Chapter 2: Nightmares are Confusing and so are Mortals

  Do dreams always have to have a dramatic start? Can't one just start with a peaceful meadow and all my friends galloping through it? Bonus points if that was the whole dream.
  But no.
  Drama.
  It started with a clap of thunder and lightning. When my eyes (and eardrums) recovered, I gazed upon my mother, Artemis, who in turn gazed upon a body of water in utter horror. She nocked a silent arrow and I tried to move closer to see what it was. Then a hole appeared under my feet and sucked me in. As I sank, not knowing what to do but knowing the dream is ending, another clap of thunder sent me upright in my cot.
  When I woke, Mom/Artemis and the Death Twins, Shina and Shani, were on either side of my bed. "What time is it?" I queried. "Sunrise", said the Death Twins, at the same time. They were creepy. The assembled group left me to dress and pack my schoolbag, which was a denim messenger bag with deer horns embroidered on the side. After, I went outside to find a fresh breakfast of straight-from-our-storage grapes and an assortment of roasted nuts such as acorns, wild macadamia, and raw pine nuts, as well as fresh drinking water. After that refreshing and healthy breakfast, I set on my way to school in my mother's chariot. I'm only 12 so she drove.

  At school, we had a test today. My teacher counted me absent although I was sitting at my desk. During lunch, I had to steal a bag because the lunch lady wouldn't notice me. The only person who even attempted to acknowledge my existence was my best friend Brooklaine, but she said she couldn't talk to me because "the manipulator" said if she does, she'll kill the blueberry bushes in the wild. Since Brooklaine is a naiad and has blueberry bush friends that she gives water to, that hit close to home.

  Mother came and picked me up later, so I told her what had happened today. You could practically see a purple aura of distress pass over her auburn hair as it shimmered in the afternoon sun. "Well, you see... I might know who-"
  Rustling arose from the vegetation below.
  A Cyclopes emerges into a small clearing, heading in the direction of the camp.
  As Artemis is nocking an arrow aimed for it's eye, the camp horn blows, which can only mean one thing.

  The camp was under attack.