Nature's Daughter and the Greek Gods

Chapter One

The sun smiled at me from beyond my window. The outside world seemed to call at me. Not able to resist, I got dressed and ran downstairs. My hand was on the doorknob as my friend called.
"Forest, I already know what you're thinking." She said, and I could hear the disapproval in her voice.
"Rain, heyyyyyy!" I flushed and acted like nothing was wrong.
"Forest, no. No. You are not going outside, okay? Not until it cools off. It's 90 degrees out there!" I could picture her shaking her brown head.
".......fine." I scowled, sitting down on the couch.
"I'm doing this to protect you." She sighed.
"Ew, you sound like my mom." I wrinkled my nose in disgust and smiled.
"Whatever. I'm going to the park later today."  She was moving on the other end of the line.
"You literally just said it's too hot outside." I growled. She went silent for a few seconds, then hung up. I rolled my eyes and decided to go outside. I mean, she's basically doing the whole "do as I say, not as I do" thing and I hate it when people do that. Sighing, I walked outside.
It was beautiful. The breeze cooled down the summer air and the grass felt soft under my shoes. I soaked in the beauty of-
A scream sounded out behind me. I jumped and turned around. A shadowy figure stood behind me, yet in front of the other, laying-down figure. I didn't see what or who it was. I was too busy sprinting. What, was I just going to stand there like I was in the movie IT? Uh, no!
I quickly turned the corner, my diaphragm aching, regretting not being in Athletics. I looked behind me, even though I knew it was a bad idea. The figure was right behind me. I turned around and crashed into another being.
"Watch where you're going!" The voice muttered and I glared up, not caring who it was.
"Watch who you're talking to." I growled, getting up. The flash of blue in their eyes caught my gaze.
He was scowling, his eyes on mine instead of the figure behind me-....the figure behind me!
I pushed him aside and ran again. He only jogged to keep up.
"What are we running from?" He asked, a smirk playing along his lips. I scowled.
"We're not running from anything. I'm running from a shadowy figure." I told him. I stopped and flopped on the floor.
Okay, when I run too long, I fall. And when I accept the floor, it accepts me.
The random guy looked at me.
"You good?" He asked, kneeling by me.
"What do you care?" I shot, taking deep breaths so I didn't, y'know, die or anything.
He shook his head.
"You don't know me." He muttered.
"Exactly. I don't know you," I stood up. "So let's go our separate ways. Yeah?" I gave a tight smile.
He pulled one of my curls and let it spring as I glared.
"Nah. I'll see you. Trust me." He grinned, and walked away.
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"You were right about me not going out." I said to Rain, digging around in my room for some protection.
"I know. There's crazy dogs and animals and people out there." She told me.
"Well, you can say that...." I started to explain what happened.
"Welp. Glad I was at the park! Anyway, don't worry about it. It was probably, like, a Halloween prank." She laughed a little, tucking a brown wave behind your ear.
"WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER!" I reasoned, shutting my window and pulling the curtains closed. She paused.
"Well, yeah, but-"
"No buts! I could've died. I'm never going outside again! Especially not in Texas!" I told her, hanging up. I finished packing my room with duct tape and hiding hangers and hard books, and flopped on my bed. Suddenly, my mom called me from downstairs.
"FOREST! I need you to go get milk from the grocery store!" She yelled. I groaned and started walking downstairs.
"But moooom! There was a shadowy figure trying to kill me!" I argued. Her green eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Oh, Forest, I'm not going to fall for that." She smiled. Well, it's true, I tried something like that maybe once. Or twice. Or three times. I sighed heavily.
"Mom, I'm serious." I told her, sitting down.
"Well, too bad. We need milk. Oh, while your at it, complete this list." She gave a patient smile and handed me a list.
"Mom!" I groaned.
"Forest. Unless you want to starve this week, you will go to the store and get everything in the list. I'll give you money." She suddenly turned stern. I paused.
"Fine." I sighed, clutching the list and the $40 in my hand. Mom smiled.
"Good. Now. I'll let you drive your brother's golf cart." She beamed. My brother was in college and left most of his stuff here. I smiled a little. Hey, at least I'd have some speed to get away.
"Thanks. I'll be back." I frowned a little at the left out word. Hopefully.