A New Myth

A New Myth: Part 4

I cried in the corner, not bothering to try and cover it. I couldn’t regain my composure no matter how much I wanted to. I didn’t want to be this little girl, who couldn’t stop crying because of a nightmare. But I was; I was this sad, broken little girl who wasn’t strong, who wasn’t okay, who was only an actor. Phobos had broken me, and he knew it. I had finally found friends and a place call home after years of being alone. I had just glimpsed the grief I would feel if I lost it all. I knew I was in the chariot, I knew that it was fake. I knew the odds of that happening were impossibly small.

Yet part of me was still living in that nightmare. That image hadn’t only hurt me emotionally; it felt like it hurt physically. I knew the two gods found my annoying and weak. But I was, part of me said.

I sat up. No, I was not weak. This is what they wanted me to be, they showed me that so that they could feel powerful. I wasn’t weak, I was strong, and besides, that was only a nightmare they had showed me. Leo, Carter, Percy, Annabeth, everyone was alive.

I stood silently, trying hard to go unnoticed. Spinning into action, I turned Phobos around, my first connecting with his jaw. I stood, watching Phobos’s reaction along with Deimos. “That,” I said. “Is for being a coward, and a humiliation to the gods.”

Phobos stood, rubbing his jaw. It was obvious he wanted to hurt me, but whoever he was taking me to, I’m sure wouldn’t want me beyond the point of speaking. Deimos turned his brother away, so that they couldn’t see me any more. I smiled, satisfied that I had showed them I wouldn’t bullied. The rest of the ride, They stayed clear of me, as I let my attention focus to the stars.

The chariot landed a little jumpily, and I struggled to keep my balance. “We’re here.” Deimos stated, grabbing my arm and pushing me out of the chariot and onto the ground. I could tell they were sad to see me go. Without another word, the two horrid gods sped off behind me. Standing and brushing the dirt away from my hands, I faced someone who looked like an older version of the two brothers. Black sunglasses covered his eyes, even though it was the middle of the night. He leaned against a Harley motorcycle his arms crossed over his chest.

“Took those two idiots long enough to get you here.” He said, extending a hand.

“I’m Ares.”

I ignored Ares stretched out hand and put a hand on my hip. “Was it really necessary to kidnap me?” Ares shrugged.

“It wouldn’t have been as fun.” I rolled my eyes. Did deities really have to go and be so dramatic?

“Well, when we’re done here, please tell your godly friends I would like to quit the kidnapping business.”

Ares laughed. “You have quite the attitude. What did you do to my boys back there? They seemed pretty angry.”

I shrugged. “They were being jerks so I gave them a punch to the face.”

The god smiled. “You’re almost as tough as my children. You certainly don’t act like Apollo’s little runts.”

I tried to ignore the runt comment. “Can we get on with what you needed?”

“Yeah, of course. So, I’ve been having some trouble, and I have a feeling you’re the cause of it.”

I groaned. I didn’t exactly want to have a war god angry with me. Ares continued.

“I saw another person the other day, kinda like a picture slammed into my face. He didn’t seem like a mortal, and he certainly didn’t seem Greek.” Ares made a face. “He would’ve seemed strong, if not for the makeup.”

“Kohl,” I interrupted. “It’s called kohl.”

“Yeah, that’s what Athena said. I went to her after I saw it. Once I had described everythin’ to her, she said he seemed to be Egyptian. Do you know what’s going on?” Ares asked. “And don’t lie.” He threatened.