be forced into the role, unless they were just so good at their job that someone like Sam insisted that they become permanent, like Zane, the son of Harold the doctor. Zane was actually the first villager to craft his own blade without any help, and pretty much taught himself how to use it. But I knew it wasn't him because I found out from Jasper that he had gone with Sam and his wife Glenda last night as protection. Even if it was him, I doubt I'd get much out of him.
Zane was one of the villagers that still didn't like the idea of a human living so close to them. He tolerated me, but we never had any lengthy discussions other than how he thought I wasn't cut out to work in the fields.
Enough about him, I had some searching to do. Sam didn't keep any records of who stayed to watch so I was basically looking for an apple in a chicken farm...
That analogy made sense in my head.
I've already scratched off Mr. Alexander. He's way to stubborn to be of any actual help around here and at best would just belittle any mob that came near him. Harold the doctor was also a big no, as he wasn't to keen on fighting. I knew it wasn't Jasper since he already confirmed that he had been asleep. Susan was my first real guess since she was up last night, i know this because she almost caught me carrying Cupa to my house. But when I asked her she said she was only up because her father was having a coughing fit and it kept her awake, and my shadow caught her attention.
Harvey the Blacksmith was another likely member, considering he is the one who crafts most of the weapons (and saves the best for himself). Though my attempts at conversation were pretty lackluster.
Probably due to the fact that he is deaf in one ear,
...
...
...
and slightly crazy
''Whats this about Creepers?" Harvey half shouted from his seat next to the anvil. Grunting as he raised his hammer to bring it down on the defenseless piece of ore.
''Well, I heard from Margerett who heard from Will who heard from Jasper who overheard Jenny who was told by Harold that you were night watching. So I wan..'' ted to finish my sentence before he began bringing the hammer down, literally. His attention not even focused on me as he replied...
''WHAT!?" before tossing me a bag to fill with ingots. ''..Margerett was (CLANG) talking (CLANG) to Will? I thought they (CLANGY CLANG) broke up?'' He said, completely mishearing everything I had said before throwing an ingot in the air, to which I nearly had to dive to catch. Throwing another one every now an then as I attempted to get something out of the one-way conversation. ''...after that whole 'You can't spend your life hiding in the fields' business...(CLANG) Anyway, you said something about watching? Who's watching?'' (CLANG)
''YA I,...WHOA!'' Stopping as I caught the ingot by the tips of my fingers. ''Wanted to know if you had seen any, Oops.. (CLANG)... Creepers at all?'' Catching the last ingot as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
''Boy, you ask a lot of weird questions.'' He chuckled before smashing his hammer on the blank anvil, stopping before the next swing as if something was missing. ''Hey! I had another ingot, where'd it go?'' Sighing rather loudly as I realized that wasn't going to be as informative as I had hoped. Turning my heel to leave the quarters empty handed as he searched for non-existent missing ingot.
''...well, thanks anyway. Sorry for invading your priv...''
''WHAT! WE'RE BEING INVADED?!" He shouted, giving me no time to move as he pushed past me, sword in hand as he raced down the gravel road. Shouting ''DON'T WORRY HONEY I'M COMING TO SAVE YOU!'' as the onlookers just went on with their day as if this was a normal, everyday occurrence.
Having gotten nowhere with Harvey, I tried his son, Spencer. He'd been my friend since I came into the town and he always relished the idea of shooting down any unsuspecting mob. Probably due to all the weapons he watched his father make as a kid. My assumption was correct and he was watching last night. But...''Nah, I didn't see any Creepers last night. Just Zombies and Spiders. I mean, there were a lot of them, but nothing I couldn't handle.'' But at least from him I could ask who else was on shift.
''Was anyone else with you last night?'' I asked as I nonchalantly stacked the iron ingots until they formed an iron block, the third one in total as I began to move it next to the others.
''Ya. Sami, Abel and Mr. Grady. Though Sami and Abel ran to my side after some spiders took down one of the Golems. Mr. Grady was on the other end of the village.'' Spencer said, squatting down as he helped me lift the iron block on top of its brother, keeping it in place as I added the fourth and fifth. ''He told me he shot at least 4 creepers.''
Mr. Grady was one of the few Villagers that I really didn't know to well. I mean not to say I knew everything about every villager here, but compared to Susan or Sam, he was a mystery. I knew he was one heck of a potion maker and enchanter in his prime, but now teetering on old age, he more or less lived a quiet life. Though not as old as Mr. Blanco, as he had to use a cane to walk around. Grady preferred to stay alone inside his home or spend time playing cobbles and bits with Sam (this worlds version of Chess). He isn't a bad shot with a bow either, even if it takes him a moment to align his shot. I rarely spoke to him and if I did it was to deliver some food or help around his house with heavier objects every now and then. Other than that I had little knowledge of his private life.
''I didn't see him much though. Must have been quieter on his side I suppose.'' said Spencer as he pushed the pumpkin head into place. We stepped back as another Golem was ''born''. Its beady eyes blinking at us before turning around and walking down the gravel path as if it already knew what it was supposed to do.
After giving Spencer the last of the ingots, and having time before Harvey came back to his senses (or whats left of them) I decided to pay the older villager a visit. His house was located near the watermelon fields, closer to the edge of town. His house was the only one for at least a block, so the only other things that were around were Golems. I approached the common home and found him sitting on his porch. He seemed to be focused on a passing Golem when I called him out from the front steps.
''Mr. Grady?'' I said before he turned his head towards me and coughed, clearly forgetting how to breath for a moment there.
''Oh...J-James. Didn't see you coming up.'' He said in a ragged, aged voice that reminded me somewhat of sandpaper being rubbed against wood. Taking a deep breath before continuing with ''To what do I owe the pleasure?'' Making my way up the last step I attempted to start off a conversation by asking how he was doing. Offering the usual ''I can't complain.'' before asking how last night was, mentioning how there was a lot of activity. To which he replied ''Iiiit was busy alright. Good thing I took a nap the day before huh?'' He laughed for a moment while I played along.
''I never saw so many zombies before, not even in my younger days. Back when I was a champion enchanter, I used to infuse every weapon I could get my hands on for practi..'' He paused, coughing up for a moment. ''Uhhh, anyway. Enchanting weapons and tools...If only that was a skill that could age with me.'' He sighed, putting his hands together and asking ''You ever crafted your own weapons?''
''Just one. An iron sword.'' I told him. He nods back, offering no other reply. Probably reminiscing about his younger days. Before I could completely loss him in thought, I asked ''Did you happen to see any Creepers last night, sir?'' which seemed to snap him back to reality.
''No need to call me sir, James. I worked for a living.'' He said, chuckling. ''But yes, not many. Got every last one of them too.'' Making a motion with his hands as if he was cocking a bow and releasing it at a Creeper.
''All of them?" I said, trying to sound impressed in the hopes he remembers a certain two legged Creeper.
''Yyy...well...Except for one.'' Admitting with a somewhat shameful tone. ''I won't lie though, slippery little one. Hid behind bushes and tree's like it was an ocelot.'' His hands moving outwards, making rapid zipping motions to illustrate his point. It wasn't hard to imagine Cupa running at full speed to avoid getting shot. She most fast enough with her injury to avoid Pickles. ''What concerned me was how close it was. It was near the apple trees when I first saw it.'' He continued, which brought me back to the last night once again. But this time something else clicked in my head.
Cupa told me she was attacked because she got too close...
She didn't tell me she made it into the village, let alone near the apple trees, which was a good distance from the arrows I saw before. I could come to the conclusion that she was stealing apples for food, which by all means was a crime. (She did seem to love the apples I gave her this morning) But I can't really blame her for not telling me. I wouldn't want to tell a random stranger about my exploits. It is possible that she might have assumed I would have abandoned her or taken her to the villagers if I knew what she did.
"They'll try to kill me this time, I know they will. I can't go back..''
Thats why she was so afraid when I told her I lived near the village. Not just because she's different, but because she was stealing food and nearly got caught.
''I don't know how it got inside the fence, but I could have sworn it knew i was waiting for it. I was practically aiming blind after it decided to run into the trees. I think I hit it once or twice even with the wind in my face. Still, lucky shot.'' Shrugging, making me somewhat cringe, maybe twitch a bit. 'Lucky shot for the unluckiest target' I thought. Did it feel a little better to know how Cupa ended up where she was, yes. But at the same time, there was something about knowing that it was all dumb luck that didn't settle right in my stomach. Sure, Mr. Grady was a great archer in his prime, but even as he admitted, the odds were against him. And yet it happened.
Knowing I needed to head for where I saw the arrows, I bid Mr. Grady farewell ''Well, I have to get back to work. Have a good day Mr. Grady.'' before heading down the steps, visibly drained.
I barely heard him say ''You too James.''
Cupa's POV
Last Night
Is it wrong?
I should have stopped asking that a long time ago. Yes, stealing is very wrong and I always hate doing it but I have no other choice. The rumbling from my stomach was proof of that. I starving and running low on food after my original stash got devoured by rabbits. NOTCH!, that made me SO ANGRY...but they were so cute I just couldn't stay mad. It's a good thing I found this Village beforehand, otherwise i'd have nowhere to look.
The layout of the gardens seemed like any other village I've seen. Usually blocked by a wooden fence or built higher up from the ground. The watermelon fields were massive, but I wouldn't be able to jump high enough to reach it. The wheat fields on the other side were surrounded by Golems and other mobs, so that was out.
However, this village had two apple tree's growing at the south end, and while I've never been very picky about what I eat, but I never gave up the chance to snag an apple. I actually licked my lips at the thought of it, but i couldn't rush it. If any of the Golems saw me, they'd surely attack me like they always do, or at least alert the villagers. From my place behind the bush I could see two Golems treading across the Watermelon fields, they didn't seem to have a set pattern other than 'Stomp Stomp Stop! Stomp Stomp Stop!'
One in particular seemed to be focused on nothing at all, or at least thats what I thought until it bent over to pluck a flower from the ground, before moving out of my sight. I saw nothing but an open road that lead to at least a few days worth of food. Still, I couldn't afford to move unless I was certain. I've played this game hundreds of times, and every now an then something goes wrong. Like another mob alerts Golems of my presence, or even worse, an ocelot just so happens to walk by and causes me to run away. That was the worst.
But I couldn't let that stop me.
Seeing nothing in my way, I slide though the bars of the fence and cling to the side of the platform with the watermelons. Taking long, silent steps while keeping my eyes and ears on the gravel paths. This is hardly my first time stealing from a village, I knew Golems didn't stray from the paths, and their heavy footsteps made it easy to notice them.
Making it to the edge, I peaked out from the side to see nothing before bolting towards the apple trees. Quickly ducking under the fence and hiding behind one of the bushes planted near the edge. I didn't want to rush it, even if my stomach felt like it was about to start eating itself. But was I knew I was alone I ran for the trunk of the tree and jumped. Grabbing onto the first apple I saw and pulling it down with all my might before rushing back to the bush.
I repeated the same steps for at least a few minutes. Every now and then I heard the grown of a Golem and stayed put until the sound disappeared. I grabbed my 8th apple and decided that would be enough for now. Making back to the bush just as a Golem marched by. Sighing in relief, I waited for the stone monster to pass by when I felt my stomach grumble again. I groaned as I held up one of the apples. I planned to wait until I was in the safety of the woods but...
No...I...I had to wait...
... (Stomach grumbles)
Just one, and I'll take the rest and run.
Ducking behind a nearby bush facing away from the road, I quickly ate one of the apples just to keep my stomach quiet. Keeping the rest in a pile next to me. It tasted so good after almost two days without food. In my arrogance, I ended up throwing the apple core in a random direction when I was finished. I didn't think anything of it until I began to stand up.
Immediately I fell to my hands and knees as the outline of a Villager appeared at the gravel path. I remained as still as possible behind the bush as the footsteps drew closer. Looking through a small peak in the bush, I saw an older villager with a bow in his hand. If that wasn't strange, or scary enough for me, he turned his head and looked right in my direction. 'nonononononono!' Alarm bells went off in my head, crawling closer to the middle of the bush as the villager slowly came my way. I could tell he wasn't sure what exactly what he was looking for, but he knew something was here with him.
He knew I was here with him.
I froze and covered my mouth with my hands, hoping that he wouldn't see the green of my hoodie and mistake me for an actual, exploding creeper. My eyes floated towards the way I came. No Golems in sight. As long as I didn't make a sound and slowly made my way to the edge of town, I was home free. I knew I'd have to abandon the apples, there was no way I could run fast enough without either dropping them all or having them weigh me down. As he turned his head to the side, his shoulders lowering as he relaxed his muscles, I took a few steps back into the another bush.
If only I hadn't stepped on a twig.
Drawing his bow blindly, I could see his withered hands shake as he unknowingly aimed right for my forehead. His older, but no less clearer voice called out ''G-got you now!" Before taking a step further away as to make it easier to shoot, still keeping the bow locked onto the bush I was hiding behind. As I felt the wind blow on my back, I peeked my eye through a crack in the bush and saw him pause and loosen his grip on the bow, wiping his eyes with his free hand. Perhaps the wind had irritated them?
Now was my chance to move.
In a flash I ran to the left of the older villager and cleared the fence. Slowing down to catch my breath before immediately running full speed as an arrow whizzed past my head. I made the mistake of looking back at the older villager and nearly lost my arm to another arrow. The part of my arm where the arrow just missed went cold as i gripped it, only to realize I was touching bare skin. The arrow had torn right through my sleeve, leaving a hole bigger than my fore arm. I dodged behind an old oak tree just as I made it to the perimeter of the woods, hearing the sound of arrows piercing the dirt. Holding my breath as I listened for footsteps, my heart pounding against my chest. I was sure I could see my hoodie jump with every beat.
Little did I know that the old man had his bow aimed at the right side of the tree. Lucky I looked out from the left and bolted as the arrow went flying and planted itself into the tree. Another arrow flew past me after a few more steps and as my surroundings became more lush, I knew for certain I would be safer in the thick brush.
But that's when I felt it.
An almost instant, searing rush of pain straight through my ankle and up my entire leg. I opened my mouth to scream but nothing came out except a horrified gasp as I lost my footing. No worse place to do so than at the edge of the hill to my right. Screaming at the top of my lungs as I realized I had nothing to keep my nearly limp form from rolling down the hill sideways. Every inch of my body collided with the hillside at one point or another. I guess I can thank the sudden surge of energy from the pain that I was able to briefly keep myself from tumbling any faster as I struggled to find a grip on the hill.
My good leg causing me to nearly bounce in an off angle direction before feeling something grab into my hoodie. Through teary eyes I saw a long branch had snagged onto the edge of my hoodie. Leaning in an awkward, off balanced position with my back facing the ground, I made the mistake of looking back and realized the hill still has some height left to it. Panicking, I grabbed onto the branch and attempted to pull myself into a more balanced position. If only I hadn't stepped on my bad leg, then maybe I wouldn't have lost my grip.
The sudden jerk caused the branch to tear into my hoodie, leaving a large hole that revealed my pale stomach. Falling onto my back and rolling down the hill with enough force to make me wish I had just passed out. The moment I stopped falling and ended on my back, feeling like I just finished being contorted in ways no person should ever be. With the adrenaline from the fall now wearing off, I let out a small cry of pain as I realized how deep the arrow was. With the entire metal tip embedded into my lower leg. Every attempt to move my leg ended in a shock-wave of numb-racking pain that raced up my lower body.
My breathing had not slowed since the start of the fall, and only now did I realize how tired I was. Attempting to slow my breathing only made my cries more audible as they came out in long, drawn out sighs. When I finally gained control of my breathing, feeling my heartbeat slow to the point where it didn't feel like it was going to leap from my chest, I sat up to the best of my ability and opened my teary eyes. Looking up the hill I had no idea if the old villager planned to follow me any further. But I wasn't about to wait to find out. Digging my elbows into the ground, I pulled myself along the edge of the hill, wincing in pain every time I moved my leg.
Gasping ''OW'' every few slides as waves of pain escalated, no matter how slow or carefully I moved. Arms shaking with every backward motion I made, making slow progress away from the hill. I didn't even notice how loud my sobs were until I paused for a moment to catch my breath, sniffing falling flat on my back. The entire time I couldn't even look at my leg. Like as if somehow if i pretended it wasn't there that the arrow would disappear.
To make matters even worse, by the time I decided to move again, this time resting under a large oak tree, without even the slightest warning the sky erupted with rain that flew sideways into me. The beating rain combined with the already cold air of the night made me shiver and practically huddle against the tree. At this point I couldn't stop the tears from flowing if I tried. And even if I did, I'm not entirely sure I wanted to do anything other than cry.
Cry and Cry and Cry my miserable life away.
What was the purpose of my existence? Was I just made for the sole purpose being fodder to anything that was thrown at me? Feeling my leg go numb as I unconsciously layed it down on the wet grass, moving my hands from my face as I leaned back into the trunk of the tree. Not bothering to wipe the tears from my eyes, which were now completely indistinguishable from the rain that soaked my body. ''..w..whyyy...why me?'' I sobbed softly to anyone who bothered to listen. Though just like every other time there was no one else around me. I was alone...always alone.
I'd asked that question many times before but...never like this. Bad things happen to people all the time right?
I couldn't even look at my leg anymore, only the arrow. One blasted arrow from an old man was all it took to take me down, that's how weak I am.
I covered my face with my hands and cried a river. By the time I felt my leg go stiff, im sure my tears had soaked my hoodie more than the rain. Would I ever walk again? If I can't walk, I can't run...I can't hide. I didn't like stealing, I didn't like hiding, and I certainly didn't like being shot at. But I guess that's just my life huh? Others get to live under wooden homes or be protected by walking stones. Even wolves are treated with care by others.
The only thing worse would be if I was a chicken or a pig. Then again, at least they have some purpose of being eaten after being killed. I would be killed for the purpose of it.
I'm not to sure how long I was sitting there. Long enough that by time I had the courage to feel my leg, it was almost completely numb. Being so caught up in my own pathetic sorrow, I didn't even realize that someone was watching me. Not until I paused by crying for just a second and heard footsteps to my left. Looking up to see a figure covered in darkness only a few feet from me, I quickly forgot about my leg and crawled backwards into another tree in absolute fear. I didn't have much time to look at them through my blurry vision, but the outline of the person, with their arms over their heads and crouched in a threatening posture made me nearly have a heart attack.
'OH NOTCH! THEY FOLLOWED ME!' I screamed in my head, yelping as I felt the cold arrow cutting into deeper parts of my leg. Throwing my arms in front of me in a last ditch effort to keep the person away, though my gut was telling me it was all for naught. I knew I was going to die here, I knew the world wasn't going to let me rest for long. And now, at my most vulnerable, notch has finally grown tired of me. I turned my head to the side and closed my teary eyes, not willing to look them in the eye and unable to stop myself from whimpering, looking absolutely pathetic in front of the person who very well could be my end.
" Whoa... It's ok.'' I barely heard the person say through the rain. I held my breath for a moment as I saw the glint of a sharp metal object being pulled out from the persons back.
'A SWORD!'
I gasped and closed my eyes, waiting for the sharp sting of metal against my skin. Keeping my arms raised in the hopes that maybe, just maybe i'll be spared. When I heard something being placed on the ground, followed by ''I'm here to help!" I opened one eye as the sword was now out of sight and the person still keeping their arms above them. Did they want me to lower my arms first? Was this some kind of sick joke? I didn't understand, but the rush of blood to my head made my mind panic as I held my arms tighter against my body to the point that im sure my veins were turning blue.
''I'm not going to hurt you." The same voice said as I kept my eyes off the ground, watching as their feet shuffled closer. All the while my crying never stopped, but I never noticed. It was almost natural at this point. But as the form stopped at the base of my bleeding leg, I finally gained the courage to look up. Feeling my lungs pause and a chill run down my back as a pair of blue eyes locked with mine, followed by a face that felt so different from any other I'd ever seen before.
The big dangling nose and small beady eyes of a villager were replaced with a smaller, pointer nose and bigger, more colorful eyes. The face wasn't blocky or square in any way, it looked smooth and the brown hair didn't look plastered on. It looked smooth, like mine. Where a scowl would be was a pair of lips that were parted slightly in surprise with eyebrows raised. I guess I wasn't what he expected.
He?
Ya, he. The face belonged to a...a human!
'He's a boy. A human boy! A REAL HUMAN BOY!' I shouted in my head and for a split second I forgot about my leg, or the cold or the arrow. I was in shock for the briefest moment. It had been years since I'd seen one, I thought they all disappeared or went extinct. But I'd never seen a human this close before either, only from a distance. The closest I've ever really been is looking at pictures. And he looked just like any other one I'd seen, except now there was nothing separating us. No bushes or trees to hide behind. It was like seeing a sunset up close for the first time, amazing and mysterious at the same time. He didn't look very old either, maybe just at the age of early adulthood. Maybe a bit older than me.
Then again...I never kept track of my own age. Not after...
'FOCUS CUPA! There is a human looking right at you!' Snapping myself back to reality, I closed my eyes and turned away. While the thought of a human being this close to me was once in a lifetime, I was still scared out of my mind. If the stories about humans being violent, brutal monsters who killed mobs for fun had any truth to it, then I was done for. But rather than show any signs of aggression when I snapped out of my trance and looked away, I simply heard him say "It's ok..." in a way that I've heard villagers talk to their children when they get a bruise or a cut. In a gentle, compassionate way.
But I couldn't stop the tears from falling, hiding my face again.
"You're hurt."
I flinch as a hand is brought up to my face, causing me to yelp as i was forced to move my leg. He looked almost saddened by my reaction. Why? I was the one in pain here. Before I could even register what i was thinking, I moved my leg again and sobbed 'Pl...pa, please. I ... I promise I wont come back, ... Please don't hurt me!"
'Great. Now I've resorted to begging for my life'
"I... I'm not going to hurt you." Said the boy as he fell to his knees, now at eye level with mine, and soon I felt something gliding down my leg. Gasping at the unwanted contact of his freezing hand on my leg, which was now right above the arrow.
'What is he doing!?' I thought, confused and still very much afraid. Even without a sword, I was certain if he wanted to, this human would kill me. Or do whatever he wanted, its not like I could run anymore. I whimper and curl up into a ball, to the dismay of the boy, who once again looked hurt by my actions. "I.. I don't want to... Please don't hurt me." I beg again, more embarrassed than ive ever been before.
The human takes a step back and pulls down their hood, revealing even more of his brown locks and allowing me to really get a better look at him. His face had a plastered look of seriousness, but at the same time, his water blue eyes looked soft and gentle. He didn't scowl or show any frustration at my obvious fear or nervousness caused by my breakdown. It was almost like he'd experienced this before.
"Miss. I promise I have no reason to harm you.'' He said again in the same gentle tone from before as I felt another wave of tears begin to form behind my eyes. Was he being serious? Why would he want to help me, I doubt im worth much to him. ''I just want to help." Even still, I couldn't shake off the feeling that he wasn't going to leave no matter what I said. It's not like there would be much I could do to object anyway. Lowering my shoulders and letting my arms rest, he sends me a look of reassurance as his hand returns to my leg. Telling me how he needs to take the arrow out, which quite frankly terrified me. I was always told never to take a sharp object out if its lodged into your body.
But who was I to argue?
I held my breath as he suddenly held out my leg and placed it on his knees. His other hand grabs the arrow and I wince in response, feeling its sharp edge making new tears. Hiccuping as he looks up at me, saying ''This is going to hurt for awhile." to which I nod, close my eyes and bite my lip. I didn't want to see it come out, feeling it would be bad enough. A sick feeling came up to my stomach just before the arrow was pulled from my leg, causing me to yelp before covering my mouth with one hand. Feeling a small amount of pressure leave my leg, but keeping my eyes closed the entire time until I felt something soft wrap around my leg. I saw a white cloth like material being tied around the back of my leg to stop the bleeding.
Looking up and seeing the now shirtless boy made my heart speed up. 'Wh..why was he?...'' Then it hit me that the cloth he was using was in fact a piece of clothing he spared to keep my leg from bleeding out. He'd give up something of his for me?
I soon realized my cheeks were flushing as I starred at his shirtless form, which I hope he wouldn't notice before I looked away until the knot was tightened. ''There. That should hold for awhile.'' By the time I open my eyes again he's already got his other clothing on, which looked similar to my hoodie, but was much puffier. I look down at my leg and see the now removed arrow on the ground. It's upper half covered in blood.
I breathed in the first controlled breath in what felt like forever before saying ''Th, thank you.'' OK, more like I stuttered. Watching his lips curl into a genuine smile as he replied,
''No problem.'' in a tone that offered more help I felt I deserved.
A somewhat uneasy feeling raced through my legs and up to my stomach as I stood at the edge of the hill where Cupa had fallen from. It looked exactly how she described it, even with the minimal detail she gave. I could picture her losing her balance as the arrow impaled her leg before falling down the side of the hill, which had any number of branches that could have torn into her hoodie, or her body had she not been wearing it. The hill wasn't far from where I found her either, so she must have crawled or limped a good distance before ending up at the trunk of the tree.
I couldn't find any dry blood on the grass near or on the hill, though I suppose the rain would have washed it away by now. Come to think of it, it started raining before Sam showed up to give me the news. This means that she could have been stuck in the rain with an arrow in her leg for almost an hour.
All because of pure bad luck from an old villager who just so happened to be on watch that very same time. Was I angry at the old man for what he did? Even if I was, what right did I have? For all he knew Cupa was just a normal creeper that was seconds away from blowing him to kingdom come. Its not like he went hunting Cupa down, he was doing what he thought was right to protect himself. Firing arrows blindly into the woods probably made Cupa believe she was being chased.
Now does that make Cupa any less credible? Of course not.
Even if it's true that she was planning to steal some food for herself, which I will defiantly ask next time I see her. Her life has clearly not been the easiest. I couldn't help it, but every time she looked at me with those big green eyes I saw a bit of myself. She was lost just like I was, alone with no one to be there when she was hurt. I was lucky to find Sam, even if I don't remember much of my past life. I don't know how long she's been living like this, and I barely know a thing about her in general. Other than that she is incredibly shy and in a way, she is rather cute for Creeper.
Of course I'd never say that too her, she probably already thinks im a little weird considering what happened earlier.
Either way, I do know that no matter what she's done in her life, its only been for her own survival. That much is clear. She doesn't deserve to be hurt, and thank Notch I found her when I did.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, Im thanking Notch that it was Grady that saw her, because I knew that if Spencer had taken the other side, he wouldn't have missed.
I guess that's something to be grateful for.
Sorry for the abrupt ending, but I really wanted to get this one out asap. If you enjoy my work so far please consider leaving a review, favorite and follow, share with your friends and if you have any personal questions feel free to PM me and check out my other work.
Thanks again for all the support. See you all later-RohgeKiller