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Here's something that I've been sitting on for a little while. I hope you enjoy it. More chapters will come eventually, so please be patient. 
Prologue
I knew it was coming. After all the damage humankind has done, how could anyone not? Pollution, poaching, deforestation.
I knew Earth was dying, that its death was inevitable. What I didn’t know was when, or how. I was surprised as everyone else, when the first ship appeared.
Chapter One
My quiver was empty again. All twenty-four arrows were embedded in the four targets facing me, each as close to the center as the other allowed. I smiled in satisfaction and walked over to retrieve them.
I came by the archery range as often as school and parents allowed. While most people drooled over guns and tanks and the like, I preferred the more medieval weapons. The bow itself had a special place in my heart. The one I carried was plain by normal standards, but it was must more powerful than the earlier models. I smiled at it now, black with its red accents. Through it, I had gained strength and a private place to think.
I returned my arrows to my quiver and resumed my position. I faced the targets and slowly raised my bow. I held the pose for a minute. Then I darted my hand for an arrow, knocked it, drew and fire. As soon as I let go, I grabbed another arrow, swiveled to a different target, and let fly.
Within five minutes, my quiver was empty yet again. All the arrows were in their targets. I smiled in satisfaction, then jumped as I heard clapping. I whirled around, then smiled as I saw Silver leaning against the canopy pole and clapping. He smiled back at me. “Another excellent set,” he said.
I shrugged. “It was alright. I can do better.”
“Better?” he gestured at all the arrows. “How can you get better than spot on like that?”
“By doing it from more difficult positions,” I answered. “Crouching, from behind a tree, maybe even coming out of a roll.”
“You watch too many movies,” he teased. I laughed, then ran to fetch my arrows. Then I ran back and pecked him on the cheek. “Thanks for coming to pick me up, Silvs.”
“No problem, Duckitty.” I grinned at the nickname. My name is Sarah, but I often called myself Cat on computer games. The “duck” part comes from a song I often annoyed Silver with. I hummed it now as he lead me to his silver Jeep Wrangler. He gave me a world-weary smile. “One of these days that song is going to get old.”
“One of these days,” I agreed. “But not today.” I climbed in and buckled my seatbelt as Silver went around. Soon we were heading down the road. I turned to Silver then, my face dead serious. “Silvs, I have to pack my bags.”
He glanced at me briefly, then returned his attention to the road, his brown eyes suddenly worried. “Why?”
I grinned. “Because my parents said we could go.”
He grinned also. “Alright!” He tossed me his phone, knowing I never carry mine. “Text the gang. I think they’ve been looking forward to going to that lake house as much as you’ve been wanting to take us.” I immediately set to work sending the good news to my crew. The trio weren’t long in replying and we quickly hammered out all the details. I sighed and leaned back in my seat, happy in my little corner of the universe, not knowing how short-lived that happiness was going to be.
Prologue
I knew it was coming. After all the damage humankind has done, how could anyone not? Pollution, poaching, deforestation.
I knew Earth was dying, that its death was inevitable. What I didn’t know was when, or how. I was surprised as everyone else, when the first ship appeared.
Chapter One
My quiver was empty again. All twenty-four arrows were embedded in the four targets facing me, each as close to the center as the other allowed. I smiled in satisfaction and walked over to retrieve them.
I came by the archery range as often as school and parents allowed. While most people drooled over guns and tanks and the like, I preferred the more medieval weapons. The bow itself had a special place in my heart. The one I carried was plain by normal standards, but it was must more powerful than the earlier models. I smiled at it now, black with its red accents. Through it, I had gained strength and a private place to think.
I returned my arrows to my quiver and resumed my position. I faced the targets and slowly raised my bow. I held the pose for a minute. Then I darted my hand for an arrow, knocked it, drew and fire. As soon as I let go, I grabbed another arrow, swiveled to a different target, and let fly.
Within five minutes, my quiver was empty yet again. All the arrows were in their targets. I smiled in satisfaction, then jumped as I heard clapping. I whirled around, then smiled as I saw Silver leaning against the canopy pole and clapping. He smiled back at me. “Another excellent set,” he said.
I shrugged. “It was alright. I can do better.”
“Better?” he gestured at all the arrows. “How can you get better than spot on like that?”
“By doing it from more difficult positions,” I answered. “Crouching, from behind a tree, maybe even coming out of a roll.”
“You watch too many movies,” he teased. I laughed, then ran to fetch my arrows. Then I ran back and pecked him on the cheek. “Thanks for coming to pick me up, Silvs.”
“No problem, Duckitty.” I grinned at the nickname. My name is Sarah, but I often called myself Cat on computer games. The “duck” part comes from a song I often annoyed Silver with. I hummed it now as he lead me to his silver Jeep Wrangler. He gave me a world-weary smile. “One of these days that song is going to get old.”
“One of these days,” I agreed. “But not today.” I climbed in and buckled my seatbelt as Silver went around. Soon we were heading down the road. I turned to Silver then, my face dead serious. “Silvs, I have to pack my bags.”
He glanced at me briefly, then returned his attention to the road, his brown eyes suddenly worried. “Why?”
I grinned. “Because my parents said we could go.”
He grinned also. “Alright!” He tossed me his phone, knowing I never carry mine. “Text the gang. I think they’ve been looking forward to going to that lake house as much as you’ve been wanting to take us.” I immediately set to work sending the good news to my crew. The trio weren’t long in replying and we quickly hammered out all the details. I sighed and leaned back in my seat, happy in my little corner of the universe, not knowing how short-lived that happiness was going to be.
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