Chapter 9: Bullseye
Percy whoops with excitement the first time he hits a bullseye. He runs toward the target and stares at the arrow embedded within the center red dot.
He almost can't believe it. After two weeks of fruitless attempts, he'd almost started to give up hope.
"Nice shot, Percy!" Thalia wanders over to check out the sudden noise.
"Thanks." He hugs her and grins as they laugh.
She meanders off once more and he faces the target again. He nocks another arrow and prepares to shoot once more.
The next shot is closer to his average, about two inches off of center. He sighs and runs a hand through his unruly raven locks, he reached down and loads another arrow into his bow. When this shot barely scrapes the side of the target, he barely blinks.
This was his reality. He wasn't more talented or more skilled than others. All that he was, was more stubborn.
He keeps shooting until the dinner bell rings out its summoning tones and he wastes time before reluctantly heading towards the cookfire.
He sits on a log and eats quietly as the huntresses chat with each other and talk about their plans to hunt a new monster.
Thalia nudges him with her shoulder and congratulates him on a job well done. He smiles half-heartedly as the other huntresses congratulate him.
He looks hopefully toward Artemis who shakes her head with a small smile. The message is absolutely clear. Not good enough.