Writing for Fun
February 2019
Nomads (Part Two) - Maureen Rampersaud
Owen and Jenny made their camp nearby and life went on peacefully, apart from Gwen’s determination to better Owen at hunting. Tom could see that Owen tried to keep a low profile about his hunting prowess but Gwen became more grumpy as the days went by.
Gwen roamed farther afield, hoping to bag a wild boar, the greatest prize a hunter could achieve. They were notoriously fierce and the meat was delicious. She was silently scanning the forest, when through the trees was the most enormous boar she had ever seen. There was also a female and young ones. This could be very dangerous. However, she could picture Owen’s face when she returned to camp, dragging the travois, laden with the beast.
She edged as close as she could, downwind of the group, before taking careful aim and letting her arrow fly. There was a terrible squealing as the group panicked. Her arrow had hardly penetrated the boar’s head. His eyes searched for her, and then she froze as his murderous gaze located her. He charged as she fumbled to draw her bow. He was too quick and she felt the searing pain of his tusk in her thigh.
At that moment, she heard a whoosh of air, as a fiery arrow landed close to them. The boar retreated at once, heading for the undergrowth. As she collapsed, she saw Owen running towards her.
Gwen, are you alright?
Before she passed out, she mumbled,
A right Mr. Fix It, aren’t you?
He smiled as he scooped her up and carried her home.