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Chapter 13: Incarceration

This morning, I was ecstatic.

Very abnormal of me by the way, since I was usually grumpy and tired during the early parts of the day. This morning however, Lynetta decided to give me a break since she had to run an errand. So instead of morning training, I was actually in the kitchen...

…With a beautiful handmade whip cream pie sitting right in front of me.

In case you haven't guessed already, I absolutely loved whip cream. Thanks to Lynetta's tutelage, I have finally achieved my dream of crafting a whip cream pie any time I wanted. After over 30 failed attempts, I have at last made the pie to perfection. I had decided to spare this pie from the bonfire yesterday night after Hermes turned up a bit sooner than expected.

I breathed in the aroma, sighing in pure bliss as I set my pie down on the table. I had crafted the crust yesterday and let it cool down awhile before putting the right amount of whip. After a night in the fridge, the whip cream had finally settled down at the right temperature. I could literally feel saliva creeping out of the edges of my mouth as I hurried for utensils.

With a knife and fork in hand, I finally seated myself down at the empty table. Just when I was about to have my perfect moment…

Trouble came in through the door literally.

I felt the aura of a very pissed off goddess a moment too late as the front door was blasted off its hinges. There was a bunch of smoke and debris everywhere, and I scrambled away quickly, pie in hand, to avoid the unwelcome guest.

Walt also heard the ruckus when he stormed out of his work room. A gigantic, completely loaded bazooka tucked in his arms. He had a bazooka this whole time?!

"WHO IN PLUTO'S NAME DARES-ACHOO!" Walt sneezed. He sniffled, and grabbed a spare Kleenex on the nearby shoe case, lowering the bazooka he had in his hand. "Gods, I hate allergies!"

"Walt!" I yelled, running towards him quickly. "Please tell her to back off!"

"Who?"

"Seth Hunter!" the goddess shouted, finally showing up in front of me and Walt. Realizing who it was, Walt slowly moved the bazooka behind his back. "What is the meaning of this?! Sending me Hermes with that kind of message?!"

I took that moment to step behind Walt.

"L-lady Artemis, is something the matter?" Walt asked; swallowing heavily as Artemis turned her steely gaze towards him, as if finally noticing him there.

"Of course, Walt Forger. That's the reason why I'm here," Artemis said icily. "Now step aside so I may speak to my child directly- Unless, you fancy being a jackalope?"

"No, ma'am!" he said immediately. "I-I only wanted to welcome you properly…seeing how you decided to break down my precious sensor-automated door with no regards to…" Artemis gave him a look. "Never mind…so Hunter…HUNTER!"

I was already running down towards the basement when I heard Walt call my name a second time, with the pie still in my hands. Just as I made my way towards the garage, there was a burst of light as Artemis teleported in front of me, looking very annoyed.

"Seth…" she breathed. I raised a hand up.

"Look, I can explain," I started. Oh man, that whip cream pie smelled so good. Why did Artemis have to choose this time to show up?

"Then why did you run from me?" she pointed out. "You must know by now that I'll always find you no matter what."

Oh dang. That sounded like something a stalker would say.

"You can hardly blame me for running after seeing you charge in like that," I reasoned. "Walt really liked that door you know. Nearly gave all of us a heart attack with that entrance."

Artemis straightened herself and gave a huff. "I'll be sure to compensate for the damages, but did you honestly think I wouldn't do a thing after hearing your outrageous plans from Hermes? Why did you not tell me this? It would have spared me the explanation."

I gulped. "Technically, after seeing you act like this, I'm very glad I asked Lord Hermes to send you the message instead of me. H-how is he by the way?"

"Gone to recover," Artemis said briskly, "but we are off topic-"

"Gone to recover?! What did you do to him?"

"It doesn't matter," Artemis hissed. I took a step back as she approached. "Seth, I forbid you to ever set those plans in motion! You are never to approach the Titan army- not if I can help it! Do you understand?"

"Lady Artemis, you know I can't do that!" I protested. "My prophecy-!"

"Then you leave me with no choice!" she lunged for me as I dodged, and before I could get very far, Artemis grabbed the crook of my right arm with such force that I thought she was going to wrench it off. So, I did the only possible and stupidest thing I could have done.

I chucked my perfectly innocent pie at her face.

Let me tell you…I have never seen Artemis so pissed off before in my life. She spat out the whip cream in her mouth and lifted a hand to wipe her whip cream covered face, her silver eyes menacing. She stared at me, mentally saying: Really?

This led me into doing the second stupidest thing I could have done: I ran…again.

But hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.

I didn't spare a second look as I ran as fast I could, even managing to reach the foot of the stairs before I felt Artemis tackle me to the ground with a loud thud! She pulled me up by the collar of my shirt before teleporting both of us. I screamed for Walt, but it was to no avail. Before I knew it, Walt's basement disappeared from my eyes, and we were now in the middle of the Hunters' camp site.

"Lady Artemis, you're finally- SETH?!" I heard Thalia say in surprise.

I didn't get the chance to reply as Artemis dragged me beside her with a hand clasped over the back of my neck. She rolled out a makeshift tent and quite roughly, tossed me into it. I stumbled and turned to see Artemis snapping her fingers, causing the opening of the tent to zip up tight. I got up instantly, trying to pry the tent open, but it stubbornly remained closed.

"Let me out!" I yelled. "You can't do this to me! Artemis-!"

"I can do what I like!" I heard Artemis say. "Until you agree to my demands, you will be confined in that tent with absolutely no means of escape!"

"You think I chose to go against you?" I shouted, pounding my fists against the tent. "I have no choice! You're going against a prophecy, Lady Artemis! Just let me out so we can discuss this!"

"There's nothing more to discuss," Artemis retorted. "You are my child, Seth. I will not see my own flesh and blood plunge himself into such danger where I cannot supervise you! Only until you swear to me on the Styx that you will give up such notions, then I will free you."

"What?" I shouted. That's it, time for Plan B. "Thalia! Eliza! Heck, any of you! Please tell your Lady to let me out! She's going against a prophecy! By keeping me here, she's risking danger upon herself!"

Apollo's lessons on the dangers of prophecies were so paying off.

"My Lady," I heard Thalia whisper, "what prophecy is he talking about?"

"It's nothing to be concerned about, Thalia," Artemis said dismissively. "It seems Seth has inherited my brother's dramatics. Now make sure that you post a hunter in front of his tent from now on."

"I…yes, my Lady," she said at last, much to my dismay. "By the way, what is that white stuff you have on you?"

Artemis paused before replying, her voice strained. "This mortal substance called 'Whip cream'."

"How did you…"

"Thalia please," I pleaded.

"I'm sorry Seth," she said, "as Lieutenant- I have to follow her orders."

I clenched my teeth. If I'd known this was how Artemis would react, I would never have told her in the first place! I should have just carried out my plans securely and then send Hermes! Damn it.

"You're not making this easier for anyone!" I shouted. "I won't ever change my mind! You hear me?!"

Artemis didn't reply. Instead, she ignored my outburst and I heard her assign one of the hunters I didn't know well to act as my temporary guard.

I gritted my teeth in frustration. I reached for my daggers, only to realize that I didn't have them on me. I left my daggers and my archery weapons back at Walt's house! Lynetta wouldn't be coming back until later today, and Walt had no idea where I was. I didn't even know which state I was in.

Instead of the daggers I was hoping for, my hand found the communication device tucked in my back pocket. I felt a rush of anticipation as I eagerly pushed the right buttons, and after calling Walt's name more times I could count, I eventually heard the familiar, irritated voice on the other end:

Quit yelling so much! Walt replied back.

"Sorry," I said. "Look, could you somehow lock in on my location?"

I'm trying to as we speak, Hunter, Walt said. But it's taking longer than usual. The signal there is awful! You might have to wait a couple days…

"A couple days?!" I exclaimed. "Can you not go any faster? Artemis has abducted me Walt! She kidnapped me and locked me up!"

I heard Walt give a scoff.

Very impatient, aren't you? Too bad for you, this is the fastest I can go. You might have to wait even longer for me to get Lord Apollo's attention.

"Lord Apollo?"

I ain't wasting my and Lynetta's time to get you, he told me. Since it's taking so long, you must be very far away from Massachusetts Hunter. Even if we came to get you ourselves, Lady Artemis isn't going to listen to our demands unless it's someone of her position.

"I get it," I said, taking that moment to calm down. "Wait, couldn't I just pray to Apollo to come get me? That would be faster wouldn't it?"

Hunter, you are right now in Artemis' sphere of influence, Walt deadpanned. Unless she allows it, no gods are allowed to see or hear anything from the outside unless they happen to be nearby. Apollo wouldn't be able to hear your calls.

"I didn't know that," I replied quietly, filing that info to memory. There went my chance of calling Nemesis for help too. "Then what about you? How am I still able to reach you?"

I wonder about that…he muttered. I did program it to bypass a lot of security networks, but my guess is that Lady Artemis is the one allowing it.

"Why would she do that?" I asked.

How do I know? Maybe she finds it amusing? She could be listening in right now…

And just at that instant, my communication with Walt was cut off. I cursed, slamming the device onto the nearby bed before pacing back and forth angrily.

"Thanks a lot Artemis!" I yelled. Great, now what was I supposed to do?

I doubt this would work, but I tried summoning my celestial silver knives and made slashes on the tent. The cuts immediately vanished in seconds. I scoffed indignantly before mentally allowing my knives to disappear. I laid on the bed, staring up at the tent's roof with a glare.

Talk about being grounded.

-o-

After staring at the ceiling for hours, and then practicing monotonously with my summoned weapons, I was bored out of my mind. The tent only consisted of a full size bed, table and chair, rug, and mirror stand. Artemis couldn't even install some TV or video games for me? What I wouldn't give for a Wii right now…

Predictably, for the next hour I tried to convince Artemis to let me out, at least for a while.

It went something like this:

"Artemis, I'm hungry," I called out. I heard scuffling noises as the hunters all sat down near my tent. I picked up the smell of the fire and roasted meat, making my mouth water in hunger. They were mocking me with that picnic. I just knew it. "Can I please come out now?"

"Have you decided to give up those ridiculous plans?" she asked.

"No…"

I heard her snap her fingers as a plate of roasted meat appeared on my table. I breathed heavily.

"How convenient," I hissed, throwing my arms up before seating myself. "Can I have some utensils while you're at it?" A second later a knife and fork appeared beside the plate. I glared at the plate grudgingly before snatching the knife up and stabbed the meat as a way to vent.

"Thanks so much."

Artemis: 1 Me: 0

I tried again an hour later.

"I need to use the bathroom," I told her. "You got to let me out for that."

I could imagine Artemis smirking when she said this. "Not quite."

I heard her snap her fingers, and almost out of nowhere, a bucket appeared on the ground next to me. I stared at the bucket, completely and utterly dumbfounded.

Oh Hades no…

"You can't be serious!" I exclaimed in disbelief. "I am not doing my business in a bucket! Do you know how gross that is? It's not hygienic!"

Walt would faint if he saw this.

"Are you going to give up that foolishness?"

"No, but-!"

"Then hold it in," Artemis said snidely. "The bucket will disappear once you're done…if you decide to use it." With that said, I heard her go away.

I wrenched my hands in my hair and yelled in aggravation. I would not use the bucket! I will not!

After 3 insufferable hours…I used the bucket.

Did I mention how much I hated Artemis right now?

Artemis: 2. Me: 0

This continued on for three more days. I continued to use that horrid bucket whenever I'm forced to. I tried the silent treatment, and I even threatened to starve myself, which Artemis disproved after only a day. I even tried guilt-tripping her, but she only ignored me. Just what was taking Walt so long?! Or was it because of Apollo? Artemis wouldn't listen to me, and after she saw me try to convince her hunters- namely Thalia, who went to talk to her about it- to let me out, she ordered them to stop talking to me too, and here I thought she wanted me to get to know them better.

It was the middle of the fourth night of my confinement, when all the hunters were getting ready to sleep, that I decided to undergo another outrageous attempt.

"ONE MISSISSIPPI! TWO MISSISSIPPI, THREE MISSISSIPPI! FOUR-!"

"Oh my gods Seth, will you shut up!" I heard Thalia yell at me.

"FIVE MISSISSIPPI! SIX MISSISSIPPI! SEVEN-!"

Eliza cried out, "Seth, I'm trying to sleep!"

"Someone open up his tent so I can beat him up!" Blaire yelled. "I don't care if-! Lady Artemis?!"

"Seth Hunter, what are you doing?!" Artemis said icily, judging from the shadows, I could tell she was standing right outside my enclosed tent. Oh wow, I even got her to come here in the middle of her work.

"I am demonstrating my protest!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. "I tried reasoning with you! I tried being courteous! Apollo still hasn't arrived yet, so now I'm doing this! EIGHT MISSISSIPPI…"

"You are acting like an immature child, Seth! I expected better from you!"

"TEN MISSISSIPPI-You want better?! Then let me out! I'm dying in here!"

I could imagine Thalia rolling her eyes. "Dying of what?"

"BOREDOM!" I shouted. "DUH!"

I think I discovered the horrible side-effects of my claustrophobia.

"Lady Artemis, maybe we could just let him out a bit?" Eliza spoke up. "He's gone crazy…"

"I second that," Blaire grumbled. "My fists have been itching for a good pounding!" Soon, the rest of the hunters were begging for my release, all going according to my insane plan. That is, until Artemis spoke up.

"SETH HUNTER!" she thundered, effectively silencing out her hunters' complaints. I nearly choked in the middle of my rant. "If you do not cease this childish behavior, your confinement will be in my tent with a muffler over your mouth!"

There was a moment of silence.

"Zeus' feet," I muttered angrily, forced to give up.

Artemis: 5 Me….You know what? Screw this! Why was I even keeping track? Damn it all…

-o-

On the sixth day of my confinement, Artemis finally decided to have a personal chat with me. She excused the hunter posted there to another duty before I saw her silhouette stood beside the entrance.

"Seth?" she called softly.

I didn't answer her immediately, still nestled in the covers of my bed. Sleeping and staring off into space were now my activities as of late.

Artemis grew impatient. "Seth, if you are trying that silent treatment again…!"

"I'm not," I muttered.

"Good," she stated. "It's already been six days. Have you changed your mind?"

I rolled my eyes, turning on my side to face the wall. "For the last time, Artemis, I won't change my decision! This is getting pointless!"

"So this confinement isn't helping."

"You finally noticed?" I said sardonically. "By the way, how long are you going to keep me in this jail cell? Another week? A month? A year even? It's really starting to smell in here."

Artemis didn't let me out to take a shower or provide me a change of clothes. You could imagine the filthy, miserable condition I was in. She called it an incentive when it was actually a lost cause.

"I'm only trying to help you, Seth," Artemis said. Her tone sounded forced. "You must let go of this idiocy!"

"I'm only doing what's demanded of me by the prophecy, just like you did 15 years ago." I pointed out, and then I added starkly. "Is my creation an 'act of idiocy' on your part?"

"We will not digress from the topic, Seth." Artemis warned. "What I did back then was clearly stated- Completely different from your situation. Your interpretation of the prophecy leaves room for error."

I snapped my attention towards the front, slightly pissed. "Then why don't you tell me what I'm supposed to do then Artemis? Would that satisfy you? You seem very fond of keeping me on a short leash!"

I could imagine her narrowing her eyes dangerously. "Do not test me, child."

I hitched an uneven breath before walking over to the entrance, the two of us divided only by the thin silver tent.

"Then let's agree to be honest," I stated. "I don't trust you, and you don't trust me either. Truth?"

Artemis hesitated. "Trust is a privilege. It can only go two ways or none at all."

"So you don't trust me," I replied. She didn't answer, confirming my statement. I wasn't surprised. "If you did, I wouldn't be in here. You think that I don't have what it takes. Truth?"

"I do not believe you fully comprehend the danger you are asking for." Artemis said. "Your conjecture cannot be proven right."

"But it cannot be proven wrong either," I pointed out. "I thought through my prophecy a great deal, Artemis. These actions I plan to take are not spontaneous. I also discussed its contents with Walt and Lynetta already. They support me in my decision. Why can't you do the same?"

She lifted her chin. "You barely survived against Lycaon. You also refused to follow my orders at the critical moment. How can you expect me to support you when your past actions dictate otherwise?"

"They are past actions," I bristled. "Mistakes that I've acknowledge and atoned for. What matters is how I am now! I've changed a lot since last we met, Artemis. Let me prove to you that I'm ready for this!"

Artemis was silent. She stood there, pondering through my words carefully, as if to be sure I wasn't lying.

I urged her. "Just name your conditions! If I can fulfill them, then you'll have no reason to deter me."

"Really?" she said narrowly, skeptical.

"Of course, they have to be humanly possible," I said quietly. "Besides, this incarceration idea isn't working. You said that yourself."

She grew quiet. Her silence caused me to become nervous. Would she accept my offer?

"I'll think about it." she said finally, and after a moment's pause, she left me alone once more.

It's better than nothing, I told myself. I at least got Artemis to consider letting me out. I just hope those conditions she's thinking about aren't too harsh.

-o-

The next day, Artemis gave me her answer.

I heard the ripping sound of the tent opening and I knew instantly that my offer had been accepted. I was internally jumping for joy at the sight of freedom. Artemis came in as I stood up at the foot of my bed. My hair and clothes were a mess.

"You smell awful," Artemis said bluntly, wrinkling her nose. I only rolled my eyes. Who was responsible for that?

"I'll be sure to shower first thing," I said. "That is…if you are letting me out?"

She nodded briefly. I tried not to sing Hallelujah right then and there. I kept a blank face.

"I've thought about your proposal," she said sternly. "I decided that your offer had some merit, and in the end I came up with three conditions."

I mentally sighed in relief. It was only three.

"What are they?"

"You will complete a solo mission," Artemis said. "I will monitor your progress on the sidelines. If you can complete it to my gratification, then it will be your win. You are also required to follow any and all orders I give you without complaint. If you even think of disobeying me, I will not hesitate to have you locked in here again."

"I understand," I said quietly. I figured she would do something like this compared to last time. "Would that count as part of my training?"

"I'll be sure to inform Walt Forger of this assignment," she told me. "The next two conditions I will tell you only if you succeed on the first. Are we clear?"

"Crystal," I murmured.

"I will inform you the details after you bathe," Artemis said. She made a face. "How do you stand it for this long? The odor must be smothering in here!"

I shrugged, "I got used to it. Since I got you to reconsider, it was well worth it."

She frowned. "Don't make a habit of it."

I was about to comment when suddenly, there was a bright golden light. The hunters outside started to clamor. I felt the harsh aura of an Olympian god, and I felt my knees buckle slightly at the pressure. Artemis only rolled her eyes.

"I lower my guard down for one moment, and then he comes charging in," she muttered to no one in particular. She turned to go outside, and I instantly followed her.

The rush of cool, fresh air instantly turned my mood for the better. I felt like I was finally able to properly breathe. I took note of my surroundings, the camp site looking very similar to my time in Maryland. Before I could take in the specific details, the newly arrived sun god started shouting out demands in Ancient Greek:

"Where is he, sister?" he yelled furiously, "I do not care what reasons you have for keeping him here, but I swear by the Fates I will bring him back to Forger immediately!"

"Brother," Artemis chided. "I have already-!"

"No excuses!" Apollo interrupted, switching to English. "Now which tent are you keeping him in? I will turn this camp site upside down if you-!" He stopped when he noticed me. "Oh. Seth…y-you're right here?"

I gave a sheepish smile as I gave a bow. "You were a bit too late, Lord Apollo. I already convinced Lady Artemis to let me out."

"Oh." he repeated. He narrowed his eyes as he inspected me, his hands clasping my shoulders. "Look at you, my poor nephew! What horrors has my sister done to you this time? And that stench! This is definitely not okay."

Artemis looked aggravated. "Brother…"

"No need to fear Seth!" Apollo said, ignoring Artemis completely. His sister narrowed her eyes at his clear dismissal. "The most awesome Olympian has come to save the day!"

He snapped his fingers, and I was quickly engulfed in a swirl of radiance. When the light died out, the first thing I noticed was my new set of designer clothes: a dark blue polo shirt and shorts. My hair was brushed differently, and my whole body completely clean. Apollo even handed me a mirror, and I gagged when I saw my reflection. I looked like one of those corny, photo-shopped magazine covers. I quickly ruffled my hair back to how it was.

"That's much better!" he exclaimed, letting the mirror vanish in a poof! I wondered if he got those tricks from the she-witch. I shook my head out of it. "Now this calls for a haiku-!"

"BROTHER!" Artemis shouted, tired of being overlooked. I winced slightly. She sure made a lot of noise in that twelve year old body.

Apollo only gave a grin, oblivious to her chagrin. "No need to shout Arty! Can't you see I'm talking to Seth here? You can give your cries of adoration to me later."

"Cries of… You have no business being here, Apollo!" Artemis hissed in anger. "You are disturbing me and my hunters! I want you out of here this instant!"

I took that moment to step away from the bickering twins, not wishing to be caught in the crossfire.

"Rude!" Apollo chastised. "I came all this way to present my glorious self and you want to kick me out?"

"Yes!"

Apollo huffed. "Ungrateful. That's what you are. Oh well, I never cared about what you think of me anyway." He turned to me with a big smile, his teeth so white and perfect dentists could only dream of. "So Seth, you ready to go?"

"Actually, I'm staying here for a while longer." I told him. "Lady Artemis and I had set a bargain."

Apollo instantly grew suspicious, his tone turned solemn. It still crept me out how fast his expressions changed. "What kind of bargain?"

"A bargain that concerns only Seth and me," Artemis cut in. "You're not needed here."

"But sister…!" he pouted.

"I would be grateful if you tell Walt Forger that Seth will be undergoing another mission from me," Artemis informed him. "That should put his worries to rest, wouldn't it?"

"I suppose," he said. "Sister, if you try to prevent Seth from completing his prophecy…I will be forced to put a stop to your actions."

"I won't, brother." Artemis said. "It all depends on how well he does. Isn't that right, Seth?"

I hesitated. I could mention how Artemis threatened to lock me up again if I failed, and then Apollo would likely intervene. But if I did that, I would lose Artemis' small amount of faith in me by breaking the conditions I had set up, and she wouldn't be as lenient with me in the future. I had a feeling Artemis wasn't one to give up easily. I inherited that trait all too well.

I gave a forced smile. "Yes. She's right. I'll be fine, Lord Apollo."

"If you're sure, then I have nothing to say," he said.

I gave a nod. "Thanks for coming by, and can you tell Walt I'll be back soon?"

"Sure thing, Seth," he told me, lifting a hand to ruffle my hair playfully. I held in my protest. "Looks like I'm the stand in messenger. Seriously sister, did you really have to take it out on my pal Hermes like that?"

"My shock got the best of me," she admitted quietly. "I'll be sure to make it up to him."

"Looks like I'm done here," he announced. He threw me a wink. "Give me a call anytime, Seth. If you want to chat or whatever, I'm free!"

"I'll hold you to that," I said.

He threw a smirk before he went into his divine form, completely out of sight when I uncovered my eyes. I turned to Artemis, expectant of the details she had yet to inform me.

I hope I didn't come to regret my own deal.

-o-