The 4 of them managed to make their way into the rooms and packed up their stuff. He was disappointed that this trip had to end quickly, but he felt awful for Penny. He felt bad for Will. He felt bad for Marina. Penny got hurt doing the dishes. The life of a demigod is not safe. There will be danger. Someone will more than likely get hurt. It just really sucks when that someone is someone you care about so deeply. Hunter packed up his things and Will’s things. Hunter knew that Penny was his first serious girlfriend. He had first met her when he accidentally walked in on them making out. Graphically. Hunter smiled softly at the memory, but his smile faded at the realization that that’s what all it was. A memory. There current situation is something much different. Something tragic. Hunter sighed and he sat down against the wall as he managed to consolidate both bags into one. It was easier now that neither Will’s or his bedrolls were coming back to camp with them.
The house groaned and Hunter stepped cautiously as he made his way out toward the front of the house. He found Marina sitting in what was left of a kitchen table chair, her head down on a piece of debris where the table once was. She was obviously sobbing and Hunter felt bad for her. Knowing her mom, it took a lot of convincing to let them use this house this weekend. Not only use the house, but not have her around. Marina had put a lot of work, effort, and favors to her mom all into this one trip and now the house is destroyed. Hunter finally padded over to her and crouched down next to the chair. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. Hunter put his arms around her in a comforting way.
“I can’t believe this happened.” She said quietly. Hunter sighed and held her tighter, not wanting her to feel so bad. He closed his eyes and was suddenly shocked to feel lips on his. His eyes shot open only to be met by the desperate, groggy, teary and very embarrassed eyes of Marina. “Sorry.” She said as she pulled away from him. Hunter blushed and stood up, clearing his throat. “I thought you were Kyle.” She said quietly, hanging her head a little. Hunter nodded.
“Don’t worry about it.” Hunter said with a nod. He heard steps behind him and looked to see Kyle stepping quickly toward Marina. He hugged her and lifted her into his arms, kissing her.
“It’s okay. It’s not your fault, sweetie.” Kyle whispered into her ear. Hunter sighed and took a deep breath before walking out of the house. He slowly trudged to the pegasi, making sure that Penny’s was okay to be ridden by Marina on the way back to camp. He then turned his attention to Ulysses, brushing him a little and feeding him a sugar cube.
“Hey, buddy.” He said into the winged horse’s ear. “You ready for a long trip today, buddy? We’re going back to camp.” He said, trying to put a sense of excitement or joy into his voice, but finding it incredibly feigned. The horse whinnied and looked past Hunter. Hunter raised an eyebrow and followed his eyes to see Philippa clutching her bag to her chest, eyes red and wet from tears. Hunter rubbed Ulysses on the nose one more time before walking to Philippa and wrapping his arms around her.
“Why did this have to happen to Penny?” She said quietly, burying her face in his chest. He buried his face in her hair. It smelled heavily of hair product. So strongly that he quickly had to pull away. Hunter was a little surprised to hear Philippa show concern for Penny. He didn’t know they were even close. Sure, Hunter felt sad about it, but he wasn’t shedding tears. “We talked so much last night. Even after Marina fell asleep.” She squeezed him tighter and he felt his shirt become wet with her tears.
“Come on, guys. Let’s get back to camp.” Kyle said, holding Marina in his arms. Hunter nodded and separated from Philippa, walking toward the pegasi. Hunter watched as Marina reluctantly approached Penny’s pegasi, looking emotionally drained and tired. There was no way that she would be able to control a pegasi. Or at least be aware enough to ride one that’s unfamiliar to her. Hunter put a hand on her shoulder. She looked at him and he could see how she was carrying herself. She blamed herself for this.
“Marina.” He grabbed her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. He shook her back and forth gently. She looked at him oddly. He shook her more and slowly a smile spread across her face. She giggled when he finally stopped releasing her from his grasp. He looked at her with concerned eyes. She had the remnants of a smile, but she still looked tired. “Marina, take Ulysses. Sleep. He won’t let you fall.”
“That’s your Pegasus, Hunter.” She said, shaking her head. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.” She said with a dismissive wave. She turned toward the horses and Hunter caught her arm.
“Marina. Take Ulysses.” He insisted. She sighed and finally nodded. He helped her onto Ulysses who let out a whinny and snorted, looking at Hunter. “Buddy, keep it even. Make sure she’s safe.” He whispered into the horse’s ear. Ulysses let out a snort and nodded. Hunter walked over to the last pegasi and mounted up. A moment later, they took off into the sky. Hunter stayed toward the back and to the outside of the group. It took a little getting used to the delicacy of this Pegasus. Ulysses was very strong and quick while this one was more gentle and graceful. They finally managed to get to an even cruising speed and altitude. After an hour or two, Hunter glanced at Marina. She had finally managed to fall asleep on Ulysses’ back, slumped over his neck. Hunter was glad that she had managed to calm down.
“She’s beating herself up about this.” Hunter turned to see Kyle flying next to him. Hunter nodded solemnly.
“I know.” Hunter said quietly. “She shouldn’t be. She had no way of knowing that a monster would come and destroy the house.”
“Tell that to her mom…” Kyle said with a sigh, his voice trailing off. “I never thanked you. There was no way she would have been able to sleep if she were on Penny’s pegasi. Thanks.” He said with a nod. Hunter waved and shook his head.
“No. It was nothing.” He glanced at Philippa who was flying smoothly next to Marina. “I should be thanking her for this weekend. I feel really good about things between Philippa and I. They were a little iffy, but now I feel…confident.” Hunter said with a small smile. He sighed and looked over at Philippa. She stretched and then carefully tucked her knees up. With the agility and balance of a gymnast, or someone with a lot of practice at least, she stood on Dixie’s back. Doing a small wiggle she flexed her whole body and then relaxed it, helping her legs to loosen. Hunter laughed and zoomed next to her. She smiled down at him and winked at him.
“Should I dance? Do a dance for my man?” She said with a giggle. Hunter laughed.
“Can you dance?” He asked with a grin. She stuck out her tongue a little, teasingly, as she took a stance. She took a deep breath and then shook her head.
“No. Probably not.” She spun a little and then sat down backwards, leaning back on Dixie’s neck. Hunter smiled and closed his eyes a moment. It was so calm. After everything that they had done in the past few hours it was nice to be able to just relax. It wasn’t long before they were nearing the camp again.
“Come on. It’s just a few more miles.” Hunter said as he dropped altitude. “Kyle, take care of Marina.” He said, gently diving toward Long Island Sound. Hunter smiled as the wind whipped through his hair. He finally slowed to a stop and landed in camp near the beach. He trotted toward the stables and slid off. Philippa followed close behind and a moment later, Marina and Kyle did the same. The four of them, hurried off toward the Big house. Hunter guessed that they were maybe 30 minutes behind Will and Penny. “Chiron, how-“
“Penny is fine. Will is with her. She’s awake, but very weak.” Chiron said, putting a hand up. He scanned the group. He sighed and looked at Kyle and Marina. “Mr. Julius, why don’t you take Ms. Goldman back to her cabin? Ms. Beaumont, the infirmary is right through there if you’d like to visit Ms. Sawyer.” He directed to the door. Hunter glanced back as Kyle and Marina left. Chiron waited for Philippa to close the infirmary door behind her before looking at Hunter. “Now,” Chiron took a deep breath and sat down in his wheelchair. “Will told me what happened. However, when I tried to get a description of the beast from him, he was too bothered by Ms. Sawyer’s injuries to give a proper description.” He said calmly. He wheeled over toward his desk and pulled a notebook off the shelf.
“What is that, sir?” Hunter asked, stepping forward. Chiron opened the book and passed it across the table to him. He looked down and saw pictures, some taken with a camera, some painted or drawn. “Hellhounds. Harpies. Centaurs.” He read. “Is this a book of all the monsters?” Hunter asked quietly. Chiron nodded.
“When a monster’s picture is taken with a camera, as long as you can see through the mist you can see the monster.” He said with a nod. “However, some monsters haven’t been seen in so long that we don’t have photographs of them. We only have artist’s representations. You’ve seen enough of them to quickly sort through what it is and what it isn’t.” Hunter nodded and turned back to the book. As he turned the pictures got older and older. Not only that, but the paper seemed to get older and older. Going from mass produced notebook paper to a grainy parchment. That’s when he saw it. On a piece of copy paper was a black and white polaroid of the monster. The same dragon-like serpentine features. Under the picture was written its name.
“Trojan Cetus.” He pointed to it and slid the book back across. “That’s it. The Trojan Cetus.” He said with a nod. Chiron looked down and his eyes widened. He shook his head.
“This cannot be, Hunter.” He said firmly. “The last time the Trojan Cetus was killed by a demigod was in the early 1900s. That was the last time we saw it long enough to get a picture of it.” Hunter raised an eyebrow.
“So what? It’s back now. Why can’t that be true?” Hunter said, feeling slightly worried.
“The last time before that, it was killed by Perseus.” Hunter furrowed his brow.
“Perseus? Like…Perseus? As in THE Perseus?” Chiron nodded solemnly. “So, if it’s back-“
“Then it regenerated too quickly.” Chiron said, solemnly. There was a silence that seemed to last forever. “Get some rest, Hunter. I’ll need to speak to the gods.” Hunter stood and nodded.
“Yes, sir. I’ll speak with you tomorrow.” Hunter turned to leave.
“Hunter?” Chiron said quietly. “Be ready for a quest. I feel there may be something big happening.” Hunter nodded and took a deep breath before exiting the Big house.