The Keeper (A CHBP story)

Chapter 3: Jem

Aside from the silver arrow that is aimed at him, Jem had a pretty good month. It was supposed to be a snowy month, but because of the camp director, Mr. J, the camp is snow free. The camp has magical borders that prevent weather (and monsters) from coming in without permission.

He remembered everything that happened in the past weeks when the hunters came to camp to visit. All of them were fine with their silver outfits and dazzling beauty. “Wow, these hunters are hot!” Jem thought. He had never seen the hunters of Artemis before. He heard from the other campers that they were to swear off boys for all eternity in order to join the goddess in her hunts. Now, after seeing them in person, He hoped that they didn't take that oath too seriously.

He saw that two of the hunters were carrying a stretcher. On it was a girl, around his age with dark hair and pearly white skin. “Gods, please don't tell me she is a hunter too. She is way too cute to be one” Jem said in his mind. But then he noticed the wound at her back, and he felt that his heart got hit by Chuck Norris. Although the wound was treated, it still glowed with a purplish light, which told him that the stab wasn't just an ordinary stab.

"You!" One of the hunters said, pointing at him. "Are you a healer?"

This hunter looks different from the others. Maybe it is because she was wearing a bandana or maybe because her eyes were blood shot from crying. He seen a lot of powerful women in camp he even had dated some of them. But something told him that he better follow this girl's orders or he will die in the most painful way she could think of.

"Um, yeah." he said nervously.

"Good, you will have to do. Where is Barry?" She asked him.

"He's at the big house. Don't worry, I will call him." Jem said, taking out a gun from his belt. It was a bronze Smith & Wesson Model 29. He spun the barrel a few times before shooting it towards the sky. Instead of a bullet, a golden bird flew high and went to the big house.

"Come on." Jem said to the hunters. "Let's bring your friend to the infirmary before..." he looked down at the purplish wound. "...things get worse."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jem and the other hunters passed by the cabins as they went to the infirmary. There were only a few campers in camp; since it is not summer break yet. From Apollo's cabin, he called out Erika and George to help. The three of them won't be much against this kind of curse, but they will have to do. Before they left, Jem noticed a dark figure between Zeus and Poseidon cabin. As soon as he went closer to see it properly, it disappeared. He shook his head and wonder if his eyes were playing with him.

They placed the hunter in one of the beds and the children of Apollo started to work. While Jem focused on patching the wound, George and Erika hummed a pleasant tone, the Hymn of Apollo. Jem told the hunters to wait outside which they reluctantly agreed. By the time they were done, Erika and George passed out in one of the nearby beds and Jem was panting. The healing process took most of their energy.

The some of the hunters came in with their activities director, Barry. If you look at the upper part of his body, you would think that he is just a regular camper with a camp shirt. But if you look at his bottom half, all you can see is the body of a stallion or that is what he wants to call it. Unlike most of his brethren, he is small as if he is a pony. Though, it is best that you won't say that to his face, unless you want to be buried underground.

He looked at the hunter and his expression paled, like he knows something that they don't.

"Barry, what's wrong?" Jem asked wearily.

"It's nothing." Barry said. "How is her condition?"

"Well," Jem started. "She isn't in a life threatening situation anymore, but we can't cure the curse inside of her. It is stronger than the three of us combine."

The bandana hunter perked up. "You mean the glowing purple on her wounds?" She asked. Jem nodded, and most of the hunters were alarmed. "But don't worry. The curse can't kill her. Or I think it won't." Jem told them. "Let's just let her rest. That is the best thing for her right now." And with that, most of them left except the bandana girl and Barry.

"Barry, I know you are hiding something." Jem said. "I need to know so that I can he--" Barry hold his hand up for silence.

"I am not in the position to tell you that, Jem." Barry said in a calm but disturbed voice, like he is remembering some bad memory and didn't want the people around him to notice it. "Now, I need to go to the archery range to help the Hades Cabin with their training. Will you take care of her?" he asked.

Jem knew that Barry has a soft spot on the Hades kids since he was Hades' kid, as well. Though how did how the lord of the underworld gotten a centaur as a kid, he doesn't know. "Sure, Barry." Jem said. Barry nodded and galloped out of the infirmary. When he turned around, he saw that the other hunter was already asleep by the side of the bed. He smiled at her and covered her with a blanket before going to his cabin to get the book about curses.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 The weeks went by with Jem doing his new daily route. Every morning, he will visit the infirmary to check on the wounded hunter. After several insults and a boxing glove arrow on the face, Barry convinced the hunters that Jem has no malicious intentions towards their sister, though he still gets those murderous glares from time to time.

Thankfully, he has one hunter at his side. Blessie was cool, once you get to know her better. They got to know each other while tending May’s wound. Unlike the rest of the hunters, she was cool with guys like Jem around. She told him that she and May, the hunter in the bed, were once campers, so they don't have any problems with boys. But, when he asked her why did they joined the hunt, she wouldn't answer. Jem thought it be a bad subject for her, so he didn't ask anymore.

Every afternoon, Jem would always ask Ella from the Poseidon Cabin to help in getting the freshest sea water for May. He was hoping that the combination of the healing powers of the ocean plus his healing powers can speed up the healing process. Unfortunately for him, that means he has to be wet, as well.

So, every time Jem does it, he has to wear his swimming trunks, which is fine by him. Since the hunters wear one piece swimsuits, May was force to wear two piece swimsuits from the Aphrodite Cabin since they needed the wound to be bare. They kept doing this for the pass weeks with little results.

That afternoon, while doing their sessions, Ella released the water too much that gave Blessie a good salt water bath. Jem hold a laugh while Blessie glared at him. "Sorry." Ella said, looking down at her feet.

"Hey, don't worry about it." Blessie said. The, she looked at Jem. "Watch her for me. I need to change." She explained.

"Sure, but can you tell the hunters not to come here?" Jem asked her. "I don't want it to happen like last time."

She chuckled. "Ok, I can do that."

“I should go too.” Ella said. “I still have to help Sam with her sword fighting lessons.” And she joined Blessie outside.

Before he could get his spare clothes by the bedside, Jem saw some movement on the bed and saw May waking up. "Oh, you are awake. Thank the gods!" he said. Before he could even do something else, a bow appeared in her hands and aimed directly at his face. "Before I will kill you," May said. "I will give you 30 seconds to tell me what the heck is going on."

A hot girl holding a silver bow is about to kill him with arrows that look like it can penetrate an armored van. But all he can do is smile and thinking, “If this will be the last thing that I will see before going to the Underworld, then I regret nothing.” With that, he readies himself to meet Death.

----------------------------------------End Chapter-----------------------------------------

I am soooooooo sorry for the delay.. Something happened and I have to do stuff for a while.. Don't worry.. I will keep making more chapters... :3