.005 Dark Decisions

The deer moved slowly through the thick bushes, ears flicking around its head trying to detect any sudden danger or threat heading in its direction. Silence filled the area around it. Suddenly, not but a few meters away, a twig snapped, causing the deer to dart forward deeper into the forest without a glance back. Only stopping when it felt it was at a safe distance.
''I’ve got you now.''
A dark figure crouched behind the bushes nearby, and raised his bow to eye level. He drew an arrow, focusing on the deer through the criss-cross of twigs in front of him.
He was just about to let go when- CRACK.
Another snap. This time it was louder. The deer ran again, until it was completely out of sight.
The boy lowered his arrow, and looked down. He had, once again, stepped on a twig, scaring away the deer.
The boy had just about enough bad luck for one day. He gathered his arrows and slinging his pack onto his back, he started heading for home. Though he wasn't exactly sure what home was supposed to be, he did know that his current home wasn’t a place he felt comfortable in. He contemplated this while he examined the head on one of his arrows. Turning it around and around in his palm.
A strange yellow blur reflected on the metal arrowhead had caught his eye. He turned, catching another yellow streak go by in the corner of his eye. He crouched behind a nearby tree and drew an arrow, keeping still.
When he spotted movement he drew back the arrow to full strength, and aimed for what he thought had been some sort of strange animal. He shot the arrow. A loud shriek rose from the other side of the bushes, causing the boy jumped. He ran out from behind the tree and through a hole in the bushes and saw that what he had thought was an animal was actually a girl. She was hunched over hands covering her head in terror, his arrow had flew right over her head and planted itself deep into the tree trunk behind the girl.
He stood there in a daze and watched. He could see that she was about his age, with a long, untidy hair in a braid that hung down to her waist. She had been holding a knapsack, the contents of which had spilt onto the floor, revealing an assortment of food and clothes. She lowered her hands cautiously and looked at the boy in front of her, her eyes then fell to the bow still in his hand.
''What do you think you’re doing??!'' She said, outraged.
The boy didn’t answer. She started to pick up her items off of the ground, anger still clearly visible on her face.
The boy, feeling bad for what he had done, tried to help. ''Here, let me help you.'' He said, reaching for the food still on the ground. The girl grabbed his wrist and pushed it away.
''No, I can do it. Just leave me alone!''
The boy was taken aback. She had obviously been through something horrid.
''What are you doing sneaking around in the forest, anyway?'' He answered, his tone darkening.
''None of your business.'' She said, and having collected all her belongings, she stalked past the boy and continued on her way.
The boy stopped her again. “Of course it’s my business. I could have killed you. Do you know how dangerous it is to be walking around alone in a forest like this-''
The boy was taken by surprise at the colour of her eyes, one was silver and the other was gold. They were unlike anything he’s ever seen before. He took a good look at her; she was wearing a red tank top, and a pair of jeans. Her hair was long and golden. He ran his fingers through his short messy black hair, trying to get his bangs out of his eyes so he could stare at her and take her all in.
“Alone in a forest like this, what? Tell me what you were going to say, because I’m a girl? I hate boys that think girls always need to be protected!” She said with just enough venom in her voice. He snapped out of his daze.
“I wasn’t going to say that.” He snapped. “I just want to know why you’re here. You’re on my father’s land after all, so technically you’re trespassing.” He said coldly as he put his pack back on his back. “And maybe you shouldn’t judge me so quickly.” He said as he started to walk away, he just about had enough of her angry outburst.
The girl started to follow him. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to trespass on your land, I just wanted to get far away from ho-I mean I just had to get away. Point me to the nearness road and I’ll leave.”
The boy just stopped and just stood there, arms crossed. The girl was starting to get impatient.
''What’s wrong with you, can't you see I'm in a hurry?'' She tried to make her way around him but he spoke again.
''Where are you going anyways?'' He asked in an angry tone.
The girl didn't waste any time answering. ''I'm running away.''
''From what?''
''Home,'' she spat.
''Why?''
''Why do you ask so many questions? I thought you wanted me out of here!''
"I never said-I mean can't you just sit down for a minute and talk?" He said with the hint of frustration in his voice.
''I can't, I have to go.''
"I mean....you’re already away from home aren't you? So doesn't that mean you've already successfully ran AWAY!"
''You don't understand they’ll be looking for me! ‘’ She sounded distressed.
The boy thought about her predicament for a minute. "You can hide out in my barn if you like." He said. "Then maybe you could tell me why you need to run away so badly?"
The girl hesitated. ''Who are you anyway?''
The boy went silent. "The names Noel and you”?
''Luna.'' She said.
"Alright Luna, now will you take me up on my offer, even though you hate guys like me who feel like they always have to rescue a girl in distress?" He said forcing a smile on his face.
''I don't need your help.'' She said as she turned and ran into a tree.
Noel chuckled under his breath. "Are you still sure you don't need my help?" He asked, as he walked gracefully over to her side. He put his hand on her shoulder and spun her around to see if she was alright. "Are you ok?" He asked her. He noticed a bruise starting to form on her forehead.
“Can you just leave me alone?” She said as she pulled away from his grasp and started to run. Noel stood there not knowing what to do, she had this aura about her, one that he wasn’t use to. He eyes, where could he start about her eyes he was convinced that no one else had them. This was his first time ever really interacting with other people on the outside world it’s always been him and his father but something about her compelled him to her. Before he knew what he was even thinking, he was running after her his legs carrying him towards her.
He ran to catch up to her, feet softly padding on the dirt road, the soft breeze twisting through his hair. She soon arrived into view, and he strode up behind her. “Well if you’re running away, you’re going to need some more food to bring with you!"
She peered at him over her shoulder "I suppose you're right."
“Look, I'm not all that bad," he grinned, "Just visit for a few minutes at least."
Noel led the way through the forest, Luna reluctantly following behind him. She knew that he wasn’t such a bad guy, but something about him seemed off. He was just so…odd she thought. Noel looked at her from the corner of his eye, she noted to herself that his eyes were green, she looked away quickly slightly embarrassed that their eyes met. “So how far is it from here to your father’s house?” She asked trying to make the mood not so tense. Noel looked straight ahead.
“I don’t know but it will take us roughly ten, maybe fifteen minutes.” He said and then pointed in the direction of two very oddly shaped trees. “That’s where were heading.” He said “Beyond those two trees there will be a clearing with my house.”
Once they got to the clearing, Luna could see his house and beside the house there was a barn. Noel then rushed past her. “Come on we better hurry if you want to go on your way.”
Noel pushed open a large wooden door. Luna jumped at the sound of the loud creak it made.
''So, this is where you live?''
Noel didn't answer. He led the way inside, casually holding the door open behind him to let Luna in after him. She observed the inside of the barn. There were no lamps; the large barn was filled with natural light, pouring in from the glass-less windows along the wooden ceiling. There wasn't much to take in. Hay littered the dirt floor and large haystacks lined the side walls.
Noel walked over to a door at the side of the barn. He took out a small key from his pocket and opened it. Inside, cans of food lined the shelves of the small pantry-like room, each of which was covered in dust. He picked up one of the cans and observed it closely before giving it to Luna.
“This should be enough for about a week.”
He said as she took the can from him.
''Thanks.'' She said as she tucked the can in her bag. That's it? She thought.
Noel flipped his hair out of his eyes, and studied Luna’s expression. He was drawn to this girl for some reason, and something inside of him made him want to protect her. His father has always told him that helping others only makes you look vulnerable, but Noel had never understood this concept.
Luna looked up from the can and noticed Noel’s gaze upon her. She quickly looked a way. She was never so close to humans before, at least not normal humans. And she feared that he might figure out that there was something up with her if she stayed with him any longer.
“So if you don’t mind I’ll be on my way.” She said as she looked for an exit.
Noel stared at her for a bit longer and then looked away. “If you must be in such a rush the door is over there.” He said coldly as he pointed to the other side of the room.
Luna’s eyes followed where he pointed and started walk towards that direction, she stopped once her hand gently bushed against the door knob. “I don’t understand why you keep acting so cold towards me, but your generosity is appreciated. But I must warn you, if anyone comes looking for me here….you must not tell them you’ve seen me, or you and your father will be in danger.”
Noel wanted to ask her why? Who or what she was running from? And why did she find the need to warn him about it; they’ve been far from nice to each ever since they’ve met, but he knew any questions he had would be left unanswered or start an argument. As he watched the wooden door shut behind her, he felt a cold chill run down his back that was soon replaced with a longing feeling; he needed to follow her.