Day 4
A rustling of leaves drew Cho’s attention. From between the bushes, Harry appeared.
“Cho.” Her name was a breath on his lips.
He moved quickly toward her. She tried to crawl backward, but he was faster. There was a knife in his hand. Fear crept into her eyes. Yet it changed to confusion when he pressed it in her hand and pulled the knife to his own throat.
“Kill me,” he said. “Please, kill me.”
“What? No, I won’t.”
“Please, Cho, kill me.” There were tears in his eyes. “Please.” He wiped them away. “Please do this for me."
“No. You made it this far. You can win this.”
“I can’t. I can’t do it.”
“Harry. Don’t do this. Not now. You heard the canon shots. There aren’t all that many left. It’s almost over. You can’t give up now.” She took hold of his hand. “Don’t give up.”
————
Daniel moved through the trees, the sword swinging in his grasp. The sword grew heavier with every step he took.
He now had a weapon, that probably meant he needed to kill someone with it soon. Fear crept up on him. Could he do it? Could he even swing the sword? Experimentally, he swung the sword in front of him. It was still heavy, but with the momentum, he managed.
With a small smile, he swung the sword again, trying with two hands to see if it was easier.
Movement in front of him startled him out of his practice. Henley again.
By the way she jumped, she hadn’t noticed him earlier.
Daniel released a breath and tightened his grip on the hilt.
Henley held up her newly-gloved hands. “I surrender,” she said mockingly.
He grit his teeth. His fingers clenched and unclenched around his weapon.
Suddenly her eyes widened.
“Watch out! Behind you!”
Daniel whipped his head around, sword swinging in a wide arch at… nothing. He turned back to where Henley had been moments ago. She was gone.
“Ah, really? Again?” He cursed himself for his stupidity. “Next time,” he told himself, “next time I won’t fall for it.”
————
Eric scurried around as he sought for more firewood. His stock was depleting with every passing moment. If he wasn’t careful, the fire would go out, and he didn’t think he could live through another cold night.
He’d already collected everything in the near vicinity, so he had to branch out. He disliked being away from his fire, even for a short while. What if it distinguished while he was gone? What would he do, then?
Eric pushed that thought from his mind. That wouldn’t happen, so there was no need thinking about it. Still, he moved as quickly as he could.