The Goddess's Hunt

            The smell of wet, mossy oak leaves hits me as I open the door to my black 1973 Ford F150; with 33 inch mud tires and a 6 inch lift. I know I was in my favorite place of all, the woods. I've hunted these woods every year since I could hold a gun. It was the place my granddad took my dad and uncles, and since I was my dad only child, he took me. I get excited for this time of year to come around. just because I'm a girl doesn't mean that I don't get that blazing jolt of adrenaline through my entire body as I release that arrow from my bow, going for the kill shoot, right between the first two ribs of the biggest buck I see; doesn't mean anything.         I grab my bow and arrows from the tool box in the bed of my truck. Starting towards my blind I just so happen to look over and there he was. August, August Stancy. He is everything a girl could dream for. Deep black hair, that was kept short, and a beard he kept trimmed. Beautiful crystal blue eyes you could stare into for days and loose yourself. August stood 6 foot and muscular only to the point his arms were defined. When he walks around shirtless he has that v line that could drive any girl crazy and tattoos for days. His voice is this raspy kinda voice that just makes you wanna listen for hours because its kinda sexy to hear.         "Claire?!" That voice, that name. I know them both so well. Why do I know that name? "Claire!"         Oh, duh, that's my name. "Huh?" I broke out of my daze and came crashing back to reality. It was August calling for me, trying to get my attention> "Oh, hey August. Didn't see you there."         "It's all good. I didn't know you hunted these parts." He started over towards me, wearing nothing but his ripped up faded blue jeans, hanging just off his hips exposing that delicious sexy v line, dirty oily work boots, and his signature aviator sunglasses. "I've been coming here for years and never seen you."         Man did he look sexy as hell. Just enough chest hair that didn't cover his tattoos and that happy trail perfectly trimmed with maybe a few strays. God he is a walking distraction. "Yeah, my dad and granddad hunt out here. I've been coming here since I learned to shoot."         "That's cool. Maybe we can hunt together sometime."         Oh those lips so full and promising I wish I could just put mine to them to feel that promising warmth. "Huh? Oh yeah maybe  sometime. Look I really gotta get out there. My blind had been calling my name all day. I'll catch up with ya later, Ok." He totally knew I was checking him out. Oh my goddess he did that on purpose. He is a cocky sum b***h. I walked away shaking my head.         I walked a little ways and finally merged into the woods. Feeling at peace after running into August. Another 15 minutes of walking, clearing my head, I finally see the beautiful view of my blind. I've been waiting all day to see this view. I unzips the door and step in. To my surprise I notice somebody had been in here. My chair had been moved and there is a wrapper from I lean down and it looks to be from a cliff bar. Now I know for a fact it wasn't me or dad because we don't eat them and I always put my chair in the same spot. It's been in the same spot for so long there's spot worn down in the vynal flooring.         I know who likes to eat those cliff bars and always has one in his pocket. Why would he be in my blind of all places.         All of a sudden I hear the leaves rustle, but not like the wind is moving them, it was more like something was moving over them. Being out in the woods learning and listening to the animals, the sounds and each step they make. This was no animal i could recognize. These steps were heavier, stride was longer, faster but slow. I unzip the door a little and peck out. First I see a shadow of what looked like a man carrying a bow and his quiver slung around his shoulder. The leaves move more and the shadow gets closer and closer. The more the shadow comes into view, the sooner I realize it's August. So I step out of my blind.         Looking straight at me he says, "Oh, this is your blind?"         "Yeah, and I think this belongs to you." I lean in and pick up the wrapper. I held it up so he could see that it was his.         "Yeah, sorry. I was coming back." He grabbed the wrapper and for the first time our hands touch.         A jolt of excitement ran through me. It was crazy. I had never felt anything like it. Nothing could compare, not even the adrenaline that runs through my veins as I draw back the arrow ready for the kill.         "It's ok. Just next time don't move my chair. It took me years to get it in the right spot." I pulled my hand back fast.         "Yeah, sorry about that too. I didn't know it was your blind. I thought it was my buddy's. He said I could use it." He had that 'ok that was weird' tone in his voice. "I can go, if you don't want me here." August pointed over his shoulder towards his truck.         "No, it's ok. You can stay. I don't mind. It would be nice to have some company."         "You sure? I don't mind, I ain't seen nothing worth shooting at all day."         "Yeah, I don't care. You really ain't seen nothing all day?"         "Since 6 this morning. It's been a long day of just sitting and watching."         "Oh wow. Well maybe I'll have a little better luck. Haha."         Out of the corner of my eye I see a point of an antler. I swing my head to get a better look. There he was the biggest one I've ever seen. The antlers were so huge they had to be about a foot on either side of his head.         "August." I whispered trying not to spook the buck. "Look over there." I pointed to the left of where we were standing.         "Holy s**t. Claire what are you doing standing there? Get your damn bow and shoot the sum bitch."         I reached into the blind blindly and grabbed any bow and strung an arrow before I even knew what I was doing. I pulled the string back until I felt the fletching's brush my cheek and took an deep breath. Felt for the wind direction, aimed to the right and took the shot.         It seemed like time slowed almost to a stop watching waiting. Finally just as the arrow ripped through the bucks fur it looked up. As if it could hear the arrow whistling through the air. Before it could take off to a sprint, the arrow pierced the skin right where I try to aim every time.         Time finally sped up. The buck took off and so did we. It didn't get far, about 20 feet from where it stood. This thing was huge. I counted the tines and added up to about 20 tines.         "Holy s**t Claire! You got a 20 point buck!" August was leaning over the buck.         I was in shock, the most points I'd ever gotten was 15. 'How could I take this beast down with just one shot? I know my skills are bad ass but how?!?'         "Claire snap out of it. We need to field dress it Claire."         August stoop up and shook me. "Huh? Oh yeah, sorry I just can't believe I got him."         "I know. I've heard many guys out here trying to get him. Well now won't they be pissed. I never knew you where that good. I mean I knew you were good from hearing your stories at school, but I mean damn girl your better than most grown men."         August listened to my stories. Wow. I didn't think he even paid that much attention.         "I've been in these woods since I could walk. And I've had this bow since I was 10. So I'd say I've gotten to know it pretty well. Been through 8 seasons about 40 bucks and 20 does. But we've never seen one this big before."         "Wow. I can honestly say I haven't been in these woods as long as you, but y a know I've seen some monsters; but like you said never this big." August lifted his hat up to rub the inside of the rim against his head. And there for the first time I noticed August wasn't a prefect specimen. He had 2 jagged scares on his forehead. One ran from his hair line down the left side to just above his eye brow. The other wasn't that long, but it was still noticeable. August seen me staring and abruptly put his had back down.         "Sorry." I say looking away embarrassed he caught me staring.         "It's fine. I just don't like showing them off."         "May I ask? If you don't wanna tell me I understand."         "I was a kid when it happened. So i don't really remember much. But what I do know is that a family member was backing up and I ran out behind and they hit me, knocked me down and just about smashed my skull. Thank god my dad got their attention just in time."         "Yeah, but wow I could see why you never show anyone. How old were you?"         "4 and yeah. I always got asked when I was younger. I got tired of the same questions. So freshman year when we moved here and I found out we could wear hats, I just wore it all the time."         "I could imagine. I would get tired too."         "Yeah, so now I just wear a hat where ever I go and only tell those who I'm friends with."         'So does that mean we're friends?' "Oh."         "Yeah, so about this deer. You got a knife or anything?"         "Yeah." I reach for my gutter knife on my hip. This sucker is about 6 inches long without the handle, with it's about 10.         "Cool. Lets get to it." August had knelt down next to the deer, propped it up properly. Then held out his hand for my knife.         Instead I knelt down on the other side and said; "This is my deer, I think I'll do it."         "Sorry force of habit."         After dressing the deer and getting ready to take it back to my truck, I see August reach for the heart and liver.         "You keep those?" I wrinkle my nose at him.         "Yeah. Don't you?"         "Clearly not. I hate the smell and taste after they're cooked."         "You hate the smell of them cooked but can stand the smell of a freshly gutted deer?"         "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know I'm  weird you don't have to say it."         "I wasn't going to. Hahahaha."         "Anyways, lets get this back to my truck so I can tag it."         "Ok."         With his help, I jot the buck back and in the bed of my truck with no problems. Tagged and covered I thanked August for the help.         "Yeah, no problem. You staying for more or going to go brag?"         "Nah, I'm not one for bragging. I'm just gunna drop this bad boy off at my dads shop. Then I'll be back."         "Ok, cool. You don't mind if I sit in your blind till you get back?"         "No, go ahead. It's not like I'm using it right now. Haha."         I open the door to my truck, reach in and start it. Rollin Stoned by Upchurch blasts from the stereo system. I jump at how loud it is and quickly reach to turn it down.         "Sorry about that. I forget how deaf I can be." I turn to August with an apologetic smile.         "It's all good. I love that song. I listen to Church every time I get stoned. Haha."         "Really?! I didn't take you as a smoker. I mean other than the cigarettes you carry around."         "Yeah helps keep my mind from roaming and helps me sleep."         "Helps me sleep too."         "Your a smoker too?!"         "Yeah, but I don't really tell anyone. I'm not one to tell my life story."         "Hey that's cool, neither am I. I'd rather hang by myself than be in a crowd."         "Oh I know the feeling. If it wasn't for Beth, I'd be out here, at school or at home."         "Beth? Oh that girl with the Reese colored hair?"         "Yup, that's Beth. We've been friends for years."         "Cool. So maybe we could smoke when you get back."         "Sure. I'll just have to run home and get my stuff."         "Don't worry bout it. I have mine in the truck. Just go drop the deer off and come back. I'll have it with me. You don't mind smoking blunts?"         "Ok and no. I mean I prefer to smoke out of my bowl but I'll smoke a blunt.         "Ok cool. I'll see you when you get back."         "Ok." I get in my truck and watch August walk back into the woods.