Suspended by the Olympians
A girl was sprinting, sprinting for her life. A large dark shape was following her. The girl was no more than fourteen years old. She screamed as a shadow caught her foot, and tripped her. "No!" She howled, and was dragged away by the shadows.
Then I awoke, my knife in the palm of my hand. Gasping for air I see my guardian watching over me. "Marilee, are you okay?" My guardian whispers. I nod, my eyes wide with fear. My guardian sighs of relief. "Good, now go back to sleep. The last day of school is tomorrow." Something in my guardian's eyes scared me.
"Valsiliki. Do you know where my parents are?" My guardian seemed to tense up. Val is my own age, but she acted like a mother to me.
"No Mari. Sorry, but you know that they died in a fire.." Val replied grimly, but something flickered in Val's eyes that kept me frightened. Val sensed this and walked out of the room. I felt alone, and the memories that were in Val's eyes almost made her cry. I sheathe my knife, and falls back asleep.
-^.^-
I wake up to the sound of pipes. "VAL!" I howl in annoyance. Val turns red with embarrassment. I just roll my eyes, and gets out of bed. I get ready, barely brushing my dark chocolate hair.
"Sorry, Mari! I was just practicing... Band! Yeah band!" Val replies a little to quickly. I narrows my eyes suspiciously.
"Val... What are you no-" I am cut off by a howling sound, shadows fill the room. Val squeaks and shoves me to the door.
"RUN!" Val commands, and I go flying. I slams into something soft, but jet black.
"What in the world?" I gasped and looks straight into the eyes of a hellhound. I take out my knife from my boot. The hellhound knocks it away, and bares it's razor fang teeth. Reaching for the knife, but it is out of reach. "Val! What is going on?! THESE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE REAL!" I shrieked. The hellhound snaps at my head. I roll away, and hears the crunch sound of jaws snapping air.
"Mari! We have to get to Camp Half-Blood on Long Island!" Val yelled, and slashed a demonic shadow to dust. I stood stiff legged, facing the hellhound.
"Be gone!" I whispered, then a silver arrow shot the hellhound straight in the neck. Val jumped up joyously.
"The Hunters! It is the Hunters!" Val was chanting. I was puzzled. Who is the Hunters? I wondered. A young girl, about twelve orders her Hunters down.
"Ah. Mari, you were facing death straight in the face. Literally." The girl mused. All right that is it, when I get my knife back... I thought angered by this girl's tone... Wait the girl is becoming taller, and more... Woman like. Val bows down.
"Lady Artemis! We thank you, for saving our lives!" Val said. Lady Artemis? Like in the Greek Mythology? You've got to be kidding me. I raise an eyebrow at Artemis.
"Wait, Artemis? Seriously, the Goddess of the Hunt, and animals. Yeah right." I snorted. Artemis turned to Mari, something flashed in her eyes.
"I am Artemis, twin sister of Apollo. The Gods and Goddesses are real my dear, you seem to have potential of becoming a Hunter." Artemis said, another flash in her eyes. I closed my own eyes. If I join... I won't go to school. Well for the last day at least.
"I am sorry, Lady Artemis. I can't. I just don't believe that the Gods and Goddesses are real." I sighed and sat down. Artemis looked away, she shrunk down to the size of the others and started to leave. But Artemis turned.
"Valsiliki, protect her. She might be... Useful one of these days. Get her to Half-Blood camp soon." Artemis whispered, and took one last look at Mari before leaving. I cross my arms, my shocking green eyes clouded with confusion. Val falls back asleep, I patiently wait for the awful bell of the orphanage to ring. An hour from now.
-^.^-
I blink the drowsiness from my eyes. It had been a long hour, still puzzled by the Goddess that I think, appeared. Val is staring at me, studying me. I feel self-conscious when she does that. "Uh.. Val? Are you uh.. Okay?" I stammered, still self-conscious. She just nods, turns around, and walks out of the room. I sigh, and follows her. "Wait my bag." I growled and ran back to grab it.
-^.^-
I fidgeted all through homeroom, and her choir class. Val looked at me synthetically, she mouthed. 'Just a few more minutes.' Unfortunately for me, I didn't have a few minutes. Something burst through the small door to the choir room. Val squeaked, and fainted on the spot. "Val!" I cried out, and took out my knife. A loud ROAR echoed around the room. My eyes widen at the horrible sight. "HYDRA!" I screamed, and slapped Val awake. My choir teacher was screaming so high, I could have sworn he was a little girl. I make one of the stupidest mistakes in my life. Run at the Hydra. Val flings something at my head. "Ack!" Looking down at the object, I tilt my head. "How is a necklace, and bracelet going to help me?!" I yelled, and slashed the Hydra's leg with my knife. No damage was taken to the Hydra at all.
"Pick them UP!" Val screeched and shoved more kids into a closet. I growl, and pick the items up. They grew heavy, and then the bracelet and necklace shimmered into a gold bow. I gasp, as a quiver of shiny bronze arrows appear from the bracelet. I pick it up, I had never shot a bow before, let alone held one. I tremble, and load the bow. A girl emerges from the closet, she is tall with blonde hair.
"Marilee Karalis! WHAT IS THAT?" The unknown girl shrieked. I cover my ears, and collapse onto the carpet. Val tosses a chair at the Hydra. I get back up, and rearm the bow. I shakily aim for the chest. I release the arrow, and the Hydra bursts into a dusty yellow cloud. I stumble, then darkness over comes me.
-^.^-
"Mari! Mari! MARI wake UP!" Hands slap my across the face, over and over again. I groan in pain, and cover my face with my hands. Val breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank the gods!"
"Where are we?" I grumble, and look out a car window.
"Headed to Camp Half-Blood."
"Why is she here?" I point at the tall girl. She looks over at me, something sparking in her eyes. Val whispers in the girl's ear. I get a regarded look on my face, I think.
"Mari, my name is Angel Ballis. I saw what happened back there, and it scared me. A lot." Angel replied. I just snort, and look out the window again. We stop at an empty hill.
"Why are we here? An empty field, are you dropping me off so I can be fed to the 'monsters'" I snarled. Tears fill Val's eyes.
"No, we are at Camp Half-Blood." She stares at something, wait where did that tree come from?
"Val are you okay?" I ask softly, concerned for my friend. She just nods and... hugs the tree... Okay she not okay. Angel races to the tree.
"Thaila's tree!" She exclaimed, and touched the tree. I back away. Fatal mistake for me. Angel's eyes widen in fear.
"MARI! LOOK OUT!" I whirl around, and scream at the top of my lungs. Of course, there was Laelaps, the dog destined to always catch its prey. I look around and dart out of the way. I grasp the necklace, and bracelet. I aim my arrow, and release my hold. I miss completely. I drop my bow, and run up the hill. Laelaps gains speed, and snaps at my foot. Val faints, and starts to roll down the hill. I trip over her, and scream. Angel cries for help, then a blinding light flashes.
"Need help?" A blonde haired man grins, at me. I snarl at him and slap Laelaps's nose. The dog whimpers, and I gasp.
Don't hurt me master! I just want to play tag!
"How am... How... HOW?" I shriek, then pass out.
-^.^-
Master? MASTER? MASTER!? Someone help my master! Laelaps howls in grief. I look at the dog, he is a brown with black patches. I gape at the dog.
"Laelaps... Is... REAL? And talking to me?" I gasp for air, a firm hand grips my shoulder. A see the blonde person again.
"That dog isn't speaking. Plus why hasn't it eaten you yet? I can understand why it hasn't eaten me, I am waaaaayyyy to awesome." He gives me a cocky grin. I slug him in his pretty little nose.
"This dog is speaking to me. I can hear it!" I growled, and looked at Laelaps. Laelaps tackles me, and licks my face. "Hey! Stop!" I get slobbered on. Wiping off my slobbered face, I look up. A half-horse and half-man stares at me. "AHHHHH!" I scream and hide my face. Centaur? Laelaps? Hydra? This stuff isn't real! I peek out, and it hits me that the guy I slugged was. "APOLLO? OH DEAR GOD HELP ME!" I wailed, and slammed my head on the ground. Angel grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet.
"That is Chiron, he is a centaur and will be taking us to camp Half-Blood." She whispered in my ear. Chiron? The trainer of gods? I must be hallucinating, or in a coma, maybe both.
"O-O-Okay..." I tremble and keep an eye on Laelaps. Laelaps licks my hand. I tremble even more.
-^.^-
"You will be in the Hermes cabin. Get along well." Mr. D. snickered and drank his Diet Coke.
I shakily walk out to the forest. "Laelaps?" I whispered, and the dog appeared.
Master! Are you okay? You are shaking like a leaf in an earthquake!
"Laelaps, don't call me Master. Plus Mr. D. said I couldn't keep you." I kneel down and kiss the dog's head. Laelaps looks at me unhappily.
But Master! I just can't leave you. Maybe there is a way... I know! I will stay out here and be a good dog! I think about this for a minute.
"Okay, but stay hidden. I don't want to loose you." I whispered, and hugged the dog. Laelaps's tail wags a million miles per hour. I smile, and walk to the Hermes cabin. A tall kid with sandy colored hair smiles at me. I must look regarded because his smile dampens a bit.
"Welcome to the Hermes cabin! The best cabin in all of camp!" He holds out his hand, and I warily take it. Kids wrestling and pickpocketing others are all over the cabin. "You get the new sleeping bag over there!" He points to a bag in the corner. I sigh, and starts to walk to it. A hand grabs me. "I am Luke, camp counselor for the Hermes cabin."
"I am Marilee Karalis. Orphan." I stalk over to my sleeping bag, and stare out at the forest. Angel sits beside me.
"I am sure Laelaps will be fine all alone out somewhere. He was before you came." She gets up and talks with some Hermes kids. Ha. Laelaps was not alone, just playing with some chipmunks. I fall asleep, my hand on the necklace.
-^.^-
I wake up with the necklace gone. I shriek. "MY NECKLACE!" I hear a small snickering sound. I look murderously at a kid who was laughing. I clench my fist and punch the kid in the gut. He starts to cry, and I look around. Luke was looking at me disapprovingly. I glare at the brat, and take my necklace back. It turns to the bow, and my bracelet grows into my quiver of arrows. Luke's eyes widen in surprise.
"To Chiron, and Mr. D. NOW." He drags me to the Big House. I yelp as I am shoved inside. A blonde girl glares at me, I look at the ground instead of glaring back. Chiron talks with Luke, looking at me every so often. I shuffle my feet, and feel the venomous gaze from the girl.
"Marilee Karalis. We need to talk." Chiron leads me inside. I wince and follow him to a living room looking area. "Luke told me everything. He thinks you are Apollo's kid because of that bow. But I don't know for sure. So you are staying in the Hermes cabin. Be good, no more punching, and definitely no shooting that bow." Chiron scolded me like a little kid. I nodded, and walked out of the Big House. I sprint to the forest.
I whistle, and a dark shape appears in the bushes. I stick my hand out and jaws snap at it. I yelp in surprise. The growling is replaced by a whining. Master! I am truly sorry, I thought you were that rotten kid. He tried to put a collar on me!
"Who?"
A sandy haired person. He smelt like you on his hand.
"Luke tried to leash you?" I gasped.
Yeah! He slapped my nose when I pulled away from the collar. It hurt!
"Luke knows you are here? Oh no this is not good."
Why? The scary horse man hasn't seen me. I have been good and eaten only ten deer!
"Laelaps. You have to be more careful. Let no one find you. Except me."
Okay, but those nice tree people feed me treats!
"Wood nymphs? They might tell Mr. D. or even worse Chiron."
Your right. I will stay away from nice tree people. No more treats for Laelaps.
"Good boy! Now go hide!" I command and Laelaps runs off.
"I knew it!" A voice sounds behind me. I whirl around, and see... Luke.
"Did you follow me?" I hissed.
"I followed that mutt. I didn't know it was yours." He sneered, but something flickered in his eyes.
"Luke, what is the real reason you came out here?" I challenged.
"Er... Nothing you need to know." He stammered. Luke races away, towards some rocks. I tilt head and walk in the other direction.
"Mari wait! Come here!" Luke called, I turn around and see him holding up a rock.
"What are doing with that rock?" I asked my voice shaking a bit. Luke gives me another cocky grin, I clench my fist but hold back from punching him. I walk up to him, and look down the hole, my mistake. I wobble and the ground beneath me is gone. "LUKE!" I screamed, and hit the ground.
"Mari! Mari?! Can you hear me?" His voice shakes, I look around. I am in a really dark corridor.
"Luke! Help me out of here!" I whimpered, something was shaking the ground. "Please Luke! Hurry!" The ground shakes harder. A rope ladder snakes it's way down the hole. I scale up it, and the rungs below me snap. I shriek, and climb faster. I grab Luke's hand and he pulls me up. Together we cover the hole.
"Mari, are you okay? What was down there?" Luke asked me, I was shivering.
"S-Scary. S-Shaking. S-Snapping." I whispered, my eyes wild with intense fear. I feel a tongue licking my hand. "AH!" I press against Luke, I sigh and see Laelaps.
Master? Are you okay? Your not okay! Oh please be okay! I can get nice tree people to help you! Maybe I can get scary half horse half person guy!
"N-N-No. I-I a-am f-fine." I pat Laelaps on the head, then stumble back to Hermes cabin.