Disclaimer: I do not own the PJO/HoO characters series, only the plot.

It was beginning to get dark, and our little corner of the Hermann Park was starting to wake up. I was half asleep and still in daze after a good night's sleep. Monique, who's like my second mom (I never really knew my first) was grinning so wide, her buck teeth were showing. Her curly black hair bounced up and down. (A/N: Monique has a southern accent just so you know)

She was visibly something green right in my face. I wiped my eyes and tried to focus on the object, and my eyes widened, trying to not scream, shout, or yell. "You got cash?"

Monique nodded, her brown eyes shining. She was waaay too excited to speak, taking a deep breath to calm herself down. "How 'bout I treat you to some McDonalds', doll baby?"

I frowned. "Treat me out? Don't you remember? Just get a take out for me please."

"Right, sorry. I'll come back as soon as I can, ok? Take care of yourself." She ran off into the darkness. I'm Auden Winters. I ran away when I was really little. I don't want to ever return home again, so I hide from the police. It's always been me and Monique on the run. That's just the reality of being a runaway kid. It isn't cruel or harsh, it's just life.

It's been a while, and Monique still hasn't come back. I sense that something is terribly wrong, so I risk it and venture out in the street. I can see my little corner of the park getting smaller and smaller until it disappeared altogether. The streets of Museum District were quiet. Not many people were out right now. Shops were closed, and I could hear loud music in the distance. Otherwise, it was very quiet. Houston was not exactly known for being very safe ( from crimes/ violence). I ran across the street, seeing a two golden arches in the distance.

I ran into a guy probably a bit older than me when I was getting closer to my destination. He was fairly pale and had dark hair. It was hard to see his actual face, even with the occasional bright headlights of cars.

"And why might a young girl be on the Houston streets after dark?" He asks, looking amused.

My response was quick. "And why might you need to know?"

He laughed. "Who asked the question first?" Raising his eyebrows. "You're feisty. The name's Chad."

"Aubrey," I replied, careful to not give him my real name. I hoped my hand-me-down clothes didn't give my identity away.

Chad frowned and tilted his head. "Aubrey," He muttered. "Sounds very familiar."

"Sure it does."

"Are you going there?" He asked, pointing to McDonalds'.

I nodded. We walked together and went in. I saw Monique and walked towards her.

"What took you so long?"

"Sorry, the air conditioning makes it so much more cool in here," she started looking ashamed, "But I can see you found company.

I immediately felt my face heating up. "Monique!"

"Sorry. Here, I got you a big mac. Sidown."

I was almost too excited to eat, but I was pretty hungry. Obviously, I don't want to describe how I ate, so I'll leave that part out.

I finished my food. I haven't felt this full in a very long time. I thought to myself about how things kept getting better and better. I had a full meal, I was in a public place, and I haven't been caught by the cops. Perfect right? Well, my friends, this is when my life started going downhill. Very downhill. And before you read the rest of my story, I'm telling you, be prepared. Brace yourself. I swear I'm not at all lying about my life. Just believe me.