I don't own PJO

CHAPTER 1

Icy hands reach through the darkness, groping for their victim. I cower close to the ground, my body shivering out of control. The mist is thick and eerie, giving off a ghastly glow. Horrible, rolling howls and shrieks echo around me. Things run around me, some coming too close for comfort. I lash out and something cries out in pain. Despite the terror that has replaced my blood, some grim kind of happiness fills me. Suddenly, something grabs me and I scream. I try and kick my way free, tearing at the fleshy hand with my nails, but to no avail.

The hand holds me high above the ground. The mist begins to swirl, darkening and solidifying. A face forms, though it's a face that shifts and falls and cannot be described. The eyes glow red and seem to smile at me.

Little girl, a huge voice speaks in my mind. Soon, you'll have nothing left.

The hand's grip gets tighter and tighter, like I'm about to break in half. I can't breath and I flail, trying to find some air, but nothing happens. Then, the hand lets go and I'm falling, falling so fast that the world blurs and I think I've died.

I jackknife into a sitting position, the sheets of my bed tangled around me. The last wisps of dream are chased away by reality. Cabin 8 is dark and silent, except for my uneasy breathing. I relax, leaning my head into my hand. Sweat runs down my neck, my collarbone, staining my tank top. I command myself to breath in, breath out. Breath in, breath out.

"Only a dream." I mutter, laughing a little at myself. "Just a dream, Aspasia." I lay back in my bed, but I know sleep won't come. It never does after a nightmare, of which I am no stranger to. Slowly, the light that filters through the distant window turns from silver to gray to pink to pale yellow. Dawn has come.

I sit back up, swing my legs over the edge of the bed, and head to the bathroom. My reflection is jarring. My flaming hair is tangled and frames my pale skin like I'm actually on fire. There are deep bags under my eyes, contrasted by the metallic silver of my eyes. I lean my forehead against the cool mirror for a moment. Then, I set to work making myself presentable. Brushing my teeth, putting in my gray eyed contacts, struggling to tame my hair. Then, I change into a lavender blouse, an understated brown jacket, black pants, and gray boots.

When I step outside, I instantly decipher that I'm the only one awake at this hour. The camp grounds are dead silent. Still, I head to the Big House quickly. Despite myself, I look back and examine the cabins once I'm far enough away.

The original twelve stand proud, circling the hearth in a U-shape. The minor cabins stretch out at the ends, eventually looping back towards the hearth, then creating another U to complete the cycle. Each is beautiful in it's own way, some strange, some breathtaking, some ingenious. Naturally, my eyes linger on my own, Cabin 8. My mother's cabin. The cabin of the Hunters. The cabin of Lady Artemis.

I take a deep breath, unpleasant memories coming back to me. I was delivered to Camp Half-Blood as a newborn, raised here for all of my sixteen years. And for all of those sixteen years, I've been alone. Yes, Chiron has raised me as his daughter, with all the love and devotion of a real father. But I've always been truly alone. It's hard for a sixteen year old to fit in, even harder for a little girl to find friends when the people part before her like the Red Sea.

I shake my head, trying to shake loose the sad thoughts. When I walk in the Big House dining area, it's mostly empty, but the magical torches sense my presence and burst into brightness. I take my plate and scrounge up some breakfast. The hearth is still burning, tended by a strange young girl in brown. I smile at her and she smiles back, her eyes glowing. Awkwardly, I close my eyes and mutter a soft prayer as I push part of my eggs, bacon, and toast into the fire.

For the Lady Artemis, I find myself saying.

I sit at my table alone, eating slowly. The cabins begin to come in, slowly, in order, headed by the proud cabin leaders. Behind the golden haired sharpshooters of the Apollo Cabin, an empty slot stands for me and the Hunters.

I chew a piece of bacon disdainfully as the rest of the campers fill the blissfully quiet room with noise. Even in the morning, they find something to talk about. Chatter bubbling out of their mouths, nonstop, it's exhausting. So different from the silence of a hunt.

Movement in the corner of my eye catches my attention and I turn to find a red squirrel perched in the seat next to me. It's dark eyes are bright with inquisitiveness.

Trying to be discreet, I say, "Shoo! Go away!'

Lady Princess, the squirrel says, giving a comical bow of it's head.

"Gods, please, I keep telling you guys. Don't call me that."

Forgive me, Lady Princess, but I bring news from the woods. He looks at me with a little fear and a whole lot of expectation. I sigh, because this is what I do. All the animals nearby, they come to me with their problems. Like the stories Percy Jackson tells of sea creatures coming for his aide? That's like me, but I don't have to swim to solve their problems.

"Go ahead." I sigh.

A creature broke through the Northern Border a few nights ago. It has been destroying the more distant woods ever since.

"That's strange," I say. "The Northern Border is the sound. What kind of creature, like a sea monster that's grown legs?"

The squirrel almost looks embarrassed, tucking it's head under it's paw. We do not know, Lady Princess. It is like nothing we have ever seen. A shiver goes through his thick fur. It is terrifying.

In a flash of compassion, I run my fingers through his coat. Like a dog, he nuzzles my hands for comfort. I smile, then I begin to notice all eyes around me are staring. Staring at the girl talking to a squirrel, petting one too. Stares turn to snickers as my cheeks turn vibrant red.

"Alright," I pull my hand away. "I'll tell Chiron and we'll organize a hunt."

Thank you, Lady-

"Go now!" I shoo him away. "Go on." With a hurt look, he scampers off into the trees. I turn back to my plate, trying to tell my cheeks to stop burning. I feel bad for being mean, but I feel twice as bad being the freak in a camp full of freaks.

"Attention!" Chiron's voice booms over the noise and we all fall silent. He clears his throat and says, "First off, good morning to you all! I hope you had pleasant dreams." A few boys laugh and make some loud, inappropriate jokes.

"If you only knew. Chiron." I mutter.

"Secondly, I'd like to welcome all of our summer campers back." Oh yeah, summer vacation started yesterday. That explains the swelled numbers of campers. "We are delighted to have are old friends back, and excited to make new ones as well." A few cheers and plenty of smiles.

"Also, I'd like to bring something to everyone's attention." The campers seem to lean forward, waiting for Chiron's words. "I'm sure you all know that Aaron Jackson is back for the summer." Excited murmurs echo. Aaron is Percy Jackson's only son and is one of the most well-liked people of the camp. I've never actually had a conversation with him, but hey, who have I had one with? I lean over my table and I can only get a glimpse of his jet black hair through the mosh of teenagers.

"I would like to remind you that every camper deserves a normal camp experience. Please do your best not to single out any particular campers." He eyes us all, silencing all small giggles. For a moment, there's silence. Then, he smiles and raises his glass and says, "To the gods."

We raise our glasses and echo. My voice is quiet and I take a small sip of water. Almost on que, a horrendous roar rips through the forest. The trees shake, birds take flight, and it might be my imagination, but the table beneath me seems to shake. I look up and make eye contact with Chiron. His eyes are confused and questioning. I sigh, turn up my hood to cover my hair, and jog into the nearby woods. Looks like that hunt is happening right now.