Walking through the forest, a young girl looked up to see a cardinal on a branch tweeting its sweet and gentle tune. Smiling, Jeanne watched in amazement at such a beautiful creature. Oh, how could such a little thing produce such a beautiful sound? She leaned on her walking stick as another cardinal with brown feathers, black eyes, and an orange beak landed beside the red one. They must be a pair, Jeanne smiled, looking at the two literal love birds.
Deciding to leave these two lovers to themselves, Jeanne continued through the trail, enjoying the winter coolness, her snow boots crunching under the snow that covered the forest bed. There was something to being outside, enjoying the winter scenery that settled all problems. It was a balm to one's heart.
A branch snapped. Jeanne whirled her head around.
There was a soldier in a green uniform, their green eyes staring right at her. The soldier raised a rifle. "Freeze!" The soldier aimed at Jeanne.
Violet eyes went wide as the girl froze, her stick clattering to the ground. A helmet and scarf covered up the figure's face, though Jeanne could see the blood trail following behind the person. "What are you doing here?" The soldier demanded their eyes beamed with anger… and something else…
"I… uh… I…"
The soldier took a step forward with a nasty limp, which caused Jeanne to blink. "You're bleeding."
"What?"
"You're leg." Jeanne's eyes shifted to the person's left leg. "You're bleeding."
This only made the soldier angrier, "Forget that." They ordered, "What are you doing here?"
"I was out for a walk…"
They narrowed their eyes, "Why?"
Jeanne took a step forward, which caused the soldier to take a step back. "This is my… my… family property… we own half the woods..."
The soldier's eyes shifted as if they were expecting someone approaching. They took another step before falling to the ground with a grunt. That was when Jeanne rushed over to help the stranger.
That was until they pulled out a side arm, aiming square at Jeanne. "Stay back…" the soldier said through labored breaths. I… I'm fine."
"No… you're not." The girl approached the soldier and said, " Let me help you."
The gun waiverered slightly, whether from blood loss or if they were considering the offering, Jeanne couldnt tell, "Y-y-you don't even know who I am." They finally admitted
Jeanne shook her head. Slowly, she approached the soldier, saying, "That doesn't matter. You need help."
The soldier lowered the weapon. "Don't try anything, or else I'll shoot."
Jeanne knelt and rolled up the pant leg, seeing a bullet wound. It was oozing blood, "That doesn't look good. We'll have to take you to the hospital."
The soldier shook their head resolutely. "No hospital."
"But…"
"No. Hospital."
Jeanne relented, shaking her head, "Alright. I'll help you up." She draped the soldier's arm around her shoulder and hoisted them as they held onto their rifle and a large black duffel bag.
It was a rather awkward Walk through the forest, helping the soldier navigate the branches, roots, and vines. However, they made it to a small minivan parked along a gravel Road.
"Yours?"
Jeanne nodded as she opened the passenger door and helped the soldier in. What a day, the girl thought to herself.
Entering the driver seat, Jeanne buckled up and started the engine. The soldier removed their helmet and pulled down the green military scarf, revealing a young woman late twenties who had blonde hair. Her sharp eyes matched her sharp chin. Her lips were creased into a tiny frown. "Thank you."
"Well, we aren't out of the woods yet…." Jeanne said, "Literally.'
They huffed in slight amusement as Jeanne offered her hand "Jeanne."
The soldier's eyes flickered to Jeanne, the hand, and back. The woman took it. Her hand was weak and cold. "Artoria…" She said slowly. Her speech sounded off as the driver looked at the soldier.
Her eyes were lowering as exhaustion started to take her. She was starting to slump over. "Artoria…" Jeanne shook.
The soldier jolted upward, her hand on the holster, "W-who? W-ha?" Her eyes flickered around her surroundings. Her cold eyes turned to Jeanne with a bit of confusion.
"Remember?" Jeanne explained, "I met you out in the woods."
The soldier nodded slightly with a hardened look. "You can't close your eyes; you've lost a lot of blood. Too much."
"I've been through worse," Artoria grunted as she turned down the window, hoping the cold air would keep her awake for the rest of the drive.
Jeanne frowned as the two made their way out of the woods. She did not doubt in her mind that Artoria was telling the truth.
A/N
A new story idea testing, fav, follow, review etc.
