Chapter 10, Amanda's POV, The Hunter's of Artemis

A/N: I know she already shared her opinion on them, let's just see how she deals with meeting them. Will she change her mind about them? Let's find out.

After getting away from the monsters I decided to check into the nearest town I could find. I didn't bother wasting my time trying to read the town sign; I just headed straight into town. First place I went to, believe it or not, was the bookstore. I know what you're thinking, and you thought reading the town sign was a waste of time yeah, I know, but you don't understand. I wasn't going to buy or read any books; I was just there to check something.

I walked into the shop and walked up to the woman behind the front desk. She was middle-aged, with brown hair in an up do and glasses. She dressed casual in a brown sweater and jeans. Her name was unknown to me, but she looked helpful enough. So I asked her, "Excuse me, miss?" she looked at me, probably judging me from my appearance. I was used to it where I was from, but I probably never looked as bad as I did here. Her look told me she was sympathetic, but she could never be empathetic with me. Luckily for her, she would never have to go through what I'm going through.

"Can I help you?" she said politely,

"Yes, I was wondering if you had any Percy Jackson books for sale?" I asked her as politely as I could,

"Okay, I'll check," she walked through the store, I walked behind her as she looked, "What would someone like you do with Percy Jackson books?" she asked me,

"They're a gift, for a friend." I said, using the same excuse as before.

"Oh, really?" she asked,

"Yeah, she's a big fan of the series. I really want to get them for her, but I've looked everywhere for them and I can't seem to find them." Yeah, it's like they've disappeared I added mentally. "They would really help me out." In having to survive I finished in my head.

The woman finished looking, got up, and scratched her head. "Hmm," she said, "I don't seem to have any in stock now, but if you come back later maybe…" there was no chance of that happening, so I thanked her for her time and left.

I tried to tell myself that it was only a coincidence. It was more likely that they didn't sell the series, or they sold out. It was a very popular book series and it's likely that they didn't get many shipments this high up north, but I still had a doubting thought that they had them , and then they didn't…just like me. What was going on? Why was the series disappearing?

I decided to push that thought out of my head for now, and go get something to eat. In a sudden stroke of luck I found a diner and went inside. I would have to order something small of course. I didn't want to have to 'borrow' food like I did those knifes (which were pretty useless against monsters). Maybe I would buy just a pop, or fries, or a burger, or some poutine. I would have loved to buy a whole meal, but considering I was short on cash, I would have to stick to something small.

I went in and sat on stool at the counter. A waitress walked up to me and said, "Hey, kid, what'll it be?" I stared at the sign and watched as the letters tap danced across the board. I shook my head mentally cursing. Darn dyslexia! So I went with what I knew.

"You got anything under five dollars?" I asked, she gave me a funny look and asked pointing to the board,

"Can you read?"

I gave her a simple, "No,"

She shook her head, as if I disappointed her, and said, "How 'bout a burger?"

I shrugged my shoulders and said, "Sure."

While I was waiting for my burger, I saw a group of girls walk into the diner. They looked anywhere from ten to sixteen years old, they varied in appearances but they all wore silver jackets. One girl with black hair was wearing a silver circlet like she was the leader, but a small twelve-year-old seemed to be the leader of the group.

Huh, that's weird I thought, I didn't know they went through Canada, especially this far north. I thought they'd be too busy with the U.S. The group sat in a booth, and when the waitress came over they placed their orders and then went back to talking among themselves. Why are they eating in a diner? Can't Artemis poof up food when she wants?

A waitress brought me my cheap food, which was basically a piece of meat on a bun. I sighed a pathetic sigh and hoped condiments were free as I reached for the ketchup. I looked over at the Artemis table and back to my burger and suddenly by some miracle it looked less appetizing. They were eating their hearts out over there, one of the perks when the goddess on your team offers to pay. It was heartbreaking to watch, so as much as I wanted to savour probably the last food I'd get in a while I quickly scarfed it down and left the building.

I went over to the town park nearby and sat down by a tree. It was probably not the smartest thing to do considering my situation, but I needed rest. I was feeling exhausted, not to mention lost and confused. I missed my home. I missed my family, or at least the family I knew. I missed the comforts of food, warm water, and bed to come home to every night. Sure I had packed clothes, but I never got a chance to change into them. Over the past few days I had made some of the most stupid choices in my life.

I could never survive running it out on my own, what was I thinking? Sure Annabeth could do it at age seven, but I could never do it in one hundred years. I had time to plan running away, and instead of packing food I pack clothes and books. I had never felt so useless in my lifetime. I had also never felt so alone.

I had no idea why I did what I did now, but I just let it all out. I cried for being a demigod, I cried for being stupid, and I cried for being alone and scared. I didn't cry so loudly as to give away where I was, I wasn't that dumb, but I let out choppy, soft breaths and a few solitary tears. Seeing those hunters together being happy made me realize how miserable I was on my own.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I turned around to see a twelve-year-old girl with auburn hair. In fact it was the twelve-year-old from earlier. I quickly straitened myself and sat up straight, "Lady Artemis," I said.

"Why are you crying?" she asked me, I wiped away whatever tears were left on my face. I said to her, "I don't mean to offend you, Lady Artemis, but you are a goddess shouldn't you already know?" I tried to be as polite as possible around her, considering she was the first god I had met and Percy had said that it was best to be polite around them or else they can be a bit destructive. I knew she might be a little easier on me because of my gender, but you still couldn't be too careful.

"I might know," she replied, "but I don't want to intrude unless you want to tell me."

I decided to tell her why I was upset. It seemed pointless if she already knew, but Artemis was one of the more understanding gods, since she spent time with mortals all day.

"I see…" she said, after I had finished. "You don't have to be alone, you know?" I had a feeling she would ask me this, but I already knew what the answer to this question was. Still she continued, "You didn't want to go to camp half-blood, there is another option. You could live forever and roam the country with us. It would be really fun. You would learn how to defend yourself, and not be alone."

I sighed at her proposal. "Lady Artemis, let me explain. You see, I'm flattered by your offer and all but as fun as it would be to travel and never age and be free from annoying boys forever, I am going to have to refuse."

"Oh," she said,

"I just don't think I could contribute to your hunting party. Plus, I'm more of an independent person, and I don't think I would work well in a group."

"I see,"

"I am also not thrilled with leaving my..." my voice broke, "... family behind to travel the country, and I'm also not totally happy with my family aging past me."

"I understand." She told me, "I should have been wiser than to try to pledge someone your age."

"You don't understand, I'm not interesting with dating for a long time."

"But you're smitten." She suggested,

"Sadly yes," I said, "but they're not smitten with me."

"Don't blame them if it gets past them how wonderful you are, they're men. You should never let boys change your feelings about yourself just because you stay true to who you are." She told me. It was weird for her of all people to give me advice like that, but that was more personal advice than dating advice. "So why don't you head to camp?" she asked me,

"I don't because I am a solitary entity, and I wasn't running away from camp, but the life of danger. Being a huntress is a life of adventure, excitement, and fun; but…"

"It is also a life of danger." She finished for me,

"Exactly."

"I must warn you, that I cannot protect you or help you unless you join my hunters. If you don't, you will still be on your own to fend for yourself." I grimaced, before telling her that I knew that. Now I had some questions for her,

"What are you doing so far north? Why would you go into diner? Can't you make food appear? Why aren't the hunters here with you? Aren't you supposed to be preparing for Typhoon's escape?"

I didn't want to pester the goddess with my questions, but she was patient with me. "To answer your questions, I came this far up north looking for more members to join the hunt with me for the oncoming war, I went into the diner to treat my hunters and because I sensed a demigod presence in the diner; more importantly, a female demigod presence."

"Oh, sorry to be such a disappointment." I told her.

"It's fine. I am actually quite surprised you made it this far on your own, considering your age and parentage; but at the same time I am not surprised, because you are a woman."

I blushed, "To be fair, I don't think women could even make it this long on their own." I said,

"Even more reason to be proud." She said, and I blushed harder, "As to where my hunters are, I left them in the diner. I understood that you might want this to be a private conversation."

"That is correct." I told her, it would have been awkward with many hunters standing around and listening in on what we were saying.

"It is a good thing I did too, for how did you know of these things after knowing me and this world for only a short time." I thought of the books I had read and hoped she could read my mind so I wouldn't have to say the words aloud. Luckily, being a goddess she could do that.

"Oh I see, you truly are an interesting demigod." She said,

"I'm not that interesting." I said, and she raised an eyebrow at me. It was then I seemed to remember that it was best not to offend a goddess. It was easy to forget that around her, talking to her seemed casual. Fortunately, she did not take offense, she just said,

"None the less, I still hope you would reconsider. You would be a useful ally…on either side." I made a mental note to remember that,

"Sorry, but I think I'll pass." I said to her, "I just can't commit enough to pledge myself to you." I turned to leave again, "but before I go I have a few questions left."

She smiled at me, and I asked, "Who is my parent? Where have all the books gone?" she frowned, and said,

"Sorry, but I cannot help you unless you become one of my hunters. You'll have to find the answers for yourself."

Great, I thought sarcastically before setting off on my own once again.

A/N: Happy Canada day everyone! Do you think Amanda made the right choice? Don't forget to Rate and Review!