The Labors Of Artemis

the time everything turned upside down

Hear me out, okay!. I was always a faithful hunter of Artemis. Before I committed the worst of crimes. But before all of you start thinking of me as a mass murderer, let's start at the start.

I walked on the edge of a cliff. The moonlight made the tall grass look like lethal blades of destruction. Mysterious noises came from the woods nearby... Or maybe it was just an illusion. I peered down; a dark river snaked its way through the valley. It was a fifty foot drop, maybe even a hundred. If i lost my balance, I would pummel to my death. Something rustled behind me, maybe a squirrel or a rabbit. I didn't bother to look around; I was too busy taking in the scenery. A twig crunched behind me. This time I did look back, but only the trees and the darkness beyond stared back at me. I turned back to the valley, and someone put a hand on my shoulder. I started, and hurtled back instinctively. I fell from the cliff, hurtling down at top speed. I grabbed a branch and held on to it for dear life. From the edge of the cliff, a girl's face stared at me. A girl with eyes eyes as dark as the river below, and hair as black as the cloudy sky above. The moonlight made her face look really pale, almost ghostly. It was the face of Zöe Nightshade. Zöe shouted something, though I couldn't hear her. I looked at the branch I was holding; it wouldn't hold me much longer. I glanced up at Zöe, my sister... But that wasn't possible... Zöe was dead... The branch snapped, and i fell... And fell ... And fell...

I woke up from the nightmare, drenched in cold sweat. My shallow breaths went back to normal as i told myself it was just a dream. To distract myself, i got up, got dressed, picked up my bow and arrow and got out of my tent.

Sun's first rays were peeking out of the clouds. Despite the early hour, Thalia Grace was pacing outside her tent, muttering to herself. She looked up, and her expression turned guarded.

" What are you doing here, this early?" Her gaze is hostile, though i can't imagine why.

"Nightmare. Couldn't sleep... But i'd like to ask what brought you out here?" I try to sound polite. Thalia Grace was a good freind most of the times, but when she was in a bad mood, she could kill you in a matter of seconds.

" Well, that's strange. I had a nightmare too. "I looked at her quizzically. " Something about my dad. I... He was angry, though I don't know why. But it can't be good when my dad's angry."

" I agree. I think we sh-" A rustle behind me. I turned, my bow ready. I peered into the bushes walking cautiously. It could be anything- bear, monster, or some harmless creature.

With Thalia right behind me, I probed around the bushes. It was all leaves and blossoms-

My fingers brushed a thing that felt like flesh.Human flesh. " Over here! " Thalia and i pushed the leaves aside, to reveal a boy who looked about seventeen.