ATREO

My name is Atreo Blithe. I am a New Yorker My real life started when I turned 13 a year ago. I am the son of Jasper Blithe and some 'powerful guy' as my mum puts it. My life story is pretty simple. I have dyslexia and ADHD. I have never attended the same school twice. I define the term hopeless.

I have platinum blond hair and gold eyes. I am skinny but fit. I pride myself in the fact that I rarely get ill and have excellent healing power.

This was what I thought of myself until my 13th birthday. I was walking in the corridors of Stella's Academy for the Gifted. I had zoned out as usual. I really tried to listen but all I heard was

"Hi! I am Bob Forge. Here at…."

I was just staring at the posters on the wall trying to make some sense out of it and English as a language. Then all of a sudden I see this huge bull dude behind me. I just ran. I raced the orientation group and when I turned back they stared at me as if I had gone mad. I didn't care as I was too caught up saving my life.

"Run!" I screamed

"What are you doing young man?" The guy…Job?…no Bob said.

"Can't you see the bull dude?" I asked

"Are you okay?" They asked.

I just stopped the conversation to see the bull charge. I was not going to leave that group of people alone. No clue why.

I just stood there and did what came naturally. I rolled out of its path. It turned to me and charged again. I remember just a sensation in my gut and next thing I know, I am floating just above the ground in a gold ball of light. I was back in reality when I saw the bull charge again.

I got angry and then I blacked out for a second. I woke up and everything was still. I was the only thing moving. Even clocks stopped. I was silent. Then I remembered the bull and saw it frozen. I took a piece of scrap metal I saw earlier and just poked him with it.

I expected him to ooze out some slime or goo but he just exploded into powder. I blacked out again. When I woke up I found myself in the hallway on the ground. I could hear my mother running and calling me. I stood up.

I would describe my mother as record producer for some big shots, blond hair, purple eyes and a smile that can melt all worries away. She was a strong and had the qualities of a born leader. Uh…where was I? Oh right!

"Reo! What happened? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine mum. Just blacked out" I said

"Just blacked out?" she half-yelled.

"Can I tell you what happened somewhere private?" I said walking towards her.

"Okay"

I was taken by my mother. She was very wary of her surroundings and was very nervous. It was probably nothing. I had never seen her like this before though. She had always been calm and composed. It was scary to see her like this.

We went to our house I lied down on my bed and I told her my story. I expected her to laugh but she just thought hard and fell silent for a few minutes. After that I had the courage to ask her," Mum, What am I supposed to do?"

She replied something that shook me to my core," We are going to get you to Long Island and you are never coming back here again."

I just lay there staring at my mother who just said that she will send me to a camp for people like me.

"You can't be serious." I asked.

"It's for your own good Reo." She replied.

"Why?" I asked.

"It's to save you from your father's enemies" she told.

I froze. We had never talked about my father for two reasons - It made my mum sad and I didn't want to talk about the man who left us to fend for ourselves.

"Pack up and meet e in the landing in half an hour... We don't have much time." She said with finality and walked out the door.

I was so shocked. I still packed all my things I two suitcases. Put in a few games, and came down to the landing. I sat there feeling tired still reeling from what my mother said. She finally came and put all my things in the car and drove towards Long Island.

"Mum?" I asked her softly as she reached a signal.

"Yes dear" she replied in a strained voice

"Why are father's enemies trying to kill me?"I ventured.

She froze. After blinking a few times she continued," Reo, your father is a very powerful being. He is very evil and it is up to you to write his wrongs. Even if it means you need to turn against him."

What she said opened a flood gate of questions.

"Who is he mum? What is his name? And why would I turn against him?" I asked

"I don't know Reo. I had met your dad one night in a restaurant. He was unlike any other man I had ever known. He glowed faintly but also you could sense great evil in him. I don't know why I liked him." She said.

"I…I don't understand! Do you have any idea who he was?"I asked.

"All I know is that you need to go to where I am taking you if you were to survive in this world" She said.

"Why are you so secretive mum? Tell me on the face! Where are we going? Why are you taking me there and why are you acting like I will never see you again?!" I yelled

"Calm down Atreo. They will explain all. Just remember to take this envelope to the camp activities head. Do not open it if you have any respect for me." She said as she put the envelope in my hands.

"I respect you mum. More than you will ever realize." I said.

We spent the rest of the journey in silence. After an hour my mum parked the car on the side of the road and took me through the woods to an old archway. There was something written in Greek that I understood. I don't know how I knew it read 'Camp Half Blood'

I vaguely remember my feet taking me forward. When I turned back my mother was not there. I turned to see her a few steps away. When I asked her to join me she just shook her head and walked away. I ran after her and tried to drag her in but some force stopped her from entering.

"No Reo! You have to go alone. I am not like you"

"No. I am not leaving you behind!" I yelled

"You have to" she replied and ran away.

I broke down for a few minutes. Then I hardened my heart, took my thing and walked in.