The Virus Within: Third Wave (Book 2)

Chapter 75

"I'm going to tie a rock to that ribbon of yours yet," Nicky said conversationally, scowling as my arrow hit the target almost perfectly for the sixth time, even with the wind.

I stepped back to let the next man have his turn. "You're just jealous."

"Of course, I am. How could I not be?"

"What are the odds of us sabotaging her bow?" Jess whispered to Nicky.

"With how you keep forgetting how good their hearing is, zero," Nicky mock-whispered right back, causing Jess to flush and glance at my knowing smirk.

Liz was practically bouncing beside Nicky. I had let her aim my bow once but convinced her to use her own bow without the ribbon after that. She eagerly watched every person shooting and clapped each time, regardless of where the arrow ended up.

"My turn," Nicky said, hefting her bow. "Cheer me on, Liz!"

The child's clapping came even faster as she danced on the spot. "Go, Nicky! You'll hit the target if you keep trying!"

Liz's innocent comment had Jess and me snickering, and we weren't the only ones. Most around us were grinning, although this game was often accompanied by bantering and joking.

Nicky winced. "I'm not sure if that was encouragement or an insult."

Without waiting for a reply, she took aim and fired. The wind twisted her ribbon, pulling it well to the side. It hit the edge of the target, nowhere close to where it should have gone.

She groaned and lowered her bow. "Okay, Luke. Your turn."

Despite his earlier objections, we had convinced the Runner to come into the archery area while Nicky held a bow. John had been intrigued by the game, which had helped sway Luke's decision. Logan had also shown up and was rapidly proving himself to be a very good shot with his bow.

Luke took aim and released the string. The blue ribbon zipped through the air behind the arrow, but even though no unexpected wind gusts came up, it hit the donkey's front leg instead of the rump. Luke shook his head with a faint growl of disappointment. The sound didn't bother anyone, and only a couple even glanced over. Today was the first time Luke had shot a bow, so it was a learning curve for him.

Nicky scratched her head as she looked to the side. "Well, this is new."

I turned around to see what she was talking about and blinked in surprise. The wind wasn't in my favor, so I hadn't noticed Nina and Daniel were coming this way.

Once they got within speaking range, I tilted my head as a silent inquiry. I had already given Nina blood and saliva, so I couldn't see her needing more already.

Daniel enlightened us. "We figured Nicky's aim had probably improved to the point where it was safe for us to stand somewhere behind her."

The jibe hit home, and Nicky exclaimed, "Hey! I only managed to hit something behind me once! And that was an accident!"

"It looked like fun," Nina said, "so we thought we would join if you didn't mind a few more people."

I shrugged. "Go for it." At least I didn't have to worry about them impaling someone who might be standing behind them...

"We'd be delighted!" Jess translated. "Although I think we're going to put you on different teams, just to keep things even."

"That's fine," Nina reassured her as she and Daniel went over to the shed.

Just for our sanity's sake, we made sure Nina was on Nicky's team and not with Daniel. Predictably, Nicky and Daniel sent a few jibes at each other as the game progressed. It mostly consisted of Nicky complaining about his far-too-perfect shots while he inquired about where she was actually aiming.