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When I opened my eyes, I was still alive. Lying over the soft green grass, the bright sunlight blinded me as I looked up into the sky. My arm quickly shaded my face before I can look around with ease. As the flapping birds lurked through my ears, I threw my eyes around.

But when I could see clearer from the temporary blindness, I found a familiar face staring at me in the eyes Springing up, my feet stumble on a toe making me wince in pain. As my head moves down to check if I had sprained my ankle, I found two feet instead.

Lifting my head, my eyes flickered in shock. "You again?" I screamed while getting up myself. Smiling, my eyes tried to adjust to the shock. The young guy from a year ago was right in front of me, again?

Chucking, his lips folded when he sees the horrified expression on my face. Nodding, he retorted, "And I get the thanks again, right?"

When he ended with another smile, I couldn't help but widen my jaw in surprise.

I stared at him furiously and gritted my teeth. "Of course not, I saved myself this time," I replied. Grabbing my sprained ankle, my eyes squeezed from the pain. He turned to me curiously and scoffed realizing what I was wincing over.

When I looked up from his scoff, I found him still smiling.

"What's funny? I'd love to wipe that smile off, " I said walking up to him. He quickly stepped back when I attempted to use a pocket knife I had in my pocket.

Arresting my arms, my sprained ankle started to fail me. Just when I raised my other hand to silence him, he swiftly entangled it from my fingers. The shock loosened my balance and made me fall the minute after.

"Ouchh!" I winced on the floor while my hands moved to my ankle to massage and ease the pain. Lowering his eyes, he sighed and walked over to me before squatting to reach my level

As I raised my head, our eyes met for a few minutes. I looked away immediately and pursed my lips. "I guess years don't change people. you're still the same," he complained smirking.

"Are you his accomplice? I can't bring myself to believe you know when to save me. Did he ask you to get my trust?" I asked before grabbing him by his collar. The shock from my pull made his eyes widen in shock.

"Woah! Would you stop being a belligerent for once?" He quickly yanked my hands off and rolled his eyes in surprise.

"If I was, I'd have killed you already. I wouldn't need to wait for a year to do so. Your pocket knife's quite useful too at this moment. Want to experiment?" he asked flipping it over his fingers. I kept quiet and glared at him pretty confused.

I took a long glance at him and just as I was about to retort, I felt a sharp pain in my leg. Looking up, I found his hands on my leg. "What did you do that for?! It hurts." Getting up, he walked towards a tree. I realized he still had that bow and arrow after he grabbed it.

Trying to get up after a moment, I didn't feel the pain anymore. "Doesn't hurt right?" I pursed my lips and looked away.

I rushed over to the tree and tried to grab it but he held my hand before I could do anything. "Hey. Don't you even think about it." I frowned and crossed my arms angrily. "Accomplices don't hand out their weapons to their preys."

Gritting my teeth, I stepped back and chuckled.

"That's quite funny?" I retorted and chuckled again. "You want to learn archery?" I nodded and smiled. "Since childhood. I actually never got the chance to."

"I don't have the leisure. Find another master." Looking up in surprise, I couldn't help but retort sharply, "Then this is mine."

His eyes started to blink when he saw his snow globe in my hands. Turning to me in hesitation, he rolled his eyes. "Okay. I'll teach you how to use it. When I want to."

I smiled and placed my hands behind me while stepping up to him.

"When?" I asked putting the snow globe behind me. "Later," he said and started walking away. "I need to learn now!"

He ignored my request and continued walking. Anger bottled up in me as I watched him walk off. "I'll destroy it if you don't give me a definite reply." He stood quiet for several minutes before turning back to me. "Alright! Don't mishandle it. You can use that exit first. I'll be here tomorrow," he said pointing towards the left. With a chuckle, I nodded and started walking. But when I got to a pile of dried leaves, a yelp left my lips. Flapping my hands in the air, I fell into a pit.

As I tried to get up, my head began to spin. Looking up in struggles, I see a waving hand with a smirk on his face. It took a few minutes for me to doze off.

After I had gained consciousness, I found myself in a cottage on a bed covered with blanket. There was a carefully laid ice on my head. When I got up I felt a sharp pain in my head. I winced in pain as I placed my feet on the floor.

"You're awake," he exclaimed before walking towards me. Holding my head, I still felt a bit dizzy. He didn't speak, but spotting the snow globe in his hands made me remember everything.

"You? You're a jerk!" A short laugh escaped his lips when he saw the expression on my face. "You can leave now. I'm not seeing you off. Using the right street from here will get you out." With a scoff, I turned to him. "Another trap?"

He shook his head and turned around to say something.

He kept quiet for sometime before answering me. "Your pursuer is someone I've been avoiding years now. He's ruthless but I don't know why he's after you. You have the be careful on your way back."

"So who are you actually?" I added.

He left without answering me. But he stood by the door and looked around with a sigh.

"You were unconscious for too long. It's night already. You can only stay here for the night."

After he left, I looked around the room and found a glass of water on the table. Taking a sip, I threw my eyes around the room. It was quite small but spacious enough to stay in. After an hour of boredom, I stepped out to look for him.

I found him standing in front of a board throwing the arrows. "Do you need anything," he asked. I nodded and walked to him.

"Teach me." I requested as I pointed his bow. "I don't have time for that. It's not child's play," he accentuated.

"I know that. I'll pay you if you do. Any amount," I pleaded. He turned around when I mentioned paying him. "Don't go back on your word then." Nodding, I stared at him smiling.

The birds were chirping,and the breeze was wonderful. He walked outside and threw another set of arrows to me. Walking behind him, I saw a long walkway leading to the inner forest and flowers delicately planted side by side to the end of the path.

"How long have you been living here?" I asked. As we were walking, he confessed, "Practically all my life."

"Where are your parents?" I added while blinking my eyes playfully.

"They both died years ago. I've lived alone since," he said stopping at a point. "Sorry. This place is quiet and peaceful."

He nodded and stopped by a tree. "We're here," he said while heaving a sigh. He walked forward and picked up another bow from behind the tree. "Here," he said handing it to me. "So how do we start?"

He moved forward and called me to come forward.

"First, you need to know how to hold it in place," he added taking his from his back.

"Relax the bow on your arm slowly. Then stretch it out. But before that, you have to fix the arrow exactly on your target, like this," he continued coming closer to me to demonstrate.

He carefully held the edge of the arrow which unintentionally caressed my hand and directed me to the tree which had the score board.

He stood beside me extending his charismatic arms against mine. I could feel his warm breath against my face, making me blithe.

"You should never get distracted. That's an important rule in archery. Take in a deep breath, empty your stomach and be quick to shoot but aim carefully first, like this," he added coming closer.

He held the arrow and touched my hand again to directed me to the board.

"That's it." He directed my hands and pulled my fingers to release it. The apex of the arrow went straight into the middle.

"Now do it on your own. Remember what I told you." I nodded and closed my eyes to empty my thoughts and focus on the target.

When I opened my eyes and released my fingers, it plunged into the middle. "I did it." I repeated and jumped happily with the bow in my hands.

"Right. There are more lessons and constant practice. I forgot to tell you this. Always know the angle you're shooting at."

"Why did you want to learn archery?" he asked while packing up. "It's the only way I can protect myself. Moreover, it was my favorite when I was a child."

He started laughing when I said this. "So you're going to protect yourself with this?"

"He's immortal," he added but stopped when he realized he spilled the beans.

"Immortal? What do you mean?" I demanded aiming the arrow at him. But he still kept on laughing.

"I guess you need more practice. I told you to not act on impulse. Your aim is totally disorganized and the angle is too inordinate." He caught me in his arms and managed to take them from me.

I frowned at him angrily not willing to accept defeat.

"Whatever," I thought. He threw the arrow at the board and divided my own into two. I widened my eyes in shock staring at the dissected arrow.

"I'll teach you that next time after you pay me," he concluded walking in front.

He stopped by a tree and closed his eyes. "What are you doing?"

Crossing his arms, he replied, "Sleeping. It would be morning before we get back to the cottage." Looking up into the skies, I threw myself over the tree and let out a sigh.

Closing my eyes, I fell asleep in no time. When I woke up, I found myself alone. He had left without me. As I looked through my pocket, I found no money in it. Sighing, I realized he had taken the money.

Geez. Is he that broke?

After brushing off the dirt, I started walking towards the left. I passed through the woods watching my back. The streets were calm as usual.

Immediately I crossed the road to my house, I heard a scream which echoed loudly in my ears. The voice belonged to a female considering its tone. I jumped from anxiety and hid behind a pole. There was no one on the streets.

The girl screamed continuously. But after a long wail, it became silent. My heart skipped a beat and I knew I might be the next target if I was discovered. So I started to run without turning back. When I got to my house I locked the door and stared around to see if anyone followed me.

Breathing heavily, I thought wildly. What did I do? What if she was being murdered and I could've helped her? Am I a cowardice? A knock distracted my thoughts. I widened my eyes in fear studying my environment.

"Is anyone home? It's a delivery," a voice snapped still knocking at my door. I walked slowly and grabbed a gun from my room. I opened the door slowly before pointing the gun at him. This made him step back shaking, "Who are you?" I demanded aiming the gun at him.

He looked at me as if I was crazy and started trembling, "You asked for a camera, ma'am," he said handing it to me. I lowered the gun and received it. Heaving a sigh of relief, I forgot that I had ordered one.

"Sorry," I apologized when I realized I made him freak out. He made me sign a paper and disappeared in a hurry stumbling on his feet along the stairway.

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A/N- Hi guys. I'm sure you're wondering who is chasing after the heroine and for what reason. You'll find out soon,but please keep up with me and vote