The Crossroads: The Stolen Memories

Introduction

I nearly trip on the front step on the way to the front door of my house. I practically sprinted home when I heard the bell that signified the end of my life as a middle schooler. I open the front door and slam it while announcing my arrival with a simple, "I'm home." 

I drop down my backpack and make my way to the kitchen, only to find it empty. "Dad?" I ask but get no response. My father had promised to eat dinner with me today. I hardly ever got to spend anytime with him because he worked from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm most days. However, he had already asked his boss to take the night off to spend time with me. We had been planning this night for over three weeks, and I would be mad if he bailed on me.

My father is a doctor, and makes a lot of money doing it too. We have a big house, too big for just the two of us, with five bedrooms, a pool, a game room, and an exercising room. I have always questioned why we would need such a big house when we never have guests over, and I never have any friends to invite over. I also question why my dad works so much when we don't need as much money as he earns. 

Dr. Henry Rivera graduated in the top 5% of his school at Harvard in the medical fields. He proceeded on his education in medicine in graduate school, and then moved to Providence, Rhode Island. There he meet a beautiful woman, who he had a child with. They decided to name her Zoe and dreamed of their perfect lives together as a family. However, Zoe's mom died in childbirth, leaving just her father to take care of Zoe. Henry Rivera, heartbroken, became even more engulfed in his career. It was a distraction from the pain he felt from his broken family. Whether he realized it or not, he was neglecting his child with the distraction of his career. He had hired countless nannies who raised the child, and was devastated when the nannies left.

The sound of the garage door opening distracts me from my thoughts. My dad walks in with his scrubs and name tag still on. "Hello Zoe." He says, engulfing me in a hug.

"Hey Dad. Are we still going to have dinner tonight?"

He drops my gaze, and I know the answer to my question. "Sorry Zoe," he says with a look of guilt, "I have to work until 11 tonight. I just came home to grab a file I left here."

"But we've been planning this for weeks!" I said, letting my anger show.

"I'm really sorry Zoe. Lets do it another time."

I know he's most likely never going to make up for the lost dinner. I sometimes don't even know why I try anymore. My anger has gone, leaving me with disappointment. "It's fine." I lie. "I'll just make some grilled cheese."

"Bon Appetite?" He says with a small smile.

I force a fake smile back at him and nod. "I'm going to go upstairs and take a shower."

I head up the stairs and try to push away my disappointment. When I get out of the shower I brush out my thick black hair. People have always commented how 'gorgeous' it is, and how much they want it, but it's really just a pain. Since it is thick and long, it is very hard to brush out, even with conditioner. Plus it was naturally curly, but not in a good way. It was more like waves then curls, and they were completely unorganized and ugly. However, I did like my eyes. They were bright blue and reminded me of a summer sky. I got my eyes from my dad, and my hair from my mom.

I hear the garage door close, and I know I probably won't see my dad again until tomorrow morning. I head down the stairs, with my soggy hair cold on my back, and go to the kitchen. However what I see there is more than terrifying. I scream, and the... thing growls in response to me. Its hair looks like fire, no wait, it's hair is on fire. It has one leg that is hairy like a donkeys, and another made of metal. But despite of its bottom half the creature looks feminine. Her face would be gorgeous if you didn't hear her voice.

"Zoe." She says in a voice as ear-shattering as nails on a chalkboard. 

"W-What?" My voice falters. "How do you know my name?"

"Relax demigod. I'm not here to hurt you. I only eat men. You and I are related, you know."

She eats men? We're related? I've concluded that I've gone crazy. I don't know what to do, there is no easy escape route, and this girl has claws for fingernails. I take a deep breath and try to sound confident, but only a cry comes out of my mouth.

"I have to admit it is funny seeing you like this. You were always mothers favorite. The most powerful, the most honorable, the-" she hissed, "prettiest."

"My mom died when I was born. You have the wrong person." I managed to say.

"So I see mother has planted decent lies into you and your dad's memories." She spat out. "No matter. You need to come with me."

"No." I say in a quiet voice.

"No?"

"No." I confirmed, with more confidence this time. "Get out of my house, or I'll call the cops."

She rolled her eyes and reached out for me with her arm. I moved away and started for the front door. I only got to the front porch when the thing caught up with me.

"Now what do you think you're doing?"

"Who are you?" I said, deflecting the question.

"I'm Stella. I'm and empousa, and I'm your distant relative. Maybe you remember Tammy or Kelly. Or how Percy Jackson killed them."

Who was Tammy, Kelly, and Percy Jackson. Something told me that I should know them but I couldn't put my finger on it.

"I'm not going with you Stella." 

Instead of responding she grabbed me and dug her claws into my sides. I sank to the group and says colors dancing around my eyes.

"Stop right there." I heard someone yell, before I passed out.