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Chapter 18: Into the Woods
You have got to be kidding me.
I paced like a caged lion, fuming. My fists were clenched so tightly I could practically feel my nails branding my palms. I've seen what happens when people hesitate. I know what it costs to wait too long—to flinch when you should've acted. That's why when Artemis said we should wait to rescue the so-called "golden princess," I nearly lost it.
"They're the almighty Hunters of Artemis, right?" I muttered under my breath. "Shouldn'ttrackingbe, like, in the job description?"
"You got a giant stump stuck in your butt or something? Sit down already," Thalia snapped.
I froze mid-pace and turned to face her. "Yes, actually. An apocalypse-sized stump. And unless we do something soon, it's gonna explode right out and flatten this entire camp."
A rock whizzed past my head. I ducked just in time.
"HAH! Dodged—"
Thunk.
The second one nailed me in the back of the skull. I staggered, rubbing the spot with a wince. "Okay, WHO THREW THAT?!"
"You're awfully loud," Sasha deadpanned. "And that's saying something, considering you're the only boy in a camp full of teenage girls."
"Keep that attitude up and you'll be dead meat, quest-boy," said one of the other Hunters, her voice like steel. Not a threat. A fact.
I exhaled slowly, trying to calm my racing thoughts. "I'm serious. We can't just sit here. Who knows what they're doing to Midas' daughter right now? Aren't you all supposed to be protectors of maidens?"
That last part might've landed harder than I intended. Thalia gave me a look—more calculating than annoyed. She didn't say anything right away, but something shifted in her gaze, like she saw through the sarcasm and straight into the worry underneath.
"I'll talk to Lady Artemis," she said at last. "We're not ignoring this, Aiden. The moment we know where she is, we move."
With that, she stood up and headed toward the big silver tent near the back of camp.
Thalia returned a while later with a plan.
Apparently, Artemis had reached out to Dionysus—since he's the one who gave Midas his golden touch, he could sense where the power had been used. And according to him, it was somewhere in Oregon.
Mount Hood, to be exact.
Which led to the next leg of our journey: Gryphon-riding.
"Have you ever been to Oregon before?" I asked Thalia as the wind whipped around us.
"I'd appreciate it if you stopped talking to me until we're on solid ground," she groaned from behind Sasha, clinging for dear life.
I rolled my eyes. Daughter of Zeus, terrified of heights. You can't make this stuff up.
Honestly? I loved it. Wind in my face, adrenaline in my veins—it was the best part of tagging along with these girls. No offense to my old campmates, but there's something about flying on a mythical creature that beats chariot races by a mile.
Below us, thick green woods stretched out endlessly.
"There," I pointed. "We should land in a place tourists aren't likely to wander into. I doubt the bad guys want curious hikers snapping selfies near their evil lair."
"Agreed. That clearing," Sasha shouted, guiding the Gryphons down.
We landed with a soft thud on the mossy ground.
"Lieutenant! We've landed safely," I mock-saluted.
"Shut up," Thalia muttered.
I wandered off toward the river, jaw slack. Nature was showing off—trees that touched the sky, a stream that sounded like wind chimes, birdsong all around.
"This isn't a vacation," Rey reminded me, walking up behind me.
"Can't I enjoy the view for one second?"
Back at the clearing, we regrouped.
"So… what now?" I asked.
"My brother met Midas once," Thalia said. "He told me the enchanted gold he made gives off a strong aura."
She scanned the trees. "That means more Mist. Which I can sorta sense now."
She closed her eyes and started walking around, her fingers twitching like she was feeling something invisible.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Using Mist-sense. It's a work-in-progress."
She stopped suddenly and pointed. "That way."
"You sure?"
"Thirty percent."
"Solid odds," I said. "Let's go."
Hours—or what felt like hours—later, we were still walking.
"This is exactly like last time," I grumbled. "Only this time, we're standing."
"You want me to make you stop talking?" Rey threatened.
Truth is, I wasn't tired. I was just sick of the silence. It felt… ominous.
"Stay sharp," Thalia said. "We're close."
Eventually, we found a camp by the river. Four cloaked guards with golden swords. A huge golden cage at the back.
"Why do I get the feeling we found the right place?" I whispered.
We climbed the trees to get a better look, bows in hand. On Thalia's signal, we let the arrows fly.
One guard started to speak—"So, Jay, have you seen the new seaso—UGH"—and then crumpled.
The rest followed in rapid succession. Except mine. Of course.
"Ah, shiet… missed," I muttered.
We jumped down.
"Let's hope these aren't just weird cosplay campers," I said.
"Stay alert," Thalia warned. "We're not alone."
I knelt beside one of the bodies and slapped him hard.
He screamed.
"Yep, this one's alive," I said cheerfully.
"I'll question him," Thalia said. "You find the cage key."
I went searching while she did her thing. Found the key beneath a bush near one of the guards.
"Found it!" I called.
I jogged over to the cage, Sasha and Rey close behind. What I saw inside made me freeze.
She was… beautiful. Pale skin, long blond hair, bruised and scarred. She looked maybe my age, maybe older. And she was asleep.
I opened the door gently and knelt beside her. "Hey," I whispered, shaking her shoulder.
Amber eyes met mine. We just stared.
Then Rey shoved me aside.
"Are you okay?" she asked the girl.
"W-who are you people? What are you doing here?" the girl whispered.
"Saving you and stuff," I said, getting up and brushing myself off.
"We're the Hunters of Artemis," Sasha explained. "What's your name?"
"Z-Zoe…"
"We'll get you out," Rey said, helping her stand.
That's when Thalia came rushing back, eyes wide.
"Guys. We might have a problem."
Then we heard it—a growl deep enough to shake our ribs. The trees on our left trembled, and something massive charged through the woods.
A bear. An enormous, elephant-sized abomination of a bear. Covered in old scars, with arrows still sticking out of its hide.
"I-is that…" Sasha stammered.
"Smokey the Bear?" I finished.
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