Chapter 4

A fresh breeze enters through the window, cooling me. I grin, looking at the green grass, trees, flowers, and the sky... oh, so bright and blue, stretching across... there was no end to it... Then, the puffy white clouds-I wished to grab one and keep one! My eyes were glued to the sky, then I find a shining white beam up there-what my mother had told me about-the sun. I watched the outside "world" my mother had created, each day turning to afternoon-when the sun was a bit hotter, then night-which I particularly preferred. My basic schedule for a whole month was reading, watching the window, sleeping, and eating... and it was marvelous, full of life besides my Mother and myself. One day, I was watching my world, when something tapped my shoulder. I turned around quickly.

"Mother," I nod a greeting at her, "I see you're visiting."

"Orion," she purses her lips, "you are not happy?" I shake my head, "Of course not! Why wouldn't I be?" I go back to gazing outside.

"I see you love my gift." I nod and we are both silent for a bit. She pats my shoulder, "Why don't we go outside... unless, you like looking at it from the inside." I jump off my bed.

"Do... do you mean it, Mother? Truly?" Mother looks down, "I am not stupid, Orion. I know... ever since this window, you have been pleased, just to gaze at it... I feel horrible for keeping you from it-but," she says, an edge to her voice, "you shall never go beyond."

"How can I, Mother?" I say confused. Mother shakes her head, "Never mind. Come, my dear... I am the goddess of archery and such things... I would love to see you try." I beam, "Oh, Mother! Let us go!" Mother puts her arm around mine, "Alright." I firmly grip the doorknob, which I had never touched, only seen Mother exit through it. I twist it, my heart hammering in my chest. I open it and sunlight beams on me. I let out a shout of joy, and no longer patient, run out to the world that greets me. I finally turn to Mother, who is sadly looking at me, from the doorway. I walk back to her, "Mother, what's wrong?" She forces a smile, "Nothing, Orion. Why don't we have a picnic, now... Then later, perhaps you can try archery, fencing, racing, all those other things..." as I grin at her, gleeful.

But then, I hear her whisper to herself, "That I've kept you from... I'm sorry, Orion." she looks away from me, guiltily. I pretend not to hear and touch the grass, sand, and dirt. Mother laughs when I do. I grab Mother's wrist, "Come on!" I edge towards the water with her. The water is a beautiful blue, sparkling, gleaming, and glittering from the sun. I sigh. I enter the water easily, "Mother, come on!" I look towards, her, and I see she's nervous. I drag her, "Come on." Then, I splash her with water. She gasps in shock, then splashes me back. We wade in the water for a bit, floating, splashing, and just swimming.

"Do we have anything to eat?" I ask, rubbing my growling stomach. Mother laughs-a free, tinkly laugh, "No, but I can make some." She produces a silver blanket out of thin air, laying it on the sand. She waves her hand, producing a feast. I sit down, "C'mon, let's eat!" I dig in, while Mother takes small bites.

"You're not that hungry?" I question, a bit concerned.

"You eat, I'm not too hungry." I nod, scarfing in some more food. After we're done with about half the feast, Mother talks.

"Orion. I should've told you earlier, but you have some special powers." I alertly glance up, "What'd you mean?" She swallows, "I'm really sorry. All the demigods-have powers inherited from their godly parent."

"What do I have, then?" I say, not at all upset. When Mother sees I'm not upset, she laughs, "Let's find out."