I am frozen to the spot.
I try to swallow, but I can’t.
I stand there, my throat dry and my breath coming in short bursts.
I look away from her, to the trees.
I look for the rogue.
But I don’t see him.
My whole body is tensed up, ready for the attack to come.
"I should kill you," Val says.
Her voice cracks.
She is shaking.
"I know," I reply.
I can feel my pulse pounding in my ears.
I am rooted to the spot.
Val pulls back the bowstring.
But she is not going to do it.
I know she is not.
From the quiver in her voice and the shaking of her body, I can tell the last thing she wants to do is kill me.
Without a second thought, I reach for my own bow and arrow.
I train my arrow on her.
Deadlock.
We both stand there, bows trained on each other.
"Riley," she gasps.
"Let's not d
