Chapter 4: The Caledonian Boar… and Other Problems

Zoë smirked from her perch in the tree. "Quite a predicament, eh Theresa?" she called mockingly.

Theresa glared up at her foe. "What do you want with me? I don't even know you!"

"That's not the point."

"Then what is?" Theresa gasped as the boar stamped its hoof angrily and charged, tusks glistening threateningly. She ran for the nearest tree, scurrying up it, ignoring the slivers in her hands. From the lowest branch she turned to face Zoë, who was in a nearby tree.

"What do you want?" she panted.

"Revenge." Zoë's eyes glimmered with malice. "This has been something I've dreamed about for a long time, descendant of Theseus."

Theresa gaped at her, realization dawning. "So it's not about me, is it? You're angry at Theseus… but why?"

Zoë glowered at her. "Don't distract me," she spat.

Theresa glanced at her pleadingly. "It's not fair to fight without reason."

"Who said life was fair? Try being abandoned by your own father before you were even born!" She covered her mouth, as if she had revealed too much.

Theresa inhaled sharply, astonished. "So… you're the daughter of…" She gulped. "Theseus?"

Zoë nodded contritely. "I'm not proud of it either. He left my mother to die on Naxos. She was found by Dionysus and married to him before I was born." Her steely gray eyes softened. "She died when I was six years old, and Dionysus disappeared, probably to make her a goddess. You may have heard of her. Ariadne."

Theresa nearly choked. "That's Mr. Dionysus' stay-at-home wife… she's your mom… that means…" Her head was spinning. "I always thought…"

"What? That Theseus was some grand hero who didn't leave anyone behind, no matter what? Well, guess what? You're wrong! My mother risked her life to help him defeat the Minotaur, and the Minotaur was her own half-brother! And Theseus repays her by getting her pregnant, promising her his eternal love, and then leaving her to die on some gods-forsaken island!" Her voice rose alarmingly, and Theresa noticed that she was caressing her knife, as if thinking of using it. She carefully moved along on her branch to get out of range, making sure that she didn't snap it.

Oh Jay, Atlanta, Herry, Odie, Archie, and Neil, she thought. Where are you? I need help!

"Theresa's in danger?" Jay asked worriedly. "Garr, why did I let her go alone?"

"Because you believe in her abilities," Atlanta reminded him warningly. "She can take care of herself, Jay."

He stared at her. "This isn't time for your feminist attitude, Atlanta! No matter how strong we are, none of us can take on Cronus, or anything else he throws at us, alone!"

She crossed her arms and stuck her lip out in a pout. "Guys," she muttered.

Persephone shook her head. "He's right, dear," she said. "You must find Theresa. I have a horrible feeling…"

Just then a horrible scream resounded through the room as Persephone managed to make a psychic connection. The young goddess looked at each of her pupils, a terrified look on her face. Suddenly weak, she collapsed to the ground, trembling.

"Hurry and find her, she's in terrible danger!"

Theresa screamed as the branch she was crouching on shattered under her weight. It went falling from beneath her to be trampled by the boar's immense hooves. She managed to grasp the pitiful stump that jutted out from the trunk. Her feet slipped over the bark as she scrambled to find a foothold, sending loose pieces falling to the forest floor.

"Are you happy now?" she asked a frowning Zoë. "If you're nice, I may just let you kill me!"

"Oh, don't talk so foolishly," Zoë snapped irritably. "This is no fun at all. I want to kill you myself and get my hands dirty. Cronus!"

Theresa paled as the god appeared, smiling evilly. "Yes, my dear?" he asked politely, eyes shimmering with spite as he saw Theresa hanging for dear life.

"Get rid of this animal and take us to the beach. I've decided to kill her myself."

Cronus bowed. "As you wish." With a snap of his fingers, the big grey boar disappeared, and Theresa swiftly found herself on a sprawling beach, palm trees swaying in a gentle breeze. But something was very wrong. No bikini-topped models lounged in the sun, and no tiny children ran about dragging baby-sitters or young mothers behind them. The place was utterly deserted.

"Welcome," Zoë began, spreading out her arms to show off the scenery to her clairvoyant guest, "To Naxos."