1987

The winter seemed so harsh this year. The Hunt was on the outskirts of Chicago in the middle of December and the snow seemed never ending.

The cold would normally make Artemis feel alive, but in this moment it made her miserable. Two hunters, Hemithea and Josephine, were finally about to depart from the Hunt after speaking to both Artemis and Zoë in private just three days before. They had admitted to the goddess and her lieutenant that they had fallen in love shortly after Josephine's arrival in the 1920's and that they were ready to become mortal and live out their lives, together.

While she had been sad to see them go, Artemis understood why they were leaving as well as just how tired Hemithea must be; living for a several millennia takes its toll. She would have been lying, however, if she said she hadn't felt a small twinge of jealousy for the pair. There were times, particularly after losing a sister in arms, that all she wanted was to just grow old with Zoë by her side and live and die a mortal life.

Artemis had easily accepted their resignations, of course, but Zoë had struggled greatly.


"I'll have to find a third in command," Zoë had said weakly from the corner of the tent, a quiet protest that she knew was absolutely pointless. Artemis could hear the heartbreak in her voice.

"I'm sure my replacement will be superb because she will have a superb leader," Hemithea smiled sadly, placing a gentle hand on Zoë's shoulder.

She understood Zoë's pain. Zoë had been so quiet and so skittish when she first arrived in the Hunt, frequently scared that one of her father's creatures had found her. Hemithea and her sister, Parthenos, had been vital in getting her to trust the Hunt. For over 2,000 years she had considered Zoë her closest friend and was honored to serve under her. With Parthenos dead and with her leaving, she recognized that Zoë was left feeling vulnerable and scared.

"Please," Zoë barely whispered. "I don't know how to lead without thee."

Hemithea's eyes flickered to Artemis for a moment but quickly returned to Zoë. She appreciated Artemis and Josephine for staying quiet during their conversation.

"I know you would do the same if you could... I'm ready, Zoë," she whispered. She tried to make her voice more chipper despite the sadness she felt. "Besides I've done my job; I somehow convinced you two to get off your asses after you told me you had a crush on Artemis all those years ago."

Zoë's cheeks flushed red and she lowered her gaze. Taking a deep, steady breath, she hugged Hemithea.

"I'm proud to have called thee my sister," she whispered.

Equally as quiet, Hemithea said, "You won't be the only one that has a hard time, I promise."

Pulling away from Hemithea, Zoë turned to be able to also address Josephine. "May both of you live happy and fulfilled lives."


Artemis had seen the agony in Zoë's eyes. Unfortunately, that agony caused Zoë to be in a foul mood since the meeting. During the day, she stayed almost completely silent, refusing to socialize unless Hemithea or Josephine was also around and at night she would fall asleep with her back facing Artemis.

Despite Zoë's attitude, Artemis had still been able to quietly grab her hand. Showing affection in front of the hunters was always something that they tried to avoid but with her lieutenant in so much pain, she had to try and find a way to comfort her. Together, they watched as snow lightly fell upon the two girls. They kept their distance, allowing for every hunter to spend time hugging the girls and saying goodbye. When it was Aeva's turn, Artemis rubbed her thumb on Zoë's hand.

"I'm sorry I couldn't have known you both more," Mary said. Zoë was sorry too; Mary had only been a hunter for two months and would never truly know the honor of serving alongside Hemithea or even Josephine.

"We'll meet again, I'm sure of it," Josephine said, hugging Mary tightly.

They watched as Alice approached the departing hunters.

"I think Alice will make a fine replacement," Zoë whispered, the first time she had spoken to Artemis in nearly three days.

Artemis silently nodded, approving of the choice. When she noticed the pair putting on their packs, she let go of Zoë's hand and walked over to them.

"Safe travels, my sisters, and may our paths cross again."

The two former hunters bowed their heads in gratitude. Hemithea, with tears in her eyes, nodded one last time at Zoë before grabbing Josephine's hand and turned around to walk out of the camp and into their next lives.

Moments passed as the hunters kept silent, a few sniffles here and there. As they slowly started to disperse, Artemis' eyes tracked Zoë as she disappeared into their tent. She took a few moments before she followed after her companion. She stopped by the campfire to ruffle Aeva's hair and squeeze Jemma's shoulder, offering both of them an encouraging smile, before walking to her tent.

When she entered, she saw Zoë leaning on her hands against the desk, her back towards Artemis. She slowly walked up behind Zoë and rubbed gently between her shoulder blades, taking small pride when she saw her eyes close at the feeling.

"I'm sorry, brave one," she murmured. She hugged Zoë, resting her cheek on her shoulder. "I know she means a great deal to you."

"First Parthenos and now Hemithea. I feel like my heart is being ripped out and stomped on."

"That's good."

Zoë stayed leaning against the desk but turned her head to look at Artemis.

"If it didn't hurt, if you didn't care, dear one, then I would fear for all the hunters, including you. It's ok to feel pain."

"I struggled so much to trust anyone, to feel safe," she choked down a sob. "They helped me feel at home and in just fourteen short years, I have witnessed one get mauled to death by a monster and the other choose to walk away."

"Zoë, she found love," she said, steady yet gentle. She wiped a single tear from Zoë's cheek. She placed her own cheek back on the taller girl's shoulder. "She found an escape from the pain of losing her sister. I could hardly fault her for leaving."

They stayed there in silence for a few moments, Artemis listening to Zoë's breaths, silently begging for it to return to normal. After some time, Artemis spoke quietly, "She meant a great deal to me too."

She leaned up to leave a lingering kiss on Zoë's cheek. When she could tell that Zoë was no longer about to cry, she said,

"So you told her you had a crush on me, huh?" Artemis' teasing caused Zoë's cheeks to heat up and turn red.

"I didn't just blurt it out to her. She just kept pestering me about it, insisting that I did and eventually I relented. She was overly excited about the confession and demanded I do something about it, which I of course never did."

"Which also explains why all of the sudden she started pushing me."

"Pardon?" Zoë said, turning around.

"You weren't her only confidant," she winked.

Zoë let out a groan while Artemis airily laughed.

"I for one am thankful she did what she did. I'd still be waiting if you were the one to make the first move," she teased. She stood on the tips of her toes and kissed Zoë's forehead, her voice much more gentle now, "Come, dear one. It's far too cold. Let us warm up by the fire with the others."