(Hey! You guys I'm really sorry if the last chapter was way too dramatic! But anyways, Chapter 7... sorry if this one has too much of Orion.)

Chapter 7

I wake up, very moody from yesterday. I washed up, ate, and thought, sitting on the couch. I thought, I'm so stupid... how could it just occur to me that Mother wanted to keep me trapped in here? Maybe... I think, uncertainly, she isn't even really my Mother... But that thought scares me... what if she did lie to you and keep you here? What if she never thought of setting you free to the world? It has been about a thousand years... and keeping you the same age, what's the whole point of that? WHAT IF... she is never going to set you free? What if this is just like a game to her? A lie game? I shake those frightening thoughts away and try to keep my attention on the TV.

A few hours later, I stuff my lunch down my throat and read. But then, I put the book down to seriously think, Mother-Artemis has kept me here for about a thousand years and provided me with food and entertainment. Would she do that for a stranger? Sure! Another part of my mind says, if she got used to you, she would warm up to you. Then, she put me in this place when I was twelve because this place keeps you the same age... But anyways, what I definetly know is that I am a demigod because I can do all those things... wait... what if all mortals can do that too? Would that mean I'm a mortal, as well? Wait... wait... of course regular mortals can't... but Mother-I mean, Artemis is the only person who's come here and informed about the outside world... wait! I can ask Iris-the only other person who knows about my existence... Then I realize what I just thought, and say it out loud, "Oh, my gods. Only two people know about my existence-besides me..."

I wake up to find I'd cried myself to sleep on the couch. I force down dinner, wash up, change, and contact Iris.

I dig for a drachma and call, "To Iris, goddess of rainbows and the messenger of the gods. Personal message, please." a golden basket appears and I drop my drachma in there. Iris appears.

"Why so late?" Iris grimly looks at me.

"I'm really sorry. I just needed to ask you a really important question."

"Wait, me?" she asked, looking surprised. I nod, "Yes, you, because although it's really, really sad, you are one of the only people who knows about my existence-besides me..." Iris looks at me pitifully, "Aw, it's alright, Orion. So, what's up?"

"I don't know... just yesterday, I was allowed to go outside-for the first time ever! It was great. And, Mother... or, Artemis, TOLD ME I HAD DEMIGOD POWERS!" I pant, trying to calm myself.

"So? That's great!" Iris says, confused.

"No... it isn't. You know why? Because I've been thinking..." I bite my lip, "and what if it means my whole life is an entire lie? What if Artemis," I swallow, "Isn't really my Mother? I mean... what if she was even lying to me about the demigod powers-and all mortals have all these powers, to kill instantly and spread diseases, etc..." I trail off, then continue, "I can't stand it, really, I can't. For about a thousand years I haven't questioned Artemis about not allowing me to go outside. What she always told me was, 'It's too dangerous.', or, 'There's bad people outside.', or, 'You're too young.', or another, 'Won't you allow me to protect you?' But the truth is why is everyone else-but me able to go outside if the world's 'too dangerous'? And the bad people-she can train me and I can deal with them! Seriously? I'm 'too young'? HELLO? For gods' sakes! I am like, a thousand years old!" I finally calm down and look to Iris. Iris looks at me, "Orion, I should tell you you are a demigod and you are Artemis's son. A mere mortal... Artemis wouldn't... well, then... you can shoot an arrow with incredible accuracy? I nod, "Yes, I can, Iris." Iris smiles, "Then, you are Artemis's son. No other can do that-especially at the first time. But, for the other things... maybe... she should let you go." I swallow, "Thank you, you've greatly reassured me... but, then, what'd you think about her keeping me here? What do you think is her true reason?" Iris thinks, "Artemis is known to be a virgin... but, who?" Iris gasps, "Orion... of course, your father... is Orion. Did she tell you?" I nod, "Yeah, how they met and everything else." Iris flips her hair, "I know. It's probably because she's hiding you from Apollo. Apollo-your uncle, he hated Orion... enough to let Artemis kill Orion. Which was dreadful of him... but don't blame him too much, alright? Anyways... she's supposed to be a virgin and having a child... that would totally ruin her image." I let that sink in.

"So... I'm a shame to her?" I look down. Iris shakes her head, "No... wait... To be truthful, I can't say. But what I can say is that she loves you very much." something buzzes, "Oh, shoot, Zeus... I missed his message... are you going to be alright, Orion?" I shrug, "Go... wait, answer me one more question... if I step out of here... will I... you know, turn a thousand years old?" Iris shakes her head, "No, absolutely... positively no. I am sorry, Orion... I would stay, but, I really need to go." she looks guiltily at me.

"Go, Iris. Go. I'll... be... well, I need some time. Besides, it's not like you can do anything, right?" I look to her, "Right?" She cringes, "Well... I can threaten Artemis about you, but... I couldn't, I mean..." I chuckle, "Yeah, rainbow goddess, I understand. Go on..." I look away and she disappears.