My bowstring quavered after it snapped back into place. The one arrow I had released imbedded itself directly in its mark- the tail of a forest hare. The black creature let out a pitiful wail, thrashing from the dark trunk of a jungle tree. I proceeded to the small animal with my silver hunting knife in hand and knelt down beside it. The elusive hare had been avoiding me for hours- leading me into even dangerous territory while it ran.
"Do not fear. It is not yet your time to join the Wood." The hare seemed to be calmed by my reassuring words, and hung still as I cut the blue tail from its body. Painlessly, it dropped back to the jungle floor, turning in circles to examine its backside. Perplexed, but unharmed, the animal dashed back down the trail and out of sight. I lingered there in the dull lighting. Where would it go? Not out of the jungle, that was for certain, but only because it did not desire to do so. Such creatures were free to make themselves homes where they pleased, or to never at all, and just wander from place to place as the wind. I was much too poetic.
The hare had led me a great distance from the village, and, though retracing my steps came easily, new creatures always wandered onto the paths. As the dimly lit pathway opened up to a brighter clearing, I froze in mid-step. A large, husky dinosaur foraged under the lamp's light. I slid my back against the moist wall, keeping a keen eye on the predator. My mind raced. 'I can go back and take the other path- that will eventually wrap around.' Though I knew a bit of magik, I would not risk such a lethal battle. I slowly backpedaled- my delicate feet leading me silently away. My ears spun and my blood rushed with adrenaline at the dull sound directly behind me. Instinctively, I bounded forward, and a second dinosaur clamped its teeth around the air where I had been seconds earlier. It even snagged strands of my hair, and ripped them away. Unwillingly, I let out a frightened scream. My outburst instantly attracted the attention of the other creature, how it let out a loud roar and ran into the scene. Currently, I was in the middle of the thin pathway, and if the other monster reached me, I would be trapped between the two. In a daring sprint- I ran forward into the clearing where the second creature was charging me. I ended up so the two were facing me- tails lashing. One went left, and the other right as they circled me.
Though I had room to dodge, I doubted I could run now. I pulled out my bow and string an arrow. Before either could react, I shot an arrow at the nearest one. The spear point practically bounced off of it- landing in the leaves, broken. And I made it mad. It charged- jaws wide as if it was planning to just scoop me into its mouth. I tumble rolled out of its way- its jaws sweeping the ground like a dustpan. The second one met me- jaws parted as well. Pausing as I knelt, I cast a rushed spell and threw my arm down. Its face lit up with a harsh flame- licking its eyes and tongue. It pulled back-screeching in pain. Confused and distracted, I was given the chance for escape from this one. But as soon as I turned, the second dinosaur threw its massive tail into my side.
The blow hit me directly as if a tree branch had snapped back and caught me in the chest. I landed in the brush yards away after rolling to a stop. I was aware of my arm and ears hanging over a drop-off, but my mind was blank with pain. I could hardly breathe with my chest pulsing as if it were on fire. I forced my eyes open, though my vision was blurred and distorted from the jarring impact. Two large shapes, which I knew to be the dinosaurs, approached me eagerly. Their prey was broken and immobile, and now they moved in for the kill. I tried to move, and though my legs were uninjured, the motion shot a numbing pain up my spine. I clamped my teeth shut to keep from screaming out. The dinosaurs were exited by the pitiful sound, and one ducked its head to feed. Just as I heard the Wood cry in loss, the second dinosaur nipped the other in its neck. It wanted the first bite as well. And just like that, the two began to snarl and snap at each other in rage. The stupid animals forgot about me in their tussle. If I wanted to live, I has to act right then.
I probed from the ledge, and found a firm grip with one hand. I did not know how far this drop would go- endlessly, or just a few feet, but I would die if I remained as I was. I slowly swung my legs back so they stretched over the ledge, and finally, I pushed the rest of my body away as well. My arm jerked as it took my full weight. I kept my other arm firmly wrapped around my side to prevent strain, but the pain was still excruciating. I hung no longer than a few seconds, and released my hold. I fell in darkness, as my eyes were clamped shut, and landed in a thicket of leaves a second later. The impact was completely absorbed by the brush, and I laid in the soft branches above ground. My nose twitched with the intake of strong lavender. I could not have landed in any better place. If I was lucky, the lavender would cover my scent, and the tang of blood I felt wet on my arm.
