The morning sun was gentle, warming the forest floor and scattering golden light through the leaves. Scarlett adjusted her quiver and checked the arrows, her heart racing with anticipation. Today's hunt was supposed to be like all the others—Misty would shift into her wolf form and dash through the trees while Scarlett practiced her aim.
"Ready?" Misty asked, crouched low, her silver fur gleaming as she flexed her wolf legs, tail flicking with excitement. "Remember, run fast, dodge, and I'll try not to get in your way!"
Scarlett swallowed nervously and nodded. "I'll be careful… I promise."
Misty barked playfully and shot off into the underbrush like a streak of silver, weaving between the trees. Scarlett drew her bow, heart pounding, focusing on the moving target. She had been practicing for weeks, gaining confidence, but today her hand felt tense, the bowstring almost too heavy to pull.
"Steady… aim… release…" Scarlett whispered under her breath, trying to follow Zeus's patient instructions from months ago.
The first arrow flew, but it went wide, thudding harmlessly into the dirt. Scarlett exhaled, trying to steady herself. Misty circled back, tail wagging, ears flicking at the sound of the missed shot.
Scarlett took another arrow, drew back the string again, and let it fly. Thwack! The arrow struck—but instead of hitting the tree post Misty had been moving toward, it grazed Misty's left arm. Misty yipped sharply, yelping in pain, and stumbled to the ground.
Scarlett's stomach dropped. "Misty!" she screamed, dropping her bow and running toward her friend. Her legs carried her as fast as they could, but the sight of Misty lying on the forest floor, whimpering softly, made her heart ache.
"Misty! I… I didn't mean to! I'm so sorry!" Scarlett cried, kneeling beside her. She gently lifted Misty, careful not to make her injury worse. Misty whimpered again, biting her lip but trying to force a reassuring smile.
"It's okay… it's okay…" Misty said through gritted teeth, though Scarlett could see the pain flashing across her golden eyes. "It… it just… hurts a little."
"No! It's not okay! I hit you!" Scarlett's hands trembled as she wrapped her arms around Misty. "I… I'll get you home… we'll fix this. I'll make it better!"
Misty tried to protest, but Scarlett ignored her. With Misty cradled in her arms, she sprinted through the forest, her heart pounding with fear and guilt. Every step felt like an eternity. Leaves brushed against her face, roots threatened to trip her, but Scarlett didn't care. She only cared about getting Misty to safety.
Finally, they reached the fortress. Scarlett burst through the door, calling out, "Father! Father! Misty… she's hurt!"
Zeus was in the training courtyard, overseeing some young wolves practicing. At the sound of Scarlett's panicked voice, he spun around, eyes wide with concern. "Scarlett! What happened?"
Scarlett set Misty down carefully on a blanket she had dragged from the house. "I… I missed my shot. I—I hit her… her left arm… I didn't mean to!" Her voice trembled, tears brimming in her eyes.
Zeus rushed to Misty's side, his powerful hands gently examining the injury. "Calm down, Scarlett," he said firmly, though his face betrayed the concern he felt. "Tell me exactly what happened."
Scarlett explained everything in a rush, words tumbling out between sobs. "We were practicing… she shifted… I was aiming at the target, I swear… I didn't see her move… the arrow hit her…"
Zeus listened carefully, nodding as he assessed the situation. Misty flinched slightly but remained as still as possible. "You understand accidents happen," Zeus said, his voice calm but serious. "Even the best archers miss. What matters is how you respond after."
Scarlett buried her face in her hands, shaking. "I… I don't know what to do! She's hurt because of me!"
Zeus placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You did not intend to hurt her. You must focus now on helping her. That is what matters."
Scarlett nodded, swallowing her fear. "I'll… I'll help her. I promise."
With Zeus's guidance, Scarlett carefully helped Misty sit down, gently removing her bow and examining the wound. Misty's left arm was scratched and bruised, the arrow barely grazing her, but it had caused a deep enough cut that it needed proper treatment. Scarlett's hands trembled as she cleaned the wound with water, her heart aching at every wince Misty gave.
"It's okay… it's okay… you're doing fine," Misty murmured, trying to calm Scarlett. "It… it hurts, but I know you didn't mean it."
Scarlett nodded, biting her lip. "I know, but… I still feel terrible." She carefully wrapped a clean cloth around Misty's arm, tying it gently to stabilize it. Misty flinched again but gave a small nod of approval. "Better… much better," she said softly.
Zeus knelt beside them, his eyes sharp but his tone gentle. "Scarlett, accidents happen in life. The important thing is that you acted quickly and took responsibility. That is the mark of courage."
Scarlett looked up at him, her eyes wide. "But Father… I hurt her. I don't want her to hate me."
Zeus shook his head. "Misty would never hate you. She knows your heart. And you know what? This will make your bond even stronger. You faced the consequences and acted with care—that is more important than a perfect shot."
Misty gave a small, reassuring smile. "I'm not mad, Scar," she said softly. "You panicked, which is normal… and you got me home safely. That's what matters. I trust you."
Scarlett felt a tear slip down her cheek, a mixture of relief and lingering guilt. "I promise… I'll be more careful next time. I'll never hurt you again."
Misty laughed quietly, despite the pain. "Good. I expect nothing less. But maybe… maybe we should work on our aim a bit more before the next hunt?"
Scarlett laughed, a shaky, relieved sound. "Yeah… definitely. Maybe we'll stick to targets until we're really good."
Zeus smiled faintly, ruffling Scarlett's hair. "That's a wise choice. Misty, you'll heal quickly. And Scarlett… remember this lesson. Responsibility and care are as important as skill in the forest. Never forget that."
Scarlett nodded, determination firming in her chest. "I won't, Father. I'll get better. I promise."
For the rest of the afternoon, Scarlett and Misty rested in the warmth of the sunlit courtyard, Misty's arm carefully bandaged, Scarlett sitting close by, holding her friend's hand. Misty winced occasionally but insisted she was fine. Scarlett's fear slowly ebbed, replaced by a quiet determination to improve.
"You know," Misty said after a while, "even hunters make mistakes. Even Father must have hurt someone by accident when he was learning."
Scarlett looked at her, eyes wide. "Really?"
Misty nodded. "Yes. Everyone has accidents. What matters is how you handle them. You saved me… and that makes you brave."
Scarlett felt warmth bloom in her chest, stronger than the embarrassment or fear she had felt earlier. "I… I'll practice every day. I'll make sure I don't make mistakes again," she said firmly. "I won't let anything happen to you, Misty."
Misty smiled, leaning against Scarlett. "I know. I trust you, Scar. And we'll keep practicing… together. We'll get better, step by step."
As the sun dipped lower and the courtyard filled with golden light, Scarlett realized something important: mistakes didn't define her. How she responded to them did. And with Misty by her side, she knew she could face any challenge, even if she stumbled along the way.
By the time the stars began to twinkle overhead, Scarlett and Misty were both tired, but their spirits were unbroken. Misty's arm was healing, and Scarlett's resolve had never been stronger. Today had been frightening, yes—but it had also been a lesson, a bond strengthened by trust, care, and the willingness to learn from mistakes.
And Scarlett knew, deep in her heart, that she was ready for whatever challenges the forest—or life—would throw at her next.