First life
Seattle Orphanage Director's Office
"We have a new one today. He is 8 years old Alexander Wilde black hair with brown eyes and has been to five different locations before this one over the years. He has a tendency to run away to parks." A young lady flipping through several documents explained.
The older man sitting behind the desk looked up from the paperwork on his desk suddenly intrigued. "Why does he run to parks?"
"He seems to go there to watch archery competitions held there." The young lady explained passing over the documents to the man behind the desk.
"Well, now that sure is interesting does his biological parents have any backgrounds in archery?" The older man asked while flipping through the documents.
"No sir, but when the boy was found it was at a park."
"Makes sense then archery must be his escape."
"Sir, what do you mean by escape." A puzzled look flashed across the young lady's face.
"An escape from that memory. The memory of being abandoned by his family."
.
. 20 years later
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At the International Archery World Championship
"Contestant #4 Alexander Wilde come to the main shooting grounds for your final shots of the Men's Gold Medal match."
Alexander stands up with his blue compound bow as heads over to the preparation area. As he got closer to the shooting lanes, he could feel two men in the stands staring down at him.
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In the hotel 2 hours before the competition in room #316
"You know why we are here correct Mr. Wilde; we need you to drink this glass of water. Our young master gave you the option to drop out of the competition before, but you decided to stay so we have no more options." A skinny man in a black suit explained.
"I do not know why you are doing this to me. I have nothing in this world besides archery." Alexander cried out while grabbing for the glass of water in the man's hand.
"You have no family what does it matter if you win or not who will you share it with? They didn't think you were worthy of it either that's why they left you. The young master of my family wants this medal as we take it every year. If you know what is good for you then swallow the water!" The shorter of the two men in suits yelled.
Alexander drank the water in its entirety gulping down every last drop as tears fell from his face knowing he has no one he can rely on. He only ever had himself. He was not born with natural talents but was hardworking and smart clawing his way to the top.
The two men exited the room together after confirming Alexander swallowed all of the water. Leaving only Alexander and his thoughts.
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Back at the archery grounds
Alexander lined up on the firing line focusing only on the target in front of him. One round goes by and a first-round perfect score is shown. On the digital scorekeepers for both individuals.
"Feeling a little hot over there are you thankfully we have taken the necessary precautions as you are better than we expected under so much pressure. Not to worry you will be feeling the effects of that water sooner or later. Then the real show begins. " The young man grinning next to him chuckled.
Wilde averts his eyes downwards then over to the target as the next round is beginning. Another perfect round as if the arrows were being guided by a god. As the second round came to an end a burning sensation came through his entire body as if being burned alive. The bow falls from his hands hitting the grass below him. His eyes drift leftwards to the young man standing a few meters away as he begins to see a wider grin than before lying smugly on his face.
'I cannot let them have any satisfaction, so I have to fight till my final breath.'
Picking up his bow from the ground Alexander grinned back at the young man looking straight through him as if staring into his soul.
The young man shuddered at the grin aimed directly back at him. 'Don't worry you will not be smiling for long as the poison seeps through every crevasse in your body.'
The start of the third round brought both individual's attention back to the targets in front of them. Alexander could feel his body not listening to what his brain was telling it to do. Letting the first arrow fly as it misses the center barely to the right. He pulls another arrow out of his quiver on his back fumbling the arrows around for a couple of seconds as his fingers cannot grasp any arrows. Finally grabbing an arrow positioning it in his bow time ticking down for his time to shoot. Keeping his fingers pinching the end of the arrow with all of the force he can muster. The arrow finally releases into the wind hitting the middle circle, then following the same technique he hits the middle circle once more.
The two young men were down to their final round with Alexander leading the match by 3 points going into the final round of the competition.
Alexander felt his consciousness fading quickly as he grabbed for his arrow in his quiver then slowly lining it up with the site on the front of his bow slowly releasing the string. Then suddenly his last two fingers slip off the string releasing it prematurely. As the arrow flies through the arrow, it smacks the target landing completely short on the target hitting the third ring. Allowing the scores to narrow to a 1-point difference.
Alexander glances at the counter sitting 35 meters out counting down seemingly, also counting down the remainder of his life. As the counter hits zero Wilde lines his sites with the target. Complete silence fills the outdoor stadium as everyone stares in anticipation to hear the arrow smack the target 50 meters away.
The string is pulled back to meet the cheek with a deep breath being inhaled perfectly synced with each other. Closing his eyes feeling the wind against his face almost becoming one with the world around him. The last two operational fingers coming undone as a deep breath is released from the nose.
*SHHHHHPT*
As the arrow flies through the Wilde feels his mind slowly drifting away as his vision turns blurry. Falling forward descending slowly to the floor Wilde takes one last glance off in the distance towards the target, but cannot see anything as his vision has already turned black. Wilde's heart takes its last beats as he leaves this world for good.
'If only I could start again. I would do things differently. I want to become a better man.' Were Alexander Wilde's final thoughts before his consciousness drifted away.
If Alexander was able to see the target at this moment, he would have seen his arrow piercing through the target center arriving in the grass behind it.
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