Hunter tried as hard as he could to break free, but the harder he tried, the more the thorns dug into his flesh. He could feel them scratch and cutting, practically grating his body. “Kyle! Stop this!” He said as the brambles moved to his waist, inching slowly up toward his head. “You can still stop this! Help me!” He shouted as he turned his head back and forth, trying to see an escape. His bow lay out of reach and his knife was stuck in pendant form. There was no way out. He twisted and squirmed as the vines grew tighter and tighter. They finally reached his neck and pinned it down, cementing his head straightforward right at the ceiling. “Kyle! Kyle!” He shouted just as Kyle walked into his line of sight. He had a sad look on his face.
“Kill him, my boy! Kill him and this will all be over!” Demeter said, materializing next to him. “Kyle! He’s right there! Kill him!” She egged him on. Kyle looked from her and then back to Hunter and slowly raised his scythe. “Do it, now! I’ve given him to you on a silver platter!” Hunter’s eyes widened at the realization. She’s doing this to me. Kyle, I’m so sorry.
“I’m sorry.” Kyle said as he brought the scythe down hard. The handle hit the ground with a thud and the thorny vines turned to flowers which seemed to start kissing Hunter’s wounds. “Mother. We just want the bow. We’re on a quest.” He said stepping between her and Hunter. Hunter couldn’t imagine how he felt about directly defying his mother like this. “The quest says that we need Hercules’ bow. The groundhog-“
“I KNOW WHO HAS IT!” Demeter said, her features darkening. “He tricked you, Kyle! He’s been to the underworld! He’s working with Hades! He wants my Persephone for herself!” She said pointing at Hunter accusingly. She waved her hand and the flowers disappeared and the thorns sprouted out and dug into Hunter, causing him to cry out in pain. Kyle looked from his mother to Hunter and shook his head. He stamped his scythe on the ground, reverting the thorns back to flowers. Hunter’s vision started to become hazy from the loss of blood.
“I’ve been there, too. I looked Hades in the eye. He almost killed Hunter. Why would Hades kill his own spy? Mom, please. Let him go. Give us the bow. Please.” He said, pleadingly. Hunter watched as Demeter seemed to be fighting with herself. “If you trust me, you can trust Hunter.”
“Fine.” She said coldly. She waved her hand and the vines disappeared. Hunter took a deep breath and let his body relax finally. Marina rushed over and knelt down next to him. A loud groan sounded. Hunter looked at the source and saw Demeter look very tired all of a sudden. She seemed to faint slightly. Kyle caught her and helped her stand straight. “Hmm? What’s going on? Kyle? What are you doing here?” She asked quietly as her eyes scanned the room. She looked down at Hunter. “Oh, what is this?!” She said as she hurried over to him. She knelt down and focused for a second. Hunter’s wounds slowly closed up and the color, lost from the blood loss, returned to his face. Hunter shook his head as his vision became clear. He sat up and examined his arms and legs where several scars peppered his skin. He looked at his clothes which were practically shreds. “What happened here? I feel like…I was cursed.” She said quietly.
“Mom, we need the bow of Hercules.” Kyle said, cutting to the chase. She shook her head and looked at him. “Mom, I’m glad you’re okay, but we need the bow.” He said urgently.
“I can’t give that to you. I don’t have it. You’ll need to speak to Philoctetes. He guards the bow.” She said with a shrug.
“Where is it? Are we close? Which way do we go?” Hunter said, finally regaining his composure. Demeter shook her head.
“No, we’re in Maine. Come, children. Stand close.” She said. Hunter, Marina, and Kyle looked at each other and shrugged. The three of them stepped close to Demeter who wrapped them into a hug. She closed her eyes and suddenly they were back in Punxsutawney. “You have until 2 to get the bow. Good luck, children. My drakones shouldn’t bother you anymore.” She smiled softly at Kyle and looked at Marina. “Take care of him, won’t you, Marina?” She chuckled quietly before disappearing. Hunter nodded before turning toward the town. Immediately he knew something was wrong. There was a sense of panic in the air.
“Come on. We need to hurry!” Hunter said before sprinting into the town. He dodged around people frantically running around and fighting with each other. He finally came upon the platform where the groundhog was. He saw a girl with her back to him. She seemed to be hunched around the groundhog. There was something familiar about her. “Hey! Get away!” Hunter said as he notched an arrow. She stood up straight and turned around. Hunter’s heart dropped. “Philippa.”