Guardian of the Hunt

Chapter 33

"Hey Percy!" Kayda cried out, waving her arms around as I approached the hunters with Thalia. Artemis was there as well, staring at the ground. "We've been looking for you everywhere, the campfire is about to start!"

I gave a light smile, pulling my cloak around myself as a breeze sent shivers tumbling down my spine. All of the hunters wore there own clothes, but it still had a silvery touch to it - whether it be a piece of sparkling jewellery or shiny eye shadow. Artemis also wore different clothes, and God's did she look gorgeous. She had her hair up in a nice neat bun, plaits could be seen here and there. Her hunting attire had been replaced with a more modern silver dress, ending just above her knees. The dress was skin tight around the waist and had a glistening belt just to add some accessory to it. I quickly looked away, clearing my throat.

"We should get going then," I exclaimed, smiling more as I began to run towards the camp. "Last one there is a rotten Kronos!"

****

I chuckled a little as Jason finished re-telling one of his many journeys whilst he'd stayed with the Roman's, each quest had been - much like mine - filled to the brim with twists and turns, laughs and cries, unimaginable and extreme dangers. It had been like this for the past hour, random demi-gods would pass by and try to amaze me with their quests, and for each one I made sure I laughed at the right parts and listened carefully when it became serious. They walked away with happy smiles on their faces. Even Dane came to pass the table, but it didn't last long. And then... it was Artemis.

I looked down at my drink, biting my lip hard and trying not to notice her presence - but it was hard when her presence is the only one that makes me smile. 

"Perseus," she stated, looking down at me as I kind of looked up, just avoiding her eyes. I nodded my head, letting her know I understood. "I know I may have wrongly led you on, and I have been too light on you. When we next set out - which is in the next two days - you will be resuming your jobs as normal, but the hunters will not be helping you. I have decided I must be harsher."

My head snapped up at her, my mouth hanging open a little. The first thing that was a blow was the fact she called me 'Perseus' again. And then the next one was that she talked down at me; I was sat down on a log, whereas she stood up, looking down at me without any emotion. I was just another plain man now to her, nothing more nothing less. And the last was that the hunters would not be helping me, it would be impossible to get the jobs done without there help. "My Lady, I know what I said was wrong but... do you seriously need to do this?" I asked, now referring to her as 'My Lady'. Two can play that game. She flinched a little, probably not expecting me to reply with her formal name. 

"Yes." And then she walked away, disappearing into the thick crowd of demi-gods. Part of me was hurt and shocked by her statement. The other part of me was just plain angry. I couldn't even put it into words to describe it. And I also had no clue why I was angry - how on Earth could I be angry at a woman like her.

"So.... it didn't work then?" A familiar voice appeared from nowhere. I looked behind me, to see the hairdresser again, he had a drink in one hand and a pizza slice in the other. "Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Or maybe you need to give it time. I suggest you keep trying, perseverance always rewards. I know from experience."

"You know... from experience?" I spoke, my eyes trailing down to my hands. They were balled up into fists, I hadn't realised until now. I took a deep breath, focusing on calming down the anger. This was one of the things I hated most about ADHD, the way it can make you so unbelievably angry at the slightest of things. 

"Oh boy have I got experience," He chuckled, taking a large gulp from his cup. "let's think, I have done the dirty with-"

"OK, no more," I sighed, heaving myself up from my chair and walking away. I didn't want to hear about how he did someone in the back of a caravan park. That's just weird. I was in the mood earlier, but now I no longer wanted to socialise. I just want to run far into the woods and stare at the sky. Or dive underwater and swim to the other side of the world. But I also wanted to see my mum. I didn't realise until now that I missed her so much - maybe Artemis would let me give her and Paul a visit over the next couple of days. I took another deep breath, deciding I should probably remove myself from the current setting.

"Ah, Percy my boy," I heard Chiron shout, his voice louder than all of the other people that laughed in there friendship groups. I turned to face him, seeing a wide smile cover his face. I tried to smile back but it felt a bit strained. "I'm about to give a speech about you!"

"I... Chiron I need to go," I said, biting down a little "It's all.... I'm just..."

"Overwhelmed by the people? I know it can be difficult. Percy, if you really need to go then go back to your cabin, I've made sure the Harpies know you're back and they seemed delighted by the news," He sighed, a sympathetic look glistening in his eyes. "Come and talk if you have any troubles."

"I will," I nodded, opening my fists before balling them again. I looked down at my fingers, to see them white and shaking. I then started to make my way towards the general direction of the cabins, trying to avoid everyone, but then it went wrong. Very wrong. I could see Rosie, one of the smaller campers running up to me and giggling as she tried to cling onto my cape. "Rosie, not now please."

"I want to play Percy," She squealed in delight, successfully grabbing hold of my cloak and yanking on it, only making me tip backwards a little. I looked down at her, and I could see she was smiling brightly, still tugging on my cloak.

"And I said no Rosie, maybe tomorrow OK?" I said, trying to start walking away again. But just as I stepped forwards, she yanked again. I lost my balance. 

And fell backwards.

A crack sounded all across camp, a howl of pain accompanying it as everyone stared at what was happening. Everything went quiet as I scrambled to my side, hurrying to get off of Rosie as she looked up at me, pain evident as she cried and gripped her left arm. But there was also something else. Something that I never wanted to see when someone looked at me.

Fear. 

I reached forwards to help her but stopped when she flinched, it felt like a punch to the gut. This time it was a punch that would leave a mark, not like the one when Artemis rejected me. This one was worse. A hand connected with my face, knocking me back as I grunted a little. Artemis glared down at me, her hand balled in a fist and bright red. I could feel the strong and painful throb across my jaw, but I ignored it as I looked again down at Rosie, Kayda and the others picking her up and shooting me looks of disbelief. 

"What have you done!" Artemis snarled, moving towards me. Before she even had a chance to say anything else, I flashed away.

I didn't know where. 

But I didn't care.