Evas Wish

V

Just as Ivar wanted he was crawling on the damp forest ground, bow and arrows strapped to his back. Eva been planning to take him hunting for a while just to help him get a taste of his old life, but she was worried about how he would move around. 

Bringing a wheel chair would of been a dumb idea, but it wouldn't have matter because Ivar wouldn't agree to it, she could see why now. Eva was only along for the ride, she watched Ivar in his element, he was as skill with the bow and arrow as he was with the Axe. He tried to teach her a thing or two with the bow, but like he said, her arms were weak.

 Eva had asked Joseph Tevin a local boy she went to school with who was known for his love of hunting to join them.  Joseph was quite tall, sleek build, brown eyes and hair that had outgrown his normal faded hairstyle. She made sure to tell him to not bring any hunting guns, she kept imagining Ivar would unintentionally shoot her or Joseph. Or maybe even intentionally if in the wrong mood. She also told him to stay out of Ivars way if he wanted to get home in one piece and just follow his instructions. 

Ivar killed two red deer, a boar and a wild sheep. In the end, Joseph got the job of carrying or dragging the game back to a spot where Ivar had chosen to butcher the meat. Eva couldn't help but be fascinated by how well Ivar could do such things with his disability. 

As Eva was watching Ivar skinning the deer, Joseph sat next to her offering her some beef jerky. Eva shook her head but thanked him.

"That's one warrior over there," Joseph not one for silence, "where did you find him?"

Eva was a little uncomfortable, she wasn't prepared for these questions even though she knew they were unavoidable. 

"I'm not sure," she replied avoiding Josephs gaze.

"So what's up with his legs?" 

Eva was shocked with his bluntness.

"I'm not sure" she replied again still watching Ivar.

"Crazy he doesn't have any crutches or a wheelchair."

"Yeah, that's what I thought"

"But his upper body is amazing."

"Hmm..." Eva replied trying not to give anything away.

"That's a real man, all hands on and stuff, no guns," Joe complimented, "Its like he wasn't born in this period of time."

"That because he's not," she mutter too low for him to hear.

Eva wasn't good with small talk, she didn't have any friends and she was planning on keeping it that way. Joseph was only a means to an end and once this trip was over, she was planning on becoming strangers again. 

Once Ivar was done butchering the meat, he looked over to Eva. He was covered in animal blood and Eva couldn't help but think if society hadn't become civilized he would be drenched in human blood. She shuddered and thought, 'that's what he actually wants."

Ivar felt content and even relieved to be out in the forest, doing something productive. Glad to be out of that large home and small backyard. He felt proud that he had something to put on the table for Eva to cook, something to do that didn't make him feel helpless and useless. Ivar couldn't help but send a little smile her way, in which she awkwardly waved back. 

'Cute,' he thought. 

Then he saw how close Joseph was sitting next to Eva and it angered him. His smile disappeared as fast as it came. Joseph paid no mind to Ivar, he was busy eating his beef jerky, content to be resting from all the heavy lifting.

Ivar grabbed for his axe and threw it between Eva and Joseph's head.

It was as if time had slowed down, Eva had just realized what Ivar was doing when the weapon left his hand.