Yes. Arman convinced her to marry him (though she won't tell me how). I'm going to plan their wedding, but she doesn't know that yet. And she won't, until it happens. Haha.

Melina's all enrolled in school. Era took her out to do some shopping, and when he gets back I'm taking her out to do some more. (We disagree on what is/isn't appropriate, so we're taking her out on two trips and deciding together later what she can wear.) Her first day of class is tomorrow.

I can't feel anything but the fatigue. The emptiness. At least I can spend some time with Era and Melinawithout worrying about changing it. Daddy specifically forbade me from trying to change it.

Melina can tell something is wrong, but she doesn't understand. Hopefully, we can keep her in the dark.

Exhausted. Wrung out. Chastised. Daddy said no more. Quitting. Going to bed. Night.

Normally, this would be a bad thing. A very, very bad thing. But now...maybe it'll force people to believe in me again. And if they believe in me, they have to believe in everyone else. It only makes sense. Doesn't it?

Doesn't it?

I wish I had realized what was happening to us sooner. I could have saved Hebe...I could have protected her from so much pain. Why couldn't I see that we were fading? Hebe...she was only playing in the woods. In my woods. She was keeping my creatures company, and someone shot her with an arrow.

I can't go back in time. I can't make it right. But I won't let it happen to anyone else. I can't.

I've traveled all over the globe tonight, trying to sense the believers. I can, sometimes, when I'm close enough. Tonight, though...I passed out somewhere over Bombay. Hermes had seen me fall and brought me home. I'm going to leave again tomorrow night, so I can focus on Melina during the day.

I bought some nail polish, and everything needed for a mani-pedi. I'm pretty sure I can pull it off. Besides, Melina needs some girl time. It'll be just the two of us.

My searches have found me nothing. It isn't as easy as reaching into a bag and pulling out a believer's name. I need to know where, how many, if they group, and I haven't been able to locate any groups who truly believe. I've found doubters, searchers, going to conventions and meetings and doing everything except what I need them to do.

Believe.

At least Era is up and about now. He and Melina went to the library. This, at least, is an outing I can approve of. Alexander's curled up on my lap, and Athena and Arman are in our living room watching some show Arman is determined to make her like. All here is well, in the very least.

I am determined to bring our pantheon back into the spotlight. Daddy says to leave well enough alone. He tried to tell me that religions fall in and out of popularity all the time, and that I should be patient. I can't, though. I won't.

I won't just stand by while mortals forget about us.

I won't just stand by while we slowly become useless.

I won't just stand by while our place is stolen by some new god, someone who doesn't know what he's doing.

I won't.

It took me three hours to convince myself to move. I hurt so bad right now. The pain starts in my  fingers and spreads throughout my entire body. Typing this is agonizing. I can't even use my bow. I almost shouted when Melina hugged me. Poor Era...Whatever's wrong with us hit him the hardest. He didn't even get out of bed today. Melina's in panic mode. She's scared Erasmus isn't going to get up again. I have to see if I can get him up tomorrow.

is spoiling Melina rotten. I mean, I want her to be happy, but she should be resting today. She had a long few days. We all went up to Bellingham with Athena, and Era and I took Melina about the city, just to explore.

Instead of resting, she's at the zoo.

I managed to get it rushed through the courts. She's living here for a while more, until she finds an apartment of her own. Her butler had moved out some time ago, and Ashley found another family for him to work for. Things seem to be settling down now.

Erasmus just fell asleep a few minutes ago. Poor thing. He hasn't been sleeping well lately.

Her father started to beat her, so I intervened. Ashley won't remember a thing, but Mr. Timothy Bower...He will be petrified for several days on end. I made sure of it.

wants to go talk to her father. Alone.

Obviously, I won't let her. I'm going to follow her, but I'll be invisible. I can't let Mr. Bower hurt her. I...I just can't.

Well, it was kind of on purpose, but still.

Timothy Bower was desperate to get his daughter home, so he thought that if she was injured she would have to come home. At least, that's the reasoning he gave the police. Arman told me that his excuses sound reminiscent of some movie called Misery, but I'm not sure what it is. I'll look it up.

I'm trying to help her get emancipated. She's only sixteen, but she'll be seventeen in a week or so. There's no way she'd last in foster care, though. She's really angry about what happened and wants to sue her father. If she does, she might win some money to at least start her off in the real world. She'll have to get a job, of course, but maybe I can help her get something at the theater...

Speaking of which, I have to go. I need to open for the two o'clock showing.

I stopped a car from hitting Ashley. More info when it doesn't hurt to move.

Ashley's father keeps trying to get her to come home. She's terrified, especially because he's getting violent. I need to stay with her, and Era swears he'll watch after Melina. I don't think I'll have to worry about her.

Sorry. I need to look after Ash.

He's livid about something, but he won't talk to me. Instead, he holed himself up in the building's workspace and is building something now. The whole group's been making sure he doesn't go destroy something...I don't understand what's gotten into him.

One of the other parents accused Melina of lying to her son the moment I dropped her off. She didn't confront me, or any of the staff, she dropped down on her knees and pointed her stubby little finger at my Melina. Poor girl was near tears before I managed to send both her and the little boy into the building with the other children.

Then I rounded on her. I was livid. Treating a little girl like that... "What is your problem?" I demanded. My hands naturally went to my hips as I glared the other mother down.  

"And who, pray tell, are you?" she quipped at me. Her eyeliner was so thick that it was practically crumbling off every time she blinked, her eyes intense as she mentally prepared herself for our little duel.

"I'm her mother, ma'am. Her very angry mother. How do you think jabbing your finger in her chest is going to fix any problems?" I drew myself up to my full height (in this disguise) and glared. This usually ended any argument I got into with a human, but it left her unfazed. I suppose that was due to motherhood. "If you have problems with Melina, you'll talk to me first."

"Aren't you a little young to be a mother, dear?" she asked, voice dripping with false sweetness.

It was the sarcasm that did me in. "Maybe. But aren't you a little old to be wearing skinny jeans a size too small for you and a halter top that belongs on someone who can fill it out?"

Well, needless to say, that kind of pissed her off. "How...how dare you...?" she sputtered.

"By the way, what do you think my daughter was lying about, ma'am? Couldn't have been the fact that you wear more make-up than any professional 'escort' in the business, because that's true..."

"This coming from someone who knows." She looked ready to hit me, and I wanted her to. I wanted her to so I could fight back. I wanted to tear into this woman so bad... "Your daughter told my son she had a flying cat. His father and I work hard to keep that kind of nonsense out of his head...."

"What, you mean an imagination? Fine. Raise your kid to be dull, boring, or unoriginal. Just never approach my daughter and accuse her of lying again, especially when she's obviously utilizing her mind. It's obviously something you've never done, and I don't expect you to understand it."  We glared at each other for several moments before walking away. I didn't believe it was possible, but it is.

I made an enemy at a children's day camp.

But Melina is living with us now. I managed to get all the papers filled out, the red tape cut, and I'm Melina's adoptive mother. Erasmus is back now, if only because he wants to be with me. He doesn't think this is a good idea. Melina is at her day camp for another hour, but then they'll get to meet for the first time.

Athena and Arman are stuck in Jamacia. That's where they had gone for their date, and now one of the locals is keeping an extremely close eye on them, so they can't transport themselves back here. I'm not sure if it's funny or not.

A nurse realized how long I've been in the hospital and kicked me out. I intend to go back tomorrow. For now, I have Ares watching over the girl for me.I discovered this morning that she needs protecting. Somehow, her mother's bail was paid, and she came to the hospital. She started yelling at me when I told her that Melina couldn't leave.

Of course, it might of been the part where I told her I would rather go to hell than let her take her.

"Listen, bitch," she proceded to tell me. "That kid is coming home. Do you understand me? She may have killed her father, but she's still my kid, and I'll do with her what I want to."

I think I gaped at her for a moment or two. "She's not an object. She's a human being, and I highly doubt that she..."

"Shut up! This has nothing to do with you! Just get out of the way!" She took a few steps forward, and I felt the need to drop down in a defensive stance. I suddenly wished I had my bow. Still, it was easy to block what I'm sure she thought was a sudden punch.

"You need to leave," I told her calmly. "Melina stays here. She needs medical attention."

The woman literally lunged herself at me, and we crashed into Melina's bed. Thankfully, it didn't disturb any of the machines. (Actually, this might have been the real reason I was kicked out.) She instantly took a fistful of my hair and bit into my shoulder. (Which is when I realized the bitch fought dirty...)

My only option was to throw myself onto to the ground, which managed to knock the breath out of her and allow me to pin her down. Several nurses ran in and instantly called one of the few security guards. I had to allow them to pull me off of her, but what I really wanted to do was claw her eyes out. I don't know who she thinks she is, but she isn't a suitable mother, and she isn't getting her hands on that girl. The hospital filed a report against her, and I think my only option is to take care of Melina myself.

Only....what will Erasmus say?

I was here all night. Every time a nurse or doctor comes by, I just go invisible. I don't want to leave her side. I don't know what I'm going to do.