A rustle in the leaves caught his attention. Grim was jerked from his trace, searching the wooded area ahead of him.

A massive hellhound crept through the brush, nose pressed to the ground. Grim froze, heart dropping into his stomach when he saw the symbol on the beast's collar.

That wasn't one of his father's assigned guards. That hellhound belonged to Lupus, one of his private soldiers.

The silver insignia was like a slap in the face to Grim. The hellhounds that had so viciously chased them weren't after him...they wanted Artemis. Grim had even considered that it wasn't about himself.

The hellhound snorted, raising its head to stare at Grim.

Grim stumbled back, head buzzing. Was it going to attack him?

They met eyes, seconds passing like hours. Grim couldn't hear anything over the blood roaring in his ears.

The hellhound lowered itself in a bow, nodding at Grim. Turning around, it bounded deeper into the forest.

Grim's knees wobbled, and he caught himself against the side of the diner, gasping for breath.

He had to get away. Get away from everything. He racked his brain for a safe haven, anywhere he could go to collect his thoughts.

Shadows gathered around him as he pictured the place clearly in his mind. They grew darker, turning into sticky liquid and surrounding him.

Grim closed his eyes as he sank into darkness.

author's note- sorry for not updating!!!! please remember to vote and comment and tell your friends about this story!