CHAPTER 1

I ran around the corner, panting, hoping that it couldn't smell as good as the others could. I heard heavy paw steps. No luck today! It had been 6 years since my dad died. Six long years. Most of the time I had stayed in a cave, stealing my food from a nearby town. I had no idea where on earth I had lived for four years. This year, I got a craving; a craving for adventure. Be careful what you wish for! After all these years and my father's motto still rang in my ears. The paw steps stopped. Then they started again. I needed to move. I have no idea how a Giant dog can just creep up on you, especially when you can hear their footsteps. Unfortunately, these dogs are experts at it and in the split second I moved I was down again. The wretched beast jumped on me. The giant dark grey dog looked down at me, it's jaws ready to tear and it's eyes hungry for the kill. I looked for options. I had dropped my bow and arrow and the dog had stepped on them. Anyways, there was no way that I could shoot at this range. Dagger! I thought. It was my only choice. I didn't use it very much and I didn't really like to, but it was life or death here. Then I looked back at it's eyes. It was hesitating, enjoying my moment of panic, but it was tense. I knew that if I moved it would clamp down on whatever limb happened to be there. I slowly, tentatively moved my right hand ever so slightly down, even though the dagger was on the other side. I saw the dogs eyes dart to it. Now! Quick as lightning, I pulled out my dagger with my left hand and thrust the weapon upwards. The hound's eyes widened in terror, but then they turned to dust, along with the rest of its body. Naturally, the dust had the nerve to fall directly on top of me. I picked up my dagger. A streetlight flickered. I glanced up warily, expecting the worst. Stop acting like such a scaredy cat! I told myself sternly. I sighed and walked over to pick up my broken bow. "Nice job, taking care of that Hellhound." I whirled around. There, leaning against a brick building was a boy. He was dressed from head to toe with black; he also wore a black cape and a long, black sword hung at his side. He had shoulder-length, black, silky hair and pale skin. His eyes were so dark that they looked as black as the sword. But his eyes shone with intelligence. "Not very many demigods can think fast enough to trick one, let alone kill one." Who was this kid? "Who are you?"

"Nico DiAngelo. And who might you be?"

"What's it to you?" I growled. A year on the streets had taught me not to trust anyone, ever. "I might be able to help you. I can get you to safety. The only safe place for people like us, actually. You will always have food, shelter and be able to make some friends too." He was trying to persuade me into something. Why? Besides I was doing perfectly well without his special "food" and "shelter". He was probably going to kill me.

"I'm doing perfectly well, thank you!" I replied hotly. But the boy seemed unfazed. "What's you name?" he urged. I hesitated. All the other talking killers had somehow knew my name without being told. "Mason. Demetri Mason. Now what are you getting at?" I asked testily. HE avoided the question, as expected. "How long have you been on your own?" How did he know that I was an orphan? But my mouth spoke before my mind could reach it to tell it not to. "Six years."

"Six years?" He looked impressed. "That's a long time. How often are you attacked?"

I ran out of patience. Never had much anyways! "Bug off!"

Nico sighed. "Look, hold on to my hand."

I blushed. "What? No!"

Now he was blushing. "I've got to take you to Camp Half-Blood. It's the only safe place for kids like us."

"Kids like us?"

"Yeah. Demigods. Half-bloods." I looked at him like he was crazy, which he probably was. "Demigods?" I asked. I remembered when I was little we had a big book of Greek Myths. I loved those stories, though I've forgotten most fo them now. Demigods were Half-god half-human. He nodded. " Demigods, Half god, half mortal. Which one of your parents have you never seen?" I remembered going to kindergarten and all the other kids would talk about their moms, but I could never talk about it. When I got home from the first day I asked why I had no mom. "Demi," He said, with a twinkle in his eyes, as there always was, "You do have a mom. But your mom is special. So special that however much she loves you, however much she wants to see you, she can't. And she does love you." He added. "She loves you so much that she's not allowed to see you. Does that make sense?" I nodded, even though I didn't understand. I stood there for a moment lost in memories, but then I remembered Nico was still waiting for an answer. "My mom. I've never seen my mom." I glance behind me and saw the sun coming up over the ridge. I needed to get out of sight, before someone had a chance to see me. "I have to go. Bye!" I turned and ran. I heard his footsteps behind me, but gradually they grew fainter. Good. I'd left him behind. But I couldn't leave the memories he stirred.

I looked around. I was dreaming again. I saw my father, with his short auburn hair moving slightly in the breeze. He was walking with a woman I had never seen before.

She had long silvery hair and her eyes were silver too. She had sharp features, but not too sharp. They were laughing. "No, but really, you're a Greek Goddess?" I heard my father say. "Yes, I am." The woman had a clear voice, but it was in an accent that I didn't recognize. "Prove it."

"If you say so." At that there was a bright flash of light, and when I looked back again the woman was gone. But in her place was a twelve year old girl with long brown hair. She was dressed like Robin Hood, only the clothes were grey and looked more like a royal hunter than bandits' clothes. My father was gaping. "This is the form I usually take." She said, her voice still had the accent but it was higher pitched. He walked around her, and tentatively reached out a hand to touch her as though he was afraid she was a hologram. He backed away to stare at her in wonder for a few moments before she changed back. "Now do you understand why I can't stay?" He nodded dumbly. " before I go away I have one request. In a few months time, as I have already told you, I will give birth. I want you to give him a Greek name, and teach him about Greek culture and the myths that you now know are real. One day he will have to find out who I am, and I want him to be ready." My fathers face looked sad as he answered. "Yes. I will give him a Greek name. I've always like the name Demetri anyways…" They hugged and then she was gone in a flash of light. The last thing I saw was my mother's face. Then I woke up. I sat up on my blanket, rubbing my eyes. My temporary home isn't much, but it's just enough to keep out most weather. I blinked. The sun was starting to set. Good. Soon I could go out and get some food. But then I heard Nico, that boy from last night, calling my name. I rolled up my blanket as I cursed. I would have to move. It wouldn't be long before he found my little house, and even less time after that to find me. I hurriedly stuffe everything into an old backpack, then stood up, about to leave. "Demetri? Demetri! Wait! Don't go!" But I was already running. Nico called again and again, but I kept running. I heard a slight whoosh sound as Nico threw a dagger at me. It must have been enchanted, because it must be impossible to throw something while running and not miss, but not hit, either. It pinned my sleeve to a wooden wall. "AAARRRGGHH!" I yelled, wanting to make sure he knew how angry I was. " You idiot! You could've killed me!" But Nico calmly walked up to me as I was prying the dagger out. He then pulled out his sword and held it at arms length, pointed at my neck. The sword glimmered beautifully in the dusk-light. Talk about deadly beauty. Slowly, inch by inch, he got closer to me. I was unable to move away because he would probably kill me. Then, in a lightning quick flash, he grabbed my hand and we fell into nothingness.

When I awoke, every part of my body ached. I was so tired I barely had the strength to stand up, let alone slap Nico. I wish I had enough energy for one good slap. I tried anyways. I gave a week slap to the side of his face, even though it couldn't have caused any pain, I mostly wanted to get the message across that I was not, in any way, happy. He stood up and brushed himself off, not minding my feeble slap. Perhaps this wasn't the first time. I struggled to stand up, but succeeded only until he grabbed me to make sure I wouldn't fall down again. " Shadow travel can be a bit tricky the first time." Nico said. His tone was slightly humorous, but his face said he was clearly worried. "Oh, shove off." I feebly pushed him away and almost fell over with him, I barely caught myself lurching forward. He sighed. I'd better take you to the Big House. Chiron will want to know you're here, and you'll need to rest up."

"Who's Chiron?"

"The, umm….activities director. He's the second in command at this camp. Mr. D is the first in command, but he's not very fond of, well, anyone.

"Who's Mr.-" I passed out. I had a dream where I knocked over a skeleton, then the skeleton carried me to a giant house where a horse and a giant eye laid me down in a bed. There was also a glass of wine there, but all he did was shoot grape juice at us.