~Memories~

By Ola

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A/N~ ha! Lucky number! Not so lucky for Lan, unfortunately…

Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews. =)

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Part 13~

"He doesn't understand."

"One of 'em bloody ones from Valdemar prob'bly."

"Are we getting him?"

"He's just a boy."

"A boy with a mouth and a pair of legs. He will run to the nearest village and alert everyone."

"So you're simply gonna kill him?"

"Not if he cooperates…but he seems reluctant to do that."

"Well, I'd be reluctant too, knowing you."

"Shut up. All right, split up. Mern, you take the left, Adir, take the right. Don't make any sudden moves. I don't wanna test his aiming abilities. The first one who gets near him knocks him out. We'll bring him to the chief, he'll know what to do with him. He has such a pretty face. He may be of some use after all, heh heh…now go!"

They took a couple of steps. An arrow sank into the ground in between the middle one's feet. When he looked up, the boy stood with his legs slightly apart, another arrow ready for release.

"So you'll shot us, eh? Get him! Run!" The three men pounced on Lan. A heartbeat later, one of them crashed to the ground with a yell, an arrow piercing his leg. Two guys, three arrows. Another one fell, but got up again. Lan used another arrow, this time to the second leg. He fell a second time, and didn't get up. She could hear what she took as his cursing reverberating loudly in the woods. One guy, one arrow. Where to shoot? Damn it! She took her aim carefully, locking on to the running man. 60 feet…50 feet…40…wait a bit, a little bit more…Now! The arrow flew…

…and missed the man's neck by half an inch.

For a fraction of a second, Lanea just stood there, her mouth open, her eyes wide. Shit! And then she ran. But that last man was faster. She heard his labored breathing behind her, and her heart jumped to her throat. She was running away from the other two men, but also away from her camp. No! she skidded on the leaves and zigzagged back the way she had come, angling a little away from the spot she had felled the men, trying to reach the other member of her group. She looked over her shoulder and was alarmed to see him with his sword out, ready to take a swing.  Lan instinctively covered her face with her left hand and felt the tip of the blade slicing her palm. Fire erupted in her whole arm.

Both the prey and the hunter had stooped their crazy chase, standing still, breathing heavily, and eyeing each other. Lan with fear at the situation, the man with vicious hate. Quicker than she had thought possible, he took another swing. She would never have had time to escape the blade this time if it wasn't because she tripped trying to move away and fell backwards. And even then, he got her in the chest, opening a long gash down her front, cutting through flesh, jacket, and the cloth she had used to bind her breasts. From her now prone position, she looked at the leering man, carving into her mind his face and the way he raised his long iron sword over her head, then she closed her eyes, praying he would make it quick and painless.

So this is what it feels like? Being scared to death? Being scared OF death? She sobbed helplessly, feeling a pulsating warmth soaking her shirt. God, I don't wanna die. I don't wanna die!...

The moment dragged on for what felt like forever. She didn't feel a thing anymore…except the slightest of breezes, just dancing over her cheek. Is it over? Am I dead? It hurts too much. I thought death took the pain away… Why can I still think? The forest was strangely quiet. No. she could hear someone running. Or was it simply a memory of what had just happened, replaying in her mind? Her running through the forest, everything a blur, and yet, everything oddly sharp at the same time.

She opened her eyes. The trees were still there, although blurred by her tears, but the man wasn't.

Her name.

Someone was calling her name. But her own throat was too dry to respond. Slowly, biting back moans of pain, she raised her head up. It hurt, especially when she constricted her stomach. The man was still there, but he was lying down, an arrow protruding from his bloody throat. Not my own, a passing thought. The girl looked down at herself then, assessing the damage at best she could. She was trembling, and couldn't control the spasmatic clutching of her hand on the bloody rent of her shirt, she knew she must have lost a lot of blood. She felt cold and sweaty. Feel like a damn healer, coldly enumerating someone else's death wounds, she thought, but she was too tired to care or to be surprised. Must be shock. Indifference and coldness. She started seeing black spots in front of her eyes. One of the spots was red, and moving faster then the others.

"Lan! God, you're alright?!"

The spot grew arms and legs, and a face she knew she should recognize. The young man saw her pale but conscious face.

"You really do have a death wish, little brother." She didn't answer. Her eyes rolled, and she fell back into the pile of dirt and leaves, back into the darkness.

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A/N~ mmm, how's that for an ending, eh? Well, sorry, but I got to go. In the meantime, you can wonder what will happen to poor Lan. =) evil me. No presents for Christmas. What?! No! no! wait, I'll be good! I promise! And you be good too, and leave me a little review, so santa won't forget ya! Do we have a bargain here? Lol =)

~Ola~