Telltale heart-shaped dug deeply into the soft earth, evidence of possible prey. The young huntress ran her long fingers along the inside of the prints judging their age based on the moisture of the earth. A triumphant smile curled her pale lips as she took off in pursuit. There was a feast to collect out of this boon should she fell the deer.
Quiet feet raced across the undergrowth, avoiding leaves that crunched underfoot and gave away her position while keen eyes scoured both ahead and below for the subtle changes in direction the prey had taken in its meanderings.
Arrow was fit to bowstring and pulled taunt as soon as Ariel caught first sight of the beautiful doe. There was no need to rush; she was downwind from the beast and haste would only ensure a poor shot and a pursuit she did not have the energy to undertake. She inhaled and exhaled slowly, poising for the killing shot when out of the brush leaped out blocking her view of the deer in a blur of motion.
One moment the deer was drinking from the pool and the next it was dinner for, Ariel tilted her head and furrowed her brow. 'What is that?' Childish fears set her heart racing. Memories of tales told in a not-so-distant past spoke of hellhounds and other nasty beasts that came in the dark of night to steal away and eat children found out of bed and doors.
Her fingers quivered on the still strung bow. Before she knew it the arrow was loosed straight at the dark creature. Wide-eyed and frozen in fear and shock, Ariel dropped to the ground, hiding behind a shrub that did little to conceal her from view if one were to look. 'Please don't see me. Please don't see me. Please don't see me,' she chanted within her mind, curled in tight and protectively around her middle, the bow dropped uselessly by her side.