Chapter 1

I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar place. What was I doing here? What had I done to deserve this? Who are these people all around me? Then, I blacked out.

When I woke up the second time, I was in a building. I started to sit up and try to look around, bur when I did, someone stopped me.

"Hey, take it easy, girl. You've been through a lot today. You shouldn't be trying to get up so quickly," said a guy's voice that sounded pure and melodic.

"Where am I? And who are you?" My voice sounded hoarse to my ears. Once again, I tried to get up, this time to look for some water for my throat.

"Hey, take it easy. Here's something to drink."

It was a large glass with ice cubes and a clear liquid, which I was hoping was water. I looked up at the stranger and noticed that he looked about my age. He had dark hair, almost black, and eyes the color of the sea, calm, almost peaceful. He was cute, dressed in a t-shirt with a necklace that had four beads around it.

"To answer your second question, my name is Percy Jackson, and welcome to Camp Half-blood."

"What's Camp Half-blood?"

"I'll tell you, but only after you finish that." He indicated with a nod that "that" was the drink I had in my hand. I took one look at him and determined that if I wanted any more information, I had better finish all of the drink.

I tilted it back, and, expecting water, started to gag. It tasted nothing like water, but like a pecan praline.

"Careful," he said as he leaned over to hit my back.

I nodded, and then continued to drain the cup. It made me feel better with each passing second.

"Okay, tell me now."

"Alright. Camp Half-blood is a camp, obviously, but for demigods.

"Demigods?"

"Yeah. The children of the gods and mortals."

"Wait, you mean like the Greek myths?"

"Yeah. Those gods are still alive today. Immortal is immortal."

"You can't be serious? You expect me to believe that myths are real? How much of a moron do you think that I am?"

"I don't think that you're a moron. Nor do I think that you are gullible. I was in your shoes five years ago. Well, including this year."

"Okay, so if the "gods" are real, why haven't I seen Apollo flying around in his sun chariot? Or Poseidon every time I go to the ocean? Huh? Explain that to me."

"Because, you haven't been looking. Besides, if you were a mortal, you wouldn't have been able to come here. Face it, you're a demigod. Now, who your parent is, that's the question."

"You're telling me. I don't know who my parents are. I've been on my own for as long as I can remember."

"You're an orphan? You've been on your own your entire life? How old are you?"

"I'm sixteen."

"And you've survived this long? Without help?"

'What do you mean?"

"Well, as a child of the gods, you give off an aura that monsters and satyrs can smell. Monsters will start to attack a demigod about the age of thirteen. The more powerful your parent, the more powerful your aura."

"So that's why they have come after me. But, they started coming after me before I was thirteen. I've been hunted since I was nine."

"NINE! You've known about monsters since you were nine! And you didn't believe in the gods?"

"Well, I knew that there was bad stuff, like monsters, were real, but I just thought that I was imagining things."

"Obviously, you weren't. But, now you are here. You'll be safe here."

"How do you know that? I'm never safe anywhere," I said, crossly to him. "Every home I've ever been in, I've had to leave to protect that family. No one can keep me safe." Tears began to well up in my eyes.

"Trust me, if anyone can keep you safe, it would be me."

"Yeah right. No offense, but I don't trust anyone but myself."

"And that's understandable... What's your name?"

"My name? It's... Andi. I prefer to be called Andi.'

"Andi, that's a nice name. I like it."

"And your name... Percy, right? Is that short for something?"

"Uh, yeah. Perseus."

"Like the myth, the Son of Zeus."

"Sorta,"

"Okay, well, who is your parent?"

"Poseidon, God of the Sea and Earthshaker."

So that explained his eyes.

"Percy, has she awakened yet?" Asked a deep voice. I turned my head to the doorway, where the voice had come from. I saw a man on a horse enter. No, not on a horse. Part horse! He was a centaur!

"Yes, I'm awake. Who are you?" I asked warily.

"Ah, I see she is a demanding one," said the centaur.

"Yes Chiron. First thing she did when she woke up was asking me where she was," Percy told the centaur, Chiron, smiling.

"Wait! You mean THE Chiron! Like, from the myths?"

He turned to me, chuckling. "Yes, child. If you remember, the gods granted my wish to teach heroes for as long as I am needed and made me immortal. What is your name, child?"

"Ask Percy, since you obviously came to talk to him and not me," I said snootily, anger coloring my face.

"Well, if you say so," he said as he turned to Percy. "What is her name?"

"Andi," Percy told him with a shrug of his shoulders, like it was no big deal what was happening in front of him.

"Andi. Is that short for something?" He asked, as he turned back to face me.

"Yes," I said curtly, almost snarling. I don't like people knowing my name because names have power.

"Okay then. You obviously aren't going to tell me right now."

"Correct." I knew by this point I was being snippy, not the way I was raised by my many foster parents, but i also knew how to fend for myself, and I knew that this was one of those times.

"Alright. Percy, why don't you show Andi round camp. Introduce her to some other campers. Make her feel welcomed."

"Yes Chiron. Come on, Andi. Time for you to see Camp Half-Blood."

We walked outside quickly, as if he was scared. I was confused on what he could be scared of, but before I could ask him, he started talking rapidly about Camp Half-Blood, telling me all about the different activities and places we passed by them. Soon, we came to some cabins.

"The ones in the horseshoe shape are the twelve main gods. The rest that are scattered sporadically are for the other gods, who are just as important. The one in the center of the "U" is Zeus' cabin. We have no one staying there currently. Next to his is Hera's, which is an honorary cabin. To the other side is-"

"Let me guess," I say, quickly cutting him off, "Poseidon's?"

"Yeah. I stay there with no one else..." He wistfully told me.

"Why?"

"Well, I wasn't supposed to be born. Shortly after World War II, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades made a promise not to have any more children due to a prophecy. But, both Zeus and my dad broke that promise, resulting in Thalia and me. Thalia became a Hunter of Artemis." As he was talking about his dad, I felt the familiar pang of jealousy. He was talking about his dad, who he knew and had some what of a relationship with.

"Okay, so which cabin will I be staying in?"

"You'll be staying in your parents cabin, that is, whenever they claim you... Which should be before capture the flag."

Okay, so until then...?"

"We'll be having dinner soon. You'll most likely sit with Chiron and Rachel, if you aren't claimed by then."

Who's Rachel?"

"Rachel is our oracle."

"Y'all have on oracle?"

"Yes. She stays here part of the year, but she goes to school at the Clarion Ladies Academy."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Hey, are you okay? You seem upset about something?"

"I was... Just thinking."

"About?"

"Why my parent, who ever it is, didn't want me..."

"What makes you say that?"

"They put me on the porch of another family, who then gave me to the orphanage because they didn't have enough money. I moved from family to family, and not once did they do anything about it." I could feel my "Southern drawl" coming out as I became more upset.

"Well, the gods aren't supposed to really see their children. Sorry," he apologized to me with a sheepish smile on his face.

"It's fine. I'm just ranting right now," I said, giving a light chuckle.

"Hey, haven't we all," he said with a smile on his face. I could tell that he really did care. As i was about to say something to him, a girl with blond hair and startling gray eyes came up to us.

"Hey, Percy! Who's this?" She asked while looking at me. i felt like she was examining me for something. Like i had done something wrong by just showing up here.

"Hey, Annabeth. This is Andi. Andi, this is my girlfriend, Annabeth, Daughter of Athena."

"Nice to meet you," she said to me with a tone that it was anything but nice meeting me. "Whose child are you?"

"I don't know." I replied, trying not to cry. I didn't want to seem weak in front of this girl or any one at this camp.

"Oh, well then... What would your parent be? God or goddess?"

"I don't know." I was really getting tired of having to say this. being a foster child meant I had no idea who my parents were or even where they could be. Let alone if they were alive or not.

A look of confusion crossed her face as I said that, but before I could explain, i heard a sound like a conch being blown.

"Oh, it's time for dinner. C'mon. We'll show you to the dining pavilion," said Percy.

"Okay." I still hadn't been claimed and it was already dinner! I was dying to know who my mom or dad was. I wanted to be part of a family. I wanted someone to care for me. Percy seemed like he might, but still...

Percy led me over to a table where Chiron was seated. There were several people near by. They were scurrying around one guy.

"That's Mr. D. He's the camp director. he was sent here as punishment by Zeus for chasing some nymph.'

"D... As in Dionysus?"

"Yeah. But be careful with names. They-"

"Have power." I finished for him. He looked at me with a look of amazement on his face. " So," I continued, "Where do I sit?"

"At the main table with Chiron and Mr. D."

"Oh joy."

"What?"

"I can already tell this won't end well."

"You never know. Mr. D could end up liking you." He said with a smirk plastered on his face.

"Yeah right."

"C'mon. This might be a good time for you to meet Rachel."

"Your oracle, right? The girl who comes here for part of the year?" Yeah. You have a good memory."

"Thanks." I could feel myself starting to blush. I didn't get many compliments.

"I'll let Chiron introduce you. I have to get to my table."

"Wait... What?" I tried to ask, but he was already heading towards a table, quickly. I had to approach the main table with no one near me to hide behind. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, and there were a lot of people there. I could see the world spinning, very, very quickly.