“I can win this.” Ryan took a deep breath. Both his arms and legs were shaking.
Ryan remembered how he used to tell young people,
“If you want to be like me, you have to practice, practice and practice! It isn’t that hard. You just have to believe in yourself.”
Ryan began to pull the arrow back. His body felt like it would just give up and die. His heart was pounding like a bass drum.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats watching Ryan's every move.
He closed his eyes, and shot out the arrow. The crowd let out a gasp. He heard the arrow hit something, he slowly opened his eyes to see that the arrow hit the bullseye right in the center.
“Congratulations!” A small and fat little man walked up to Ryan. “You have won the 2021 archery competition! Well..you have never lost one..but that’s not the point! Here”, he handed him a check for $10,000 dollars.
“Thank you” Ryan replied politely.
The crowd was cheering excitedly, and one person even threw flowers. Ryan walked off the arena feeling exhausted, but he was proud of himself for winning. “Gee, I didn’t even think-”
But then his thoughts were interrupted. A man walked up to him, and exclaimed “Wow, you are amazing! How did you ever manage to make that shot!? I mean, it’s unbelievable!”
“Well, I guess it’s my years of practice paying off.” Ryan replied and smiled.
The man smiled back. “But- I know someone who is better than you,”
Ryan’s eyes widened. “What!? No way! That can’t be!”
“You just have to follow me. You can meet them, “said the man.
“But, what if you’ll try to kidnap me or something?” Ryan eyed the mysterious man suspiciously.
“You just have to trust me. My name’s John.”
“Nice to meet you. My name is Ryan.” He replied to John, and they both walked out of the stadium. They hopped into John’s black jeep, and drove out of town. After twenty minutes, they arrived at a huge mansion, and Ryan thought he saw a pool.
“Uh, John..are you sure this is the place?” Ryan asked.
“There is nothing to worry about. It will be fine!” John assured him as he rang the doorbell.
A second had not passed, and the door opened.
“Greetings dear friends! What brings you here?” A man answered. He was wearing a black leather jacket, ripped jeans, and a ushanka. He had a thick Russian accent, and seemed really friendly.
“Well, we heard you’re very good at archery-” Ryan began speaking, but he was quickly interrupted.
“Ah, yes. Archery. Oh, I am so rude! I forgot to introduce myself. I am Vladimir Postacovich. Born in Russia, moved to America. I have a weapon collection, and I have a rug made out of bear skin. May I get you anything, gentleman? A glass of Vodka, champagne?”
“We are good, thank you.” Ryan spoke up before John could accept the offer. “ This is John, and I am Ryan.”
“Nice to meet you, my friends!” Vladimir said joyfully.
“Well, archery?” Ryan asked impatiently
“Oh, yes! Archery. Follow me, gentlemen.”
The three men walked out into Vladimir's backyard. There was a tall fence that had arrows stuck into the exact middle of the bullseye.
“Wow, he is good...Better than me..” Ryan thought, and he was a bit disappointed.
“How do you do such precise shots?” Ryan asked, amazed.
“Well..” Vladimir began uncomfortably..
“Let’s just say, I shoot the arrow, and paint around it.”
“Back it up, back it up!” John was wide eyed. “ You are saying that you shoot the arrow, and paint around it?”
Vladimir smiled mysteriously.
“Yes.”
Ryan started to laugh.
“Wow- I-” John was so shocked he couldn’t speak.
“Well, yes. I know you weren’t expecting that- But sometimes you just gotta do what it takes to be a respected person.” Vladimir said.
“No,” Said Ryan. “You must work hard to be successful.”
They were all silent for a moment.
“Vladimir- May I see the bear rug?” John asked
“Sure thing! Follow me gentlemen. Vladimir lead them inside his house.
