The moon shown dim through the dirty window, its watery light doing little to illuminate the dusty room behind the cracked façade of the building. Pacing back and forth in front of the window, a young girl, no older than fourteen, kept shooting nervous glances back at the door leading out of her room, glancing every so often out at the sky. A thump reverberated through the walls, and the girl paused in her pacing as her head snapped to attention to the loud noise. She held her breath, hoping that the noise wouldn't lead to any interruption or intrusion; although it wasn't like she was paid much mind anyways. Another crash, and this time a shout. Great, one of her siblings was up to something again. At least up here, it was unlikely that she would be blamed for whatever was broken.

As the ruckus below calmed, the girl once again resumed her pacing, this time turning her attention to the glowing moon outside. It was a waxing crescent, and even though the glass was dull, she marveled at the luminous sphere, slowing down her pacing to intensify her gaze. I can't believe I'm about to do this. The though flew through her mind, and she realized with a start that yes, she was truly serious about what she was going to attempt.

With a shuddery breath, she brought to mind the chant that she had heard would bring her peace. She hardly believed it, but when she stumbled across it, the ancient chant seemed like exactly what she needed. Barely above a whisper, she began:

I pledge myself to the Goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the hunt.

At first, there was nothing, and she felt disappointed that her fool's errand hadn't paid off. But suddenly, almost imperceptibly, she felt a shift and a faint silver glow appeared on her skin. She stared up in shock in the moon. Of course she had been disappointed when nothing had happened, but it wasn't like she truly expected anything to happen! It had only been a hope to cling to, something to keep the monsters away at night. That was when the voice started in her head.

Do not fear, brave young maiden. The voice was definitely feminine, and it sounded about her age. I have accepted your prayer. You shall be one of my handmaidens, and you shall join us in the hunt…

With that, the mystery girl's voice faded away, leaving the girl alone in the room once again, although the faint glow hadn't left her skin. She felt stronger, bolder too. She felt the desire to move stir deep within her. She had always known that this wasn't the place for her, that just surviving in the background, cling to anonymity in the shadows, and was going to drain the vitality from her. Now she had a direction in which to run to, instead of just running away.

Her vision already sharpening, she glanced around the relatively bare room that served as her bedroom for anything she wanted to take with her. As she grabbed a bag, she threw in basic essentials; socks, undergarments, a few shirts, and a pair or two of jeans went into the bag, and there was still a little bit of room left at the top. As she glanced across the small nightstand that stood as the only real horizontal surface in her room, sans the floor, she spotted a music box that made her pause. The oblong little box glinted softly, even in the dim light. Its opalescence gave it a soft glow, and engraved in platinum across the lid was a simple word: Tara.

It was the only thing she would take of sentimental value to remember her home, Tara decided. She slipped the music box on the top of her bag, nestling it softly among her other things. With one last look around the room that had been hers for the past fourteen years, she lifted up the window, which groaned in protest, and slipped out into the night

The cool night air blew through her hair, rustling it softly and throwing some across her field of vision. She absentmindedly swatted it away and looked to the landing of the fire escape the next floor down. Sucking in a breath of new found strength, she dropped, hitting the metal grating with a clang. She took the stairs two at a time, excitement flowing through her veins. She hit the street level running, weaving through a few late evening pedestrians, and dodging a few cars when she had to dart across the street. With heart beating a strong, steady rhythm in her chest, she had never felt more alive.

As if by instinct, she made her way away from the harsh city lights and into the quiet suburbs, and then past those into farmland and wild forests. The air felt clearer here, and her lungs reveled in pulling in the fresh air. Her legs began to burn from the running, and she slowed to a walk in acquiesces. She was entering a densely wooded area, the trees and brush thickening to only barely passable deer trails. The moon, which had begun to set, was blocked from view by the thick canopy overhead. When she finally stumbled through the thick brush, Tara let out a small gasp. In the clearing in front of her, arranged in a semicircle, were silver tents, with cooking fires and timber wolves. Her gasp drew all of the eyes in the camp to her, and Tara could feel her heartbeat in her ears.

An auburn haired girl who looked to be about twelve stepped forward. Her silver eyes reflected the setting moonlight. When she spoke, her voice commanded the respect of all the girls around her, and bespoke both power and insight. The voice was also the one Tara heard in her mind. "Greetings Tara Isaias. Our new sister and comrade. Welcome to the Hunt."


Hello anyone reading this. I would just like to ask you for a little feedback, all for your benefit, of course. I will continue writing this, whether you hate it or not, but the rate of which I update is up to you and how much you enjoy this. So review, either good or bad. And of course, I own nothing related to Percy Jackson in anyway, except for my own creations, Tara and Sam, who will be introduced at a later date. (But I completely wish I did.)