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Disclaimer: I do not own anything Percy Jackson. All rights go to the brilliant author, Rick Riordan
Chapter I
The trees danced in the autumn breeze, while red and orange leafs slowly left them, gently being carried down to the forest floor. They soon become crisp and cold without the trees life flowing through them, not unlike the leafs currently surrounding my feet. The fragile leafs that I could easily step on and break into many pieces. I can't help but think of myself when I see them. Like leafs, I can be effortlessly broken.
I barely react to the sound of a twig breaking next to me. I knew a deer had broken the twig, I heard the tender walk of the animal a while back. The quiet foot fall of the animal, barely anyone can hear. I don't know way I can hear animals so much clearer than most, the forest is just a place where I can be calm and listen to my surroundings, a special connection between myself and nature. I slowly turn my head to see the deer. It is hardly more than a fawn, a small deer that had left its mother not long ago, a mother who had cared for him. I can't help feeling jealous when I think about the deer having a loving mother, or when I think about anyone's mother, as I had to live my life without one, or a father for that matter.
I never knew my parents. When I was born my father took me away for someone else could take care of me. He took me to a very close friend of his. Her name is Annabeth. She is the kindest person I've ever meant. She works hard on new designs for her architect career, while taking care of me as well. Annabeth also agreed to take me in, which makes her even better. She is now like a mother to me. I have more love for her then I could ever have for my real parents. Annabeth tells me I shouldn't regret my parents for what they did, for they were forced to, and it was one of the hardest decisions for my father to ever make. You see, I wasn't supposed to be born. My mother never should have had me. Because of my parent's mistake, they had to give me to Annabeth, in order to keep me safe. Even still, I can't stop the hate I feel towards them. I don't want anything to do with them really, and when Annabeth tells me that I have my mother's looks and my father's eyes, it's hard to hide the hate I feel. I want nothing to do with them; even this simple bond of genetics is too much. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if my parents had at least named me, but it was Annabeth who named me Hallie.
I watch as the deer slowly bends down gracefully to eat the dying grass. My eyes leave him to look around at the woods. Most of the leafs have long left the trees, only few remain. The grass is turning brown, winter is almost here. The animals that go into hibernation will soon be gone. The winter chill is coming into the air. Still I will continue to visit the woods in the cold weather. The forest is my safe haven from the world and it is also the only place I'm happy, and feel like I really belong. Annabeth is the only one that can ever get me to leave. She calls me home for meals, and to go to bed for I'll be rested up to go back to school the next day.
Annabeth dislikes it when I go into the forest. She says it's not safe, although, she still lets me go, even at night, which she hates, but I love. The evening has always been my favorite time to be out. My senses always seem to be sharper when the moon is up. I don't know why Annabeth worries so much when I'm out at night; I'm not scared of anything in the forest. Plus, I carry a small bow for protection, which I can use with great ability and skill, even without much practice.
I look to the sky, which is slowly darkening, the last light of the sun leaving until the next day, when it will rise again at dawn. For now, dusk is breaking, it will soon be dark and after that it will not be long until Annabeth expects me home. Still, I head deeper into the woods.
I pull my long auburn hair back into a ponytail, as to keep it out of my face while I move through the forest. I keep a fixed grip on my bow, and hold it ready by my side. I do this because Annabeth has told me countless times that I most always be on the ready, for I could be attacked any time. I have never believed her, as I have never been attacked before. I still listen to her though. I do this because I know it would mean the world to her that I listened to this small instruction, and I can do this small favour for someone who has done everything for me.
Finally, when I'm so deep into the forest, that I can barely see the darkening sky, I decide I should be heading home. I'm about to turn to go when I hear running to the left of me. I tilt my head to hear better, but it's hard to tell what it is. I know it's not human, I can tell that much. It is big, and its feet fall heavily on the ground, and I can tell it's coming my way. Quickly, I climb the tree next to me, a skill I have worked hard for-readying my bow once I'm high up in the tree. I point it to the bushes where I know it will break through, and in no time, I find I'm right. A bear breaks through the bush, coming right for me, and held between her teeth, is a torn piece of Annabeth's clothing.