Percy Jackson Shattered like Glass

Chapter 17

3rd P. O. V.

As the hunters were waking up from their slumber, they'll seem to notice one thing.

Artemis and the hunters sat around their fire, Haze no where in sight.

It had been a good 13 hours since the battle and the ladies didn't see hide or hair of the hunter. They were starting to get worried. Was he still hurt? Was he dead?

"Lady Artemis..." The goddess looked down to see Tabitha looking at her with big doe eyes, "What is it, little one?"

"Is Haze okay?" Her bottom lip trembled and tears threatened to spill over.

The other hunters heart clenched with both guilt for getting her into this fight and anger for her worrying about a man, even if it was there guardian.

"Yes, I am, Lady Tabitha," A familiar voice said behind them and they turned to see the hunter standing there,his strange color coat flapping in the gentle breeze. "I appreciate your concern."

"You're okay!" Tabitha perked up for a second and smiled widely.

"Where's the wound?" Atlanta studied him closely, looking for any sign of an injury.

"Ah," Haze moved his coat slightly, revealing a hole in his vest and T-shirt but no wound. "I healed it myself. You don't need to worry about me, Lady Atlanta."

"I-What?" Atlanta sputtered, face growing red in embarrassment, "Who said I was worried about you? I could care less!"

Though no one could see it, the man in the mask eye's sparkled in amusement, "As you say."

" Lady Artemis," The hunter turned to the goddess. "What would you like me to do?"

"We'll be packing up camp and moving north. There is a pack of hell hounds and I hope to gain some hunters while I am out there. I want you to scout the area as we run."

Haze gave a small bow, "As you wish, Lady Artemis." His eyes flashed for a moment before he took off.

"Hunters, we leave now!" Artemis called out, pointing where the guardian ran.

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"Haze," Artemis called, stopping in a small, dirt clearing.    

The hunter jumped down from a high branch, agile like a cat, "Yes?"

  "Did you see the pack?"

    "No but I found where they are staying," Haze reported, waving slightly at Sabrina .   

"Very good. We'll move in toni-" The goddess was cut off by a loud scream from behind them, followed by shouting .    

The hunters raised their bows, aiming towards the bushes while Haze  climbed swiftly up a tree and out of sight.    

Suddenly, a young girl, maybe ten or eleven, ran out, panting harshly with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Her clothes were torn and dirty, as if they haven't been washed in days, and her hands and knees were scraped up and bleeding. Her hair was covered in mud, concealing the real color, and was matted to her forehead with sweat.    

Following shortly after her were three men, cursing angrily as they threw objects.   

The girl barely glanced at the hunters, stumbling as a beer bottle connected with her back.

She cowered, scooting back slowly as one of the men raised a wooden bat, intent on beating her right then and there.      

Before the hunters could stop her, Marci ran forward, dagger gripped tightly in her small hands, "Leave her alone!"

    "Well, would you look at that," One an laughed, his greasy face spreading in a perverted grin. "A little kitty came out to play. Isn't she a cutey?"   

  "We should take her home," Another suggested, giggling.     

Marci clung onto the downed girl, sitting in front of her protectively, as she repeated, "Leave her alone!"  

   "Come on, Sweet Thing," A short man purred, reaching out to pet the girl's cheek.

Suddenly, he let out a strangled cry as something grabbed his wrist, twisting it painfully.

     Haze stood in front of the two girls, his aura dark and dangerous, "Back away."   

  "Shut up, you punk!" The man with the bat growled, swinging his weapon of choice at the hunter. It connected with the side of his head, making it snap to the side.

His anger, however, faded when Haze  turned his head calmly, rolling his shoulders as if nothing happened.     

Haze adjusted his coat, laughing humorlessly, "That tickled."

Suddenly, Haze's hand snapped forward and he grabbed the man by the throat, squeezing hard as he lifted him in the air, "Now, there are many things I tolerate but messing with the hunters of Artemis are not one of them. Do you understand me?"     

The man nodded as much as he possibly could and gasped when he was dropped to the ground.

Glancing back, he noticed his friends getting up, various cuts and bruises littering their bodies. As one, they all took off, intent on getting away from the hunters as fast as they could.     

Haze turned around and knelt in front of Natasha, who hadn't left the girl's side, "Lady Marci, while what you did was brave and admirable, what you did was also dangerous. Those men were much bigger than you. You could have been seriously injured."     

"I'm sorry," The young girl said solemnly, bowing her head.Artemis gave a curious glance.

    "It's alright," Haze patted her head gently. He turned to the other girl, who cowered in fear.     

The hunters watched in silence as the guardian attempted to talk to the girl.

He threw back his hood, which surprised the hunters still. They saw his frosty, white hair and his swirling eyes, that seem to captivate anyone.

Artemis had a small smile on her lips knowing what Haze did. He showed himself to the girl to gain her trust.

"What's your name?" He asked after a moment.    

The girl looked up shyly and twiddled with her fingers, "H-Hannah..."   

"Well, Hannah," Haze  stood up, offering her a hand, and motioned towards Artemis. "Why don't we let these ladies help you get cleaned up, yeah?"     

"O-Okay... Who are you?" Haze  asked, taking his hand.      "

My name is Haze  and I work with these ladies. Now, Lady Artemis and Lady Thalia will take you to get cleaned up."    

Hannah walked up to the two hunters, gazing at the floor, and followed them to one of the tents.     

"Hey." Haze  turned to see Atlanta standing there, hands on her hips.      "What you did, protecting Marci," She continued, looking into his mesmerizing eyes . "Thanks."     

Atlanta could swear she could hear him smile as he said, "No need to thank me, Lady Atlanta. I just didn't want her to get hurt."

What weapon would you have?

I would probably want a sword, basic I know.

Till next time :)