Hello, sorry for the wait


This week was…strange in mythology. "And then finally one day, Jason was brutally murdered by one of his former crewmen." Doesn't sound that strange, does it? But it was the way Professor Ackerman said it (as if he hated Jason, and that he wished something like this or worse would happen to him, than what really happened, as if he was the one who murdered him) and the facts that I later found while researching for our group project (that Jason was either killed by his ship or didn't die at all) that caused me to question Professor Ackerman's statement. Maybe he was correct – for he was teaching the mythology class to the Societies of Olympus, and why would he hide any information from them who knew that what he was teaching about was real. And though my mom and dad taught me mythology/history, they mostly stuck with the stories that dealt with my family – the Olympians. And while what Professor Ackerman said was probably true, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach that told me there was more to his story – that he was hiding something.

The Saturday following my birthday, I came back from finishing our project and making flash cards with Rose to find someone in my room.

They were sitting on the edge of my bed and staring at the photo on my bedside table. "I really liked this photo," She said, as she stood up and turned towards me.

"Mom" I said, as I went to hug her.

She tightened her arms around me, like she has always done when she hugged me – since that time fifteen years ago – just to reassure herself that I was still there, still safe. "I've missed you," She whispered into my ear before she let me go. "You know you can come back at any time."

"I've missed you too, Mom. But I don't want to go back, I like it here. I've made so many friends. The people are so nice here. This is something I need to do." I repeated what I had said when I left.

She nodded slightly in understanding, but still asked, "But how do you really like it here? Are the people mean to you? Are you able to catch up with the work? Have you made any friends?"

I smiled at her, "I love it here. I like my classes. The people are very nice here. I mean sure you have some people who are kinda clique-ish, and then there's Mei – who doesn't like me because I stood up against her for/with Amy in Dad's defense. But I really like it here. And, yes I've made friends here. Annabel and Rose are some of the sweetest people you will ever meet. David is just a fun person to be around, and if you're having a bad day he will make it his goal to cheer you up again. And Liam," I paused, not sure how to sum up Liam, "Liam is really nice, like the others. But I feel so bad for him. He lost his sister, and I'm determined to comfort him – to help him feel better." Mom looked at me and smiled knowingly and suspiciously. "No, not like that, it's just – I don't know."

"It's ok, I understand." She continued smiling, and continued sincerely "Well I'm glad you like it here."

"So how everything at home?" I asked her, and her smile dropped. And I wondered if this had part of the reason for the oddness in her and Dad's notes last week.

"Well, everything's good…" She trailed off. After a moment she straightened and whispered, "Walter has forbidden us to talk or interact with you."

"Is that why…?" She nodded, "What will happen if you're caught?"

"Doesn't matter," She said in a normal tone, before whispering again, "They've also decided to test you."

"For immortality – like you?"

"Yes," She paused, and the words began to sink in.

Anxiety began to bubble up inside of me. "Does this mean that if I fail, I'll never see or remember any of you?"

She nodded, and I began to panic. Unlike some, I loved my parents – my family – and was close to them. So the thought of never seeing them…"Don't worry, Sweetie, no one can stop me from seeing you – unless it is your desire."

"How long do I have? How many tests are there? And what are they over?" I asked, trying to organize my thoughts.

"From my understanding, you'll be tested during your time here – as long as you are studying – and it will be a continual thing, unlike when they tested me. But you must understand I'm getting this second-hand from Ava. But if you do what we've been teaching you over the years – be kind to others, be humble, share, don't let your anger get the best of you, don't become jealous, don't lie, etc. – you'll do fine."

"So I'll know if I failed or passed, when I graduate?" She nodded, "How are they going to do that?"

She didn't answer, as the door clicked to unlock, and she shifted her appearance – to look older. And I realized the answer to my question, my family could shift their appearances and I would have no idea - most likely.

Annabel came in, and stopped when she saw Mom. "Annabel, this is my Mom, Kate. Mom, this is my friend, Annabel."

Annabel smile warmly, and went to shake her hand, "Hello, Mrs. Winters, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Mom returned the gesture, and replied, "It's nice to meet you, too. Zoë's told me about you. Thank you for being kind to her."

"Most definitely, Zoë's a sweetheart. Can I get you something, help you in anyways?" She had set her books on her desk and turned her full attention to Mom.

"No, thank you though. I should be leaving now."

"I'll walk you down," I added.

Mom smiled brightly one last time at Annabel and told her, "Again, thank you." As we exited the room, she turned to me and asked, "Just for curiosity's sake, who are those in her pictures."

"Her family, pets, but mostly Lily and Liam." I answered as we walked towards the staircase.

"Liam, as in your Liam?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, my friend, Liam." I said, trying to hide the blush that was creeping on my face, as Kassi and Ledia walked towards us, coming to their room. "Hi, Kassi, hi, Ledia," I said, changing the subject, "How are you today?"

"Very good, thank you," Kassi began, "And who's your friend?" she asked timidly.

"This is my mom,"

"Well it's very nice to meet you, Mrs. Winters." Kassi said graciously.

"Indeed, it's nice meeting you, Mrs. Winters." Ledia repeated, and Mom stared at her quizzically for a second longer than usual, before returning their greetings, and we continued on our way.

Once we were by the edge of the staircase, Mom pulled me into another tight hug. "We love you, and miss you. Just remember be yourself, do as we taught you, and you'll do fine."

"But what if I fail?"

She stepped further away from the door way, and whispered close to me, "I failed one of my tests." I was about to ask her how, but she stopped me by continuing in her comforting tone, "It'll all be okay," and then added with a smile, "This isn't the end of the world. I'll talk to you soon. Bye," and with that she disappeared.

Footsteps came clambering up the stairs and within ten seconds Liam was in front of me. "You, ok, Zoë? I thought I heard you talking with someone."

"Yeah, I'm good, thank you." I said quietly, and then fell in step with him.

Mom was right; this wasn't the end of the world. And if I did fail, I still had Liam and Rose, Annabel and David. Even if the council did wipe away my memories of them and my family, they couldn't erase Annabel, Rose, Liam, David. And if I still had them, then everything wouldn't be so horrible – everything would turn out fine.


Hope you enjoyed it. (Thank you mrpuppy for reviewing)

If you are wondering, Zoë will be tested very similarly to Kate - except she won't become Queen of the Underworld and marry Henry, that's kinda creepy :). She will be tested continually, over the four years she will be there, - ie. she will continually be tested for jealousy and etc. Yes, she will be tested over the 7 deadly sins, like Kate. Except Zoë doesn't know what the tests are over. She also doesn't know what Kate was tested on - all she know is that her mom and 11 other girls before her mom were tested to be Queen of the Underworld, and that Kate passed.

(Also, who Zoë is reffering to as her family at the end is: Henry, Kate, Ava and Diana - these are who she usually refers to when she says her family. Sometimes she means just Kate and Henry -most of the time in this instance she just calls them her parents-, and other times she is refering back to the whole council -like in the beginning) If you are curious as to what Professor Ackerman is hiding, that will be revealed in two weeks. Also what event that causes Kate to start hugging Zoë tighter will be revealed in December-January/March.

So over the two weeks since I have last updated, this story has reached over 500 views! (thank you bunches for reading) and as a thank you here's a sneak peak of something that should happen in March (but it's introduced in December-January)

All of my being wanted to close my eyes, so I couldn't see her trying to hurt them, but my eyes refused to obey. I watched in horror as she took aims at each of my parents. Finally I was able to break away from watching her, and instead stared at the iron cuffs that seized my wrists and hands. I tried clawing at them, trying everything in my four-year-old power to break free.
I shall try to give you guys another sneak peak in 74-ish more views (then every five-hundred).

Anyways I had another little piece of writing for you guys (as an appology for taking so long) but... yeah I'll try to either update this later this weekend with it (when I'm finished) or next chapter. (It would be about "Hey I've decided to test Zoë" from Ava -3rd Person- and Kate's POVs)

The next chapter should be up either later this weekend or next and it will be about Zoë's big mythology test -which is what she and Rose were making flash cards for- and her and Rose. Chapter 9 will about Professor Ackerman (and the results of Zoë's test). SO yeah...

Hope you have a good rest of the week
-Becca

(P.S. if you are wondering about the title of the chapter... it's the title of Chapter 9 in "Goddess Test", which is when Kate agrees to be tested)