Chapter 2

I can't believe I didn't notice this earlier. Robyn has long, crimson hair like the sunset, swept across in a fringe. She has a petite nose, a gorgeous smile and eyes green like grass. She blushes at the best of opportunities and never frowns. I can't see how she even looks at me! I am scrawny at best. Well, more like sinewy. I am light, but invisibly strong, wielding a sword particularly well. I can see by her unfaltering hands and pristine eyes that she would have to be an archer.

Later that day, I spend more time with her, until that horrid moment comes. We are sitting in class, when the new head, Miss Blake, calls her to her office. As soon as she has left the door, I hear her scream.

Immediately, I am up on my feet, letter opener in hand, drawn. I hear a faint disapproval of my reaction, but I eagerly dismiss it and carry on through the door. Immediately I can see why she screamed. In fact, I almost let out a whimper myself! Standing in front of me is a crouching Minotaur. This is a Minotaur bent on killing Robyn and anyone who gets in his way - namely, me.

Suddenly, the Minotaur stands up, and makes to start a charge towards us. Without thinking, I push Robyn out of the way and take the hit full on. I can just see Robyn running out of the school – not good.

No doubt there will be more monsters waiting for this. A few seconds later, I find out. Robyn screams louder than I have ever heard anyone scream before, turning into a statue, frozen by pure, untainted fear. Distracted by Robyn's screams, the Minotaur dips its head in agony, almost skewering me in the process. Taking the chance, I reach for my knife and stab the Minotaur in the side. Something singes her hair, and she suddenly comes back to life. She runs back here, as if forgetting the Minotaur completely, but finds nothing but a cloud of dust. Immediately, I am up on my feet and next to Robyn, ready for the next wave of monsters.

"What was out there? I heard you scream but couldn't see what you were screaming at." I ask.

"I, you heard that?" she replies, blushing.

"Yeah, distracted the Minotaur long enough to kill it."

"Is that what it was called?"Asks Robyn, "And where did it go?"

"When monsters die, they blow up in a cloud of dust and go to the underworld." I answer, almost forgetting she didn't even know what a Minotaur was – I'm not sure she knows about the underworld.

"Right, okay." she replies, somewhat confused."So how do we get out of here?"

"Same way you tried – I need to get a look at that thing, can you describe it at all?"

"Sure, it was like a big lion with a goat sticking out its neck and a snake for a tail. Oh and half the landscape was on fire, is that significant?"

"Ha! Just a bit, basically, that's a chimera - a fire breathing lion with a snake's tail and a goat's head. Follow me!"

We venture out into the open, where we see it for the first time. Immediately, we see the Chimera, and I realise why it didn't follow Robyn back into the school. It's bigger than the school! In front of us is a three-storey lion breathing fire on the surrounding countryside.

"How's your running?" I ask, with a matter of urgency in my voice.

"Okay, I guess."

"Right, we need to get back to your house."

"Why mine?"

"Robyn, I need to take you some place safe. There, nothing can come to attack you, and we'll train you how to fight monsters like these, but I need you to trust me. Can you do that for me?"

"Okay, whatever, just please help me!"

"Then let's run." As I say this, she instinctively dives out of the way of a huge pillar of fire coming from the chimera's mouth. I pull her up and we run faster that I have ever run before, spurred on by the charging chimera, towards Robyn's house.

We have to run from side to side to avoid the chimera's fire, but luckily, Robyn only lives a few blocks away from school. When we get it, I've called Robyn's dad, who packs a suitcase ready for us to take, and has called Argus to come and collect us one block down.

"Come with us, dad!" Robyn cries as he says goodbye. "I need you!"

"We need to get out of here, and draw the chimera away from him, he'll come see you in a week or two, but now we have to go!"

"Will he be okay?"

"Only if we leave now" And with that, Robyn's dad closes the door and we rocket back towards the chimera.

As we pass under the legs of the chimera, Argus prompts me and I lean out of the van window, catching the Chimera's attention. Immediately, I climb back inside.

"So how do we get rid of the chimera?" I ask

"I don't know yet, maybe the heroes back at camp could kill it when we get there, but before then it would tear down half the landscape!" Argus replies.

"Right, so it's right here, right now then?" I say, starting to prepare my weapons. Argus gives me a long sword made of celestial bronze and a shield and helmet, all fireproof. The shield is sharpened at the edges, with a circular indent and hole, clearly designed to be thrown.

"I guess so."

"What? We've got to fight that thing?" retorts Robyn. I had almost forgotten she was there.

"Yeah, now how would you feel about a bow and arrow? Ever used one?"I ask, hoping that she wouldn't freak too much and leave me fighting it alone.

"No, but I guess it's fairly straight-forward? Just pull the string back and let go?"

"Yes, but just don't hit me."

As we get out, we are met by another pillar of smoke, barely missing us by an inch! I can see that this won't be an easy fight by any means…