Hi again, K here! Just wanted to say thanks for all the wonderful reviews! Again, I don't own anything but the plot in this story, no copyright infringement intended and all that! And now, back to the story of the young girl and the goddess…..
January 1, 2012
Well, to say the least, I was surprised. I followed Artemis in stunned silence back to her camp, where I first met the other hunters. But of course, these would not be the night's only interesting happenings.
~Enter Flashback~
Artemis led Krissetta through the trees and into a circle of tents. Artemis silently used her fingers to count down from three to one, rolling her eyes and laughing softly.
"Artemis is back!" someone shouted. A group of girls, the youngest looking to be about ten, the oldest about fourteen, came running from all directions. The crowded excitedly around Artemis.
"Where have you been?"
"What did you see?"
"Did you catch any monsters?"
"We're so glad you're back!"
Krissetta's eyes widened at the sudden crowd after being on her own for so long. Clutching Stripes just a little tighter, she stepped behind Artemis. Blinking, she stared down at the cat. "Whoa," she whispered. Artemis stepped to the side, and Krissetta was suddenly caught in the gazes of eleven other girls. She stared back, face turning even redder than it already was. She wished she wasn't shivering, but dang, she was cold.
The hunters looked at her. "Who's she?"
"Is she a half-blood?"
"What's her name?"
"She's not a camper, is she?" They all made faces at the mention of "camper."
"Girls," Artemis said, standing next to Krissetta, "This is Krissetta. She is a half-blood, but as far as I know, she's not a camper." She looked at Krissetta. "Are you a camper?"
Krissetta tilted her head curiously to the left. "I don't think so. What type of camper? What's a half-blood? What's going on?" she asked, swallowing her fear. She remembered Artemis's words. "Nobody will hit you anymore."
Artemis looked at her. "She never told you, did she?"
"Who?" Krissetta asked, thoroughly confused.
Artemis sighed and said something in what Krissetta thought was Ancient Greek. "Athena, help me out here!"
Suddenly, as if out of thin air, someone appeared behind Artemis. The hunters all acted like nothing had happened. One checked her watch. Artemis didn't notice. "Krissetta, I think I better let your mother explain."
"But- but my mother is dead," Krissetta said, still staring at the woman behind Artemis. "My father told me so."
The woman raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm…. Well, I certainly don't feel dead. What do you think, Artemis? Do I look dead?"
Artemis jumped. She whipped around. "Athena," she said with a mock-glare.
"Hello," Athena said cheerfully. "Now, back to the question, do I look dead?"
Artemis laughed. "No. I'm pretty sure you're still alive."
Krissetta blinked. "What just happened?"
"They've been doing that for almost a month now. Whenever they see each other, one of them will stand behind the other until they notice. See, one is wise and the other is a hunter. They want to know which would do better in this situation, I guess. I really don't try to figure it out. But I guess Lady Athena won this time," said one of the hunters, trying not to laugh. "I'm Gina, by the way."
Artemis made a face. "Yes, I guess she did. But I will get her next time."
"Sure you will," Athena said.
"Now, I think it best we let your daughter in on what is happening," she said, seeing the confused look in Krissetta's eyes.
Athena turned to look at her. "Oh, look how much you've grown!"
Krissetta was now extremely confused. "What are you talking about?"
"Krissetta, you should be able to figure it out!" Athena said.
"Well, considering the fact I'm freezing, I just met two Greek goddesses, and I just ran away from home, my brain isn't functioning quite as fast as it normally would," Krissetta said, blue eyes icy.
Athena sighed. "Krissetta, did your father not tell you who you are?" she asked.
"Ever since my mother left, he never told me much of anything except what a bother and a mess I am," Krissetta said, eyes the only thing that showed her anger.
"Remind me to thank Aphrodite," Athena said. "Otherwise I'd never know she was mad."
Artemis nodded. "Well, go on. Explain."
Athena smiled sadly. "Krissetta, this may be a little shocking, but I am your mother. You are a half-blood."