☾ The Child of Artemis ☾

21. I Am Grounded

          "I pledge myself to my mum, the goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the opportunity of romance, accept eternal bachelorhood, and join the Hunt."

          I forgot to mention that everyone had gasped after I said my first sentence. Faith just gasped in anticipation, so I'm not too angry about that. "Yeeeeeaaaaah!" she cheered immediately after I made the oath.

          "He changed the words to concur with him!" a Hunter shouted. "Do not let him join!!!"

          "Artemis, what do you think?" Faith wondered anxiously.

           Thalia stepped in. "I think Nico would be an excellent Hunter. I wanted to spend some more time with my male friends."

          "Both genders are equal," I stood my ground. "You may blast me to ashes if you want now, but I ask that you tell your brother about this."

          Mum stood there speechless. It stayed that way. Everyone busted into Cabin Eight after hearing all the racket. "What's going on?" "Huh?" "What's happening?" were a few of the questions asked once the others had barged in.

          I looked at my mum for an answer. She hugged me. "I accept your pledge, Nico."

          I smiled. "I can join the Hunters of Artemis?"

          "In that case," Faith said, "I, too, pledge myself to the goddess Artemis. I also turn my back on the opportunity of romance, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt."

          "Both of you can," Mum approved. "But, Nico, you lied to me. That results in serious consequences."

          I stood my ground, again, and asked, "What are my consequences?"

          "Lying results in two weeks and talking back also results in two. You're grounded, Nico. You will not be able to speak to anyone during your time sentence. You are to stay in your cabin unless you need to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner or if you need to use the restroom. Other than that you will not speak to anyone. Chiron will make sure it stays like that until you're ungrounded. If you don't accept your consequence, you will be stripped of your position in the Hunters of Artemis and blasted to ashes."

          "Okay, I accept my consequence."

          "Artemis," Thalia said, "when Nico is done with his sentence, I would be glad to hand the position of lieutenant to him. He's your son. He deserves it."

          "I bet that'll make him extremely excited to join. Nico, go to your cabin. You are grounded."

          I obeyed without hesitation. I was stuck in seclusion for two weeks. Starting on January twenty-fifth until I - don't- know -when. I spent a few hours napping, then it was time for dinner. I ate it slowly, and had my McFlurry for dessert. It was the best thing I ever tasted. I went back to my cabin immediately after I finished. The only good thing about being in seclusion for four weeks was not participating in the campfire sing along.

          I jumped on my bed while the other campers sang songs that tortured my brain. Another good thing was that I wouldn't be able to speak to Hunter, so he wouldn't be able to stop me from jumping on my bed. I kept jumping until I landed wrong and slammed my head against the wall. I wasn't in the mood to keep going, and instead crawled back on my bed to sleep.

          In the morning, our brekkie was like a huge party. The campers were wishing di Angelo a happy birthday. di Angelo tried for a smile after being wished a happy birthday. I also found out that di Angelo's birthday was tomorrow. Today was day two of seclusion: January twenty-sixth. I was able to handle it. Faith and Percy were speaking to each other. Faith sounded so happy. "I joined the Hunters of Artemis!" she cheered.