Target Practice

b e l l a ][ a t h e n a ][ 1 5

"Yup. All you do is hang out, and kiss. You could do that with a friend, and make it a friends with benefits-type relationship. Anyway, the relationship only matters if it's with a person you love," I said. I sighed as I retrieved my dagger. I studied it for a moment, looking at my reflection in the shiny metal. I put it in my combat boot, and tried to smile. I could only think about Devin, and that made me a little sad.

b e l l a ][ a t h e n a ][ 1 5

"Heartbreak is a horrible thing..." I said, trailing off. I got lost in my own thoughts as I did something a little unexpected. I took my dagger from my boot, and pricked my finger. I watched as a little droplet of blood appeared on the tip. I didn't know why I did that. It took the pain my broken heart away for a moment. I slightly smiled at the thought of concentrating on something other than the pain. It was this pain I could focus on. I wiped the little blood on my jeans, and the slight bleeding stopped. I thought for a moment.

b e l l a ][ a t h e n a ][ 1 5

"It wasn't bad. It was just a bad ending," I said. Continuing, I said, "And maybe it's better if I get it off of my chest." I looked up at the sky briefly, and my face fell a little. The clearness of it, reminded me of Devin. How clear things were before John... I shook my head, stopping my thoughts. I glanced down at the cut on my leg, as it brought back memories.

b e l l a ][ a t h e n a ][ 1 5

"I guess," I said. I found a sudden interest in my hands, as I started playing with them. I looked at my dagger, as the sun reflected the light into my eyes. Faster than you could blink, I threw my dagger at the target. It hit the bulls-eye, and I sighed. I looked down at my shoes, and then turned my head when I heard a noise.

b e l l a ][ a t h e n a ][ 1 5

"I don't know," I whispered. Walking over to the target, I grabbed my dagger. I walked towards the back entrance to the arena, and listened carefully. Before I could breathe, the doors flew open. I stepped back, and held my breath at what I saw. A hell hound had escaped the forest. I ran to my duffel bag, and grabbed my bow. I grabbed my extra, non-magical quiver. "This can't be good," I whispered.

b e l l a ][ a t h e n a ][ 1 5

"Nope," I said, swallowing. I notched an arrow, aiming at the hellhound. I reached over and touched Nathan's, well Mia's, quiver. The arrows disappeared, and a single celestial bronze arrow appeared. "One chance," I whispered. That's when the hellhound charged straight for me, and I released my arrow. I was tackled to the ground, as it started scratching at me. The arrow had gotten it in the shoulder, but it didn't seem to mind. I took out my knife and started stabbing it, trying to get back on my feet. Blood from my wounds started coming out.

b e l l a ][ a t h e n a ][ 1 5

When he shot the arrow, I stopped fighting it. The only arrow better of killed it. The hellhound froze, and I was able to push it off of me. I stabbed it in the heart with my dagger, and watched as it dissolved. Thank the gods for celestial bronze arrows. I wiped the blood off of my arms, and my face. "Stupid hellhound," I muttered. I sat down on the bleachers, looking at all of my cuts. Watching as the dust blew away in the wind, I sighed.

"How in the heck did it escape the forest?," I asked.