Zoe

I was sitting on the cold hard floor at the bottom of the mountain. I could see the garden, my home, up ahead. But I knew I couldn't return there now. I could see his muscular frame walking down the street. He was the source of my misery, but for some reason I still cared about him.

I was so happy when he turned around. I thought he'd changed his mind and he'd take me with him. But as he got closer, I could see he looked different. His eyes were filled with lust. It terrified me. I wanted to run but he'd already reached me. He grabbed me with his huge hands holding me in place. I could still remeber his hungry eyes boring into me. I screamed as loud as I could. Then I woke up, still screaming and bathed in sweat. As my vision began to clear I could see the insides of my tent. It was just a dream.

I breathed in and out for a few seconds. "Just a dream!" I said with a sigh of relief. I opened up my tent and climbed out. I needed some fresh air. The sky was completely clear that night. I looked up at the stars trying to find the different constellations. I knew almost all of their stories. Whenever I'd had a bad dream as a child the stars could always take my mind off it. It didn't work that well nowadays, with all the pollution, but sometimes I got lucky.

I had been staring at the stars for about five minutes when a flash of light caught my attention. It was Lady Artemis who had returned with the boy. I slowly walked over to her.

"Zoe, still awake at this late hour?" she said.

"I couldn't sleep Milady" I answered.

She looked at me sadly, fully aware of what had been keeping me up at night. "Well, since you're already here, please follow me. We have much to discuss."

I nodded and followed her to her tent. Before I entered I turned around to see if the boy was also coming, but couldn't see him.

"He's not coming Zoe" Artemis said.

"It's not like I wanted him to" I mumbled. "Who is he anyway?"

"I believe he has already told you" she said.

"So he didn't lie" I replied thoughtfully. "But how?"

"The story is his to tell, the council has sworn an oath to never reveal it. But there are some things I can tell you. He's an ancient hero, even older than you Zoe. He is essentially just an ordinary demigod but he was trained to be one of the greatest warriors to ever walk this earth. But, for reasons I can't reveal, his power surpasses that of most minor gods. He was the hero of a great prophecy and when his time had come he gave his live to save us all. At least that's what we thought, but for an unknown reason he is still alive. That is all I can tell you." she finished.

I nodded slowly, I still didn't know much about him but I knew not to push my mistress if her mind was made up. I chose to change the subject. "Now that you're back, do we still have to go to camp" I asked, already fearing the answer.

"Unfortunately yes" she replied. "I was tasked to hunt some very powerful monsters in places I cannot bring you girls."

I groaned in frustration. "Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?" I asked.

"Actually, no, there is something else I need you to do, but you will not like it. I need you to keep an eye on Jay. He will not like staying at camp."

"That makes two of us" I mumbled.

She gave me a pointed look. "I'm serious, Zoe. He's emotionally unstable and has made some very bad experiences. I need someone to look out for him. I don't want him running off again. You are the only one I can trust with this." she finished.

I nodded quietly. "Very well, you may leave now." she said, dismissing me.

After climbing out of her tent, I was shocked to find a silver blade at my throat. I didn't have to look up to know who it was.

"Watch where you put that thing, boy" I spat at him. He seemed unfazed.

"What did she tell you" He asked in a calm but commanding voice.

"What do you mean" I answered, deciding to play dumb.

"You're her lieutenant, she trusts you. I don't"

"Why? Because my father is..." I started before mentally slapping myself. Luckily he didn't notice or didn't care.

"I don't trust anyone" he replied coldly.

I sighed in defeat. I was too tired to fight or argue with him on this so I just explained what Lady Artemis had told me about him, obviously leaving out the part about me babysitting him. When I finished he looked at me intently for another few seconds before visibly relaxing.

"Alright, I just needed to know" He said putting away his sword and offering me his hand to stand up. I obviously didn't take it and just jumped to my feet instead.

"I hope this doesn't change anything between us" he said not looking me in the eyes.

I was about to spit back a snarky reply when I remembered what Lady Artemis had said. When I looked at him I knew what she'd meant. He expected me to resent him now, to tell him how much of a worthless person he was. I used to have the same look on my face. I knew I was supposed to resent him for being a male and part of me did, but mostly I pittied him, maybe even related to him.

"It's alright," I said "you probably have your reasons"

He looked at me suprised. I think he might have smiled at me for a second, but he was wearing a mask so I couldn't be sure.

"Goodnight, Zoe" he said before disappearing into the shadows, leaving me alone under the starry sky.