...Hunt And Seek...
Anastasia took some snacks along with her weapons, then she headed as fast as she could, toward the forest to hide. she didn't know what she should do because she didn't have any idea about what was waiting for her. She chose a high tree and decided to climb it till the top. It was such a hard task to do. Her hands became full of scratches and she almost fell several times, but she didn't stop until she finally succeeded due to her slim figure and her fit body.
" This place is perfect, I can watch the camp and all the soldiers moves without being seen. I will stay here and watch what will happen first, then I will make my move."
The rest of the soldiers also spread in the forest and each one of them took a place to hide.
When the hour that the commander gave them, ended, they heard the sound of the horn.
The hunting day began...
Anastasia stayed still in her place and tried to not make any move or sound so no one will find her. But she was quite shocked while she was watching what was going on under her feet.
As soon as they heard the horn, the soldiers started attacking each other. They were acting like enemies.
" What is going on? Why are they acting this harshly toward each other? we are on the same side and this is only some sort of a game. Why are they acting this savage? "
She even heard some soldiers talking about her:
- Where is that lady? If we catch her, we will get away from the punishment.
- Come on, let's search for her.
" What the hell? They are looking for me! Zachary was right. I'm an easy target for them! am I looking that weak? "
She kept hiding until she suddenly saw Zachary, he was being hunted by two soldiers. It seemed that his arm was injured.
- HURRY UP, CATCH HIM!
He tried to run away, but it was too late. Both soldiers surrounded him:
- SURREND YOURSELF, ZACHARY, IT WILL BE USELESS RUNNING AWAY. WE PROMISE WE WON'T HARM YOU LIKE THE LAST YEAR.
- SHUT UP! I'M NOT THAT WEAK ANYMORE.
Zachary tried to fight back, but he couldn't use his hand properly. In the end, they managed to defeat him.
- THIS IS UNFAIR, WE SHOULD BE FIGHTING ONE TO ONE.
- There are no rules, we can do whatever we want...
At that moment l, when they were about to tie his hands, Anastasia jumped in front of them.
- So, If there are no rules, I can do this, right?
Then she suddenly threw a skunk at them. The animal gave off a horrible odor on their faces which made them go blind for a moment.
- AAAAA MY EYES
Anastasia grabbed Zachary from his hand and run away before someone else sees them.
- ANASTASIA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
- WE MUST HIDE, HURRY UP..
They jumped into the bushes and hid.
- Why did you come out? You will be in danger!
- I wanted to help you...
- But they will catch you
- It's okay, we can help each other. Besides, I'm not this weak.
Zachary looked depressed:
- I think you must go on your own, as you can see my arm is injured. I can't help you with anything.
- Don't say that! We will cooperate to catch someone. You can do it.
They waited for a bit, then they saw a soldier approaching them:
- Look, there is someone coming.
- Zach, you will distract him first, then I will attack him.
- Alright, be careful...
Zachary showed himself to the soldier who became happy to find such an easy target.
- There you are, Zach. I advise you to surrender without a commotion.
Suddenly Anastasia jumped on him and put him down with one kick, then she put her sword on his throat.
- SURREND...
The soldier was very surprised, he tried to fight back, but it was too late.
- You two made a good team.
- STAND UP...
The soldier stood up while smiling:
- If I couldn't catch either of you, there is no way I will let you catch me...
He suddenly threw some soil on Anastasia's face, then he ran away. The soil went immediately into her eyes.
- ANASTASIA! ARE YOU OKAY?
- MY EYES....I...I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING..
Zachary dragged her back to the bushes before they met someone else.
- At this rate, we won't be able to catch anyone. Let's keep hiding here until the time ends.
Anastasia felt so bad that she lost the opportunity.
- I should have been more careful.
- You did well considering that this is your first time... This is my fourth participation, yet every time I was caught and being humiliated by the other soldiers because I'm kind of weak.
- You are not weak...You are a brave man.
- Thank you..
Anastasia and Zachary spent what remain of the day hiding until they finally heard the sound of the horn.
The hunting day was over.
The soldiers headed back to the camp. Some of them were alone like Zachary and Anastasia, and the rest were dragging what they catch.
The commander was waiting for them to gather in the training ground. He was kind off worried about Anastasia, but as soon as he saw her coming, he felt relieved.
As for Anastasia, She stood up proudly.
" At least, I managed to stay free. The next time I will do better. "
The commander announced the end of the day:
- THE HUNTING DAY, ENDED. THE SOLDIERS WHO MANAGED TO CATCH SOMEONE, STEPPED FORWARD WITH YOUR HOSTAGES. AS FOR THE REMAINING, YOU CAN GO BACK TO YOUR TENTS, FOR NOW.
When Anastasia was about to leave she felt something sharp on her back.
" What is this?"
It was Zachary, he put a dagger on her back:
- I'm sorry Anastasia, but you will be my hostage this time...
Anastasia became shocked, she didn't believe what Zachary was doing.
- ZACHARY! HOW COULD YOU?
- I'm sorry, I had to so this...Please, step forward.
Anastasia's mind became blank. She never expected such a thing from Zachary. He stabbed her in her back after all what she did for him...
She stepped forward while barely could hold her tears.
" What did I expect? Everyone is only thinking about themselves. Even the one that I thought he was my friend, it turned out that he had never considered me one. He used me like everyone has been doing..."
Valdimir kept watching what was happening with Anastasia. He couldn't but clenched his teeth when he noticed how much frustrated and depressed her face was. He wanted her to know the truth, but somehow seeing her in such a state made him very annoyed.