The White Lightning

Chapter 2: Hunters of Artemis, Moody Teens, and Goat Feet?

Seeing a long gone dead hunter of the goddess of the hunt, Artemis, was honestly strange. Like, why now, while I am trying to run away from this dead boring life? I sighed and did the irrational thing of walking up to herrr..im.

"Who..are you?" I asked, my voice ringing out in confusion. He turned to me and smiled innocently. He bowed (no pun intended) and messed with his tunic when looking back up. "I.. am Hippolytus." His soft voice rang out in a quiet manner.

Honestly, I was astonished.

I mean, I would be if I knew who the fuck he was.

"Hippolywhata? Hippopotamus?"

He smiled and shook his head. "No, Hippolytus. A long gone hunter of Artemis. Son of Theseus and Ares' daughter Hippolyta."

There, my mind clicked.

"Oh..You got run over by Poseidon!?" I stood, shocked. No wonder why Aphrodite got angry when he didn't worship her. He was handsome. 

"Yes, and I'm here to collect a sacred deer for Artemis." He smiled. I did not. "What?"

I laughed. "This neighborhood doesn't attract monsters, let alone sacred deer. This is New York, baby. Land of the disgusting."

Hippolytus's expression turned to stone. "Not a real deer. A demigod, sacred to Artemis." I shuddered at 'demigod.' He and I walked across the street, a few girls squealing at him. How? He looked like he's wearing rags and just woke up.

"The mist." He answered like he knew my thoughts. 

"R..ight-" I awkwardly sighed.

Suddenly, one of my stupid ideas came to mind. "Can I find the demigod with you?" I asked Hippolytus. He turned to me, "You aren't part of the hunt, are you?" Smiling, I shook my head.

"But I'm a run away Athena kid?" I slyly told him, he started to consider. "I lived in New York all my life! I know every nook and cranny." He smiled at that then nodded.

"You will be a good asset then," he started, "let's make our way toward Long Island."

Better said than done. We've been walking for hours and are only near Chaminade. My eye-lids were heavy- a bit too heavy. I wasn't alone, Hippolytus looked like his limbs barely functioned, and we both couldn't stop yawning. I felt weird going on a mini quest for a demigod sacred to Artemis, especially with a dead hunter that didn't worship Aphrodite.

That's how weird it was.

We set up a camp in the forest, near the highway, and put our belongings inside. Since it was 4:00, the sun would set soon, so we had plenty of time to talk. I wanted to make the first conversation, but I was a bit too late for it.

"Why do you have navy blue hair?" He questioned, like everyone else that knew me. I subconsciously felt my hair, the lighter blue streaks gleamed in the sun. "To be frank, I don't know. It's not normal for an-"

 
"Athena kid to have blue hair." He finished. I nodded and went silent, hoping to find something to talk about.

 
"Hey, why don't you hate me?" I asked, he raised his eyebrow in confusion, "Well, Ares and Athena hate each other so if your mom is the daughter of Ares, why would you let me come?" He made a pout expression while thinking, and I swore I heard something behind him.

"I guess it's because I gave up every god and goddess except for Artemis." I smiled at his answer, but before I could say something, what I heard dove into me.

"auGH-?" Hippolytus gasped as I fell onto the ground, feeling a small boy on top of me. 

I took in his appearance, blonde hair with pale tone brown skin. Quiver and arrow on his back, adding to his weight. The guy looked as if he was crying for 5 days straight, sniffling and dry tears striking his face.

"Sir-?" Hippolytus started.

"Junichiro Sycra." He explained, getting off of me.

"Okay, Jun-i-chi-ro..? What's going on? And what's with the nocked arrow?" I raised my hands in surrender. He put the arrow back, and wiped the tears on his face, making his face more puffy.

"There was a fucking goat." He shuddered, I tried to stifle a laugh because this guy could kill me with a moody look.

"A..goat?" I snickered, he stared right into my soul.

"Not just any goat, he had a human body too. I shot his arm because he went rabid on me."

This time, Hippolytus and I laughed as loud as a fog horn.

Jun-i-chi-ro didn't look as if he was having the time of his life, more like regret in finding us for help.

Then the goat showed up. Bloodied arm and exactly as Junichiro explained. He nocked another arrow and the satyr cowered in fear.

"Wait! I-I'm your protector!" He cried.

Hippolytus looked at me and I looked back. Satyrs guide demigods, but if this satyr isn't here for me.. then. 

"You're a demigod, hey Junnie?" I smirked. He shook his head in confusion.

"Wha-What? Huh? No?" He grumbled.

Hippolytus spoke a word and the camp fell into a portable square.

"Well, I never knew this would happen this way," He told me quietly, "You bring trouble with you, don't you?" 

I smiled whilst not knowing what that meant.

What did I get myself into?