[h1][color=lightyellow][center]Phoenix “Ace” Lancaster[/center][/color][/h1] [hr] [center][img]http://www.naturetrek.ca/wp-content/uploads/lakecolours1vdwal13.jpg[/img][/center] [hr] [h2][color=lightyellow]Deep in the wilderness, south of Algonquin Provincial Park[/color][/h2] [h2][color=lightyellow]November, 11, 2017[/color][/h2] [hr] [quote=Marcus Aurelius][b][color=lightyellow]You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.[/color][/b][/quote] [hr] It was late in the afternoon, trees with orange leaves, an orange sky with dark clouds looming above. It was slightly misty and the ground was damp. A young man was laying on the moist dead leaves that blanketed the forest floor, rifle butt pressed against his should and its barrel resting on his backpack. He held its sturdy polymer grip with his cold hand as he peered through its scope with laser-like vision. [b][color=lightyellow]”Three fifty…. no…. three seventy five…. no…. four hundred meters… just about there…[/color][/b] After saying this to himself, he fell silent. Moments seemed like minutes as he took deep, paced breaths, hot exhaust flowing out of his mouth with each exhale. His mark, an elusive stag, he had been tracing it for a few weeks and it was a wondrous machine of nature. Powerful, lean muscles, large, contorted antlers, and stood with its chest puffed out for the purpose of bolstering its swagger, though it was the only deer in that field, I suppose it must have made a habit of it. Meanwhile the young firebrand still watching vigilantly from his cozy position atop the ridge had slowed his heart rate immensely, he was calm, the crosshairs of his rifle aimed a few inches above the deer’s heart. His mind was clear, his conscious did not speak to him, even the white noise of his subconscious had mysteriously disappeared. Again, to him, time seemed to slow, he heard only the low hum of his own breath. The of the scene he saw through his scope seemed sharp and detailed. It was time, all of the factors have converged onto this moment, the tracking, the mapping, deduction, induction, and finally, luck. He slowly began to squeeze the trigger, and a high pitched bang echoed throughout the beautiful wilderness. Birds perched high in the trees hastily took flight, and mammals on the forest floor floors scattered to their dens. It was as if the wilderness’s animal kingdom was itself a living thing, and the Hunter’s bullet had triggered it to respond with a momentary surge of adrenaline. The trees that towered over all, of course did not respond, they simply stood there swaying in the wind, indifferently observing, flame colored leaves falling preparing for the winter season. The dead brown leaves that lay all over the forest floor were splattered with crimson blood, and they were joined by a brown dead deer. The young man stared through the scope of his rifle for a few more seconds to confirm his kill, he saw its lifeless body, and was happy that he wouldn’t have to endure any more tracking for the day. He stood up, taking one deep breath and began to head towards the deer’s carcass. He made haste and was delighted to find that greedy scavengers had not yet attempted to claim his kill for themselves. He field dressed the deer, and used his camp axe to cut down some tree branches of medium girth. He fastened them together with cordage to make a wooden frame which he tied the deer’s corpse to. He then proceeded to drag the deer back to the central part of his Uncle Jack’s estate. Despite not having had a particularly well-paying job, he did gain an equal amount of inheritance to his two older siblings, and now owns a large tract of wilderness where he can go hunting and trapping and a large, lakeside cabin and workshop where he basically pursues his passions and hobbies. After a grueling forty minute hike during which it started to rain, the pitter patter of raindrops which the hunter found calming to the mind, helped make the hike less agonizing. By the time he returned to the manor, he was not surprised that Jack had abandoned his forge to seek shelter inside due to the rain. The weather conditions slowly deteriorating and the sky slowly turning darker, he knew that he had to move fast. In no time at all, he skinned and butchered the deer, placing its different cuts in an iced cooler and prepping the hide for further processing. At this point he was soaked. He entered the manor, which it really wasn’t all too spectacular, slightly larger than a two story middle-income home. He wiped his boots on a mat and walked in, the heavy thumping of his boots clearly audible throughout the house. [hr] [b][color=lightyellow]”Uncle jack!! Uncle Jack!!”[/color][/b] He didn’t appear to be downstairs, it was mostly open, he observed there to be no activity in the kitchen or the “lounge” as he would call it. He started his way up the creaking stairs. [b][color=lightyellow]”Resting perhaps?”[/color][/b] He thought to himself as he opened the door of Jack’s bedroom, only to find it empty. [b][color=lightyellow]”rats”[/color][/b] He thought. He thought for a second. [b][color=lightyellow]”ahhh… That must be it then.”[/color][/b] He said to himself as he opened the door to his Uncle’s study to find him immersed in a novel. He quickly noticed his nephews presence and with his eyes still fixated on the book and in a monotone voice he said “Hey Phoenix, how did the hunt good, did you finally get him?” [b][color=lightyellow]”Lets just say we’ll be eating good tomorrow.”[/color][/b] Replied Phoenix, a satisfied grin grew on his face. Jack also smiled, he stood up, placing his book, open and face down on his desk. Following this, Jack excitedly said. “oh really? How far and how many shots?” [b][color=lightyellow]”One at four-hundred[/color][/b] “OOOOO, that terrible, four hundred shots at one meter…” Jack said sarcastically, Phoenix shot back, also in a sarcastic tone of voice. [b][color=lightyellow]“I know, I know, I really have to work on that trigger pull”[/color][/b] “No, but seriously, good work out there… that reminds me, do you know what day it is?” Said Jack, his demeanor returning to normal. Phoenix paused for a second to think. [b][color=lightyellow]"....Damn, it’s my birthday?”[/color][/b] He was surprised, he got so caught up in this new way of life that he almost forgot. “yes, and I think I may have a present for you… ACE” He said, trying to give a hint. “[b][color=lightyellow]”…I don’t get it”[/color][/b] Replied Phoenix. “What is that weapon that you tightly grasp in your left and after all of your hunts?” [b][color=lightyellow]”Surely you jest… I couldn’t, this is your service rifl-“[/color][/b] “no buts” He was cut off. “you earned it, you really put a lot of effort into your marksmanship skills, and though four-hundred meters isn’t that amazing, hitting the heart of a dear at that range… I’m impressed, and besides, if I ever rejoin the military, which I probably will do once you’re on your feet, I’ll get a newer, better rifle.” He picked up his book and began to walk towards the door [b][color=lightyellow]”t-thank you”[/color][/b] Replied Ace, overjoyed that he now has a rifle. (Though he wasn’t really old enough to own one) Jack put his hand on Phoenix’s shoulder and said “there’s no need for thanks, I’ll continue to read elsewhere, since you’re back, I’m sure you’ll want to do your own reading” With that he left the room, Phoenix clutched the rifle, now his with both hands and grinned. He made a fist and pumped his elbow back. [b][color=lightyellow]”YESSS!!”[/color][/b] He uttered excitedly. [hr] He quickly refocused on the task at hand, leaning the rifle against the desk and walking over to one of the bookshelves. He picked out a textbook he had been studying. One of the sciences that utterly fascinated him was chemistry, so he now held an old college chemistry textbook which he laid out on the table and opened it to the chapter he left off at. He opened a notebook, grabbed a pencil and got busy. For three hours he worked nonstop, taking detailed notes and completing the problem sets for two chapters. Afterwards he was tired as hell. He grabbed his rifle and went downstairs and began to climb the ladder to the loft, where he kept all of his stuff and would sleep at during the colder seasons. He placed his rifle, placing it next to his gear and took off most of his clothes, leaving only his grey undershirt and boxer-briefs. He laid down in his sleeping bag, and being spent, he fell into a deep slumber almost immediately.