A/N: First time at writing the genre of story, so lets see what I can do…enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or anything else of the like; I only have the OCs.

I ran. In other words I was sprinting as fast as sound; legs screaming, blood pumping and heard reeling while I flew across the dewy forest floor in a desperate search for my sisters. Diving past another tree, I flick my head ever so slightly, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever's chasing me with my peripherals, but the dawning light reveals no secrets.

This morning's hunt had been great, but (unfortunately in this situation) it had tired me out and even the strength bestowed on me as lieutenant of Artemis was fast fading. Pooling my fading resources' solely into my burning legs, I leaped a fallen oak before continuing in a blur of white and silver. Snarling and even the occasional howl penetrated the cool air behind me, but I had no energy to turn and regard my invisible foe.

How on earth did I ever get into such a mess? I mused to myself, wondering, frankly, why nobody had realised I had been gone for far too long or heard our merry dance through the forest.

"Help!" I called weakly - in hindsight it had probably not been worth my effort to say anything at all - but to no avail. No cavalry arrived.

With my last gram of strength, I burst out of the shadowy hades. However, this did leave me in a large, open-plan meadow among no reinforcements save the daisies. Could this be the return of flower-power? Somehow, unless you were a child of Demeter, I didn't think plants were going to be an effective weapon under any circumstances.

Upon reaching this center, I span round, nimble fingers flashing to my back and drawing my bow, I took up my lethal aim. Thalia, daughter of Zeus, didn't submit to anything without a fight.

Earlier that morning…

"Thalia….Thalia…THALIA!"

"Nuug…." I opened one eye vaguely as a voice insisted on violating my poor eardrums. On further investigation, I identified the voice as my second-in-command, Phoebe, who was - yet again - up before me and - yet again - had been set the job of rousing me to set up some order in camp while our Lady was occupied with her divine duties. Yes, I was half six in the morning and I really should have been up a while ago, but I'd been pushing at the limits of my power during training last night, and with great power comes a great need for sleep.

Phoebe looked at me. Muttering a few excuses, I began to haul myself up, yet as soon as my back left the mattress, I flopped back down with a sigh. Phoebe merely rolled her eyes: we performed this routine every sunrise. Regrettably, this did mean every morning she dreamt up ever more imaginative was of causing me to rise willingly.

A few weeks ago, for example, she had bought me one of those alarm clocks that runs away when ever you try and hit "snooze". A few thousand volts later, we decided me and fleeing clocks did not, at all, mix. I detest being beaten by an inanimate object before breakfast.

Anyhow, after abandoning that idea (actually, Lady Artemis had banned me from being within a hundred mile radius of anything of the sort) she had resolved to make sure I was up herself. The most recent forms of doing so had included the alarm clock, freezing water, impersonating Lady Artemis and simply leaving without me. I dreaded to think what today's trial will be.

To my surprise, Phoebe didn't pull anything out from behind her back nor did she tip anything over me. She walked out.

Now if my brain had had a chance to turn on, I would have recognised this as an ominous warning of things to come. But it hadn't, so I didn't; I flipped onto one side before closing my eyes with a contended whimper.

It could not last.

"Lieutenant!"

I started slightly, why "lieutenant"? I hazily thought, but the sound was unrelenting.

"Lieutenant, there's a boy in camp! Apollo's here! Where's Lady Artemis?"

Right: we couldn't have this. Ignoring my body's protests I shot up and out of my snug tent, momentarily pausing to grab a cloak to wrap around me, then gazed around.

A throng of Hunters ringed the edges of camp accompanied by their wolves and hawks, all twenty one of them wearing matching silly grins. No boy - immortal or otherwise - was in sight. I didn't believe it.

"Well, bit more enthusiastic now, aren't we?"

"Looking for someone, Thalia?"

"That was faster than normal!"

"Oh shut up." - that was me.

It must have been quite a sight: I was standing in the middle of camp, wearing my yellow pyjamas under a heavy robe, surrounded by a group of girls and dogs who looked as though they were aiming to impersonate the Cheshire Cat. I groaned, mainly because although we've all taken the vow against males, most of us aren't above a little teasing sometimes, plus the fact now I was up I would have to issue orders fast.

"Okay….well Kassi and Tyra, you're on kitchen duty" - insert moans here - "Lucie, Elspeth and Katie, you guys are in charge of the animals; Charlie, Sam, Nicky and Jodie, you're with me - but wait for me to get ready this time!"

Following my little speech I turned back into my tent to acquire some more appropriate attire for hunting. After trawling though all the garbage on the floor, I eventually came across what I wanted: my silver hunting gear, complete with bow and knives. Quickly, I switched apparel, Aegis appearing on my wrist as I called for it.

I made my way out, gladly noting that everyone had set to their jobs without a murmur of complaint.

"I see you are up in good time for once, Thalia."

I spun round, only to breathe a sigh of relief as I saw it was just Lady Artemis, Phoebe tagging along at her heels like a faithful puppy. Blowing a few stray strands of coal-coloured hair out my eyes, I made a small bow.

"My Lady, everyone has something to do and I just about to take out a hunting patrol presently. There is nothing else of great consequence to report." I told her respectfully.

"Thank you Lieutenant. I shall be remaining in camp for now, for I have some business to attend to." I bit back my curiosity about what she meant by that and simply dipped my head.

"Come, sisters." I called as I turned away into the murky forest, and was rapidly joined by the girls I had named earlier. Their clothing matched mine and soon the whole lot began to blend into the scenery; Artemis had them designed like that by Hephaestus to provide extra camouflage.

It wasn't long before we spotted a rotund turkey - the way it held itself actually reminded me of Mr. D back at camp; I would take immense pleasure from this hunt. As we prepared to fire, Charlie and Sam (both demigod daughters of Demeter) circled silently round it's back, careful not to cause a disturbance. I began moving the other way with the rest of my entourage, the thrill of the hunt beginning to stir deep within me.

Using my non-bow hand, I motioned for everyone to begin to close down the unsuspecting fowl. Closer….and closer…just a step more….and….there!

The turkey sensed us the second Jodie and Sam let fly their arrows, but to no avail. The projectiles stayed true, each burying itself up to the hilt in bird flesh. It died painlessly, without a sound, but I rushed forward to place my hands on it's still warm corpse.

"Agaphte jile, parakalw trecei ek neou me thn eulogia tou qea Artemiz." I spoke the blessing we laid upon all our fallen prey, allowing then a good second life before falling victim to another fatality. Nicky slung the body lightly over her shoulder; the Hunter's added strength made it no problem.

We raced on through the copse of trees, but found little prey save the occasional rabbit. The day was just starting to heat up, and we'd been running for a while now, so when I suggested a brief rest the others were more than eager.

The five of us flopped down it a quiet clearing, birdsong echoing all around us, yet none were in plain sight. Wonder pulsed though my brain at that, but Charlie was passing out the drinks, so I took an orange juice and slurped it with relish.

"Honestly, Thalia, you're worse than the wolves!" Jodie berated me jokingly, but I didn't stop drinking and just raised an eyebrow. She glanced to the heavens.

I finished drinking, but I couldn't shake off the mild confusion that had overwhelmed me. The weak sunshine beat down as I passed my mug back to Jodie, then stood up, "I'll just be a second," I murmured, "There's something I have to check out."

Nicky frowned, "You sure you'll be fine on your own? Plus you're carrying your bag, you might need to move fast."

"Here," I said, dumping my baggage down beside them, even putting Aegis into Sam's palms, "Make sure you're careful with that. I'll be fine; meet you back here in fifteen minuets."

I trudged on slowly, always aware of the vibrant noise. The grass crunched beneath my feet as I walked, and it was somewhat comforting to feel the strong wood of my bow firm in my fingers.

Twisting my head from side to side I began to imitate the unseen birds, whistling out their calls with all the gusto of one who knows they're headed for trouble, yet goes there anyway.

Thwack! I'd had my head in the sky too much: I'd walked straight into a tree.

I stopped. The birdsong was changing, twisting, becoming deeper and more menacing. Soon it was a symphony of growls and yelps, not at all friendly like the wolves back at camp.

Fear froze my mind temporarily, so I could only think one thing; run!

I ran. Now we're back where we started….

For lack of appropriate words, lets just say I was facing giant dogs. A trio of salivating hellhounds faced me; other indistinguishable shapes lurked in the background.

"Now, now good doggy…" I tried, but the leading tank-with-fur just looked at me as though I'd do nicely with some ketchup and a few chips on the side.

Forget that then.

I used my bow and began to fire at random, the meadow exploding into a cacophony of wails and yells. Some of them might have been mine, I don't know, and I was too panicked to care. The other side opened fire simultaneously one striking me in the hand, but the other arrows flew straight on passed. The monsters backed me up, my feet giving way as a hellhound got me in the knee with its huge paw.

Pain was seeping blackness into the edge of my vision, then suddenly there was a tug on my arm and I was flying…no falling. Bouncing hard, I hit my head before landing on a leather seat inlaid with red - it was surprisingly comfortable, and warm.

Hang on…..I knew this car….The smell, the colour, the sound….

As the pain faded (it was fading fast, but I wasn't totally sure way) , I looked up to see I was, indeed, sitting (or lying) shotgun in a flying red Maserati Spyder. Only one person would have a car like that. I just hoped they - miraculously - weren't here.

"This is a good day

I have met the awesome Thalia

I am so clever."

No such luck. Joy.

A/N: Any good? CC and general reviews are very much appreciated.

Thanks for reading!