<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(44, 130, 201)">"Yeah, she did. But it was difficult to tell since you always gave me that silent begging look, so you could guilt me into giving you the rest of my slice."</span>He shot back, bumping himself back against her as Dex held onto her. He playfully dipped her back, his fingers locked around her slender waist. He returned the mischievous look, shifting in place as they stood together. He looked down at Sofia and longed for one more quiet night alone with her.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(44, 130, 201)">"Of course, if we ever find any peaches -" </span>He cut himself off as he felt Fia's body tense suddenly, the grin fading off of her flawless face causing the hair on the back of Dex's neck to stand up. He turned his attention slowly towards where Fia was looking, his blue eyes falling on the mangy beast that had crossed their path. Dex smoothly shifted his stance, turning so that he was placed between the woman and the lone runt, no doubt scouting ahead while the pack followed behind.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(44, 130, 201)">"Keep still, there will be others nearby."</span>He moved a hand down to his waist, releasing the clasp on guard that held his hatchet. The blade looked weathered and used, sharp enough to be effective in a pinch, but definitely would need sharpening. He eased the handle out and wrapped his fingers securely around the tool's hilt, lifting it out of the guard and holding it steady at his side.<br/><br/>Dex widened his stance and stood as straight as possible to appear as imposing and broad as possible, in hopes that the mangy beast will think otherwise and warn the pack to steer clear. Though if they were hungry, the dumb canine would instead rely on its natural instincts and view the pair as its next meal. He bared his teeth, raising the weapon in his hand in preparation for the animal to lead the charge.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(44, 130, 201)">"Take the gun from my waist, turn off the safety like I showed you and do not close your eyes if you shoot."</span>His voice was calm yet direct, giving her orders that he expected Fia to follow. He felt foolish for not having his bow out and an arrow notched. Again, a crucial mistake that could cost them if things went poorly. He waited for Fia to follow his instructions, feeling the metal at his back slowly slide from beneath his waistband and into the delicate hands of the woman he entrusted to use it.<br/><br/>The gun would be a last resort, unsure if it would even fire as Dex had been the one to put it back together when they had found it. The clip had only housed three bullets and even so, firing the pistol would surely draw unwanted attention.<br/><br/>The eerie silence was suddenly broken up by the shrill howl of the beast's pack, causing the animal to turn its attention on its call before it quickly retreated to join the others. Dex risked a brief glance back at Fia, seeing the nervous and uneasy look on her face and he gave her a small nod. He had been able to rely on her thus far, and he wasn't about to lose his faith in her. He expected her to follow his lead as he took a few steps forward, the uneven path before them inclined and would provide them with a better view on the predators that were no doubt still in front of them.<br/><br/>As they approached the ridge, Dex's sharp  vision saw the shapes of two figures surrounded by the pack. The distance between them and the pack provided him with ample time to withdraw his bow from his shoulder and notching an arrow from his shoulder pack. He knew he'd have to hit one with his first shot and follow it up quickly with a second to gain an advantage on the half dozen beasts.<br/><br/>He aimed carefully, looking on as the pack seemed to close in on their prey. He released the arrow, watching as it flew with precision and sank through the chest cavity of the coyote nearest to the surrounded pair. Dex didn't waste any time as he notched his second arrow, this time aiming at the coyote in the back just in time for it to rear its head in the direction of himself and Fia. The arrow pierced the silent air, singing its harmonious song before striking the beast square in the skull with an emphatic<i>thunk. </i><br/><br/>By now the pack had turned its attention on the nearest two and instead re-focused and turned towards Dex and Fia. Dex had gambled that the armed woman would take advantage of the distraction while he notched a third arrow, leaving him with only one left until he recovered the first two.