The Lone Guardian (A Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

"No more monsters. No more monsters.," the girl whimpered as she tried to make herself look smaller. I quickly lowered my bow and Artemis did the same.

"We're not monsters, okay? We won't hurt you.," I said softly. The girl looked up at me with wide eyes and I took the chance to truly look at her.

She looked about seven and had blonde hair that fell in princess curls, though it was dirty and full of mud. The girl was wearing dirty pajamas, as if she ran away in the middle of the night. Since she could see monsters, it was obvious she must be a demigod and her curly blonde hair and gray eyes reminded me so much of... Annabeth, she was most likely a daughter of Athena. By then, the girl wasn't cowering as much.

"Promise?," she whispered pleadingly. I smiled comfortingly.

"Promise. My name is Percy. And my friend's name is Artemis.," I said, looking back at her as she crouched down beside me and smiled. "What's your name?"

"Elizabeth Hale.," she said shyly, but with a hint of pride.

"Hello, Elizabeth. Can you tell us why you're out here all alone?," Artemis asked carefully. Elizabeth began to look scared again.

"Please don't take me back there!," she cried.

"We won't take you anywhere you don't want to go.," I promised. "Can you tell us what happened? Maybe where your parents are?"

Her lip began to tremble, but she quietly began to speak.

"Daddy said that Mommy died when I was a baby a-and Daddy died last year. That's when I had to go live with U-uncle Jake.," she explained, flinching slightly when she said her uncle's name. I had a bad feeling and Artemis was looking angry.

"What did your uncle do to you?," she asked calmly. Elizabeth hesitated.

"H-he hit me and called me names. He made me do chores and punished me when I did something wrong.," she sobbed as tears fell down her cheeks. Now, I was angry, too. No child should ever have to go through that. I looked at Artemis and she nodded.

"Elizabeth? Would you like to come with us? You can join my special group of girls and they will become your sisters. Would you like that?," she asked and slowly reached out her hand. Elizabeth slowly nodded and took her hand.

"Elizabeth?," I began. "Can you tell me where your uncle lives?"

She hesitantly nodded and gave me the address. I looked at Artemis.

"Permission to, ah, take care of her uncle, milady?," I asked. She smirked.

"Permission granted, Percy. Make him regret what he did.," she said.

"Gladly.," I said with an evil grin. I looked down at Elizabeth.

"Your uncle will never hurt you again, Elizabeth, and you'll be very happy with Artemis and the others.," I promised. She smiled, but still looked sad.

"Will you be there, too?," she asked shyly. I smiled.

"Of course. I am the guardian of Artemis' group. I will protect you, just as I protect the others.," I said. Then, her smile brightened and she hugged me. I hugged her back before she took Artemis' hand.

"I will see you at the camp soon.," I said. Elizabeth waved before she and Artemis disappeared in a flash of silver.

Once I knew they were gone, I concentrated on the address that Elizabeth gave me and shadow-traveled to the location. It was obvious I had the right place because the house was a bit rundown and smelled of beer and cigars. I knocked on the front door and was soon greeted by a large man that gave Smelly Gabe a run for his money when it came to stench. I smiled politely.

"Are you Jake Hale?," I asked.

"Yeah. Who's asking?," he replied. Instead of answering, I punched him in the face as hard as I could. He staggered back and I followed him into the house, closing the door behind me and trying not to gag at the smell.

"What the hell was that for?!," the pig asked.

Gods. Two days and I already sound like a hunter of Artemis. Agh! Stupid ADHD!

"You treated your seven-year-old niece as your slave and beat her for making mistakes!," I snarled.

"So? Who cares if the little brat gets what she deserves?," he said smugly. That only resulted in me getting angrier and kicking him where the sun doesn't shine. I proceeded to beat him to a pulp, only stopping when I knew Artemis and the hunters would be proud. I crouched down next to the sniveling man's ear.

"If you ever hurt anyone again, I will come for you, and, next time, I won't be so merciful.," I hissed menacingly. Jake Hale nodded his head vigorously, still whimpering.

Then, to scare him some more, I smirked and disappeared into the shadows.