The After Effect

Chapter 6

I was running through the woods when I heard it. The sound of wolves running with the patter of feet.

Dammit.

I knew the gods had sent the hunters after me but I wasn't expecting them to send Artemis' scared wolves too. My chances of escape just took a nose dive.

I looked behind me just in time to see an arrow fly by my head.

"Percy!" A voice screamed. "We don't want to hurt you! The gods just want to talk to you! Please!"

I froze and turned around so quick the group of hunters almost ran into me.

"Really Thalia?" I asked, facing my old friend. "Have you asked Artemis? Because I'm almost sure the gods do not 'just want to talk.' I'm pretty sure they want me dead. Or worse, imprisoned."

Thalia looked at me in confusion. "Why would they want to kill you? You are the hero. You're Percy Jackson."

"Letting your world be brought down because your teenage love didn't work out. I lost control of my powers when I was at camp because I couldn't control my emotions. I could have hurt someone."

She just looked at me.

"Thalia, I lost control of my powers because of a broken heart. I know you understand. We are, after all, children of the big three. I'm too powerful to be let loose when I'm unstable. They can't take chances. They may be honored by me as a hero but they won't risk other people because they favor me."

She took a step closer to me and I took a step back. "Percy you would never hurt anyone."

"Of course I wouldn't!" I screamed. I turned so she wouldn't she the tears in my eyes. I left over a month ago and I haven't cried since but now she is making me. "She left me! I was there for her and when I needed her, she wasn't there for me! She broke my heart. She may not of had done it one purpose, but she did. She broke my heart, she broke my loyalty. You know what happens when when you get betrayed by your own fatal flaw? It is indeed fatal. I'm dead on the inside and if I go with you, I'll be as good as dead all together."

One of the other hunters, who i had forgotten was there, spoke up. "Who?"

"Annabeth!" I screeched. "I fell into Tartarus for her and she couldn't stand to remember. I made her remember so that means she couldn't stand me either." I broke off, my voice sinking down to a whisper.

The hunters all took a step back. I knew what was running through their minds. I was a fithy boy, one so weak he was brought down by love.

"Percy."

I looked up, my eyes wide, to find Artemis standing a few feet away. She was in her twenties but had the same fire red hair as always.

"Percy," she said again. "It is my fathers orders. I don't have a choice. I am truly sorry about what has happened. If there ever was a more deserving boy to have a happy ending, it would be you."

I looked at the Maiden goddess in surprise. She thought that I, a boy, was decent?

"Does that mean you will leave me alone?" I asked.

"Sadly no." She answered. "I have my orders that must be followed but I will tell you now, I will not let them kill you. You have done enough for Olympus not to come to that fate. The other gods realize this too. Zeus' hubris may get in the way but the other gods will not let it happen."

I put my head down in defeat. I will not let myself be captured but I do want to hear what the other gods have to say.

"I'll go with you."

And with that, she grabbed my arm and flashed me, along with the hunters, to a place I would rather not be.

Word count: 693

Sorry for not updating sooner. I'm lazy and busy, not a good combo.

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*Edited January 7, 2018*