Arrows zip past us, aiming to kill.

We run through the woods, dodging trees and vines.

“Run to the cliff!” Zane shouts, throwing knives at our attackers.

I look towards the east and spot a cliff. I can hear the rushing of water just below.

Zane surely won’t make us jump?

“Vera, we are going to jump!” Zane yells, the arrows getting closer to hitting us.

My breathing gets heavy as we run closer to the edge of the cliff.

The mist above the rushing water below will give us cover from the arrows.

Zane runs beside me and we interlock hands.

We make a straight shot to the cliff and then jump.

As I suspend in the air, a large aching hits my side.

I ignore it as I free fall into the rushing water below.

In a second, we break into the cold water.

My lungs fill with the icy water, but I manage to follow Zane to the shore.

Wet and cold, I drag myself onto the riverbank and cough and cough.

My side suddenly aches with intense pain.

I grab my side to find an arrow stabbed into my skin.

Red blood flows down my side, warming my shaking hands.

“Zane…” I breathe with worry.

Zane look over at me, his face turning concerned at the sight of the arrow in my side.

He rushes over and examines it immediately.

“It isn’t too deep, but I need to be careful when removing it to prevent further damaging the wound,” Zane says, gathering his wet medical supplies from his soaked bag.

I sit down, my side burning immensely.

My breathing becomes short.

“It hurts Zane, it hurts really bad,” I cry, trying to contain the pain.

“I know, I know.”

He grabs ahold of the arrow and I hitch my breath.

He slowly pulls, the pain become agonizing.

“Just pull it out,” I yell. The pain becomes unbearable.

“Don’t rush me. I’m being as careful as I can,” he says.

I close my eyes and in a moment, the arrow is out.

I release a breath and slowly relax as Zane stitches my wound.

I am so cold I can barely feel it.

He wraps a cloth around the injury and then helps me stand.

“We made it,” he assures.

And then we walk through the forest looking for firewood to warm ourselves.