Short Stories: Home

  Three weeks earlier:  I walked alone down the path towards my house by the lake, a bundle of blossoms in hand. As I got closer, I noticed the smoke coming from the chimney and a grin broke out on my face. I began running, dress swishing, and euphoria forcing out a giggle. The front door was cracked open and I burst through and made my way to the kitchen. There he stood, Merick, my guard and friend, with his back to me. My father ordered him to protect me with his life and he always had.  At the moment he wore a simple button up and trousers with his riding boots but there was a dagger at his hip. Just in case. Watching him stand at the stove, stirring a pot of traditional soup made my heart warm. I turned to my task and didn’t think about the handsome man standing near me. I set the flowers on the wooden table and grabbed the ribbon I’d previously prepared to tie around the bouquet.  Without even looking at me, Merick asked, “Are you ready, Your Highness?”  ...

  I’ve been here for two summers and this is the first time I ever saw a goddess. I have spoken once to my father, Ares, god of war, but he is nothing compared to the girl walking down the hill by the strawberry fields. She’s flanked by four other campers, one of them my friend from Apollo cabin. I take that as an invitation to join the group. I walk over and listen in to the conversation, trying to catch up. They are explaining to the new girl about our game, capture the flag, which is coming up at the end of the week. We head for the Dining Pavilion to get dinner. I sit with the group and they are all asking the new girl questions that she is answering in detail, giving me no time to jump in. “Where are you from again?” Asks an Aphrodite girl. “Texas.” “Right.” She drawls. “And your father let you come?”  “Yeah.” The new girl says. “He actually insisted that I stay year round so I’m guessing he knows enough to want me to stay here and be safe.” “Who’s your mother? Did he tel...

My eyes fly open. There is a pounding in my head and the sterile lights above me are blinding, forcing me to squeeze my eyes shut, though the lights still penetrate my eyelids making everything burn. I turn my head away from the ceiling, towards the floor I am laying on. More sounds start to register in my ears. I hear shouting and a scraping, bending noise. “Sal!” A man’s voice. I recognize it but it’s like my mind is being suppressed and I can’t register who he is. “Sal! Wake up!” I force my eyes open and blink rapidly to adjust to the light. His figure is hazy above me and his hand is outstretched. I reach up and take it and he tugs me to my feet. The pounding continues from a door that is firmly shut and barricaded. My vision clears and the man holding me to him is a head taller than me and breathtakingly handsome. I tilt my head, long blonde hair falling into my eyes as his name suddenly comes to mind. “Percival,” I say quietly. He grins and lets out a relieved sigh. “I thought th...