☾ The Child of Artemis ☾

17. Lying Becomes Overly Impossible

          All the Hunters wake up extra early to go to Camp Half - Blood. "Girls, it's going to be a long journey. I'm warning you that it will take a long time to get there," Artemis explains. "Camp is all the way in New York, and we are in Nevada."

          The Hunters groan. "We're not stopping, are we?" a Hunter asks.

          "By car, it takes days from Nevada to Manhattan. Yes, we will rest and go on some detours," Artemis assures her.

          We don't hesitate and start walking. We hunt some small animals for food on the way. I now have deer hides and bear hides. The girls are talking nonstop. I knew Faith and I could not discuss the quest here, or there'll be consequences for the both of us. "What do you think we should do at camp?" I ask Faith.

          "I don't know. I'll finally get to see my brother again. That's nice."

          "I don't really want to see my brothers..."

          "You have to forgive them one day. They must be really sorry. I heard that Hunter tried to apologize to you."

          "I think he's faking."

           "He sounded sincere to me, but I might be wrong. You know him best."

          I sighed. "I want my mum."

          "She's right there." Faith gave a kind gesture to Artemis.

          "I mean I want my mum who lives in Mexico and won't kill me if I said I was her son to her face. Artemis does not seem like my mum."

          "True. You look a lot like her though. No matter what form she takes, you both have the same look in your eyes."

           "What do you mean?"

          "The way you glare and glower and people when you're upset are so alike. You both have a similar twinkle in your eyes when you're happy."

          "Oh. Genetics?"

          "Very likely. If not, most likely."

          "Why is my mum Artemis?"

          "It's just that way. Changing it would be impossible."

          "Lying itself feels impossible. The truth will show itself even if I don't quit disguising myself."

          "We should tell her as soon as possible, but also when you feel like it."

         "Okay."

         Artemis beckoned us at her side. "Faith, Nicole, how do you feel about the Hunters of Artemis? You can't shadow us forever. You get six more days to decide."

          I wanted to join the Hunters of Artemis, but if my cover is blown, I'd be a dead boy. "I like it, but I'm not a hundred percent sure I want to take the oath."

          "You get six more days to decide. Choose wisely and consider carefully."

           "I'm not sure either," Faith responded.

           "You must choose soon."

          "Yes, ma'am," Faith said, then went to talk to Thalia.

          I stayed at my mum's side. "Is it true that Hunters of Artemis cannot make friends with boys?" I asked.

          She pondered the question. "Yes. Yes it is. Hunters must not be in the company of men."

          I frowned and folded my arms. "Not all boys are annoying," I whispered very silently to myself.

           "Nicole, the purpose of the Hunters of Artemis is for young girls to be free of the company of boys," Artemis explained.

          "I just thought...that you could be a maiden and still be friends with boys," I thought aloud.

           "A friend of mine thought about joining, but decided not to because she wouldn't be able to spend time with her friends...or her brother."

           "Hunters may spend time with their brothers, uncles, fathers, male cousins, and the rest of their family."

          "Friends don't count?"

          "Male friends don't count."

          "What about my friend?"

          "If she doesn't join, it's her loss. She can join anytime, as long as she's not in love with anyone."

          "Aw."

            "Nicole, what about you? Do you want to join? You seem so happy with the girls."

            I kept silent. I was indeed the happiest I've ever been in so long. "I have male friends too," I replied. "They'll miss me. I'd feel selfish if I left them and joined."

          "It is not selfish to do what makes you happy."

          "Sometimes it feels that way."

          "Just because it feels selfish, that doesn't determine if it is selfish in itself."

          By that point, I had drowned in confusion. I knew I couldn't say I would join, then die because I had my cover blown. Yet, I would've joined on day one if the Hunters of Artemis group was open to both genders. Getting angry wouldn't make things any better then they were, instead make things even worse. I wanted my mum from Mexico. She would've hugged me and told me that everything would be fine, as would I.

          All I had now was a goddess for my biological mum, who was an eternal maiden until I came along. Admitting the truth would be the worst thing for my desperate life. "Nicole," Thalia looked at me as if she knew everything.

          I wasn't in the mood to talk anymore. I wanted to be back in New Caledonia with my geckos. "Nicole, I know everything," Thalia whispered.

          I turned around, expecting her to be furious and ready to dob on me. Instead, she looked the opposite of my expectations. She looked hurt and empathetic towards me. "Excuse me," I said to Artemis.

         I walked over to Thalia. "Nico, I know everything."

          I remembered she had repeated her last sentence, but substituted my alias for my real name. "How?" I looked over to Faith.

         "I told her. You can trust her, I promise. I know my cousin like you know your brothers."

          "I'm going to help you. I'm going to help you admit that you are the son of Artemis," Thalia swore. "I guarantee that you will not be injured or dead once you admit the truth."

          I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Faith told her cousin, Thalia, everything about me and the quest, and Thalia was willing to help. "Am I dreaming?"

          "Pinch yourself to find out," Faith suggested.

          I pinched myself so hard that I shouted, "Crikey!"

          Everyone stopped and looked in my direction. "Excuse me. I stepped on something pointy."

          They resumed their walk, and my arm still hurt because of the pinch I used to let out all of my anger. I don't think one percent of my anger left. "Nico, if the lieutenant of Artemis keeps a secret from her, it feels like a dream, but I promise, it isn't," Thalia promised.

          "Thank you," I let out a relieved sigh.

          I still had plenty of doubts, though. What if Thalia's promise was all a lie? Would Thalia blow my cover instead? All I had to do was hope that I could last one week in disguise.