Artemis.
My mom was Artemis.
As in the virgin goddess who had swore never to marry or have children.
Yep, that one.
That explained everything. Why she'd left my dad before I was born and then leaving me with him before I could even drink cow's milk. Why I had super sharp reflexes, why I could see perfectly clear in the dark, why I was so amazing at archery. It all made sense.
"What…?" Percy stammered as he looked at me, completely shocked. Just like in my dream.
Then Chiron and Mr. D emerged from the forest. I was surprised Mr. D had come this deep into the forest.
Both their mouths dropped.
"Oh my…" Chiron stammered.
I really wished everyone would stop staring at me at that point, I never liked being the center of attention. Chiron finally cleared his throat and made his way towards me.
"Callie Yearly, daughter of Artemis." About 4 random people scattered around the crowd clapped. I didn't know any of them.
Suddenly Percy apparently came to his senses (more or less) and shouted "Move!" before pushing me to the ground. Suddenly there was a very loud clap of thunder and a flash of bright white. Some people screamed, but I didn't know why because I couldn't see anything but dirt. When I pushed myself up I saw what had scared them.
There was a circle of black ashe where I used to be standing. Lightning had struck it.
The thunder became so loud it was hard to hear Percy, who was standing next to me. Zeus was seriously furious.
"Get her to the Big House!" Chiron shouted as another lightning bolt struck so close I could feel the heat. Campers flanked me on all sides and –whether I wanted to or not– I was headed towards the Big House.
Once I was inside everyone else left (other than Chiron). Mr. D had even been called up to Olympus.
"Well, Callie, it was been an eventful week. Wouldn't you say?" I just nodded. I was in no mood to talk. Or really be anywhere near another living thing. "Yes, very. Now I need you to listen. You are in danger. You know that. Zeus has never been this angry before. I plan on contacting him to try to help your case, but until then you will need to stay in this house. Understood?"
I nodded and continued to stare at the floor. I was now considered a freak by everyone at camp. But it would go away, right? The dream made that clear. There would be at least 5 people willing to go near me and 4 of them would be willing to speak to me. Eventually.
"There is a guest bedroom I will show you later." He wanted to talk more about trying to stay alive and my important mother and thousands of things more but I just wanted some fresh air and to be alone. Or to be with my dad.
"Can I go outside? Like on the porch?"
Chiron stared, a bit surprised at my question. "Okay, as long as you stay away from the railing."
So I rose and went out the backdoor to the back porch. I knew Chiron was watching through the window, but I was just glad to be alone.
I watched the dark camp. There was lightning every now and again, but none of it came close to the big house or any of the cabins.
They were all scared of me now. But I was forbidden, so they had reason. Maybe could I run away or something? No, I would just be zapped into nothingness by Zeus as soon as I left the porch.
I eventually got tired and went up stairs to sleep.
•••
The next day Mr. D had come back and before he headed out to do whatever it is he does all day he said "You're in a lot of trouble." Like I didn't already know that.
Chiron advised (more like forced) me to stay inside. My breakfast was brought to the big house and since I couldn't dump some of it in the fire I just chucked some of it out the back window and hoped that would work.
I wandered around the house for a good long while before someone actually visited me.
It was Percy and it was safe to stay that it was the most awkward situations I have ever been in.
We both stood in silence for a good 5 minutes, waiting for the other to start the conversation.
"Hi." I said after a while.
"Hey." More awkward silence.
"So how have you been?"
"Good, good, my cousin was recently claimed as a daughter of Artemis so there is that." And the awkward meter goes up another notch!
"Interesting." We stood in silence yet again. "What are we doing?" Seriously, we were just asking and telling each other obvious questions and answers as if we were different people.
"I don't know."
"Okay, well anyway, is everyone totally afraid of me now?" I asked, knowing that they probably were.
"Not afraid of you, but of what Zeus would do if they got too close."
"Everyone?"
"Pretty much."
"Well that makes me feel better."
"Hey, you asked."
"True." There was more silence until Annabeth burst through the door.
"Percy you said you wouldn't go without me!" She said, not really angry or upset, just really annoyed.
"You weren't at the cabin when I came to get you."
"Ugh, nevermind. Well, Callie how are you doing?" She asked as she smiled at me.
"Okay, I guess."
"Good, I'm glad to hear that the lightning hasn't gotten you. Don't worry about it too much though, he'll calm down in a few days. But I still would be careful."
"Thanks," I said, not really sure what else to say. I looked around the room, not wanting to meet her eye because she'll read me like a book if I do.
"Really, Callie. You're different, but that's what makes heroes." She had the same determined, friendly look as she had in my dream. Creepy.
"Exactly, like me." Percy added.
"Yes, like you Percy." She said very flatly as she rolled her eyes. "But seriously, there's no need to worry. Everyone will get used to it and so will you."
Hmm, I hope it doesn't sound too 'cutesy happy' at the end there :\ Tell me what you think about that and see you soon guys!
~Clover
