Chapter 15: Bulls-eye

I was paralyzed there. I couldn't move a muscle. It felt like I had been there forever waiting, waiting, waiting. I felt like I was breathing through a bag, unable to get the oxygen I needed. Images flashed through my eyes: the monster, Laila, trolls, elves, Klein and the sanctuary man. What if more sanctuary creatures came in my room right now? I start worrying. Then I hear footsteps and start panicking. They're getting closer and I can't move. I can't move! I hear my doorknob slowly creak open. Then my whole body shuts down from panic.

I wake up what seems like years later, I'm alive! When I heard those footsteps coming I thought for sure I was a goner. I turn my head to see Klein. He was the one who came in the door! Faintly I hear him speaking, calling my name. I slowly sit up and become more aware. “Klein?,” I asked, “What happened, how long have I been here?” Klein stared at me with a scared look, “I've been with you for 5 minutes now, but I'm not sure how long you were here before hand. I waited 2 hours for you to show up for training, but you never arrived. I came to check on you, and found you paralyzed here. Are you ok?” I think about and then realize I'm perfectly fine, the pain is gone completely. “I'm fine, really I'm okay.” I reply. “Uh-huh, I'm taking you to the head elf.” Klein says, and before I can protest hes already scooped me up in his arms and carries me into the corridor. “Klein!” I say, “Seriously I'm perfectly fine, I'll visit the head elf, but at least let me walk!” He gives me an un-sure look but then gently lowers me to the floor. We walk until finally reaching a graceful glass door. Klein knocks, and the head elf comes out, that same bland look on his face. “How is it possible you've only been here for four days and your back to me again.” I gave him a death stare and he laughed it off. “I found her in her room passed out and paralyzed.” says Klein interrupting the head elf's rude laughter. The head elf immediately cut off his laughter. “What happened? How do you feel now? Do you remember any of your feelings before being paralyzed?” he said questionably. “Well, I fell just after getting breakfast, I felt an electrifying pain and just, fell. After being there for awhile I passed out and the last thing I remember is that Klein was in my room.” I say. “These symptoms are very familiar to me, a few others seeking the tree have had them. It is a side-effect of your curse. This makes your journey to the tree even more rushed, because your pains will only get worse with time,” replies the elf sorrowfully. Great I think to myself, more problems. “Then I want to get to that tree as fast as possible.” I turn to Klein. “I'm going to training.” I quickly walk away hoping he doesn't stop me. He doesn't. He just joins me in silence, both of us walking. His hands brush mine but I push him away. I need to get out of this place as fast as I can without a distraction like Klein. We finally arrive at the training center. A tear escapes my eye. No I can't get attached to him, I won't get attached to him, but somewhere deep down I know I'm lying to myself. I pick up the bow and position it in the way Klein showed me. I shoot and graze the target. “You've been taught well.” He says. I give him a glance and turn away. “Whats wrong?” He asks sincerely. “Why are you mad at me?” “I'm not.” I mumble under my breath. “You know I don't believe that, is there anyway I can help?” I bite my lip and draw my bow once again, but this time I hit the bulls-eye.

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Chapter 14: Roses are Red

Chapter 14: Roses are Red

I woke to a bird chirping. Slowly I lift my head, recalling on all the events of yesterday. The training, the spear, the bow. The bow reminded me of when Klein rested his hand upon mine and the shock that shivered through my body. I smile. Slowly but surely I toss my aching legs over the side of the bed. As I rise, a gurgle flies through my stomach. Wow, I never had supper last night. Blood-souls do eat food, but only when we can't survive off of blood. I circulate the room, searching for a snack, all I find is a room service pamphlet. Elves are really top class! The pamphlet is embroidered with a thin layer of red velvet, and every word is precise calligraphy. Scanning it, I finally decide on waffles with strawberries, what a delicacy! I carefully handle the gold phone and dial for room service. After placing my order, I hop in for a hot bath while waiting for it to be delivered. I remember my first bath here clearly. So I lock the door before turning on the tap. As if that was enough to stop one of the Sanctuary. While I soak, my thoughts recline back to Klein. I'm confused about my feelings for him. His aura makes me uncomfortable, but when we kissed I felt something like never before. Will everything be awkward now? Or will we kiss again, because I think I would like that. Either way I know I will have to face him at training today. My thoughts are interrupted when the doorbell rings... Oh crap! The room service, I almost forget. I leap out of the bath and wrap myself in a polyester bathrobe, then proceed to the door. Immediately after I opened the bathroom door, I could smell my breakfast. It was truly mouth watering. “Coming!,” I yell, slowly hopping towards the door. I wouldn't want to slip! At last I reach the door and start saying “you can put the food down...” then realize its not room service. It's Klein. Fantastic. Things just keep getting more and more embarrassing, I hustle to cover up more. “Well, hello. Expecting someone different?,” greets Klein. “Actually I just ordered room service, they should be here any second,” I reply trying to sound as calm as possible. “Yep, I have it for you!,” he said pulling a tray out from behind him, “Even comes with fresh strawberries and whip cream!” Well, I should have guessed Klein could be room service, but apparently he prepared this especially for me. The whipped cream was placed in little hearts all over the pancakes. Above all of it, 3 beautiful roses lay in his hand. “Oh my goodness, thank you! This looks amazing, I could smell it from a mile away!” “I'm glad you like it. Training was good yesterday, I'll see you again this afternoon.” And with that he left, yep totally awkward now. At least he said he liked training yesterday! I carry the silver tray over to one of the many couches, and turn on the TV. I reach to take my first luscious bite, when suddenly a sharp pain flies through me! I seize up everywhere and my beautiful breakfast crashes to the floor.

Chapter 13: In Training

Chapter 13: In Training

The head elf then gave me a quick nudge and we hurried down the dark hallways. I swear everywhere you looked there was shadows looming over you. We finally arrived in a large room that was dimly lit. There were cobwebs and a thick layer of dust covering every surface. I skimmed the room seeing old training equipment like swords, spears and shields. The equipment was help up on bars of silver, almost like it was waiting for me to come and select my weapon. The elf nods his head towards the spears, “Try hitting the target over there, lets see what we have to work with...”

Slowly I approach it, hoping not to embarrass myself. I trained a lot as a kid, it's natural for a blood-soul. I just knew I could hit the target right in the center, just like I will hit the creatures from the sanctuary directly in the heart. I select a spear with a gold handle engraved with elvish writing. I pretend to launch it but it feels too heavy. I place the spear back on the bars and pick up a ruby encrusted spear. I suddenly drop it, boy that ones heavy! I look down, praying it's not broken, but it's fine. Not even a scratch. I then glance over the possible weapons and find they all look too over the top. I'm about to give up and use a silver one when I see something bronze catch my eye. I go to the end of the bars and find a spear with a moss handle. It feels soft in my hand and is as light as a feather. I then quickly turn around and charge at the target and release the simple spear with all my might. It flies straight through the target. I turn to see not the head elf but Klein watching me. I was proud of my accomplishment, I've now made a good impression. Also, it wasn't even that hard to hit, being a blood-soul and everything. “Impressive,” said Klein, “I heard about your encounter with the sanctuary creature, the held elf went to, let's just say... put it to sleep. Nasty things they are!” “Holy!”, I say surprised. “I didn't think that old grandpa elves were so vicious.” “You'd be surprised of what we're capable of ,” said Klein with his common sly smile. “Now that we know you can work with a spear, let's try some other things. Ever used a bow?” “No, I replied. I have no idea how to use one, it's not very well used in the blood-soul domain.” I replied, a little embarrassed. “Well, no problem, I think I can help with that! Let me teach you how, with my help you'll be an expert in no time,” Klein said with a hint of self-possession. He now passes me an emerald colored arrow, followed by a beautifully engraved oak bow. It looked just like a work of art. I hold it feeling a flush of color rise to my cheeks. After a few seconds he lets go and I attempt to hold the bow properly. Unfortunately I can't hold it properly, let alone shoot. Klein approaches me and positions my hand properly on the bow. His skin brushes against mine and a spark shoots through my body. “There, that's the position you should be holding it,” he says taking a step back, “Now I'll show you how to shoot.” Klein approaches behind me and guides my hand to pull back the arrow. The sparks are back. “Wait, he says not quite like that,” he says now in front of me. He gently motions the bow closer to my body, and then before I even know what's happening, he's kissing me. Passion is flowing through my body, his lips are hard against mine. My mind knows it's wrong, but I don't want him to stop. Then, he retreats, now his face is also flushed. In a slightly shy way he says, “I think that's enough training for today, you should go back to your room now.” That's it?!, I think to myself. He must be nervous. I turn to leave the training center and I can feel his gaze on me. The walk back to my room seems to take forever. I replay the sensation over and over again. Finally I arrive back to my room, I realize I am exhausted. Although I'm not sure if it's from training, or Klein. I plop down on the silk bed, wishing he was laying next to me.

Bow And Arrow