Impatience tore at the boy, little older than sixteen as he sat still as he could manage. His mottled green and grey cloak camouflaged him with the leaves of the late spring trees. Upon a thick branch he sat, bow at full draw aiming horizontally at his prey, a mother deer whom had been tending to her young. Once she had noticed the boy she'd begun walking away, feigning a limp to distract him from her child.

Deep down, guilt twisted in the depth of his stomach. He understood how it felt. The hollow loneliness that settles in your bones as you watch the other children play. Hearing their laughter ring out. Feeling the friendship and teamwork of well known friends as they grew from children to hard working adults. And then realising you could never have it. Because you were different.

Cursed, many called him. His parents had left him. His brother, his sister. Gone.

Not a trace.

The boy wrenched himself from his thoughts, focusing on the task laid before him. If he managed to take the deer's life and returned with food, perhaps they'd let him in. Maybe they wouldn't treat him as the root of all their problems...

The boy closed his eyes, breathing deeply. He sensed the world melting away around him. But he did not fear it.

Stretching the draw string to its absolute fullest.

It is time.

The wind whistled as he released the arrow.

They will accept me now.

A wet 'shink'. The arrow had struck home. Unstringing the bow, the boy hooked it to his back and slithered down the tree.

As he'd suspected, the deer was dead before she even reached the ground.

Such a perfect shot to the heart that even the arrow remained unchanged, save for the crimson stain on its head.

Hauling up his kill, the boy began his trek to the village. This could feed the whole village for weeks. But that wasn't what dominated his thoughts.

Robin thought to himself as he dragged one foot in front of the other that maybe, just maybe, they'd realise he was human too.

~~~~

Just the prologue for a Robin Hood idea I had. I was reading a Robin Hood story a while back called "Shadow of the Wolf", absolutely loved it, and thought I'd try my own hand at it.

Don't be afraid to let me know what you think of it!

Peace,

BTSWD
Borntosingwithdrama