A Silent Way

I woke up feeling dizzy, again. Second time that this happened, though this one might be caused by drinking. But I’m sure that I only drank three glasses.

Seems like that amount is enough to knock me out, as memories of last night was blurry and only a handful that I can remember.

Me getting drunk, partaking in a dance, and the soft lips that kissed me. With that last one being the one I remembered the most.

Couldn’t recall what happened pass that point, as I’m pretty sure I passed out drunk. First time that all of the above happened to me.

Sitting on the bed, I then turned around to ask Lily what happened. Though that would be no use since she already fell asleep.

I then draped the blanket over her. With that, I readied up and headed out.

My daily life then continue just like usual. For today, I’m only told to deliver some firewood here and there.

After delivering my batches to the patrons, I then got back to chop some more firewoods.

It was awkward using axes for the first time. But after a few days, I got used to it.

As I began to chop another log in half, a voice called out to me.

“Gotta put more strength into that.”

The voice was somewhat familiar. It’s probably my coworker or something, so I paid no heed and continue to chop another one.

“You got it!”

“Nope, still weak.”

“Let me try to give it more swing.”

“Weird, the Marshall I knew would yell at me to shut the hell up.”

The statement surprised me, causing me to turn around and see who this person actually is.

Dressed up like the usual cowboy, he wore a blue buttoned up shirt and long pants with suspenders. But he didn’t wear a hat.

With that muscular body, black skin tone, and black hair told me that the person is an acquaintance of mine.

“Charlie? God, it was you!”

He then replied with a little laugh.

“Yup, it’s me. How are you holding up little fella?”

“I’m doing fine big fella.”

“I spoke to Dallas an hour ago and he told me you’d be here. Seems like I caught you while you’re busy.”

“Wait for me out front, let me finish this first.”

Done with chopping woods for the day. I then met Charlie again as he attended his horse.

“It’s been a while huh?”

“Yeah. You changed a lot.”

“It’s a conscious decision I made alright?”

“Relax, I didn’t say that it’s a bad thing. Say, mind accompanying me to go hunting”

“Sure, no problem.”

Can’t turn down a favour from an old friend. Beside, I have nothing better to do anyway, might as well come along.

We then headed to the forest behind Pattinson. As we rode along, I asked him a question.

“Anyway, ever since then, what you been up to?”

“After that whole fiasco, I became a vagabond, so to speak. I then came across an Indian tribe.”

“My guess is that you joined them?”

“Correct. They were very kind people.”

A smile emerged on his face.

As we began to enter deeper into the mountain, the lush forest slowly surrounded us.

“Let’s walk from here,” he said.

“Ok.”

We then dismounted our horse. Charlie unstrapped a bow that’s on his saddlebag, and a quiver.

“You’re not gonna use a gun?”

“Nope, bow is better. Beside, I had thrown my gun away anyway.”

“Really?”

He then slinged the quiver that has a dozen arrows to his back.

“Yep. The Indian tribe I joined, changed my outlook on life. They taught me how to live off of the land. Nature provided everything you need, so I make things only if it’s necessary.

“Carrying those guns would bring more nuisance rather than conveniences to me, so I decided that I don’t need them anymore.”

He proceeded to traverse the thick foliage. I follow suit and trailed him.

“I can understand that, i also met someone who changed me a while back. Ever since then, I began to change the way I lived, albeit slowly.

“And then recently, I met someone who’s precious to me. I fell in love without me realising. And that’s the first time I found something that’s worth protecting.”

We then came across a river. It’s too wide to cross, so we headed upstream to find somewhere easier to cross.

“To think that the fierce, young, and rude Marshall can fall in love is unbelievable. Mind telling me more about this person?”

“You just have to say that huh?”

“Am I wrong?”

“Whatever. Before I tell you, are you going to believe what I’m about to say?”

“Sure. You’re not the type to lie.”

We then found somewhere for us to cross the river. I then spoke while we crossed it.

“She’s not a human, but a vampire. Her name is Lillia.”

He then turned around and lend a hand to help me cross.

“Another thing the Indians told me is to believe in the supernatural. So she’s a vampire huh? Kinda fitting for you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I meant that you met your match.”

“Welp, you’re not wrong. So, what’re we hunting for?”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to carry a deer. Let’s hunt for something smaller.”

“Hogs? Rabbits?”

“Hog’s too big still, let’s go for rabbits. Here, take this.”

He handed me a pair of binoculars. The color is brown and it’s quite heavy.

“Rabbits might ran away if we get too close. Use that to scout around here for a few and be quiet.”

“Alright partner.”

We then hid and blend ourselves behind the foliage. I used the binoculars to try and spot some rabbits.

Unfortunately, I don’t see any. The only thing I saw were birds, skunks, and some wild hogs.

No words were exchanged during that entire time. The forest ambience, chirping birds, and the moving branches blown by the wind were the only things that are heard.

“Let’s move to a different spot,” he said.

“Okay.”

We then moved and hid behind a boulder that’s wedged between two oak trees.

I then continued to scout. This time, we struck gold.

“Charlie, I see one! Here.”

I then passed the binoculars to him.

“Nice. Let’s move a little closer.”

We proceeded to approach slowly and make as little sound as possible.

“I’m gonna take the shot.”

He then aimed, and drew back his bow. After a few seconds, he released it, and sent an arrow flying.

I then checked the target through the binoculars. The arrow pierced the rabbit’s neck, killing it on the spot.

“You really are a seasoned hunter.”

“Everyone can be a hunter, but it takes skill to be an exceptional one.”

He then walked towards the game he just hunted down.

“When you’re hunting down something, it’s best that your prey doesn’t know that they’re being hunted. Stay silence, don’t let them know you’re approaching. Because if they do, you’ll lose your chance.”

“I see, so that’s why you used bow and arrow.”

He crouched down near the dead rabbit, and pulled the arrow from the carcass.

“Another thing’s I can reuse the arrows. And also, gunshot would make a lotta noise. It’ll scare away other potential prey.”

“I see. I’d like to throw my guns away too, but. As of right now, I can’t really afford to do that. I need it to protect myself and her.”

“So that’s your justification. Just know the moment you use that to hurt someone, you’ll be nothing but a liar.”

“...”

There’s nothing I can say to that. No witty remarks or comebacks.

“Let’s go hunt another one.”

“Sure thing,” I replied.

We then moved to another spot. I scouted around and found another rabbit. Just like before, I signaled him.

Once again, he made little to no sound. Beginning from eyeing the target, up until the arrow is shot.

As he picked up the second rabbit, he then spoke to me.

“However, if you’re the one being hunted, you have to choose whether to run or fight. The positions of hunter and prey could swap in an instant.

“If you underestimate your prey, you’ll end up a fool. And if you decided to fight who hunts you and overestimate your chances, you’ll end up as the bigger fool.”

“I’ll be sure to remember that partner.”

Once we got what we need, we went back to Pattinson. We don’t know how long we spent in the wood, but it’s already late in the afternoon.

“You’re not gonna stick around for tonight?”

“No. I would like to meet Ms. Lillia, but I still have stuff left to do.”

“Welp, that’s too bad. Hope we can meet again.”

“Sure thing. Anyway, here! My way of saying thanks.”

He handed me the binoculars that I used to help him out.

“Are you sure? Aren’t this expensive?”

“I don’t need it anymore. Someone gave that to me a long time ago, I’m simply keeping the tradition going.”

“Thanks a lot then. Good luck, on your journey big Fella.”

“Yeah. I’ll see you around little fella.”

This is the first time ever I went hunting. I wondered why he never asked me to accompany him before, when we’re still in the same gang.

Then I remembered. If he told the old me that, I would probably misuse the knowledge since I’ll misinterpret it. Because I’ll see myself as the hunter.

But the me now, would use said knowledge and brought forth the real meaning. As nine times out of ten, I’d see myself as the prey.