My name is Aurora or fully, Aurora Borealis Delphina.
I'm not your average demigod kid. I mean I have Dyslexia and ADHD, plus I don't know who my demigod parent is. But how many demigods have no idea who their mortal parent is as well? I was found abandoned on the doorstep of an orphanage where the kids inside either kill or be killed. Thankfully, I'm neither. The orphanage took me in knowing I was different. Said that the whole orphanage changed when I was found. No-one has died in 12 years and no one has ended up in prison either.
The orphanage now has the best foster and adoption record in the world. Literally, a kid turns up one day, they'll be gone the next. But no one wants me. Like I said, I'm different. I'll start off pleased and happy for people but as soon as they are gone, I'll wish it was me. I can't help it.
I've been here for twelve years and watched all my friends go never to hear from them again. Almost as if people forget I even exist. Well it was like that until the day after my 12th birthday. Then a guy didn't look older than 14 came and said to me that it was time to leave.
He had a sword which my carers didn't notice. To be fair, they didn't even blink one eye at him. And being the naïve 12 year old I was, I just followed him, no questions.
Yes, that was stupid.
I mean, our elders always tell us not to trust strangers, but when you've watched everyone get a chance at a new life, and you've been there for 12 years with nothing like that, you'd jump at a chance of a family too. So yes, I left with him. Didn't take much with me, to be fair, I didn't have much to take.
A purse full of all the money I'd saved (it was enough to get me shelter and food for a month if I needed to), my hairbrush, my sketchbook (and drawing utensils), torch, matches, couple of changes of clothes, and a small natural resources book for if I'm ever stuck in a forest.
So after packing my backpack, I headed out of the orphanage with him, Rachel one of the days new kids was in the hall and called to me "You been adopted then? Or are you being fostered so that they can dump you when they're bored of you?"
"Rachel, if I was being adopted, I'd have completely cleared out my nicely decorated room thanks. No in fact, if I've been adopted, I'll be back to finish packing when all the papers have gone through, if not then I'll see you later, that is if you're still here when I get back" I smiled sweetly at her as I followed this kid out the door.
He quickly led me down a shaded alley next to the home. Then stopping in the darkest part of the alley, he held out his hand to me.
"If you think I'm gonna take it, because its dark and you think I'm scared, think again, I'm not five you know" I remarked to him.
"You know Aurora, unless you take my hand, you'll never get to where we're going." He replied
"Fine but just so you know, I'm not going to be treated like a baby." I told him, lightly clasping his hand.
"I know, but if I were you, I'd close your eyes. And lean forward, it's going to be a bumpy ride." And with that we kind of disappeared, well the correct term is 'shadow travel' but who is trying to be precise? I know he told me to close my eyes, but I've always been rather inquisitive, so like hell I was going to close them.
It was amazing, as we travelled, it was mainly colours, but mixed in the colours were patterns and shapes, I couldn't believe any of it.
Suddenly, the colours began to die away, until there was a bright white light, and the boy let go of my hand.
"We're here." He grimly replied.
"Where?"
"Chiron will tell you, wait... you weren't sick?" he asked
"No. should I have been? And who's this Chiron?"
"Most people are sick after they shadow travel the first time. I wonder...?
"Wonder what? And who is this Chiron that you were talking about?"
"Well Chiron's our camp director, and he'll be able to explain why I've bought you here. I'm Nico, by the way." He replied walking towards a large house in the middle of a vast number of strawberry fields, I followed him, not really sure where to place myself.
As we got closer to the house, I could see a couple of guys sitting playing a card game. One was in a wheelchair, and the other looked bored as hell.
"Here she is Mr. D! Aurora!" called out the guy in the wheelchair.
"Shame, she looks nice, such a shame she'll be sent out on a quest to never return, oh well, not all of these hero wannabes are as lucky as Perry Johansson."