"So, I may have done a tiny, morally questionable thing with your DNA," I said, holding out the envelope.
"Jeez, do I want to know?"
"It was just one of those test kits, ya know? I figure, we know you're adopted. And the friendly animal stuff has been ramping up lately. And you've always been a great singer. And, well, you know I'm a curious sort of person. But I didn't want to see it without you. And can you just take it already?" The last bit was in mock anger and real frustration.
"Ok, ok," Jack replied, grabbing and opening it in one swift motion. He glanced over the results, and I moved to read over his shoulder. "Um, I don't understand half of this, but... Can I ask how you chose this DNA testing service?"
"Ah, yeah. That's definitely relevant. I mean, they're mostly used to check if... collector's items?"
"That sounds wrong but go on."
"Well, to see if those are legitimate. But because of that, they have the highest number of... celebrities, and rich people, sports guys and such."
"Such as in, say, royalty?" They just had to add a crown to the logo.
"I mean, like I said, the animals and the singing. I mean, there are three butterflies on you right now. And you have impossible upper body strength. Not that I'm complaining." He blushed. I probably did, too.
"Listen, Rita, thanks. I think it's really creepy what you did, but I also appreciate it. Don't do it to anyone else, okay?"
"Gasp!" I said the word while pretending to clutch at pearls. "What kind of women do you take me for?"
"Oh, you have been spending too much time with my ma," he chuckled and handed me the paper. "Now, do you understand any of this?"
"Yeah, let me just-oh my... Um..."
"What?"
"Do you want to know who your mother is?" "Really?"
"Yeah, looks like one of the princes isn't as charming as he thought." "What? Oh... Oh!" "Good news though, Queen Afrodille was royalty even before her marriage, so you are, technically, a prince."
"Illegitimate prince."
"Hey, let's not split hairs."

Arty and I were hanging out on the edge of the forest, when a couple of deers came out and started nuzzling her hands. This is our spot, we hung out here everyday of the summer and every afternoon after school. I love the trees and Arty loves her animals. And the animals love her back, squirrels will bring her yummy nuts, dogs will behave like puppies, some cats will be always there with her, stuff like that. So I'd like to think the trees love me back, too.

"They want us to follow" Arty said standing up.

"You want to go?"

"They are saying its important."

"Arty she is going to kill us, literally. " She being our foster mom, who is a nightmare.

"And they are offering an escape. Come on Ivy, it's our out. I know it. And I don't wanna go back any more than you do. Let's just check it out?" I look back at the house, no one is looking at us. We started to follow the deers.

Arty and I met at Maya's place, she is a foster parent of the system. She took us in when we were babies. But she is in it for the checks, so she mostly takes on babies and doesn't give two shifts about them. Often the older kids takes care of the youngers. It is a system and we drew the short straw. That is why we spend all of our waking moments in the forest, we eat better than the rest, just go in for sleep. No one is allowed in the forest, she doesn't want to lose anyone, that'll stop the checks and she hates that. We are waiting to be 18 and get out of here. That is 7 more years.

Or so I thought. If the deers can give us a way out. The nearest bus stop is very far away.

We followed them for a very long time, when we found a clearing near a stream. There were white tents and girls hanging out. A couple girls took the deer and a beautiful blonde came to us. She greeted us with a kind smile and took us to a tent. There were some delicious smelling food she offered us.

"My name Callisto and this is a hunting party. If you wish, you can join us."

" Ummm, what sort of hunting party? We're not really hunters."

"We'll have you heard about Artemis? Your namesake," She looked at Arty. "We are her maidens."

I stutter, "Artemis as in the Goddess? " She smiled kindly, yes.

"Haven't you ever wondered why you two can connect with nature so well? Arty with the birds and animals and you, Ivy, with plants and trees? Because you were half child's nymphs and human, who were born humans. But you were misplaced in the foster system. It took us a long time to find you two."

We looked at each other, every thing made so much sense. "So what are you hunting here?" Asked Arty.

"Why, you two. Well and some others also." Callisto replied.

"So you want join us and help us find the rest?"

Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.

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