I was seven when I started running.
For months, that was the only thing I knew.
Running.
Running away from my past, from my family, from everything. Until I met Luke and Thalia. My life had been perfect ever since Grover found us and led us to camp...well, most of us. Thalia died fighting trying to save us. We both owe her everything. Even though she's dead, I can still feel her spirit around me every time I walk near her pine tree.
I thought my life couldn't get any more complicated. Until I met Percy Jackson.
I yawned and sat up on my bunk, blinking the sleep from my eyes. Another day at camp, I thought. I would have to lead the Athena Cabin through their daily routines. Pegasus Riding. Canoe Races. Archery. Things like that.
I looked around and found my siblings getting up and cleaning up for inspection.
"Morning, Annabeth," someone called to me.
It was Malcolm, my second-in-command. I grinned down at him.
"You might want to get ready. Inspection is starting in ten minutes," he warned.
I nodded my thanks and got dressed. Five minutes later, we were lined up in order of seniority and marching out to the pavilion for breakfast just as the conch horn sounded. We merged with the other campers, who were all heading in the same direction.
Among the campers were Clarisse from the Ares Cabin, Lee Fletcher from the Apollo Cabin, and Luke from the Hermes Cabin. I blushed as he caught me staring at him. He didn't seem to notice and waved at me.
Why was I freaking out?
Well, I've had a crush on Luke for a long time. He never seemed to think of me as more than his little sister. I shook my head and waved back at him. We all arrived at the pavilion and got seated at our tables.
I looked up towards the sky where dark clouds were gathering around the camp. I wasn't too worried, though. The camp's magical protection kept storms at bay. But the weather has been kind of strange lately. I've just been getting a feeling that something is wrong. I've asked the satyrs, but all they've told me is that something is stolen.
Chiron, the activities director and basically the head of the camp, pounded his hoof on the marble floor where he was standing next to Dionysus the wine god (long story) and everyone fell silent. He had just gotten back from a school in Manhattan. He'd been there several months already to keep an eye out on some half-blood. "To the gods!" he said, and raised his goblet in the air. We all did the same as the wood nymphs began serving our breakfast.
I grabbed a few pieces of toast and a handful of grapes. We all got up and walked towards the fire, each of us taking a portion of food and putting it in the fire as an offering to the gods. I dropped my grapes into the fire and said, "Athena."
Then we went back to our tables and finished up our food, getting ready for the days activities. First up, combat with the Ares Cabin. They had challenged us to combat a week ago when we beat them in Capture-the-Flag. Whoever won We got to the arena before they did, which meant we got to pick our weapons first. I stuck with the dagger that Luke had given me so many years ago. I made sure everyone had their armor on correctly, because, well, better safe than sorry. We got in a couple of practice jabs and thrusts before the Ares Cabin finally arrived.
"Did you get lost?" I asked sarcastically.
Clarisse rolled her eyes. "You better watch it, princess."
I decided to ignore her "princess" comment and instead turned to the other campers. "Remember, no maiming. This is just practice. As soon as the sword point touches your neck, you're done. I don't want any unnecessary injuries."
Clarisse snorted. "Ares, to me." The Ares campers followed their counselor to the opposite side of the arena while I instructed my siblings what to do.
"Are you ready?" I yelled across the arena.
Clarisse grinned. "Ares! Attack!"
I was able to fume for a second about how Clarisse started without warning when I found myself face-to-face with an Ares camper. He swung his sword at me and I ducked just in time. He jabbed at me again and I step-sided, locking the hilt of my dagger with his and twisting so that it fell limply out of his hands. I rested the tip of my sword to on his neck and said, "Out."
He glared at me, but picked up his sword and left, grumbling.
I blew my blond hair out of my face and looked around for my next opponent. I heard someone cry out and looked in the general direction. It was my half-sister, Lexi. She was fighting Clarisse and it seemed like she had lost her weapon. I ran towards her just as the Clarisse touched her sword to her neck aggressively. I saw a drop of blood, but nothing too fatal. Growling under my breath, I charged Clarisse with my dagger in hand.
She laughed as she saw me coming towards her and lifted her sword. "You are dead, princess."
I didn't answer but instead thrusted my dagger at her. She parried it easily, grinning widely the whole time. We fought for a couple more minutes until I made my mistake. I feinted to the left and jabbed at her right side, but she step-sided, using the same trick I used on her half-brother and disarmed me.
My dagger clanged on the ground and Clarisse advanced, forcing me to walk backwards. I looked around and spotted a dropped sword near me. My dagger was too far away, but if I could get to the sword...
I took a risk and dashed towards it. Just in time. Clarisse's sword swiped at thin air. She muttered under her breath and spun around. But I was already behind her, and kicking her knees out from under her, I pressed my sword to her throat.
I smiled. "I win."
Then I walked away, leaving her on her butt, furious.
I was sitting in my bunk during, shuffling through my battle strategies for this Friday's Capture-the-Flag game (everyone else was at the Sing-A-Long led by Apollo's kids) when Katie Gardner from Demeter came in.
"Chiron wants you at the Big House," she said, shrugging. "I don't know why."
I gave her my thanks and headed towards the Big House where Chiron was waiting for me.
"Annabeth!" he said. "Come in, quickly."
"What is it?" I asked. "Is something wrong?"
"Grover found a half-blood in Manhattan."
I nodded. He had told me right before he left a couple of months ago.
"He has a powerful aura around him," Chiron said. "I asked Grover to watch him, but he has just Iris-messaged me to say that he's lost him. The boy must've left without him."
I thought about that for a while. "Who's his parent?"
Chiron hesitated. "I have a hunch, but I can't be sure. But he has a very powerful aura around him." He sighed heavily. "I just hope the monsters doesn't get to him first."
There was a moment of silence while we both pondered about it. I wondered if this powerful new camper could be the one in the prophecy, and I could tell that Chiron was thinking the same thing. When I was ten, I managed to get my hands on the Great Prophecy. It told of a demigod who would hold the future of the Olympians, for good or for bad. I've had nightmares ever since. Especially after Chiron told me I would play a big part in it.
"Does he have anything to do with the weird stuff going on these days?" I asked finally.
Chiron shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe."
"Is he the one in the prophecy?" I pressed.
Chiron was about to answer when I saw him tense. "Someone's outside."
We both hurried out and looked out but saw nothing. The sky was dark and everything seemed normal. Until I looked down, that is.
There, lying on the porch, was a boy about my age. He had dark, black hair and sea-green eyes. He had his arms around Grover Underwood, the satyr that was supposed to be his protector. Grover was out cold.
"He's the one," I said. "He must be."
"Silence, Annabeth," Chiron said. "He's still conscious. Bring him inside."
How was this first chapter? I'm not sure if it's good or not...but thanks to those of you who reviewed/followed/favorited. I'll try to update soon. And I forgot about this part until now lol. Review please! :))
-annabeth669
