The Daughter of Artemis

Chapter One

       I smiled at my mother as I picked up my bag and headed off to the door. I had a queasy feeling in my stomach as I went outside that morning. It was the first day of eighth grade, it's totally understandable to be nervous, right?

     As I walked down the sidewalk, I felt my fingers go numb because of the cold. Normally, you would wear a jacket up here in Alaska, but, I'd always had the feeling I was special. Ok sure, that's no good of an excuse to use, but it's true! My father disappeared long ago, shortly after I turned 10. He said he couldn't pretend he loved my mother anymore, and went to search for the one he truly loved. But he was going to fail that mission. I remember him telling me he truly loves the one whom gave birth to me, but that would be my mom.

        My mom acted like a mom, did mom things, gave me birthday parties, spent all her days on Facebook. But she never give me the same kiss on the cheek or hug the other moms would give their children. Maybe it's because Dad left.

    Usually, the moment I left the door, my uncertainty would just leave. Gone, in a snap. But it hung on today, and I didn't like the feeling of it. I never really was uneasy, except for when I was sick, which was rare. I never had to worry about good grades or not being the fat idiot no one teamed up with in gym. I was the fastest kid there, and some kid always got a bloody nose from my throws in dodgeball. I wasn't a wrestler, my school just chooses to use basketballs for dodgeballs. They're apparently broke or something? Either way, I just have strength naturally, I trusted myself.

      Before my dad left, he gave me the strangest gift, a silver bow and a lot of arrows in a quiver. I kept it with me at all times, it was the only piece of him I had left.

       As I made my way down the hall of memories, I heard a twig snap. I was in the middle of the street, where are there twigs around? I mean, there were a few big, strong, and sturdy trees, but I couldn't imagine a little twig being there.

        Then I saw it. An ugly, disgusting, tall creature with, not two, but one sea green eye. "You my friend, are the definition, of disgusting," I said bluntly, smirking at him. "CHILD OF PROPHECY DIE!" He yelled and chased after me. "Geez dude it was a compliment!" I yelled back at him before running out of town and into a wooded forest. Perhaps someone would see the ugly beast chasing me and shoot it down. I could only hope.

      I looked behind me, to see the creature confused to where I went. "Great," I muttered. This bought me some time. I reached into my bag and emptied it. Alaska wasn't safe. This hasn't happened before, but I had the feeling. My mom wouldn't worry, she told me she'd be fine with me running away. I don't know why, but I guess she isn't as fond of me as she seems.

I watched in horror as my gorgeous, silver bow landed at the beast's feet. "Oh shoot!" I excalimed. I giggled a little at my pun. Geez, I was horrible, making puns in situations like this. I wasn't a good planner, nor was I good at having good luck. I had to get my bow. I looked around for materials, than it hit me. Literally. Some kid threw it at me, or maybe he had bad aim and horribly missed the basket. Probably the second. I aimed for the beasts head. If I was lucky, it would hit hard against the monster and bounce right back into the kid's hands after impact on hopefully, the beast's head.

And it did. The beast, or maybe I should use it's name. I believe I read a book on mythical creatures once. I ran down to grab my bow and the second I did, I remembered. A cyclops. He was mad now. I hit him square in the eye when I threw the basketball. It must've hurt. I ran back up the hill, grabbed my lunck pack and put it into my now empty bag and ran into the woods.

"DIE DIE DIE!" Was the first thing I heard as I went into the forest. "Is that the only word you know?" I grumbled. Then he did somethig unexpected. It happened to be just than I noticed that gorgeous golden axe he kept on his belt. He picked up the stupidly goregous thing and threw it at me. He was aiming for my heart but I dodged in time. Of course it still hit me, but scathed my shoulder, leaving a deepish cut. "KILL KILL KILL!" he screamed. I picked an arrow from my quiver and placed it in my bow. "BYE BYE BYE!" I shouted back at him, mocking him. I released the arrow and hit him square in the eye.

What happened next was strange. He fell to the ground and dissolved. He just dissolved into weird grey stuff! "Wait, what?" I said, clearly confused. What was that stuff? I didn't really want to know. I started to walk away, starting my long journey to, wherever. Then I stopped in my tracks. Wherever I was going was probably not nearby. I would need supplies.

      I made my way back to town, and for once, something good happened. I found a bag left on a bench. I took the wallet and put everything inside, then put the wallet back inside the bag. Ok yeah yeah, wow Shannon aren't you such a criminal. It's just a bunch of money I took that could make someone broke! Oh that sounded better in my head. And this is my head im talking to. Darn.

    I strolled back into the store. For now, I'll use the cash, makes me look more innocent. I've never been much of a water person, so I stash up on a lot of Fanta Oranges and Blue Gatorades. I got some fruits, gotta stay healthy, and some jerky. A lot of jerky. I get some other materials like rope. Basically essentials. The cashier gives me a weird look and I glare at her before putting my essentials in my bag. Then I ran off.