Only a Game (Olympus Drive Chronicles)

Chapter 6: Everyday is like another

Calypso

I get bored with my life. I know there are monsters out there. I know my father only wants to protect me. But sometimes I don't want to be protected. I want to go off and have my own adventures. I know he doesn't like losing me and monsters are dangerous and want to eat me. I know. And our island is beautiful.

We have a peaceful life here. I know I should be thankful for that—and I am. I really am. I am grateful we have such a nice house and good things. But sometimes things do get monotonous. I don't want to leave or run away or anything.

But sometimes I would like things to be shaken up a little. Just a little.

Why are there fewer cows than there were before?

I do a head count. Nope. We are definitely missing a cow.

"Dad?" I set down the bale of hay I was carrying as the cows lumber around me, "That ugly little crippled calf----" I run back up the length of the field to where my father is lounging on the patio, looking at various video feeds.

"Dad---that ugly little calf---? It's gone," I say.

"Charon? That one? The fat dumb one?" He asks, sitting up. I don't know why he names them these things though I deeply think it's to insult people who I have never met.

"No, the one who was small and kept falling down while trying to run, it's gone, the little grey one," I say.

"Oh. Cronus? Maybe he died somewhere—"

"His mom is pacing and crying," I say, pointing at the field, "Go look—he's gone."

"That's ridiculous—" he scrolls through security video feed on his laptop, "Oh you have GOT to be kidding me."

"What?"

"Never mind, I'll deal with it."

"No, who would take a cow?" I ask.

"A pain in the neck is who."