If you had told Hunter, 2 years ago, that he would be wielding a bow and arrow in an office building, about to shoot a Laistrygonian Giant in the face through a pane of glass, now, he wouldn’t believe you. 2 years ago was when he made the plan to renounce his oath as a hunter and to run away with a girl named Philippa. She was tall and thin with piercing brown eyes and long dark hair that almost demanded you run your fingers through it. Coincidentally, she was the love of his life. 2 years ago, she broke her oath and decided to live in camp. She had been sworn to an oath of chastity and was finally free. She finally had a chance to live the lifestyle that she missed out on for so long. The life that passed her by for so many years. Talking about shoes and clothes and TV shows and hair and makeup and especially boys, not to mention aging again. All of the things that the typical daughter of Aphrodite enjoys. When she finally got a chance to live the life she grabbed it and held on for dear life.
It was 18 months ago when Philippa broke his heart. “I need to stay at camp. The Aphrodite Cabin would be a mess without me. This is my home, now. I can’t leave it.” Is what she said. She was “really sorry” and she “couldn’t be more sorry.” That’s when he ran into the forest. He left camp. For the next 6 months he lived in the woods. He survived on his own. All of his friends had left him. He was alone. He survived by hunting and hiding. Living out of the woods that he had gone to be happy for so long. Now it was his home.
It was one year ago, when he gave up on the gods. After countless hours of prayer for consolation, a blessing, anything, he gave up. Artemis was upset with him for convincing Philippa to leave. None of the other gods would touch him. Broken , sad, and hopeless he renounced his oath, becoming mortal again. His weapons left him. His pendant turned to normal and his watch faded away in the moonlight. On the positive side, it was this same time he discovered he was clear-sighted. With nothing else he could do, he snuck back into camp. He avoided the harpies and grabbed a bow and arrow from the arena. After cashing in a favor with his friend and daughter of Hephaestus, Marina, and a long teary goodbye, he left camp forever with a bow and a quiver of arrows, disguised as his pendant. He hitchhiked to New York and started his life anew.
It was 6 months ago when he gave up on finding a job and felt the first pangs of starvation. He was all out of money. How was he supposed to find a job when he was born in the woods? He didn’t exist anywhere. He did oddjobs and was paid under the table whenever and wherever he could, doing anything from mowing lawns to cleaning houses. He would do practically anything for food, money, or a shower.
It was 1 month ago when he realized how much he had lost. He had just finished cleaning the apartment of an old widow named Martha. She would often offer him a meal, a shower, and sometimes a fresh pair of clothes in exchange for his “young vigor and energy.” He stepped out of the shower and wiped the fog from the mirror. The epiphany was triggered by his lack of recognition in his reflection. He hadn’t cut his hair in a long time. He didn’t remember when. His mouth was obscured by a thicket or facial hair. His eyes were tired and sad. His previously well-toned physique, now thin; His ribs, protruding slightly from the many days without a meal. He stared at his reflection, unsure if he was crying. His eyes were too tired to produce tears. He was all out. He slipped on a pair of boxers, some khaki shorts, and a dress shirt. His shorts held up by suspenders out of necessity. He thanked her for the clothes, the shower, and the meal and went on his way.
It was 1 week ago today when he saw her again. Her blonde hair tied into a bun and her radiant blue eyes hidden behind a pair of sunglasses. She was busily talking on a cellphone and paid no attention to Hunter who was begging outside of the main entrance. Hunter almost took a step forward and almost spoke to her. He wanted to fall into her arms and hopefully she would have pity on him and maybe give him something. He was too ashamed. He watched as she entered into the building and it was at this moment he made the connection. He was begging in front of A.Marie. It was one week ago today that he realized she was A. Marie.
It was on that day that he would save her life. It was about 11 o clock on the 7th day of him begging in front of that building. He had watched her pass every day and was too ashamed to speak every day. It was at this time that he watched a Laistrygonian Giant walk in. His eyes widened. He had abandoned that life and everything about it so long ago. He followed at a distance and finally made his way up to the top floor. He watched as he was let into an office marked as A. Marie Foster. He stared at her through the glass, a sad smile on his face. “Maybe nothing will happen?” He whispered to himself right before the giant lunged at her. He immediately drew his bow, loaded it, and took aim. His arm was immediately tired from not having done this in so long. “HEY!” He shouted at the glass. The giant turned just as Hunter fired. The glass shattered and the arrow flew through the air and planted itself right into the forehead of the giant. It exploded into dust. Arabella laid on the floor looking into the eyes of what she thought was a complete stranger. “Uh…hi.” Was all that Hunter could manage.