Okay, so, as you might have noticed, I am taking a break from the promised prequel (that is still coming! Don't worry!) of my NCIS series. Well, I just felt like saying that and let's get on with the story :) Oh yeah, disclaimer for this chapter and all chapters to come: I DO NOT OWN PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYPIANS: ! Seriously, I don't.
PROLOGUE
I looked up as I heard the bell ringing, signalling that someone had just entered my shop. I smiled, and thought of the day my first costumer entered Hellman's Hunting Equipment. I looked up from the counter to see a boy of about fourteen standing there.
He had medium length, badly cut brown hair that reminded me of my mom's caramel (when it was burnt) and his skin of when she finally managed to make perfect caramel (I hate to say, but it tasted like crap). His eyes were dark blue and he had dark rings under them (like I had when I was in college). He had a metal chain necklace on, which I thought weird for a guy, but I didn't judge my costumers.
I couldn't help but notice his strange clothing though. He had on dark, worn out jeans with holes above his knees and the ends were coming loose. He also had on a plain black t-shirt, something I had seen on lots of boys his age who walked past my window. I thought all boys his age would be wearing shirts with something illegible written on them or so. Apparently, I was mistaken. He reminded me painfully of my own son, who had just gone to college.
"Can I help you, son?" I asked, smiling.
He nodded. "I need a bow, arrows and a hunting knife. Can you help me find something?" He asked. His voice was smooth. It made me want to agree with him. Weird. I shook off the feeling and replied, "Well of course I can help you, sonny. I have the best models you'll get around here. Now, what kind of bow do you want? Recurve or compound? Are you left or right handed?"
"I'd prefer a left handed compound bow. Preferably one that shoots accurately and is good for hunting," he answered.
"Brilliant," I smiled. "I may have the perfect bow for you."
I led him over to the wall on the left side of the door where I kept my left handed bows. I pulled one off the wall and gave it to him.
"That's the Bronze Wolf 'Whisper' Left Hand Draw Weight Compound Bow. It is light and the draw string is tight, which makes it aim with deadly accuracy if you're good enough. How long have you been hunting, son?"
"Ten years," he answered, pulling the draw string way back, making a perfect hunter figure. I could tell that he wasn't lying when he said 'ten years.' "What arrows would you recommend with this bow? And what tips? And what knife?" He asked. Damn, he really reminded me of my son. No wonder I called him 'son' and 'sonny.'
"Well, the arrows that go best with this bow are the Bronze Wolf ACC Carbon Alloy arrows. They are perfectly balanced and are made for this bow."
I handed him a package of thirty arrows from the wall. He put one in its place, aimed at the bulls eye behind my desk (mind you that that is about 30 feet) and shot. The arrow landed dead center. I stared at him. He really was good.
"Any arrow tips to this?" He asked.
"Uh, yes, yes," I stammered. "The Metal Piercer 3 Blade Broadheads. I'll go get them for you."
I got him the tips from the back of the store.
When I got back, he had one last request.
"Is there a knife to this set?"
"Yes. The Bronze 216 Special Bowie Blade Hunting Knife, right over there," I said, pointing over to the knives hanging on a rack on the opposite wall. As he went over to get the knife and look at it, I went back to the counter. After a few minutes, I heard the unmistakable sound of the bells over the door as it opened and closed. Shocked, I ran to the front of the store, where I found a note and a stack of gold coins.
Kind sir, I am sorry that I do not have normal money to pay for the equipment. All I have are these. Take them to your nearest jeweller and ask how much they are worth. When they ask where you got them, say that you are an archaeologist and the agency allowed you to keep them. They are pure gold. Happy living!
-Aaron
I grinned. Yes, this boy, Aaron, really did remind me of my son. Even leaving the drachmas behind. Just like him.
Okay, so if you want to see what Aaron looks like, well, I kinda draw characters, so here is the link: .com/#/d2xe87q
Anyway, tell me what you think! I will (try to) update as much as possible, and yeah. Review is all I can think of : )
