The Bow

For the prologue to this story, find it here: The Bow, Prologue

Present Day; July 29th, 2016

“My goodness, You look absolutely stunning” the words of her best friend were all but comforting. Quinn sized herself up in the mirror, pursing her lips as she checked out her simple dress once more.

Quinn was never one for anything over the top or fancy, her dress was simple; it was white, strapless, featuring an ultra-feminine sweet heart neck line. The long, soft chiffon material gave the dress a whimsical feel. She paired her mother’s diamond necklace with the earrings her soon to be husband had given to her as an anniversary present years ago.

But despite the dress, the jewelry, and what was supposed to be the best day of her life, Quinn knew there was something off.

“I know you miss your parents” her best friend, Callie frowned, knowing exactly what plagued the mind of Quinn. The days leading up to the wedding she put up a strong front; just as she had done since the accident.

Quinn remained silent. Certainly, the absence of her parents was part of the reason she knew things were off, but it was not the main source of her discomfort.

The dreams were getting bad again. Most nights she’d wake up in a cold sweat, breathing heavily, and her eyes shooting open in a sheer terror. Memories of her eighteenth birthday haunted her dreams, and had done so since the night of her birthday; the day she shot the bow. Flashes of green light haunted her every memory; it came with each dream she had.

Even all of these years later, her target had not been chosen. She remembered what the man had told her upon shooting the bow...

“That’s the beauty” the man smirked, placing a hand on her shoulder as support. “It could strike at any time”

She regretted not asking the man how you were to know when your target was struck. Would she receive a signal? Another note? Another dream? It were thoughts like these that drove her crazy, even on her wedding day. So many regrets from the day she shot the bow continued to swirl around her mind; her wedding was, she thought with a slight frown, the last thing she was thinking about.

Her dream last night had caused her anxiety to creep back up on her. It was as if the mystic being behind the bow knew; as soon as Quinn felt a little at ease about the entire situation, the dreams returned; worse than they had been before.

“Earth to Quinn?” Callie’s voice snapped Quinn from her thoughts. “Stop thinking about that stupid bow” she snapped. “It’s your wedding day for god’s sake! Can’t you just let that go for one day?”

Quinn sighed; Callie was right. It was her wedding day; the day she got to marry the love of her life. The only thing she should busy herself worrying about is remembering her wedding vows.

“I know, I’m sorry” Quinn apologized in a whisper. She had shot the bow six years ago, almost to the day, and it appeared her target was still alive and well.

“It’s fine, I know how much that bothers you; but Adam is out there waiting for his beautiful bride; let’s not keep him waiting” Callie smiled gently. Quinn took one last look at herself in the mirror; it was strange the nerves she felt. Generally most people were nervous on their wedding day; she chalked it down to that and not the nagging question that constantly occupied her mind.

“Ready?” Callie asked Quinn with a sympathetic smile. With both of her parents having passed away, Quinn had asked her best friend Callie to walk her down the aisle, before accompanying her on the alter as her maid of honor. Their wedding was anything but traditional; neither Quinn nor Adam were religious.

Quinn had planned the entire ceremony in just two months, with the help and connections of her best friend. The guest list was kept to a minimum; invitations reserved to just very close family and friends.

It was a bright, sunny July afternoon; the weather appeared to be cooperating nicely. There was a cool breeze, the sun shining brightly in the cloudless sky. Quinn exhaled a sharp breath before taking the first step towards her fiancée, and her future.

Quinn nodded, taking a step outside, hearing the Bridal March play as the guests stood up, all eyes on her. She felt a little self-conscious, despite the murmurs she could hear in the crowd discussing her beauty, and the simplicity of her dress. She noticed her few friends in the crowd, and her only living family members she knew of; her Aunt and Uncle. Making eye contact with them for a brief moment, she smiled nervously, earning her a nod of approval from her sobbing Aunt.

Finally, she focused her eyes on her groom; on Adam. Upon seeing her his eyes lit up, his mouth forming a small ‘o’ with surprise. Quinn felt a little more at ease upon seeing Adam; all thoughts of the bow finally vanishing from her mind for the brief moment.

“You look gorgeous” he breathed in amazement, eyeing Quinn up and down, feeling like the luckiest guy in the world. Her long blonde hair was tied in a side braid, cascading down her right shoulder, reaching just below her elbows. Adam appreciated the simplicity of Quinn; it was one of the things that drew him to her upon meeting her.

“Thank you” Quinn smiled, Adam taking Quinn’s hands in his, looking deeply into her hazel eyes. Quinn looked to him with a nervous smile, waiting for the ceremony to just begin already.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the love and commitment of two people who are in it forever” The minister began. Quinn tried her best to pay attention to the words of the minister, but she found herself unable to concentrate. Remembering her promise to Callie, she shook her fragile mind of any thoughts related to the bow and focused on Adam.

“The couple have each written their own vows” the minister spoke. Quinn quickly shook herself from her thoughts; had she zoned out to miss the speech she recalled the minster was going to make?

“Quinn,” Adam began, looking a little nervous. “Ever since the day I met you, I knew I was going to marry you. Your quick wit, simplicity, sense of humour, and the ability you have to make me smile regardless of the kind of day I’m having. I cannot picture my life without you Quinn; I love you... even though sometimes you forget to put the toilet seat back up” Adam ended with a shy grin. The crowd chuckled along with Quinn, who could not contain her bright smile.

“Adam” Quinn replied, looking down to her feet briefly and nervously before regaining eye contact. “You were that weirdo at the campus bar that always seemed to be eyeing me whenever I walked in” she laughed, the crowd laughing along with her. “But there was something different about you when I met you. You’re so sweet and charming; you make me the best breakfasts in the world...” she trailed off with a smirk. Adam rolled him eyes, trying his best to keep the smile from spreading across his handsome face.

“I’m absolutely in love with you Adam... And there’s nobody I’d rather annoy the crap out of for the rest of my life, than you” Quinn finished, biting her lip to contain her laughter. Once regaining his composure, the minister began to speak once more.

“Do you, Quinn, take Adam to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do” Quinn smiled immediately.

“Adam, do you take Quinn to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I-”

“Oh my god- Adam!” Quinn screamed, her fiancée standing on the altar, crouched down on all fours. He collapsed to the ground, laying on his back, breaths heavy. The crowd had begun to run in all directions. Quinn froze; she was at a loss for what she should be doing. She carefully inspected the wound, noticing the familiarity of the arrow.

“Q-Quinn” Adam gasped for air, barely being able to breathe. His breathing was quick and shallow; just by the way he was breathing, it was obvious to Quinn he didn’t have much time left. She attempted to apply a little bit of pressure on the wound; but the arrow had almost gone straight through him; whomever shot him must have been at close range.

“Adam” she sobbed, hands full of her fiancée’s blood. Regardless of the amount of pressure she applied, nothing seemed to help. Adam let out a gasp of pain; he himself knew there wasn’t much time left. “Somebody please! Help!” she screamed, looking around the area for anyone who could save Adam.

“I- I have to tell you something” Adam breathed slowly, gasping in pain after every word he spoke. Quinn nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes, focusing intently on Adam’s. “I- I’m sorry” he whispered, twitching in pain. His eyes closed, his breathing was getting even sharper.

“Sorry for what? Adam... please” Quinn cried, tears streaming down her face at an uncontrollable rate. “Please don’t leave. Please don’t die” she whispered, clutching his hand in hers with everything she had. “I need you Adam” she sobbed, unable to think; barely able to breathe.

She could finally hear the sound of sirens approach their location; but they wouldn’t make it in time; Adam had only moments to live. She questioned why it took so long for the authorities to show up; why couldn’t they be quicker?

“Please” Adam begged. “I have- I have t-t-o” he stuttered, trying with every ounce of strength he could muster to tell Quinn the truth. But before he had the chance, his eyes fluttered shut for the last time.

“Adam no!” Quinn screamed, reaching for a pulse; but there was none. “Adam...” Quinn sobbed, laying herself across his chest. She sobbed for a moment, unable to move; she was at a loss for words. The paramedics finally arrived; but it was too late. Nobody had remained outside where Quinn sat with her dead fiancée. The originally sunny day had clouded over, rain clouds making their way across the sky at a rapid pace.

Opening her eyes, head still resting on Adam’s chest, she eyed the arrow a little more closely; it was one of the arrows from the mystic bow.

Immediately Quinn jumped away, eyes growing wide with terror. There were many questions that swirled through her mind. But the most prominent one, the one that she knew would bother her the most; who fired the bow that killed Adam; and how the hell was she supposed to track them down?

Chapter Two —-> here