Fire at will

Looking for Varlow I turn to my left seeing the bonfire, I turn to my right making the arrow shot at me miss by inches.

With speed I didn’t know I possessed, I turned and ran back into the cave, with more arrows and stones following close behind!

The projectiles ceased fire the moment I disappeared into the cave. Drenched in darkness I shifted my eyes to its demonic form, and waited staff and dagger at the ready for the inevitable attack!

It didn’t come... Of course it didn’t. I’m a sitting duck here. I have nowhere to go but outside where they undoubtedly have bows and slings at the ready.

Even if I stay and wait it out they obviously outnumber me I might be able to kill one of two of them in this cave, but I will eventually fall.

“FUCK! No no no no no!”

Ok think! May and Anna...? would get slaughtered they are good for being food not at being warriors, and even if I had them to try and get help someone would recognize them in town, see there changes and after an investigation I would be executed. I can only assume Varlow is dead I thought sadly, so there won’t be any help on that end. There won’t be a cavalry to come and save me in stuck here.

I could make a run for the trees where there’s cover, but I would be riddled with projectiles the moment I step one foot outside.

“There’s got to be something!” Panic stricken I tear thru the cave looking for something, anything! I finding nothing, no weapons, no back exit, just nothing.

In anger I grab the mattress and heave it away screaming as I do it. It does not go far and lands with a soft thud.

Hope and an idea creep in my mind.

A hobby I developed growing up was knife throwing. I started doing it as a preteen on my bedroom wall out of boredom. It drove my father insane, he always thought that I might someday harm myself or another by accident. I never did, I’m that good.

I threw my dagger with eloquence and precision and watched as the pommel bounced off the mattress, hitting the cave wall harmlessly. “Stupid idiot.” That dagger was made for slashing not throwing. I grab the dagger off the ground, and pointing the sharp end down I drop it on the mattress. It sticks, just barely. The mattress is thick, and its stuffing, and fabric has similar properties to a gambeson.

I looked out towards the cave opening. Judging by how the arrows were sticking out of the ground my assailants were in the trees, and only the tips were in the ground so the draw strength probably wasn’t all that great.

If I can get to the trees they will act as natural cover and I can lose them in the forest.

“I’m dying here one way or another.” I say reaching for the mattress.

“No.” Transforming into my full demonic form I hoist the mattress above my head resting it on my horns.

“I will not die today!” I say with added conviction and ferocity.

And with my dagger tucked in my coat, staff in hand and mattress shielding me from above, I charge out of the cave.