Tropic Thunder (Romance Route)

"I think you're right, it’s hard enough to have a clear head with you around." I smile Nadya.

I feel myself start to fade; my recent release has sapped my strength. "Plus, I have you my..." I trail off as sleep takes me.

I am suddenly cold and wet, lying on the ground. The sundered remains of the bamboo hut around me. The clouds are dark, ominous and growl with the sounds of approaching thunder. The remains of the hut are in a clearing without shelter. And... I feel many predatory eyes upon me observing my movements. I do not feel safe. A feeling reinforced as lighting strikes 50 feet away briefly washing out the other sounds and sights around me.

I do not hesitate, I run grateful that my sprain is healed. I focus on every aspect of movement Nadya has taught me over the past two days. The beating of my heart resonates with the land as I run. Another strike rings out like a cannon, only thirty feet away the **** of its impact almost knocking me off my feet. I am running out of time but am thankfully approaching the tree line.

I see a tree line in front of me. Only one hundred feet left to run to safety, I thank the fates as lighting strikes fifteen feet away. I am not sure my left ear is working anymore. I feel blood slick on the left side of my neck as I desperately run. “In a way this is an improvement, its only half as loud now” I think to myself as I sprint.

Then I see him. He’s at the Woodline in front of me, my elation at being on the verge of escape turning to dread. He stands with golden hair looking like a statue coming to life. I turn to find another direction to flee as lighting strikes right in front of me. My skin burns with the heat of the near miss. I feel the observers moving in, a half circle of feminine shapes barely visible in the storm.

I feel danger and hear a woosh of an arrow. I won't be able to move in time I think as I try to dodge the unseen incoming projectile. Instead of pain I hear a barely audible thump besides me. It's Nadya, chest heaving on the ground with an arrow piercing straight through her chest.

"Run" She says in a pained gasp, her eyes pleading with me to leave.

I turn towards my observers, her sisters, shielding her body with my own. "How could you all! She was your family!"

I receive no reply expect a masculine chuckle from behind me, and piercing pain as I am shot from behind.

I have trouble breathing, my chest is on fire as I look down in confusion. An arrow has pierced my chest. I try to remain conscious as I attempt to treat Nadya's wound. I stagger in horror as I find the arrow fused with her flesh. Pulsing veins of corruption beneath her skin. The pain of my own wound causing my mind to start slipping.