Redheaded Arrow bolted up in a seated position, knees drawn to her chest. Head back she howled, “Pigs piss! Who trashed my clothes? And what is that horrible stink?”
“The big stink comes from the vegetable steroids you’ve absorbed into your lovely skin,” said Anchor raising one eyebrow mischievously, “And this Romeo trashed your clothes.”
“Oh, great I suppose you had him zombie grease me?” she turned to Eye, “You enjoy yourself, Big Guy?”
“Well, you’re very attractive and I did score highest in my military class on photographic memory skills. So I doubt I’ll ever forget you.”
“What does he mean by that photo-memory stuff?” Arrow asked.
“Well,” Eye said, “to illustrate, you have a small incision indicating a possible emergency gall bladder removal. There’s more description if you want it; puncture wounds, a nice small hummingbird tattoo, and stuff?”
“Please, no more! Anchor, why do you promote this voodoo-doll lunacy? Where is my dignity?” Arrow was smoldering now.
“Well, first, I saved your life for one thing. And second, men do seem to enjoy the assignment. Sorry, but you are the one who keeps getting blasted. Men are all over the place and women keep screaming for the next exit. Plus, you are so powerless. Men are suckers for this situation. You don’t feel anything. It gets results. Third, no wait was it fourth, I forget?”
Arrow glared silently at Anchor as if she had heard it all explained before.
“Anyway: how do you think I feel? There you are dead as dead and bleeding and I love you. You are the closest friend I have. You depend entirely on me to protect and restore you,” Anchor’s apology was thinly sincere, “Hey, besides, Eye’s not so unpleasant; good muscle and mind. He didn’t drool on you and he hauled your delightful, but ungrateful carcass, a long distance to keep you safe.” By now, the apology was so prolonged it was utterly suspicious.
“Okay, I forgive you again,” pouted Arrow in mock loathing, “but I’m the Royal Bodyguard. Remember?”
“I have to tell you Eye is willing to give saliva to save you. Impressive man, eh?” said Anchor, attempting to change the subject to a lighter topic. She winked.
Arrow and Anchor laughed and howled at Eye’s reddening.
“So, Eye, Anchor obviously likes you. She didn’t actually trick you you know to donate.”
They all laughed together.
“Have others tried becoming such fool’s for you, Arrow?” asked Eye quietly.
Side-glancing at Anchor, Arrow forced a smile and stalled her reply. Here was a personal advance again. She delayed just a merciful moment to deliver her customary answer so charmingly concocted for any ardent suitor. This military boy had, after all, assisted in saving her life. Poor man!
Eye maintained his silence. He was balancing to hear big-hearted words. It was as if he was expecting them to actually alter his life’s course.
Arrow sighed.
“Now that I’ve found you, I only know I’d be lost without you. All I’ve ever wanted, all I ever needed has come true, now that I’ve found you,” moaned theatrically Arrow. “Is that what you want me to say to you, Eye?”
“Sounds great to my ears but I guess I’m playing the male fool just for you.”
“Yes, unfortunately, you are. What I just quoted is lyric from a piece of memorized love music,” said Arrow heartlessly. She looked away at the rocks, avoiding the fading vulnerability in his eyes.
Why did a personal advance from a warrior make her uneasy? This was the second time she felt this irritating nervousness with Eye the first was when he asked her name. It seemed too personal at the time. Now, Eye had photographic recall of any portion of her anatomically anytime he desired.
But yet, his carnal knowledge was her power over him. Arrow secretly delighted thinking of Eye’s potential sleeping distress; stirring nights of insomnia, photographically speaking. Still, when she seriously considered him, she felt exposed more deeply than she preferred. Affections? A shivering sensation suddenly warmed her. Within, Arrow sparkled like frost anticipating dawn’s melting rays. Secluding her face behind her knees, she concealed an eager smile. Was she too quickly liking this man?