The Life of a Demigod

Chapter 16

The morning came and I paced my cabin in silence, everybody else already gone to the campfire or mess area. Last night I had the misfortune of breaking news to Jess, I couldn't get over them leaving but it was worse for Lily.

There was a soft knock on the door before a soft voice could be heard through the wooden door.

"Blue bunny? You still in there?" Ethan uncharacteristically said before slowly opening the door. "Hey, how you doing?" He walked across the floor with his arms stiffly held at his side and his eyes completely focused on me.

"I'm fine. Just.. Jess didn't seem like she wanted to go. Lily wanted her to stay and I don't know why they even left. Was it my fault?" With every word I spoke my voice got thicker and more tears seem to fill the corners of my eyes until they spilled over.

"Blue," Ethan sighed as he pulled me towards his chest and wrapped his arms around me in a hug. "Listen to me. None of this is your fault. If anything, I should take the blame. I dragged you here in the first place. I never meant for them to come for you. Do you want to go with them? No one would blame you. But, hear me out on this, you've met more people here, been here longer, no one over there has seen as much of you as we have. It's always your choice. Blue bunny."

He moved one hand from my back to gently wipe away my tears. A smile soon went on his face, one of his signature flirting smiles. "Now, you'll have to stay quiet about this, blue bunny. Can't risk my reputation." He winked before placed a soft kiss on one of my hands and backing out of the cabin, leaving me alone with tear stained cheeks and a dark blush covering the surface of my neck and face.

My feet stumbled back until I hit the wall, with my back pressed against it, I slid down sat there, pulling my knees towards my chest and wrapping my arms around them. As I sat there, I couldn't help but think about how Ethan always did this. Always flirting, leaving me red faced and breathless even now.

I could feel my flushed face and pounding head, it wasn't going away. With a sigh, I went to the bathroom in the cabin and splashed water on my face. After doing this a few times and drying myself off I felt strangely rejuvenated.

As I left the bathroom I could hear the cabin door open swiftly before slamming shut. My eyes rushed to the door and saw none other than Lily with big eyes and a big pout on her face.

"Lil-" I shut up as she glared at me with eyes that could kill. It sent shivers down my back.

"They left." Lily sat on her bunk and threw her pillow over her face, clutching it tightly. "She wasn't supposed to leave. I was," she hiccuped a few sobs, "I was supposed to stop her."

"Oh, Lily. I'm sorry.. I thought she'd listen to you." I looked down sadly.

She sat up and glared at me again, angry beyond belief. "I'm going." Her voice was hard and cold. She got out of her bed and left the cabin, slamming the door closed behind her.

I moved to the closest bunk and plopped down; burying my face in my hands as I did. Thoughts raced in my mind.

What if she holds a grudge?

What if she never talks to me?

They'd be better off without me, I should leave.

Would they care if I left?

Would any of them even notice?

The other camp did, they even sent people to get you. It was a waste of effort and resources. I'm not worth it.

These few phrases looped in my mind. Playing continuously until I couldn't take it. I grabbed my sword that was for some reason in the cabin by my bed and I placed it, sheath and all, on my belt. The sword was swinging with every step I took out the door and out of camp. I took the path behind the cabins so that no one would see me attempting to leave.

The camp seemed quiet as I made my way to the "border" we have. In reality it's just a bunch of logs that we placed around the clearing to show us where we shouldn't try to go past. As I made my way closer, I couldn't help but feel like someone was watching me. I turned around but sure enough, no one was there. With a steady determination I faced forward and stepped over the log, officially out of Blacksword. I ran until I couldn't see the buildings, I ran until I couldn't hear anything except the natural wildlife, I ran until I was sure I was gone from the troubles of people.

When I looked up I couldn't believe my eyes. The forest had seemed to change. The trees gradually seemed to get darker and loose the green leaves on their branches. The further I went into the forest the more I shivered. My eyes constantly moved to the edge of my vision. My ears strained to hear signs of a monster or native animals to the area.

This was so typical of me. Running away from my problems like the scared child I was 7 years ago. I cursed myself under my breath and flinched when it echoed louder than I intended. A snap of a twig caught my attention and I spun around to see what could have caused it. At first I saw nothing but a shimmer started to appear in between two trees.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" I clutched the handle of my sword at my waist, ready to brandish it at any sign of trouble.

There was a rumbling laughter before a woman's figure emerged from the shimmer in the darkness before me. I pulled out my sword and pointed it at her but she did nothing more than raise an eyebrow at my behaviour.

"You can put that away. It can't do a thing against me."

"But who are you?

"A goddess, of course. Can't you tell? Now put that silly sword away. If I wanted to kill you don't you think I would have done it already?" She crossed his arms and a pout briefly crossed her face before turning to a dazzling smile.

I put the sword back into the sheath on my waist before staring dumbfounded at the unnamed goddess in front of me. It definitely wasn't any of the big three, they were all definitely male. It didn't look like how I imagined Athena and I really doubt she would notice me. Maybe Artemis? She has a gang of girls as her hunters, she might be found in a forest with a young maiden. But which god would willingly come to a forest in Canada to talk to a single runaway child?

"Ah, you don't recognize me. Well, Riley, is it? I have been watching you, your story is such an interesting one. Surrounded by boys who have fallen for you while you are completely oblivious of them. Too much fighting monsters for my taste, and not any big sacrifices, but we can fix that."

"Who are you?" My voice shook as my brain raced trying to figure out what should be obvious by now.

"You still can't tell? I am Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. And you, love, have some work to do. You look like such a mess. Did you even try to make yourself pretty today? No matter, I can fix that up for you." She snapped her fingers and a sensation overcame me.

I looked down and I thought my eyes were tricking me. I was wearing an old fashioned Greek dress. I lifted a hand to my hair and felt it perfectly braided in a crown around my head. I could assume that this was what Ethan had said at one point.

"Blue bunny, you are more beautiful than any of Aphrodite's blessings could make a person. Added makeup, elegant hair, style, none of that could compare to your natural beauty, my dear."

"Your blessing?"I looked up and saw her slightly surprised head nodding to show I was correct. "What have I done to earn it?"

"All in time, love. But I apologize for this," she looked apologetic as she snapped her fingers and I fell to the ground in some sort of sleep. Left alone in the middle of the forest.