"Smiley" VS “Burning Chicken” [1]

They all decided to go immediately to save the survivors.

Over the last few days, Jack and Amelia equipped themselves by raiding one of the many stores they've encountered.

Jack plundered himself a couple of things. He has more arrows and a brown leather quiver attached to his back. His hands are also equipped with some brown leather gloves. Jack also wore a leather belt with a hatchet hanging onto it by the handle.

On the other hand, Amelia found herself in a store that sells knives exclusively. Most of them were taken, but the ones she found were a significant upgrade from her ordinary kitchen knives.

She also wore a black cloak found in a random thrift store (Charity shop). Everette and Ada even caught her posing in front of Jack when they were all alone.

They began to see some parts of the girl's dormitory. Everette stared at them again. His eye showed hints of worry.

"Are you two sure you don't need our help?"

Everette was still hesitant about this. Suddenly, an unsuspecting hand reached for his ear, pinched, and pulled it simultaneously.

"Ow! Ow!"

"Don't listen to this guy. I'm sure you guys will do great." Ada encouraged the two while pulling on Everette's ear.

***

They hid themselves in an alleyway close to the girl's dorm.

"Could you give us a rundown on what the Mutateds look like?" Jack cautiously asked Ada.

She gave a brief nod before listing out all she knew about them.

"There's a bird the size of a car, and it also seemed to be charred like it was on fire."

"I dove down at me once, but I repelled it with a swing from flail." She then shook her head in disappointment, "But before I could get another hit in, It ran away."

Jack then asked her to describe the bird in a bit more detail. Ada raised a brow but told him nonetheless.

"I think its beak was quite short and also thin compared to its body. Oh! It was also pretty plump!"

"I see... Thank you." Jack nodded with a smile before giving a thinking expression.

Amelia gave a soft smile at this before turning to the two.

"He has a hobby of researching about birds. Bird watching is what most call it."

Everette and Ada opened their mouths in an O shape before nodding in understanding.

"There's also—"

The fluttering of wings resounded over them. The four of them look up to find the bird Ada had just described.

The bird tilted its head as it stared down upon the four humans gathering in a gap between two buildings.

It thrusts its head into the gap to try and peck at them. After multiple attempts, it failed and pulled its head back—subsequently, an arrow shot into its chest.

It recoiled back, flapping its wings as it hovered into the air. A loud screech ensured as it glared at the human that shot at it.

Jack stepped out of the alleyway, disregarding complaints from Amelia.

"Please don't do this! We can face it together."

Although Jack wanted that, he knew that he had the highest chance of killing a flying enemy and that Amelia could burden him in the fight.

Jack then looked back at Amelia before giving his signature smirk. He turned his gaze towards Everette.

"Well then, how about I show you what I can do, Everette?"

Jack took off, followed by the car-sized bird.

Everette scratched his head in resignation before following after him. He waved back at the two first, of course.

***

*Jack's Side*

Jack looked behind and saw the over-sized chicken chasing him.

'Who knew that I would be chased by a big-ass Robin.'

Jack deduced the bird may be a robin but isn't so sure yet.

Nocking another arrow into his bow, he quickly twirled around and launched it towards the bird before spinning back around.

The bird tilted its body slightly to the left to avoid the arrow.

Jack, who had his head turned back and saw this, then began thinking of a strategy.

'I have to find a way to immobilise its movement.'

He then saw Everette in the background, chasing after them. He seemed to be limiting how fast he was going to not draw attention from the bird.

"I better put on a worthy show for my saviour now."

After saying that, he spun back around again and nocked an arrow into his compound bow.

When someone wants to launch their arrow out of a compound bow, they usually use a "release."

There are a few reasons why...

'May my arrows be guided by the same passion and clarity that drives my heart.'

Consistency, accuracy, finger fatigue and safety...

However, through rigorous training, Jack was able to discard such a crutch. Sure, his fingers may hurt, but the strength he gained in the apocalypse now made such a pain seem like it never existed.

His arrow whistled through the air - determined to hit its mark. The robin saw this and tried to tilt its body upwards to avoid it, but it was too slow.

Thunk!

The arrow plunged into its lower abdomen followed by a screech and a fall. It spiralled down and fell to the ground resulting in a slight tremor because of its weight.

"Im thinking… Some fresh poultry might be good for dinner tonight."