Yep, running for my life from monsters I thought were myths a week ago is the highlight of my school year. Especially with a goat-boy that trots instead of sprinting and a sarcastic twat that manages to grate every one of my nerves. Let me go back so your not confused. My name is Haley "Hedgehog" Stake, and I'm a demigod. Or at least, that's what I'm told. Let me explain what happened.

It started as a normal day at Rose Preparatory School for Learning Disabled Children. The teachers were taking role as I played with the stress ball I had been given. I calmed down as I squeezed it, as the motion caused my attention to come into focus.

The teacher, Mr. Ray, asked us to take out our Ancient Greek Mythology books. The subject fascinated me, especially the story of Persephone and Hades. It's heartwarming that Hades let Persephone go back to her mother for half the year.

Mr. Ray had us all turn to the story of Hercules. This one doesn't interest me as much, but that's because I don't like fighting and death very much. Mr. Ray has me read the first paragraph, but it's difficult to do with my dyslexia, except the Greek names. Reading those are easy. I given up on trying to understand why.

The words get jumbled and it looks like gibberish. I slowly work my way through, decoding it as I go. It's a familiar story, one I've read a million times.

The kid next to me with the limp and has a weird vocal tick like a goat's bleat watches me closely. It's really creepy, but everyone here couldn't harm a fly, except for the few bullies that hide in plain sight. Odein, the kid next to me, is often the object of their torment. Since I defend him, so am I.

As I sit down, a wad of paper hits the back of my head and lodges itself in my sleek, black hair. My coal eyes glance back at Tori Deston, the culprit. She snickers as I run my fingers through my hair to get the paper out.

The lack of reaction makes her turn her torment towards Odein. He's pelted with paper balls until I raise my hand and tell the teacher that there's something wrong with Odein. He's excused to go to the nurse, and I feel a heated glare on the back of my head.

The day passes slowly, and you can feel the anticipation building as we wait for the bell to signal that the last day of sixth grade is over. I can't wait to go home and see my family. Mom and the others will be so happy to see me. Spending the school year at a boarding house without candy is torture. I need my sugar.

The bell rings and I go to pack up my stuff. I have two suitcases. One with my books and papers from the year, and the other for my clothes and shoes. My clothes aren't fancy, but they're nice looking. The shoes are my loafers for the uniform and my tennis shoes.

I finish pack my bags and wait outside for my step dad to pull up in the circle drive. There's a roar of a car engine, and I see someone on a motorcycle. No one else seems to notice him, but his image is engraved in my mind. Tall, muscular, and dangerous. He gives off this air that says you don't want to mess with him.

I quickly avert my gaze and follow everyone else's example. I pretend I don't notice him. This doesn't help, because he heads my way. Luckily, my step dad pulls up and I get in his car. "Step on it. I don't like the look of the guy outside." I tell him.

"We're waiting for one more." He tells me.

"Who?" I ask.

"A boy named Odein. His guardians are a friend of mine, and I promised to give him a ride." Jake, my step dad, tells me.

"I know him! He's over there." I point Odein out Jake. We pull over and I motion for Odein to get in. "Hi, Odein. I didn't know you knew my step dad."

"We met a while ago." Odein tells me.

"Sweetheart, your mom and I have been talking, and we want you to go to a summer camp that was recommended to us." Jake tells me slowly.

"WHAT!?" I scream, causing them both to jump.

"Now, now. We thought you might have fun there. It's called Half-Blood Camp." Jake tries to calm me.

"But I don't want to go to summer camp! I want to spend the summer with you and mom like always!" I protest.

"It's for the best. It's dangerous to stay here without any form of protection. Odein can explain better than I can." Jake tries to assure me.

"Why? You just want to get rid of me for the summer!" I shout.

"No, it's not that. There are things after you, dangerous things. This camp will keep you safe." Odein tells me.

"Why would that be? I haven't done anything to make people mad at me. And what things?" I ask him.

"Listen closely, you're a demigod. There are powerful monsters after you. We need to get you to camp. It's safe there. A magic barrier keeps monsters and mortals out." Odein says.

"Wait. You expect me to leave my home here in Florida, go upstate to a camp I've never heard of, and spend the entire summer there? All because of this crazy information?" I question to make sure he's serious.

"Yes, unless you want to die." Odein nods in confirmation. "Think about it. The Greek names in class you can read easily, but you can't read normal English well. It's because your mind is hardwired for Ancient Greek. And your ADHD, it's your battle instincts. They keep you alive."

"So I'm the daughter of a god? How will I know who it is?" I question him.

"You'll only when your claimed. Everything will be explained at camp." Odein says as he glances out the window.

"How do I know you're telling me the truth?" I sneer.

"I'm a satyr. My legs are a goat's legs." He states.

"Prove it." I demand.

"Ok." He says as he pulls up his pants. His legs are furry hindquarters. He pulls off his shoes and there's hooves.

"I believe you!" I jump at the sight.

"Strange, there should have been monsters on our trail by now." Jake murmurs.

"Don't jinx it." I hiss.

"Too late! Drive!" Odein shouts as he looks out the back window. I look and see a minotaur chasing us. This is going to end badly.

"Turn there!" I tell Jake as I point to the turnoff leading to the woods. Something tells me it's a good idea, like I'm being called out to. The pull gets stronger as we stray away from the path. "Stop the car and get out!" I shout.

"What!?" Odein shouts back.

"I know what I'm doing! We need to go!" I tell them. The pull gets stronger as we run in that direction, with me leading.

The pull brought us to a dark cave, and I didn't hesitate to slide in. The others followed me unsurely, if only to escape from the minotaur. There were whispers in my ears as I tried to venture farther into the cave, but Odein and Jake stopped me. "The whispers, they're calling me. Something about a magic bracelet being mine." I say insistently.

"You can't. There's something wrong with this cave." Odein says warily.

"You can come with me or not, but I'm going." I tug my arm out of his grasp and walk down the path leading further into the cave. Odein comes with me, but Jake stays to keep guard.

The winding path leads me to a large cavern with a pedestal in the middle of it. On the pedestal, there was a bracelet embedded with emeralds, my birthstone. The whispers plus that convince me that it's meant for me. I reach out my hand and grab the bracelet. Now that I look closer, there's a message engraved on the inside of the band. It says, 'For my daughter, Haley. May it be helpful to you in your time of need. - Love, Your Dad'.

I stare in awe at the beauty of the gems. A small smile slips onto my face as I slid the bracelet on. It adjusts to fit my wrist and stops moving. The whispers have disappeared, so I assume that this is what they wanted for me to find. Odein walks over and looks at it. "This is a master forgery. They're real emeralds, but other than that, nothing's changed." He tells me in awe. "Now he just needs to properly claim you so we know who's hero you are."

"I don't need to be claimed after this. Whoever my dad is, I know he cares through this." I say with a soft smile. "We should go back, Jake might be worried."

When we arrive, Jake is being pinned to the ground by a boy about my age with stormy blue eyes, freckles; and short, ruffled, black hair. "Let him go." I growl dangerously.