The Child of Artemis

Chapter Nine

While we waited for Chiron to come and issue our punishment, I decided to look around. I hadn't been in the big house yet, so I was curious. I came across a room covered in grape vines, and a stuffed leopard head on the wall. Now, I wasn't too sure about how I felt about the grape vines thriving inside a building, but I knew one thing for sure I didn't like.

The leopard head was snoring. It was alive. I almost want to scream.

This entire camp was on drugs, I swear. I've seen high school kids on drugs. They say crazy things. This whole camp was crazy multiplied by a billion.

"I'm going crazy. I'm insane. That's it. Case closed." I sigh in exasperation.

"Not quite. Agreed, this is plenty to take in, but you are not insane." I turn to see Chiron, except he wasn't a centaur anymore. He was human, but sitting in a wheelchair.

"You're not a horse." I point out flatly. "You were a horse. If I'm not insane, tell me why I'm seeing things." I cross my arms.

"Later, child. For now, we must discuss this morning and the proper consequences for that event. Come now. The Hermes cabin awaits." He rolls away, and I follow slowly. Just as we meet up with the Hermes cabin, the Athena girl from before runs into the room.

"Chiron! Pardon her, please. Let me teach her how things work here. She's had to rely on stealing up to this point. Let me show her that she doesn't have to anymore." She says hurriedly, like she's afraid Chiron would interrupt her.

"Very well. However, should she do this again in the next two months, it will reflect on both of you. Amaris, Acacia, you may leave. The Hermes cabin must still be dealt with." Chiron agrees. Acacia quickly grabs my wrist and drags me away.

"Why did you do that?" I mumble when we get outside.

"It's my job. Apollo and Artemis explained your situation to me. I'm the one that will help teach you how things work outside of an alley. During winter, I'll go home with you and I'll help you learn how school functions. I'm like your sister. Sound good?" She rambles in a bubbly tone, a smile plastered on her face at all times.

"Um, sure. Thank you I guess." I bite my lip. Two bubbly acting siblings. Acacia and Melody would make quite the pair. Scratch that. I hope while I'm around, the two of them don't come into contact. I think two bubbly, talkative people is more than I could handle.

I look up to see Acacia's smile has been replaced with a thoughtful frown, and that she's staring at something behind me. I turn to see Nico walking towards us. I smile slightly. He's just saved me from a day of awkward conversations. Acacia seems nice, but I'm just not used to talkative people like her. That's going to take some time.

"Nico. What are you up to?" Acacia questions softly when he's close enough.

"I promised I'd help Amaris train for a bit. We talked for a bit. We get along well, so I figured I could train her, rather than someone she doesn't know or doesn't feel comfortable around." He replies smoothly. Acacia sighs slightly.

"Alright. Since you promised. Just bring her back in one piece, okay?" Acacia smiles jokingly. Nico nods slightly, then motions for me to follow him.

"So. She's going to be your escort in the mortal world, huh?" Nico smirks. "A bit excited, isn't she?"

"Yeah. She's nice, but it's going to take awhile for me to get used to the bubbly-ness" I shrug. Nico chuckles slightly.

"Bubbly-ness?" He laughs. I cross my arms.

"Oh shush. I didn't know how else to word it." I smirk, not completely oblivious to the humor in my wording.

"Uh huh." He smirks, teasing me. I roll my eyes with a smile. "Anyways, I assume you've tried your luck with a bow already, right?" Nico gets serious again.