Chapter 5: Kenzie

As I fled Camp Half-Blood, all I could feel was betrayal. For less than a day, I had allowed myself to think I was safe. I had allowed myself to trust. I made mistakes and missed signs that I should have noticed soon off. To say that I was disappointed in myself would be an understatement. I was furious, hurt, and guilty. I felt bad about Nico. I would miss him. I knew that I would never be able to return to camp. Ever. As much as I thought I loved him, I could never return. I would only put others in danger wherever I was. No place was safe neither from nor for me. But what to do?

I was ahead of the Hunters by a matter of minutes. Soon I would have to shake them off or they would capture me. I was confident that they would tire sooner than I, but this time Artemis was with them. I didn't want to summon a monster, but I could see no way around it. My heart hurt for the unfortunate, but I needed to buy myself some time. Anyway. I could die. Monsters always came back.

I reached the crest of the hill and plunged down the other side. Desperation, fear, and gravity gave my feet wings. When I reached the road they had fallen behind. I skid to a stop. Bracing my feet, I raised my arms and began to chant. Ancient Greek spilled from my mouth as if it was my native tongue. The earth at my feet split. I chanted faster, but never screwed up once. The chimera pulled itself up and shook its lion's mane. The snake tail hissed in anger and cloven hooves stamped the ground. The Hunters faltered for a moment and the monster charged.

Not waiting to see what the end result would be, I ran in the opposite direction. I reached the line of woods and an enormous hellhound bounded to my side. Dense black fur covered the muscular body and red eyes looked into my own. There was no fear or anger in them. Something akin to excitement, perhaps even devotion.

"Ankah!" I cried, throwing my arms around her. She woofed happily and I scrambled atop her. "Come on," I said. She understood at once. She ran with a speed that I envied, but greatly appreciated. The Hunters would never be able to keep pace with her, and Artemis wouldn't leave them. They had an angry chimera to deal with after all. We passed by some trees so closely that at times I was sure we would hit one. A cloud passed over the sun and shadows swamped the wood. With an extra burst of speed, Ankah slipped into shadows as cold as the dark side of the moon.

Nico had been surprised that I was so good with shadow traveling. Maybe someday I could explain to him that it had kept me alive for as long as I could remember. Certainly without it, I would have had a very difficult time of things. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, trying to remember his face. Ah, but it was sad. For what I could remember was hazy.

I opened my eyes again and the darkness thinned. It trembled in the air for a moment, and vanished. Ankah stopped atop a hill overlooking a highway and barked. I slid off her and landed lightly. I held my bow ready to use, but I hoped I wouldn't have to. Ankah could find her own food. I had long ago taught her not to eat half-bloods. However, it is in her nature to kill. I can't blame her really. It's the reason she was created. With no money and no place to hunt for game or any wood to cook it with, I was stuck. Ankah had curled up for a light nap, so I we wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon.

Sighing, I sat down next to the giant hellhound. It was early in the afternoon and the sun was still high in the sky. Briefly, I wondered what Nico was doing, but quickly banished the thought. I didn't want to think of him now. It was too painful. Somehow though, it wasn't that simple. I remembered his arms around me and had to smile. Had it really been less than an hour ago? It seemed like years now. I sat up and looked up at the sun. So big, so bright. Did the gods ever get tired of watching humans live out their lives of toil and strife? Probably not. We are after all, very similar.

When I looked back to the highway, I jumped. A little girl sat in front of me, looking like someone out of an old western. She had to be about six or seven years old. Long brown hair was pulled back from her small soft face. Freckles were sprinkled across her sun browned face and she wore a simple dress. It was her eyes that caught my attention though. They were full of the warm flames of the hearth. I knew who she must be. Hestia, the goddess of home and hearth. At once I rose to my feet and bowed low. When I rose she was smiling. "Well received daughter of the goddess of monsters and daemons."

I flinched. My words came out harsher than I meant them too. "Why are you here?"

"Goodness, no need to be rude. Although I can understand giving the circumstances." She waved a small hand and a fire appeared within a ring of hot coals. She sat down cross-legged on her side of cheery blaze and I did the same. It seemed odd to have a campfire going around one in the afternoon, but I've seen stranger. "I am here because when all else fails, I am what's left. Home, hearth."

I laughed bitterly. "Too bad I have none of those great things Lady."

"No," she said firmly. "Home is always where the heart is. Where is your heart most at home child?" Her intense fire eyes met mine.

An image of Nico's face flashed across my inner eye. I looked away.

She nodded. "I do not envy you're destiny child," she said sorrowfully. "But when all else fails, never give up on hope. Whenever you are in despair, let the candle of hope cast its light upon the shadows of the world."

I sighed. "What should I do?"

Hestia shook her head. "That I do not know. Zeus will not rest until you are slain, of that I am certain. Nimn. Well. Your mother was a powerful goddess. Zeus banished her because of what she symbolized and that power put fear into him. To him, you represent all that he has tried to wipe out. You're very existence represents her defiance of him. Your mother was brave, but never stupid. You were allowed to be born for a reason, and Nimn loves you I am sure."

I looked away from the pity I heard in her speech. "Maybe she does," I allowed. "We are both outcasts in this world. Neither of us trusted for things that are beyond our power to control."

Hestia smiled sadly. "Aye, that is so."

"Well then," I rose to my feet. "What happens now?"

She smiled. "You remain here for present. I shall not reveal your location. Your love sets out to find you, even now." Hestia rose to her feet as well.

As she showed her true form, I turned away. My heart hammered a desperate rhythm of hope. Nico. He was coming. Would he find us? I could only pray. It was a wish, a desperate dream. Would the gods allow me to live long enough for us to be together? I had lived every day of my life in fear of death until it got to the point where I was convinced that I would welcome release. Now I had a reason to live. I made a decision then. I would stay alive.