CHAPTER II

On a log in the middle of the woods sat a tall young man reading a book. Red hair and wearing casual clothes he went through flipping each of the many pages of the books. The boy turned to his right as he read a rustling sound he looked and saw that tent flap emerged a figure of someone around the same age as the boy with the book with neatly combed brown hair.

"Herc. You're still up?" he yawned, "And you're still reading the Scoutmaster book?"

"Of course I would be Florian." beamed Hercules as he drew his gaze from his book and towards his friend, "If I want to be Scoutmaster like Phil I need to make sure that I know everything that there is!"

"Everything?"

"If you see a bear what are you supposed to do?" asked Hercules as he drew his gaze back into the book.

"Oh I know this one for sure." laughed Florian, "You draw a circle in the ground and get in that circle when the bears comes. Duh."

"That's amazingly wrong."

"I know dude, I was just joking."

"Still you need to take this seriously."

"Dude come on. Have a sense of humor."

"Stuff like this isn't something you should be laughing at."

Florian yawned again and ran a hand through his brown hair, "I guess you're right about that."

"You guess so?" asked Hercules

Florian sat next to Hercules sat on the log next to Hercules and changed the subject, "Where did John go?"

Hercules had put the book down on the log, "After you went in the tent to sleep, John saw a girl in the woods when he went off to get firewood. He came back to grab his pocket knife and flashlight to go and find her."

"And how'd that go?"

Hercules shrugged and grabbed the book and began to read it again, "You should've seen Phil's face he was so pissed."

"Phil is is always pissed off at whatever thing John does."

"Yeah, but more than usual."

Florian nodded, "I bet."

"So Phil is out searching for John and told me to keep camp until he comes back."

Florian yawned again. "Well I'm up now. So go to sleep and I'll keep camp in your place."

"I'm not tried."

Florian shrugged and sat down the log beside him. "Okay then. We'll keep camp together until Phil and John come back."

Hercules nodded in agreement, "Sounds good."

Florian yawned, "Two people all alone in a campsite in the middle of the woods. Sounds like a plot of a horror movie."

Hercules laughed at his remark, "Aw man. It really does."

"It would really suck if a hermit wearing a hockey mask and wielding a machete came running after us."

"Dude. Stop."

Before Florian could respond, a loud scream could be heard. Hercules had jumped from the log in which he was sitting on and he quickly glance all over the woods. Florian looked along as well looking sharply at each rustling of the leaves. The scream echoed again and the two boys looked more alert trying to find its source.

Florain's eyes bulged in surprise as he quickly shot up from the log. He quickly said, "That sounded like a person's scream.".

Hercules nodded in agreement. "Do you know where it came from?"

Florian pointed to the woods behind them, "I think I heard it from over there."

"You stay here, I'll go and check it out." said Hercules.

"If you leave and I'm all alone and that is definitely a start of a horror movie."

"Just stay by the campfire Florian, and you'll be fine. Trust me."

"Okay. You go off and I'll keep camp." nodded a reluctant Florian.

"If Phil comes just tell him that I went off for a walk."

"I don't think he'll buy it."

"Just tell him that and everything should be fine."

"He'll be so pissed off at you."

"I'll manage."

"Just be safe Herc."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I promise."

Florian nodded and stared back at the campfire, "You go off to find what caused that sound and I'll be here keeping camp."

"Don't worry Florian, I'll try not to die."

"Try?"

"What if a tree falls on me?"

"Dude-"

"I'm kidding!"

"You better."

"I am Florian. Just trust me."

"I promised Snow to be safe on this camping trip and that's what I plan to do."

"Well you can tell her that promise can be fulfilled."

"Don't make me regret my words, Herc."

Hercules nodded and walked off with is scoutbook in hand as he walked towards the source of the screaming noise. Deep in the woods he had come across a stream where he saw a girl around his age washing her hands in the stream, she looked like she was crying and in pain. Upon noticing the sobbing girl Hercules ran towards the stream to get a better look at the sobbing girl.

"Hey." panting Hercules as he crouched down and got a closer look at the girl. Long auburn red hair tied up in ponytail and wearing purple and she did definitely look like she was in pain of some sort. He cleared his throat, "Are you okay?"

The girl blinked and turned her head away from him. Muttering to herself, "Just peachy."

"Is that a yes or a no?"

"I'm in the middle of the woods with a sprained ankle, of course I would be just fine." she scoffed.

Hercules only gave the girl a warm smile, "Well you don't look alright. You can tell me if something is wrong."

The girl only scoffed, "Don't you need to find an elderly woman to help cross the street, Wonder Boy?"

"Huh?"

"The book you're holding there. Aren't you a boy scout, Wonder Boy?"

"Eagle Scout." corrected Hercules.

"What's the difference?"

Ignoring her comment Hercules averted his eyes towards her ankle and did noticed that it did looked swollen. He looked at the girl, "What happened?"

"The same way most people sprain their ankles. I tripped."

"Was something chasing you?"

The girl mumbled to herself, "You can say that."

Hercules shook his head and stood. He offered his hand to the girl, "Here take my hand."

"I'm a damsel. I'm in distress. I can handle myself. Have a nice day." retorted the girl as she rolled her eyes and slowly but surely she was able to stand up. She gave Hercules a confident smirk and put a hand on her hips.

"Can you walk?"

"Don't be stupid."

"Then do it if your able too."

She rolled her eyes and moved her foot ready to take on step. As she put pressure on the foot, she began to fall forward ready to faceplant on the rocky ground. Fortunately Hercules was there and rushed towards her ready to catch her from falling. Her head hit his chest and she felt the rapid beats of his heart.

"What's wrong Wonder Boy?"

"Nothing."

"Are you sure?"asked as the girl aa she put a hand to his forehead but Hercules shook her hand off, "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

The girl rolled her eyes again and drew her hand to his forehead, this time Hercules didn't shake her hand off him. "You sure because you're sure as hell burning up."

Hercules shook his head and cleared his throat ignoring her comment,"What's your name?

"Megara." she answered, "My friends call me Meg. At least they would if I had any."

Hercules blinked at her remark, "You don't have any friends?"

"I don't play well with others." remarked Meg as she gave him a sly smirk.

"Why is that?" asked Hercules.

Meg rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know nor do I care."

Hercules didn't say a word and in one swift motion swept Meg of her feet and carried her bridal style. As she was in his arms, he felt his heart beat even faster and his cheeks were red hot. Hercules ignored those sudden emotions that sprang up on him and went to walking back to the campsite. Meg drew her hand at his forehead and laughed at him.

"What's so funny?" asked Hercules as she shot her a furious look.

Meg laughed, "Jeez Wonder Boy. Your burning up red."

Hercules shook her hand off his forehead and calmly said, "Hercules."

"Huh?"

"That's my name."

"I didn't ask."

"It's better than calling me Wonder Boy."

"Fine. I'll call you Hercules then. Wonder Boy."

Hercules sighed.

Meg rolled her eyes and drew her head in closer to his chest hearing his heartbeat. His heartbeat was racing, like he was nervous. Hercules shooked those sudden feelings that started to spring up and focused on walking. Several moments passed filled with silence until the pair had reached the campsite and two new figures were sitting around the campfire. A boy with blond hair and older man bald with a bushy brown beard were now there. Hercules ignored the two figures and moved towards a log and sat Meg down on the log and sat next to her.

"Florian, you should've seen her." mused the blond, "Chopper brown skin and ebony black hair. What a beauty."

"Was she worth running after, John?" questioned Florian as he raised an eyebrow.

John smirked, "Yes. She's was like a forest nymph so I had to see if she was real."

"Was she?"

"Yes. I would do it a thousand times over if I had too." declared John and he looked towards the scowling older man and mumbled, "Such a shame I had to cut it short. I hope I get to see her again."

Florian rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Honestly John. What the hell?"

"I'm telling the truth." shot back John and he drew his hand to heart, "Cross my heart, swear to-"

"Enough." shouted the older man and smacked John upside the head. "No girl is worth running off into the woods for. Honestly John what are you an idiot?"

John rubbed the back on his and quickly shot back, "Well that's because you didn't see her. Trust me when I say if you saw her, you would definitely agree with me."

"Enough John." shouted the older man again. He pointed towards the tent and shouted again, "Go inside the tent and go to sleep."

"Okay Phil." grumbled John as he shot up from the ground scowling.

Phil sighed and looked towards the tent and was now fuming mad as he saw Meg sitting on the log with Hercules next her. He pointed his finger at her and shouting, "Who is this?"

Hercules sighed and explained himself, "I saw her in the woods and she had a sprained ankle."

"You met a girl in the woods as well Hercules?" questioned John as he crossed his arms and smirked. "Well then we should call this the camping trip of love."

"Gross." remarked Florian.

"Dude." said Hercules.

"Never say that again." scoffed Meg as he crossed her arms and glared at John.

"As you wish." smirked John as he winked at Meg.

Meg gave John a look of disgust and John laughed as he entered inside of the tent.

"Disgusting." muttered Meg.

"He's not that bad." reasoned Florian as he followed John inside the tent.

Phil didn't say anything as he glared at Meg and now at Hercules, "So you brought this stranger to our campsite?"

"Would you want me to let her be eaten by wolves?" questioned Hercules, "I saw an injured person in the woods so I helped her. What's wrong with that?"

Phil sighed and threw a sleeping bag towards Hercules, "Fine. But she sleeps outside."

"Outside?" shouted Meg. "Are you insane old man?"

"I'm not allowing this strange girl to sleep in the tent. She'll have a sleeping bag that should be fine

Hercules nodded and went inside the tent. A few moments passed and he came outside holding a sleeping bag and setted it beside Meg. He turned to Phil and nodded, "Okay."

Phil nodded and covered his hand over his mouth hiding his yawn. "Unless Florian decides it's his turn to run off in the woods. Its lights out."

"You're in the woods at night. The lights are already out." said Meg as she rested her head on her hand, "Honestly old man, I do think you are really going insane."

Phil glared her and drew his finger at her, "Listen here you smartass. I already don't like you. So shut it and zip it."

"Whatever."

"Goodnight Meg." smiled Hercules as he went towards the tent and soon went inside of it.

"Well at least somebody here knows hospitality."

"Don't get used to it." mumbled Phil.

Meg ignored Phil's glares and laid inside the sleeping bag. She heard footsteps and a zipper of tent so she assumed Phil finally stopped death glaring her so she closed her eyes ready for sleep to claim her. As she was about to drift off into sleep she felt a cold air surround her and she quickly shot and saw a smirking man wearing a black suit.

"Well I gotta say Meg. You move fast." he smirked as he was now sitting on the log.

Meg rolled her eyes, "A progress report so soon Hades? Do you already doubt me?"

Hades chuckled, "Just remember the plan and you'll be golden."

"Your cutting in my beauty sleep so scarm." retorted Meg as she waved him good-bye.

Hades chuckled and stood up from the log, "Oh Meg darling. I never get tried talking to you."

Meg laid down on the sleeping bag and closed her eyes, "Sorry can't hear you to busy sleeping."

Hades snapped his fingers as he was engulfed in large blue flame. Inside the tent was Phil still staring the tent. His glare grew more intense on Meg as she was laying down the ground with eyes were now closed. He averted his gaze from the girl and muttered to himself. "I knew this girl was bad news from the moment I saw her."