I tick off my new sister

Half an hour later we landed on Long Island. Percy helped me off Blackjack, and I walked up to the crest of the hill. I looked down over Camp Half Blood. My dream home. I was about to cry, because I was so excited, when Annabeth came and stood next to me. "You okay?" She asked. "Okay?!" I said. "I'm AMAZING." She looked kind of shocked. "Well that's a first. Not a lot of brand new campers see this as a good thing. It usually takes some adjusting too." "No way! I've been dreaming of this place for years!"
Annabeth gave me a weird look. "What do you mean?" She asked. "Ever since I read the books two years ago, I've dreamt of coming here." I said.  Annabeth looked at me, like I was crazy.
"What do you mean boo-"  Before she could finish, I was overcome by excitement. "Oh my god! Thalia's tree!" I said, running over and patting the dragon beneath it. "I suppose you'll want me to say 'oh my gods' now." I said, speaking more to myself than to her. I looked up to see her completely bewildered. "How in the world did you know that was Thalia's tree?!" She asked. "I told you!" I said, rolling my eyes. I thought Annabeth was the smart one. "It says in the books!" I stood up. "I still don't know what you're talking about." Said Annabeth. "Look." I said, trying to break it down for her. "I read all five books about you guys. You're Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena. He's Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon. Somewhere out here, is Grover the satyr. Chiron is probably at the Big House playing pinochle, with Mr. D, who's still bitter about his punishment." Annabeths jaw dropped. "What..? How...?" She said. I could tell she was thinking, because she was making the same face I do, when I'm trying to figure things out. By now, Percy and Max had caught up with us. I turned to Max, and gave him a hug. "Your'e a satyr!" I shouted. "That would be correct." He said, hugging me back. I let go if him, and then started to get angry. "You knew all this time, and you never told me?!" I said, scrunching my eyebrows. He gave me a sheepish grin. "I couldn't! If I did, monsters would be attacking non-stop. It was only to protect you." I sighed, and nodded. I couldn't stay mad. Not at him. "Max," Annabeth started. "what is Ellie talking about? She knows everything about the camp already. She said she read books about us."
"Oh.." Max said. "Yeah, Percy's books. I sorta gave them to her for her tenth birthday." He confessed. "You wrote a book?" She turned to Percy. "Yeah." He replied.
"About our lives?! Do you know how DANGEROUS, that is?!" She screeched. I stepped back.
"I never published them!" He said, defensively. "I wrote a couple coppies, and sent them to Grover. Just for fun. I guess they somehow managed to fall into Max's hands, and then into Ellie's." They all faced me. I shrugged. "Hey, at least this way , there's no awkward questions, and we don't have to waste time with an orientation film." I said. "We can get right to touring the camp." I announced, trying to change the subject. "I'll show you around." Said Annabeth. She gave Percy a sideways glare. "I'm his girlfriend, I should be the first to know if he's written books." She mumbled. Percy led Blackjack and the other two pegusi down the hill, with Max.
Annabeth sighed. "This way." She said

We went around the camp, and she told me what everything was. Well, not exactly. I kinda told myself what everything was. It went like this-
"Over here-"  "Oh my gods, that's the mess hall!"

"Up there-" "Oh my gods, that's the Big House!"
"To the right-" "Oh my gods, that's the Archery!"
"Right over there-" "Oh my gods, that's the Forest!"
"See-" "Oh my gods, that's the Armory!"
"Oh my gods, that's Chiron!"

Chiron trotted towards us. He smiled kindly and said, "Well it looks like this is the new camper Percy was telling me about. Hello Ellie!"
"Hi!" I said. "Look's like your'e comfortable, I assume Annabeth's already told you you're a demi-god?" He asked. "Actually," Annabeth said, before I could answer. "I didn't need too. Apparently Percy wrote books about his life here, and Ellie managed to read them. Not quite sure, but she may just know more about this camp than I do." I blushed, and looked down at my hands, because suddenly, they were very interesting. "I'm sorry," I mumbled. "I just got excited. I didn't mean to be rude." Annabeth softened. "Hey, don't worry about it. I'm just stressed, that's all." Chiron looked puzzled. "Books? Percy wrote books?"
"So he didn't tell you either!" Annabeth exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. I shrugged my back pack off, and opened it. I pulled all five books out and showed them. "See? This is it. They're really good."
Annabeth gaped, as I showed them to her. "Look," I said. "Thats you-well, your silhouette, anyways- on book two." "ME?!" She said. I laughed. "Let me take a look." Said Chiron. I passed them too him, and his eyes widened. Just then Percy came by. "So what are we so surprised at?" He asked. "Chiron handed him the stack of books. "Percy, do you know how dangerous this is?" He asked, deadly serious. Percy gulped. I felt horrible. "Young man," Chiron continued. "these books could have fallen into the wrong hands. What if Kronos had stumbled upon these?!" He asked. "It's okay, those are the only copies that made it outside Camp. And Kronos never found them anyways." Percy said, trying his best to make it look like it was no big deal. Chiron shook his head, and handed the books back to me. I shoved them in my bag, and slung it on my shoulder. There was an awkward silence, where we all just sort of stared at the strawberry fields. Eventually Chiron looked at me. "Welcome to Camp Half Blood, Ellie." He started to walk away. "Thank you!" I called. I looked up at Percy. "I didn't mean to get you in trouble, Percy.." I said. He chuckled. "Oh it's fine. Chiron won't stay upset for long." Another long pause. "Well, I should get going. Grover said there's a really powerful demi-god, and her cousin, somewhere in California. I'd better go Iris-message him, and see what all that's about." He kissed Annabeth on the cheek. "Aww!" I sighed. They both blushed, and then we all broke out in laughter. He turned, and walked off towards the cabins. "See you at dinner!" He cried.

After Percy left, Annabeth showed me the cabins. I (proudly) named each one. Of course I was correct. I was greeted by quite a few people, and was able to (unsurprisingly) identify a few.

Finally we made it to Hermes' cabin. I looked at Annabeth and asked, "So, I know I'm a daughter of Athena, but I still have to sleep in cabin eleven, don't I?"
Annabeth smiled. "What makes you so sure your my little sister?"
I pulled my necklace out from underneath my shirt. "This is the only thing that connects me with my mom. Back when I was nine, my gym teacher was actually a Laistrygonian, and he attacked me.  I was little. I didn't know what to do. I was wearing the ring, and it shone. Then the owl twisted. It turned into a sword, and I whacked the monster with it. It evaporated just like any other one. After that, I started wearing it on a chain around my neck, every day. I think that's the reason why I haven't been attacked so much. Because mom's always been watching over me. I always sort of felt her presence. But now I'm sure." Annabeth looked at me thoughtfully. "Well you sure do sound like her daughter. And you look-" She stopped, and her eyes grew as wide as coins. "What?" I asked. She looked up, where a metallic shape was forming. My heart soared, as I was lifted off the ground, and spun softly in a circle. Above me, was the sign of Athena. A silver owl, resting on an olive tree branch. The sign faded, and I was set back on the ground. I was speechless. Then I began tearing up, I know, real mature. But this was the moment I'd been waiting for. I stood there for a second, and then ran and toppled Annabeth with a bear hug.

"Well, it looks like you won't be visiting number eleven after all." Annabeth said, leading me across the commons area. I laughed sheepishly, and wiped the tears out of the corners of my eyes. We stopped in front of our cabin. I stared at it in awe. Gorgeous pearly white marble formed the miniature house. The design was similar to that of the Parthenon. In the center of the door was a knocker made of the same sign that had just been floating above my head; an owl on an olive tree branch. Directly over the door was a shiny golden number 6.  Annabeth opened the door, and now my eyes were the size of golden drachmas. "Welcome to Athena's cabin." She said. The inside... The inside could only be described as an architects dream.

Book shelves crowded every wall. They were crammed with books, blueprints, sketches, and ancient scrolls. Ten bunk beds were pushed aside to one wall, and about half that many desks and arm chairs rested against the opposite side. In the back was a staircase that led to Annabeths room. It was even better than how it was described in the book. {{This is where my annoying conscious stepped in and said. "Well Duh! You're so thick..." Yeah, thanks for that self esteem boost..}}

Behind the cabin was the workshop. Cupboards full of building materials lined the walls. Workbenches and desks occupied one side of the room, while 3-D building models, war maps, and armor filled the other. In other words, it was geek heaven.

My first look at my (AHMAZING) new home, and all I can manage is, "Whoa.."
"Hey, everyone, this is our new sibling Ellie. Let's make her feel welcome." Annabeth announced. There were around twelve other kids, who all looked up and nodded. A couple even waved and smiled.
"You can have this top bunk." She said. I walked over to where she was standing and threw my bag on the mattress. "Thanks, Annabeth." I said. She just smiled. "Okay everyone, dinner's in ten minutes, alright?"

"I'd better go tell Chiron the good news." She said, walking off to the Big House. "Try to make yourself comfortable  Ellie."

A stupid grin spread across my face. Hey, what can I say? This was the happiest I'd been in years. Finally, I was home.

A Shadow Monster Gives Me Advice

       I kept running until my eyes stung and the tears stopped flowing. My heart thumped wildly in my chest as though it would burst at any moment, and I slumped against an immense oak tree. Sweat was plastered to my forehead, and my head was moistened from crying. Don't call me a baby or pathetic, because you'd probably become upset or embarrassed too if everyone started staring and laughing at you.


     The insults played over and over in my head like a broken record. 


             No wonder she had anger issues!


            That explains why she creates nothing but chaos!


            What a freak!


          Normally I'd just let those senseless words breeze past me, but now that my life had just changed I just couldn't control myself. 


       Control


          The word etched itself into my head so I'd never forget it or its meaning. I suppose it was something I need to work on. Control. 




        Ten minutes passed, and by then I had forgotten about how I was thought of as an outcast. In fact, I'd realized that I should forget everything. My past, my memories, my worries, basically everything that would ruin me. I however couldn't forget my dad or my friends I had left behind, the memories of them were just too precious for me to erase. Anyways, it was important for me to forget so I could rise from the ashes of my past, and create for me a bright future. 


  "Remain optimistic about life," my dad had always told me. He was right, but it's so hard to remain positive. It's especially hard after what's happened to me. Wait, no, I can't think about my past. Not now. Not ever. 


      Behind me I heard the crunching of feet on crisp fallen leaves. The hairs stood up on my neck. Chiron had warned me monsters lived in these woods, so ultimately I presumed it was a creature that I had had nightmares of as a five year-old.


    Tensely, I pick up a nearby branch, and stand up, ready to attack. Peeking my head around the tree, I don't see anything at first. Then, I see a shadow slithering within the ground, making its way towards me. I instinctively raise the branch just as a shadowy head emerges, and bring it down hard onto it yelling,"Die psycho monster!" 


   The monster produces a human-like yelp, and jumps out of the ground. I raise the branch again to bring it down on its head again, but it says in a tone mixed with pain and annoyance,"Sara, put the bloody branch down!"


   "Nico?" I asked the 'monster,' placing the branch onto the ground.


   Nico groaned, his head covering his head. "Why in Zeus' name would you do that?"


     "Oh I don't know, I just happen to spot a strange shadow creature emerging from the ground so I decided to bonk it on the head to kill it" I spat in annoyance. "Why do you think I did it?"

     Nico waved away my question and stood up from the mossy forest floor. 
   "Well, my head is throbbing now thanks to you," Nico continued to rant. 


   "Sorry," I apologized, quietly, sitting down against the tree again. "I imagine you probably think I'm even more psycho now."


  "Nah, I just think you're crazy," Nico said, sitting down next to me. "Which is a good thing, because we don't have a lot of people like you around here."


   I smile for the first time today, and actually feel like I maybe do belong here at Camp Hlaf-Blood. 


  "It's just that I feel like nobody accepts me," I say, my true emotions beginning to spill out. 


  "It just seems like that," Nico says, as though he was trying to console me. "They honestly just don't know how to react to to the first kid of a god. Trust me, I know how it feels. People didn't accept me at first since my dad is Hades, and as you know by now the big three shouldn't have children. However, they all broke the rules. Poseidon about four times, my dad two times, and Zeus once."


   I nod, not knowing how else to respond.  "Anyways, people eventually accepted me because of the things I accomplished, and the abilities I have. All you have to do is prove to yourself first that you're worth it."


   "Wow Nico," I say in awe. "You actually gave me advice that was serious."


   Nico laughed. "Yeah, I guess I did. I should consider being one of those social worker dudes!"
       We both burst out laughing, and I felt a happiness inside that I haven't felt in days, maybe weeks. Yeah, it sounds sappy, but you want the truth, don't you?


    After our talk, Nico and I walk out of the woods. Nico, proud of himself for lifting my spirits. Me, feeling like I can take on the world.

I am Awarded "Most Hyper Half-Blood"

  It was my second day at Camp Half-Blood.  I had met Ellie, and we probably could have stayed up the whole night talking, but our siblings shut us up quickly.  We woke up, our heads facing the same way.  Light was streaming in from the open door.  My eyes fluttered open and I rolled over, looking at Ellie sleeping.  A huge smile spread across my face.  I started vigorously shaking Ellie.


  "HOLY POOP, ELLIE!" I screeched.  "IT WASN'T ALL A DREAM!"


  "What?" Ellie said, slowly sitting up in her bed, almost hitting her head on the ceiling.


  "We're SERIOUSLY at Camp Half-Blood.  We're REALLY sisters.  Isn't this just . . . fantasamic?!"


  She laughed, agreeing.


  Annabeth walked up to us, already in her camp clothes.  "Morning, girls!" she said, that normal sparkling smile spreading across her face.


  "Good morning!" Ellie and I said in unison.


  We walked off and put on our camp clothes, and then Annabeth began speaking.


  "Girls and guys, today before activities start, we're going to be doing something odd."  She smiled, her gray eyes twinkling.  I was utterly jealous of those stormy eyes.  "Because we have some new campers," she looked up at Ellie and I, sitting on our bunks.  "We are going to be playing a little game.  We'll be doing a series of 'tests', but not tests like in school, and then we'll get awards.  Understand?"


  "Yes!" everyone chorused.


  "Well, let's begin!"  Annabeth shouted and got out books, paper, soda, spoons, pencils, and hats.  Let me tell you, I was just a tad confused.


  So, she started some random tests.  Seeing how fast we could write, how many things we could fit in one hat, what we could make out of a simple piece of loose-leaf paper, what we could do with spoons {sounds, putting them somewhere, what you can hold in them}, until we just had one thing left- the soda.


  "Alright, everyone, get ONE CAN of soda!" Annabeth said, we all got down from our bunks and stepped over to get a can of soda.  I picked out a can of Cream Soda, the only soda I would drink.


  "Okay, and now what do we do?" I asked, holding the soda.


  "Drink it."  Annabeth said simply.


  We all opened our soda and drank it, some quicker than others.


  "Alright, now, let's see what you can do!"  Annabeth looked at all of us.  "First of all, how fast can you talk?"


  We all individually {which took really long, seeing so many Athena children} talked and Annabeth timed us.  When it came to me, I decided to sing a song I'd learned called The Llama Song.


  "Happy llama, sad llama, totally rad llama, super llama, drama llama, big fat mama llama, baby llama, crazy llama, don't forget Barack OLlama!  Fish, fish, more fish!  Turtle-uh!-unicorn, PEACOCK!"  I sang it so fast people were confused as to the lyrics, so I did it again, slower, then back to normal speed.


  After everyone talked as fast as they could, Annabeth started looking at all of our results.  "Alright, time to announce the winners!" she stated in her strong, proud, voice, then she read off the names.  When she came up to the soda-drinking-fast-talker contest, she said, loudly, "And the winner of the fastest talker is our new camper, CAROLYN!"  she smiled at me, and I could feel all eyes on me.  "Carolyn, you are officially Most Hyper Half-Blood!"


  I laughed and Ellie laughed with me, the laughs growing through the room.  "Thank you, thank you!" I announced, bowing sarcastically.


  I missed my family, but I felt something warm inside of me, this was my family, too.  This was my home.

Warning: DO NOT GIVE AN ALREADY HYPER HALF-BLOOD CAFFEINE

I wish I was a demi-god.

It all started on a Wednesday. The week before school let out for the summer. I was sitting on my front porch step, re-reading my absolute favorite book series; Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I sighed, and set the book down, because I was beginning to get a headache. The words had begun scrambling around and chasing each other. Because of my horrid dyslexia, (not to mention my ADHD.) it was pretty much impossible to finish a sentence, let alone a whole book. If it weren't for my love of reading, I would've probably chucked the book out into the street by now. I looked up at the sky, wishing I was a demi-god, just like my favorite book characters. 'Those kids in my book would understand me.' I thought. Life had been pretty tough on me. I had been kicked out of 7 schools, in 7 years. My step-mom was a jerk, and my dad paid zero attention to me. My step siblings were favored. The only thing I knew about my mom, was that she was just like me. I only had one real friend, and he was considered a loser too.

I go to Portland, Maine community college. Yes, I'm only twelve. I skipped a lot of grades, okay? Pretty much every one calls me the stupid brainiac. Yes, I made it to college before I finished middle school, but I can barely type my name, without having to use spell check. As you can imagine, I have very few friends. Like any college kids would want to chill with me. Of course they're all nice to me, but they aren't my friends. Like I mentioned before, I only have one real friend. His name is Max, and he's just as weird as I am. First off, if you didn't know he was 12, you would think he was 18. He has a little beard, and acne. He goes to the college too. Although, I have no idea how. No offense to him, but lets just say he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

I picked up my book and headed inside. Lucy, my 9 year old step sister purposely stepped in my way, forcing me to walk into her. "Watch where your going, dip-wad." I was about to call her something I wasn't usually aloud to say, but then I reminded myself she wasn't worth it. 'You'll be out of here before you know it Ellie. Don't mind her. She'd probably just snitch on you anyways.' I told myself. I looked back at her, and snickered as I watched her walk into the clear glass patio door. "It's called karma, you moron." I said under my breath. She opened the door as if it never happened, and walked off into who knows where. I honestly didn't care. I was actually kinda hoping some rabid beast would come eat her... But that's beside the point.

I climbed the stairs to my tiny room in the attic. It was just big enough to hold a single bed, a dresser, and a lamp. When my dad got re-married, my older step sister got my room. Completely unfair, but every time I tried to argue with my dad, his new wife Katie, would just give him a kiss and call him "Sugar-pie" and then she would roll her eyes at me and say "Now Ellie, is that any way to treat your new sisters?" Of course my dad would agree. And when I screamed that they weren't my sisters? Grounded for a month. Not pretty.

Thinking about all the mean things my step family did, and the way my dad didn't really care about me, put me over the edge. I picked up my back pack. I just couldn't stay here any longer. I may be thick headed, but one message was clear. I wasn't wanted here. I stuffed a change of clothes, the Percy Jackson series, and my journal inside. Then I pushed my bed to the side, and lifted up the loose floor panel, reveling the secret compartment beneath it. I picked up my stuffed rabbit, Goose, that I've had since birth, and shoved it in the bag too. Then I picked up the only connection that I had to my mom; a silver ring with an owl, with out stretched wings on it. I had put the ring on a chain, because I used to wear it every day, but I didn't like people asking about it. Lately, I hadn't worn it much. I liked to pretend all this meant I was a daughter of Athena. I liked to pretend that Max was a satyr. I liked to pretend that any day now, Percy would swing by on Blackjack and sweep me off to Half Blood Hill. If only it were that easy.

I put on the necklace, and marched downstairs. I left a note to my dad on the counter. I had rehearsed the words in my head on so many sleepless nights before, that I knew exactly what to say. I just told him that I loved him, and not to worry. I told him I was with Grandma, my moms mom, who he doesn't get along with. I told him to come visit sometime. I knew very well that would never happen.

And then I left.

I walked up the long dirt road, not completely sure of where I was going. I always had a plan, so I knew what needed to be done; Get out of here. Well now that I had accomplished that, I needed new tactics. My mind raced. I figured I'd head towards Virginia, where Max's summer house was. I knew he would let me stay with him. I took a right, and entered the 7/11 gas station market. I took a soda out of the fridge, and a map. I went to the cash register searching in my backpack for my wallet. I was taking out five dollars but stopped with my hand halfway out of my bag. I looked up, because I smelled something that made my eyes water. Something reeked like 6 month old garbage. It was the man behind the counter. This guy was huge. At least eight feet tall, and not exactly pretty. His name tag read Iam Unsightly. I wasn't gonna argue, because it was true. His face was distorted as if someone dropped him on the ground as a baby. He took the money and then put it back down. I looked up at him. He was ginormous. His hands were the size of XL pizza's. Theres no other way to say it; His face was ugly, and distorted, as if someone threw him on the ground as a baby. I realized I was staring, so I looked at the ground and handed him the five dollar bill. He snatched it out of my hand, and put it in the register. I was putting the soda and map away when I stopped because Iam was sniffing me. Yep, he was definitely smelling me. I dunnno about you, but that creeped me out. His torso was bent over the counter, and his eyes were closed, his nose in my hair. I stepped back, and his eyes flashed open.His pupils in slits. I zipped up my bag, and started to rush out of the store. But before I reached the doors, he managed to sprint, and block my way.  I was starting to get really scared at this point. And then he transformed. If I thought he was ugly before, than I don't know what word would describe how he looked now. He grew taller, and his face grew more distorted. I looked into his big brown, terrifying eyes. No. Eye. He had one single eye in the middle of his forehead. He was around 11 feet tall, and he had to hunch over to fit inside the store. In fact, the roof was crumbling, and caving in. I had to get out. My only thought was, "If only the exit weren't being blocked by his massive butt." I looked around. Aha. I picked up a pocket knife, that had fallen in the mini quake the beast was creating. Iam was reaching for me with his giant hand. I slashed it, and he wailed in pain. This gave me about a second to run for it. And of course, I run right towards him. I rushed at him, hoping I could stab him, and therefore distract him, but no such luck. He grabbed my with his blood stained hand, and lifted me six feet in the air.We kept rising, until he had made a hole in the roof. Debris rained down on me. I screamed at the top of my lungs, hoping someone would hear me. Then I remembered that this was the only civilized place within the next ten miles. I started to cry. Then I heard glass shatter. A boy, with black hair and a pen raced in. Behind him was a girl with a dagger and  long wavy blonde hair. The same color as mine... "No way." I thought. Then the monster shook me up and down, as if he wanted me to puke on him. The boy below me uncapped the pen, and it turned into a sword. I forgot all about the fact that I was being held by a monster, and started hyper ventilating. Percy ran at the monster, and hacked at his legs. Annabeth joined him. The cyclops tried swatting them away, but was more interested in agitating me. He turned me upside down, and continued to shake me up and down. I finally couldn't take it. I threw up. And it landed where Percy's head had been a second before. I was dizzy, and the taste of vomit was still in my mouth. Not exactly pleasant.

Finally, Percy charged and got him right in the gut, and the giant monster turned to yellow dust. And I fell from at least ten feet, and blacked out.

When I woke up, my first thought was "I'm dead." I opened my eyes. I was flying over a city. "Yep. Definitely dead. I'm flying to heav-" That's when I realized who was sitting behind me. "Percy Jackson. Perseus Jackson." I stuttered. And who I was flying on. "Blackjack." My eyes were as wide as a half-dollar coin. "He says 'Hi'" Said Percy. I looked to my right, where Annabeth was riding on a milky white pegasus. And to my left, where Max was riding on a brown one. "Oh!" I said, smacking myself on the forehead. "What?" Percy asked. "This is the best dream I've had in months!" I cried, laughing. Percy pinched my so hard on the arm, I almost fell off Blackjack. "OUCH!" I screamed. "Your'e not dreaming." Called Annabeth through the wind. Then I started freaking out, 'cause, she was right. I looked down below me, and threw up again. The next time I woke up, it was almost day light. I shivered, and Percy wrapped his sweatshirt around me. It smelled like the ocean. "Well DUH." I told myself. "What did you think it would smell like? Toffee?" {{Sometimes I feel like I'm too sarcastically mean. Even to myself. Anyways.}}

"Where are we headed?" I asked Percy. I knew what he would say, but I just had to hear him say it. "We're taking you to Camp Half Blood." He told me. I squealed with joy.

I Give A Girl A Marshmallow Makeover

     Back home my dad and I would have bonfires all the time. We'd crack jokes while munching on s'mores, and I'd stare up at the constellations that lit up the night sky. Occasionally we'd hear a train thunder past, its shrill and clamorous whistle blaring through the once silent night.

     Whenever I'd hear a strange noise in the woods, he'd embrace be in his gentle arms and sarcastically tell me how the ghosts were out to get me. I'd laugh lightly, and he would too.

      After our fire he would put me to bed even if I informed him I was old enough to. In the end I had always aloud him to tuck me in like he used to every night, and he'd plant a kiss on my cheek and tell me he loved me. I'd reply to him 'love you too,' and then he would wish me sweet dreams,

     Now, everything was different. Tonight I would have to sleep in a cabin with kids I didn't know, and they certainly wouldn't admit to me they loved me.

     I glanced at the campfire that at that moment stood before me, and shook my head morosely. Nothing would ever replace the memories that I held close to my heart. Never. 


    Chiron must had noticed my sullen face, because he regarded me with a troubled expression. Evading his gaze, I stared at the ground, waiting  for the night to get over with.

     Some Apollo campers finished strumming their acoustic guitars, and let their voices drift away into the night to end their song. A small group of campers applauded, others nodded in approval, and the rest either stared off into space or cast disgusted faces towards the Apollo kids. They beamed at the people who had obviously enjoyed their peace, and frowned upon the others who had done nothing.

     Chiron smiled over at the Apollo Campers, and nodded towards them as a sign to continue their entertainment. Gladly, they obeyed, and began playing a sprightly tune. Soon, two young girls began singing in unison to the music. They sang about some kind of forbidden love blah, blah, blah, something about someone dying.

     My dad and I had never sang around our fires before, but we did do a plentiful amount of talking. Sometimes we talked about what we'd do the next day, sometimes he'd ask me about school, and other times    I'd ask questions about something, and he'd always answer them.

     I didn't think anyone here would answer my questions or be willing to even smile or laugh with me. Everyone here had already formed little groups of friends, and from what I could tell most of them were pretty  exclusive. Oh well, I suppose being a loner wouldn't be half bad. However, my face must have said otherwise, because behind me a clique started exchanging gossip, and I heard my name pass between their despicable mouths.

   "Okay, okay, fine, I'll ask her!" whispered one of the voices. I could tell she had been dared to ask me something. Preparing myself, I start to stand up, but the girl beats me to it and looms over me. Did I mention that I am fairly short for my age, and that most kids hover above me? Well, this unfortunately was happening to me again. "Sorry to bother you, but we were wondering why you're pathetically sulking," she gave me a mocking sad face, and pretended to wipe tears from her eyes. The girls behind me instantly broke out in smirks and giggles, and I had about had enough. "Aw, why aren't you telling us?" she asked, her plastered on red lipstick forming her words of poison. "Go ahead and tell everyone what you truly feel."

    I then felt a strange yearning to tell everyone about my dad, but a voice inside me said, She's charm speaking you, do not let her control you. Stand up for yourself!


     Almost instantly I snapped out of the girl's spell, but I didn't let hey know at first. It might be fun to toy with her, so I let my anger with her break loose.
 
     "So, you want me to tell everyone what I'm truly feeling?" I asked the girl.

    "Of course," she said, her natural white teeth curling into a smile. "Let's all hear and see this." She then waved her arms to get everyone's attention. Even the Apollo kids stopped playing, although they looked extremely irked for the second time this night. She yelled so everyone could hear,"Attention, Sara has an announcement to make! She'd like to tell us all what's been going on!"

    A few kids looked at me, interested in what was going on. I flashed a fake smile towards the girl, and then proclaimed,"People of camp half-blood! I would like to tell you what I'm truly feeling inside of me, because I trust that you'll be interested in what I have to say."

   The girl crossed her arms, and her piercing blue eyes seemed to tell me, go on,loser. "As of right now, I'm feeling anger!" I then locked eyes with the girl, who was staring in surprise at me. Perhaps she was surprised I had broken her little trance, or maybe she was surprised that tonight she'd be embarrassed. Either way, I relished her fear for whatever reason.

    I held up my arm for whatever reason, and yelled at the girl,"Nobody, and I mean nobody controls me. Got that?"
     She nodded nervously, but I at that moment noticed she was holding a half-eaten s'more. Perfect.

    Suddenly, the girl's s'more blew up in front of her, and covered her face in a sticky, gooey celebration of chocolate and marshmallow. She screeched in disgrace, and put a hand to her silky blonde hair.

    "No!" she screamed as though it were the end of the world. "I just got my hair done. Oh and my nails! There's chocolate under my french tips!"

  "Aw, I'm sooo sorry," I told her mockingly. "Go on, tell us how you truly feel about me."

  "Ugh, you crazy creature!" she screamed in my face.

  "Thank you," I say, satisfied, as though it were the best compliment in the world. I realized that all of the campers were staring above my head. I glance up above me, wondering if my hair had gone crazy like Eris'. However, I did not see my hair chaotically swirling about. Instead a golden apple hovered above my head.

     Chiron gaped at the apple, not sure what to say. He was completely dumbfounded. I glanced at the campers, and they were equally confused. However, when I picked out Thalia and Nico from the crowd, they instead grinned at me besides gawking at me like everyone else.

     "Oh my gosh!" someone practically yelled. "The golden apple has come to destroy us!"

    None of the campers even laughed, they just kept staring. Rage and confusion surged through me. I didn't  even want to be here, I wanted to go home where things were normal. But here I was, the target of one thousand eyes. I deliberately begin to back away, and turn around to run off.

    Chiron noticed my actions, and stood up, proclaiming,"Sara, the first daughter of Eris, goddess of discord!"

     Nobody smiled or clapped. They just laughed at me.

    "No wonder she had so much anger issues!"

   "That explains why she destroys thing!"

      Their words poisoned me like venom. I looked at Chiron for guidance, but all he was doing was trying to quiet the campers. I felt tears of fury and embarrassment stinging my eyes, and I didn't stop them from flowing. The laughing stayed the same, and insults kept being thrown like grenades at me.

    Out of the corner of my eye, I see Thalia and Nico walking towards me, but I reject their gaze and bolt off towards some nearby woods.

   "Sara, don't go in there!" I hear Thalia yell, but I ignore her and keep running. 

I am Claimed because of an Eight-Legged Beast

  We walked up a hill {well, it felt like a hike because I was still recovering from-well-everything that I had just learned} and saw a tree with a sleeping dragon.  On the tree was the Golden Fleece, and being a Greek mythology fan, I was SO excited to see it in real life, but it just seemed so much like a dream, I probably just muttered something like, "Holy poop . . . it's the Golden Fleece!" which made Aaron and Percy laugh, and me blush.


  As we trekked past the dragon-which severely creeped me out-I saw people running about, and cabins decorated as each one of the Greek gods and goddesses.  I gasped in sheer excitement, but was quickly scared as I saw a spider.


  OH!  That's a pretty crucial piece of information about me, I am DEATHLY afraid of spiders, but I've NEVER seen one when I'm around Aaron, so I just haven't told him.  Moving on . . .


  "AHH!" I screeched and toppled backwards, falling on to my back.  "A-a-a-A SPIDER!" I yelled, pointing at the UGLY BEAST.


  Percy walked over slowly and stomped on it.  He laughed and whispered, just loud enough for me to eavesdrop-I mean hear, "Athena child?"


  Aaron shrugged, "She doesn't look like one . . . "


  "But she acts like one, from what I've seen!" Percy quickly replied.


 "ME, a daughter of Athena?" I asked.  Then, I felt myself being raised up, and an owl symbol hovered above my head.  "Holy cow . . . "  Then I fell gently on to the ground.


  "I TOLD YOU!" Percy shouted, then turned back to me and said, "We should go show you to Chiron."

γαρολυν

  Aaron and Percy walked over to this HUGE house thing, which so happened to be called the Big House.  There was a centaur that was the person who they were talking about, Chiron.  He seemed genuine and nice.

  "Hello!" I said, before Chiron could even speak.

  He smiled.  "Hello, Carolyn."

  It was odd that he already knew my name, but I decided not to question it.

  "So, have you been claimed?" He asked.

  Percy and Aaron started chuckling, but I shot them an evil glance and they quickly shut their mouths.

  "Yes, I have!" I said, trying not to get annoyed because of the boys.

  "Great!  By whom?" Chrion asked.

  Aaron stepped forward.  "Athena," he chuckled. "Because of a spider."

  Chiron smiled, and I smiled back while elbowing Aaron in the side.  "You look close to nothing like your . . . siblings, I suppose," Chiron noted. "But you do look quite a lot like your mother, minus the eye color.  Does your father have hazel eyes?"

  I shook my head.  "They're blue."

  Chrion looked confused.  "Ah well, maybe Athena wanted you to be special when she . . . well . . . thought you up."

  My eyes grew huge.  "Say WHAT NOW?"  I sputtered stupidly.

  "Oh gods . . . " Percy muttered.

  Chiron looked at me calmly.  "Athena doesn't have children, she thinks them up, I suppose.  She falls in love with a man and the child is created through the mind . . . "

  "Like Athena herself."  I nodded my head, my muscles less tense.  "Not weird at all." I muttered under my breath.

  "Moving on, Aaron, and Percy, if you'd like, please show Carolyn around camp.  Show her to her cabin so she can meet her siblings."  He smiled, and trotted off.

γαρολυνre

  Aaron and Percy showed me everything, and Percy pointed out his cabin, Poseidon, where he lived alone.  Then we walked some more and came upon a cabin that I recognized quickly and Athena's.

  "This is where you'll sleep." Aaron said and opened the door.


  I walked in to a welcoming room, bunks neatly in rows, with desks and bookshelves all over, ready to be used.  It looked so amazing, and ALL KINDS of architectural designs were scattered about the room, making me smile.  I loved architecture!


  One girl was sketching a beautiful design with curly hair and gray eyes.  She set down her stuff and walked over to Aaron and I, smiling.  "Hello!" She outstretched her arm as a gesture for me to shake it.  "I'm Annabeth."


  I shook her hand.  "Hiya, I'm Carolyn, and I'm apparently your sister."


  "Really?!"  Annabeth said, surprised.


  I nodded.  "Really!  I've been told I don't look like anyone already, but I'm DEFINITELY a daughter of Athena."


  "Well," she began. "You do look a lot like Athena herself."


  I smiled.


  Annabeth told me to take the top bunk next to hers' and told me about herself.


  First she told me about how she got to Camp Half-Blood, and then about her best friend, Thalia, a daughter of Zeus and Hunter of Artemis, and her boyfriend {which I cringed at, but they're older than me} Percy Jackson, whom I'd already met.  We talked and talked, and then Annabeth asked, "What about your life?"


  "Oh, my life?" I laughed.  "It's pretty confusing."


  She nodded seriously.  "Understandable."


  "Well, I got her because of a girl that was apparently a monster, her name is . . . or was, after Percy killed her, Ginny.  He picked me and Aaron, my friend, up there.  Aaron's one of those satyr-things, and that's how I got here!"


  "Cool!"  Annabeth responded.


  "But it wasn't my first encounter with monsters, trust me on that one!"  I smiled, and Annabeth smiled back.  "But I live with my mom, dad, and brother.  It's so surprising that my mom isn't my mom, though . . . I look like her."  I shook my head.  "Anywho, I am kind of a computer freak, but I adore reading, writing, architecture, dancing, acting, and lots more."


  "Awesome!"  Annabeth said.  "I'm not surprised that you love to read and write, or that you love architecture, it's so normal for us Athena kids."


  I smiled, feeling more at home already.


  More people then began walking in to the cabin, and one girl looked oddly like one of my best online friends, Ellie.  She walked up to Annabeth and asked which bunk she was to use, and she pointed to the top bunk RIGHT by mine.  She climbed up the ladder and pulled out a book.


  I was staring, this was crazy!  I decided to go out and ask, even if I sounded crazy.  "Um, excuse me, but does your name happen to be Ellie?" I asked.


  She looked up from her book.  "Yeah, why?"  Then she seemed to recognize my voice, and she smiled.  "Carolyn?"


  I screamed, making everyone stare in our direction, but I didn't care!  "ELLIE, IT'S REALLY YOU!  HOLY POOP!"


  For the rest of the day we hung out, happy and amazed, maybe surprised and confused, but excited because we were ACTUALLY together.

I can spit chocolate milk like a pro

                I followed the two people he mentioned to the Poseidon Cabin, still feeling out of place. Seriously, by the looks of the there face, I looked like I was stomping of the parade, which is not a place you really want to be.

                  They both walked into the cabin and I followed them in, nearly getting whacked by a door.

“Well, you can take top bunk.” And so I did.

I climbed up the ladder and found I nice, neat, bed.

“Night.” Percy yawned. 2 seconds later, snores could be heard.

“Iona?” I heard a yawn, and a word that I hoped was “what?”

“Why was everyone so shocked that I'm a daughter of Poseidon?”

“Well,” Iona yawned. “Poseidon's not really supposed to have children. Neither are Zeus or Hades. Children of the big three are more powerful and dangerous. I suppose--” she yawned again. “that the last thing they wanted to happen is have another dangerous Poseidon kid.”

“Well, that's nice of them.”

“Uh-huh...well, there are some good things besides that monsters can smell us better... like you can control.. water and stuff....” I soon heard deep breathing and then, I head no more of Iona.

                    There was no way that I could possibly sleep. Even though lots had gone on today, I knew that sleep would come in about an hour because I didn't read a book. I have trained myself well enough to only fall asleep after reading about 5 chapters.

So, I started one of my trails of thoughts. That's where I think of something, that leads onto something else, and something else... etc.

                  I started to think about Iona and the fact that she's now my sister. When I saw her sit at the campfire, she looked so familiar... those green eyes... I don't know, it seemed like I had seem them times before. That person she was sitting by, I just realized her hair was blonde... and that also looked familiar... then I feel asleep.

                   In my dream, I faintly remember sitting at the computer, on tinychat with my best online buds. I was joking around with Carolyn in the chat box, and... IONA! I saw the same girl from the campfire in my dream on the computer screen. Right next to her was her friend Ellie. She laughed and I continued to type madly away, smiling to myself.

I sat bolt upright in bed, the sun was just rising.

“IONA!” I screamed.

On the other top bunk, Percy sat up in bed, hitting his head on the ceiling.

“Girls...” he muttered and feel back asleep.

Iona yawned from the bunk beneath me and sat up.
“Morning.” She said, crawling out of bed and looking up to the top bunk.

I was used to jumping from the top of bunk-beds to the floor, so I jumped off and stood up.

“Iona, your Iona Nicole.”

“Well, yes, I mean no but yes.” She raised an eyebrow.

“I thought I knew you from SOMEWHERE!” I exclaimed.

“Zaidia Black?”

I nodded.

                  This lead to lots of jumping up and down, screaming and talking. Percy (after throwing all of the pillows in his bed) crawled out of bed and walked to the bathrooms. When he came back, Iona threw me a new Camp-Half Blood T-shirt and I head out to the bathrooms. I was still wearing my swim-suit under my clothing, which is highly un-comfurtable just so you know.

                    After I had changed, I came back to the cabin to find Iona siting on her bunk reading a book.

“Finally your back!” She fold the corner of the page in her book and slammed it shut.

“I have someone you'll want to meet.”

                   She led me to the Athena cabin and knocked on the door. It was a knock, thunck,thunck, knock and a slamming her hand on the door. On the other side, I heard a noise that sounding like someone falling out of there bed and then came three short knocks from the other side. Iona replied with another 3 short knocks.

“Iona!” Replied a girl that looked an awful lot like Ellie.

“Ellie! You were completely right, it was Zaidia!”

“OH MY GOSH!”

                   Then came more screaming, and a bunch of other Athena kids started to get annoyed. So just three online friends (well, now in-life friends) headed to breakfast.

We (sadly) parted with Ellie and sat at the Poseidon table. I was had three bowls of cereal and another glass of chocolate milk. Iona had eggs, bacon and orange juice and Percy had a whole mound of food.

                I scooted my bench back and walked over give an offering to the God's when Iona said:

“How about me and Ellie give you a tour of the camp when you get back?”

“Sure!” I smiled, happy to know that I could finally get to see the rest of the camp.

               I headed up to the fire, drinking the rest of my chocolate milk when something aught my attention. The girl in front of me had a voice that I had heard somewhere before.

“I'll meat you down at the arena, Caro!”

“Got it!” She said, putting the rest of her food in the fire. My brain quickly connected her name and voice.

               I never got to swallow that chocolate milk, considering I sprayed it all over the girl ('s back) called, “Caro”

“HOLEY POOP WHAT WAS THAT?” She screamed, and slowly turned to look strait into my eyes. I was spilling out apologizes, about to ask her if she was who I thought she was. But, I didn't have to, because asked (more like screamed) it for me.

“Oh my... oh my..... ZAIDIA BLACK IS THAT YOU?”

“FOUETTE!”

             We hugged and jumped up and down and just kept screaming. And screaming. Until and Hecate boy that was in line threatened to take off our mouths, then we stopped and walked towards the door.

“I seriously CANNOT BELIVE IT IS YOU.” I said. “Hold on just a sec.”

I ran over to the Athena table grabbed Ellie, and then back to the Poseidon table and grabbed Iona.

“Did you know that CAROLYN FOUETTE was at camp?”

“Who? Oh, wait WOW! Helloness!” Iona said, waving at Carolyn.

“Yep.” Ellie said, looking over at Carolyn.

“AND YOU NEVER TOLD ME?” Iona and me both exclaimed staring at Ellie blankly.

“It never came up.” Ellie shrugged.

"She's my awkward sister!" Carolyn laughed

             We all laughed, and walked hand in hand, off to do something. Whether we were picking strawberries, swimming in the loot, or just climbing a tree, I treasured every moment.

(Calmity, don't worry! I'm not discluding you, (I know it ain't a word.. XD) just wait for my next chapter.)

I Meet A Crazy Haired Goddess

       I didn't bother eating any of my food, since I've never liked peas or meatloaf.  Unlike school we could throw away our food whenever, and go off to do whatever we wanted.

     A few campers scrape their leftovers into a nearby fire, so I decide to do the same since I don't see a trash bin anywhere near. Walking over to the fire, I glance to my left and see Nico jogging up to me. He eyes my untouched food and lightly laughs. 

   

   "I take it that you don't care for meatloaf and peas?" he grinned, obviously trying to make conversation. 

   "Nope," I replied simply. "So, what's up with the fire being the new trash bin? Does Chiron want to go green?"

  "Not exactly, but a good point made," Nico replied. "You scrape a portion of your food into the fire as an offering for the gods."

  "Oh, cool, I can totally imagine Greek gods feasting on burnt food basically turned to ash."

 "We don't really know if they eat the food, but Chirson tells us that it's the least we can do to honor them. Oh, and go down to the beach when you have the chance." 

     Not wanting to ask anymore further questions that probably make me sound stupid, I scrape my food into the fire. I wanted to ask Nico why I needed to go down the beach, but again, who wants people asking them questions all the time?

    "I hope you guys like meatloaf and peas," I muttered under my breath, and headed off to the beach that I distinctly saw in the distance. 

     The beach was deserted from what I could tell. No campers were even playing beach volleyball like I'd heard most people do around this time of year. The waves however had stayed near the beach, and they seemed to be growing bigger by the minute.

      I look around the beach, wondering if Nico had just been joking about coming down to the beach. Maybe this was just a prank that they usually played on newcomers. Or, maybe he wanted me to find something. So, I begin scouring the area for anything suspicious.

     After ten minutes of scavenging the area for whatever it was I was searching for, I give up and plop down on the smooth beach sand. I stare out at the ocean, realizing that all of my life I had dreamt of this moment. However, I felt an uneasy edge to the atmosphere, and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't enjoy the moment. Squinting against the sun, I stare at the other side of the ocean, and realize why I had sensed an uneasiness. A twenty foot wave was headed my way, and it was coming fast.

    I attempt to stand up and run away, but my feet give up on me for the second time of the day when I need them.
    "Great," I think to myself. "I'm going to be swept into the ocean by a giant wave. Just great!"

    As though on queue, the wave overwhelms me just as my thoughts leave my head. I attempt to swim to the surface, but I keep getting swept out further into the ocean. By now my heart is racing and I'm wildly thrashing about the water, trying to get to the surface, but the undertow keeps me. Salt water runs down my throat as I struggle, and I realize I'm going probably going to drown any moment now.

      My eyes slowly begin to close as I take in more water, and right before they close I see the outline of a woman.

       Instantly, my eyes flutter open, and I find myself back on the beach. I begin sputtering up small amounts of salt water, and frantically look around. Why was I still alive? Shouldn't I have drowned? Did someone save me?

 You should count yourself lucky, Came a voice in my head that sounded strangely familiar. I could have allowed you to die, but luckily I still have a small bit of mercy for half-bloods.


  I forcefully shake my head, telling myself the voice is only a figure of my imagination. However, I know it's not.
  Aren't you going to say hello to your hero? the voice asks me. I'm right behind you you know.


   Cautiously, I look behind me, and sure enough there sits the woman who saved my life. Her long black hair whips about her wildly, despite the lack of wind.

  "Who are you, and why did you save me?" I ask.

  "It's pity my own daughter doesn't know her mother," the woman said, smiling slightly. "But I suppose you wouldn't remember me since I left. Oh fine, I suppose I'll tell you. I'm Eris, goddess of discord, and your mother."

  "Discord is basically chaos, isn't it?" I ask.

 "You could say that," Eris said, her cool voice making me shiver. "I create all kinds of chaos over the world. Some chaos I personally create, but some chaos happens unintentionally when my moods are changing."

 "I imagine that happens a lot then."

 "Yes, but it's just my nature, as it is yours. But, you're not as much like me as I'd want, but you'll do for my first child to ever come here."

 "Well, that a relief to know."

 "It is, actually. And I didn't expect you to freeze up under that wave, I thought you wouldn't give up."

 "I would have died," I said, shrugging it off as though it didn't happen. Then, it came back. "Wait, you created that wave!"

 "Of course I did," Eris said.

 "Why did you want to kill me?" I demanded, furiously.

 "I didn't do it to kill you," Eris said, rolling her eyes like a teenager who didn't get what they wanted. "It was a mere test, and the next time I summon something to test you, I expect you won't give up. Understood?"

 "Sure," I said, and stood up. "Well, I guess I'll see you around."

 "Yes, you will be seeing me along with many other gods soon," Eris said, seriously. "Be warned Sara, storm clouds are brewing." With that, she disappeared.

      A few moments later, I pinch myself, wondering if all of this were a dream and I'd wake up. Nope, guess not.

     Heaving a heavy sigh, I sluggishly saunter back to camp to join the others for the camp fire.

My Life Turns For The Better

I awoke in a chair on a porch. I looked out at the nature in front of me. It looked wonderful. The strawberry plants were breathtaking colors of red and green. I looked a little to my left, and ancient Grecian buildings stood. Each one was decorated differently. One was covered in vines and plants, another had satin curtains over the windows. One that I found particularly interesting was a beautiful structure made out of obsidian stone and a beautiful 3 on the door. I had always been interested in the Greek god Athena. She was smart, and she loves architectural things, just like me. I looked beside me.  There was a tray with...Brownies? I was about to reach for one when I saw Madeline in a chair across the porch. She looked clammy and she was shivering despite the fleece blanket around her. I tried to get up and go to her, but I felt dizzy as I stood. I fell back into the chair. The boy that saved me came out of the door beside me.
"Where am I?" I demanded.
"You're at Camp Half-Blood," He said. "I'm Percy."
"I'm Iona," I said sharply. "What's Camp Half-Blood? Why am I here?"
Percy didn't look phased, as if he was used to having four million questions shot at him.
"Look Iona...Before I tell you anything, eat one of those ambrosia squares."
"How do I know you're not trying to poison me?" I asked.
He glared at me. I decided I might as well eat it, he did save me after all. I popped it into my mouth. It tasted like a warm chocolate chip cookie. I finished off the square pretty fast. I licked my fingers afterwards.
"Do you study Greek mythology?" Percy broke the silence
"Yeah, with my brothers and stuff," I said.
"It's all real and you're a demi-god," He held his breath like he was looking for a huge reaction.
"I knew it!" I shouted.
He looked puzzled.
"All those times I was attacked by hydra, and cyclops, and minotaur! It's all real!" I was happier than I should have been, considering I was pretty much saying, "I was attacked by monsters! Yay!"
"Wow, you took that well," He said with a grin.
"So I'm a Demi-god? Like Hercules? How come nobody ever wrote about this camp? I've always wanted to have a Greek buffet! Ooh, I wonder what cabin I will choose!" I was so excited I couldn't stop bouncing.
"Wait Iona," Percy said. "Do you know who your parent is?"
"My parents are Heather and Jacob," I said quite obviously.
"I mean your godly parent," Percy said slowly.
I stared at him blankly.
"You don't know what a demi-god is, do you?"
"No," I admitted. "I only got to the part in my study book about Hercules BEING a demi-god, not what a demi-god is."
"A demi-god is where one of your birth parents is a god, and one mortal," He said.
"But both my parents are in the house..." I said. "And neither one of them is a god, I know that much." Just then a man in a wheelchair came out.
"Chiron, it's safe, she took it well," Percy said to the man.
The man stood up and right before my eyes, his wheelchair disappeared and he was a centaur.
"WOW!" I practically screamed.
The centaur laughed.
"So you're name is Chiron?" I asked.
"Yes, it is," Chiron replied.
The porch fell silent until Madeline grunted. Percy walked over to her.
"I'll take care of her," Percy said. "Chiron, you should take Iona on a tour."
"Sure thing," Chiron replied.
I walked off with Chiron at my side unsure of what to think of all this.

What do ya'll think?

I Mistaken A Centaur For A Guy Impersonating A Horse

   Usually when I wake up in the morning I don't find myself surrounded by two people, a strange furry creature, and a horse-man. This time, I did.

    The trio who had tried fending off the monster from me were all staring at me as though I were some ancient relic from the beginning of creation itself, along with a new face, the horse-man. Perplexed, I sit up on the leather couch I was sprawled out onto, and place a hand on my throbbing head. The boy grins slightly at me and says,"Glad that you're finally awake. You've been knocked out for nearly two days!"
   
     "Yeah, like I really believe that," I said in an irked tone. "So, what is this? Some kind of prank show?" I stand up, glancing at all of the people/creatures who occupied the room. Almost a moment later, I find myself feeling light-headed, and begin staggering on my feet that felt like jello. Unable to control my own actions, I decline to the floor. Before I completely fall on my back, the boy and girl reach out just in time to grab me.

     "Before you start walking you have to rest more," the girl told me, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You really sucked up your energy after causing that hydra to burst into flames."

   " The what now?" I asked, bewildered, and the girl and boy helped to settle me down back onto the couch.

  "That monster back at your school," the girl explained. "It's called a hydra, it..."

  "Wow, wow, wow," I interrupt. "A monster? What the heck are you talking about? More importantly, who are you and where am I? And why is that guy dressed up as an overstuffed horse?"

  "Overstuffed?" the boy asked, then chuckled. "Chiron isn't overstuffed, he's just a bit too buff."

  "A bit too buff?" the horse-man asked, sounding a bit offended.

 "Just joking Chiron," the boy laughed, clearly amused. "Now, as for your questions..."

 "I think Chiron and I should handle most of those questions," the girl said, purposely interrupting. "Would you  like to explain to her what's happening, Chiron?" She turned her head expectantly towards the horse-man.
   "Certainly," he replied, and cleared his throat. "To start out with, I'm Chiron, the activities director of Camp Half-Blood, and just so you know, I am a centaur, not a man in a costume. Now, you're probably wondering what Camp Half-Blood is, and I assure you that we'll explain mostly everything right now."

 "Camp Half-Blood is a safe camp for people like you, where you'll learn how to battle monsters like the one who attacked you at your school. You're the safest here for now because you are a half-blood, the child of a human and a Greek god. The amount of monsters who come after you depends on your godly parent and their powers. Now tell me, have you been attacked by or watched by any other creature before?"

 "Uh, I can only remember two times before. The first time happened when I was in first grade, and at that time I was being watched by a snake/ woman thing. Then a few years later I saw a giant spider thing that almost attacked me in the woods," I said.

 "Interesting," the Chiron said, scratching his beard. "Anyways, I know this is all probably hard for you to take in, but Greek mythology is real, and not a myth. Do you believe that?"
  I shrugged my shoulders, which meant I really didn't know or care. I mean, what were the odds? I knew I had always been different.

   Chiron looked over at an antique clock that was nailed onto a nearby wall, and said,"Please excuse me, I have an... um.... errand to attend to. It was nice speaking with you." He nodded to us, and then trotted out the door.
   "Well, who are you then?" I asked the boy and girl.

   "I'm Nico Di Angelo," the boy said, outstretching a pale arm for me to shake. "Son of Hades, ruler of the Underworld."

     Awkwardly I shook his hand, and stupidly asked,"So, he's basically Satan?"

  "Yup," Nico said, laughing slightly. "Sorry, I just find it strange how everyone calls him different names."

  I nodded, then looked at the girl. She smiled and said,"I'm Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus, king of the gods."

  "Hades' brother," I said, recalling reading that from a book I had checked out from the library. "Sweetness."

   "I guess," she said, shrugging her shoulders.

      Five minutes passed, and we all sat through a long reticence without uttering one word. A few moments passed after those five minutes, and a loud bell sounded, causing me to jump in my seat.

    Thalia and Nico stood up form their lounge chairs, and headed towards the door.

    "You coming?" Nico asked, looking back at me.

   "Coming where?" I inquired.

   "To dinner," Thalia piped in. "I certainly hope you're hungry, because tonight we're having leftover meatloaf and peas."

  "Great," I muttered. "Nothing's better than leftovers."

  "You should be thankful we aren't having ham and potato salad," Nico said in a disgusted tone as though he had just ate it. "Mrs. O'Leary will eat anything though." He nodded towards the furry creature who wagged her tail. Observing her closer, I said,"She's a hellhound isn't she? I remember reading about her kind."
   "Correct," Nico said, scratching Mrs. O'leary under her chin. "She belongs to my friend Percy, son of Poseidon, but I'm taking care of her for a few days since he's been on some trips."
 
     I nod, and then we all head off to eat.