Wow, guys, so I made some decisions and this happened. Here goes nothing. (JK, here goes everything.)

This is a sequel to my other story in the PJO-verse: It's the Perfect Story. I'm going to try my hardest to make it like a book series, where isn't necessarily required you read the one before it, but it is recommended so you know more about what's going in depth. That aside, shameless self-promotion, I totally recommend you go read it before reading this one.

To the readers who've read ITPS, this will be taking place along the HOO timeline, but Tori will have a much bigger role to play. Also, it's going to be a tad bit darker than the first story, because of what Tori's gone through, and, well, especially what happened at the end of the last story. That shit doesn't just change you, it messes you up.

Title and summary taken from OneRepublic's song, "Secrets."

Hope you enjoy!

"There is no refuge from memory and remorse in this world. The spirits of our foolish deeds haunt us, with or without repentance." Gilbert Parker

Nothing's Common With Me

I was reluctant to go on another rescue mission. Mostly because the past few I'd gone on had almost ended in disaster. Not that they usually didn't, but it almost seemed like the monsters were targeting me specifically. I couldn't fathom why, but it was starting to concern me. Not because I was afraid I was going to die, but because I was afraid the person I was supposed to be rescuing and/or the satyr that accompanied me was going to get hurt or die. The monsters that could talk went on about some kind of…reward or fame for being able to kill me, or somesuch, I wasn't really sure. I was more focused on staying alive than what they were saying, honestly.

"The satyr stationed at that school had to leave for some urgent matter," Mr. D explained. "So another satyr will meet you outside. I expect a report as soon as possible after your return, etc., etc. You know the drill. Go."

I kneeled. "Yes, My Lord." I said before straightening up and heading to the door.

"Oh, and Miss Victoria," Mr. D called as I grasped the handle. I turned to look at him, but kept my hand on the knob. His eyes flashed with purple fire and I swallowed hard. "Don't forget about your swear on the Styx."

I let go of the handle and turned to face Mr. D fully, bowing. "Yes, My Lord." I repeated before heading out, hoping he wouldn't stop me again. Mercifully, he was done.

I probably should explain.

Mr. D was Dionysus, the wine god. He was also our camp director. Our camp, Camp Half-Blood, was a safe place for demigods to reside. The only safe place, really. He was here "monitoring" us because Zeus was punishing him for chasing after a strictly off-limits nymph.

Anyway, you usually didn't need to be so formal with them, but I had to be because that was my punishment. Long story short, I had defied the gods during the Second Titan War and they didn't appreciate that (of course, it's much more complicated than that, but who really wants to get into that right now?). They'd spared me—ha, I say spared—but my punishment was to be Mr. D's…well, I was kind of like a PA. A much more dangerous and deadly PA who carried at least two weapons on me at all times, that is. I had to do whatever he told me to do, and if I disobeyed, he was free to punish me however he liked, like turn me into a dolphin.

But I also knew he was capable of much worse. So I didn't push my luck.

As I left the porch and made my way to the armory to grab a bow and quiver of arrows, I had to wonder why Mr. D had reminded me of my vow. See, I had to swear on the Styx I wouldn't go around blabbing about my punishment to others. I don't know why (it's not like I wanted to anyway), but it was part of my agreement/contract, so I abided. My half-siblings had to abide by that rule as well. They only knew because it was impractical to keep such a big secret from the people I lived with and saw on a regular basis.

I'm a child of Apollo by the way, so I reside in the Apollo cabin when I'm not out running missions or errands Mr. D sends me on. Also, I was excellent at archery and was only getting better and better with all the training and practice I was obtaining through said missions and errands.

My sword and dagger were already in their proper places—sword at my waist, dagger in an ankle sheath. I was fairly good with those weapons as well because I trained hard with them. About as hard as I trained with my bow and arrows.

When I acquired a bow and quiver, I jogged back to Half-Blood Hill. It marked the border that protected this valley from monsters and human eyes. There was a pine tree at the crest with the Golden Fleece hanging from its lowest bough. Normal people had guard dogs. We had a guard dragon who was currently wrapped around the trunk of the tree, snoozing, smoke puffing like his nostrils in the cold night air.

Standing off to the side was a figure—probably the satyr that Mr. D had told me would be accompanying me.

When I finally got to the top I froze in shock.

"Grover," I said in astonishment. He smiled and gave a weak wave. I hadn't seen him in a long time. Not since—well, it doesn't matter; I just hadn't seen him for a while. Or spoken to him, really. And this may or may not have been due to the fact that I had been avoiding him, but that's really not the point. I did, however, realize suddenly why Mr. D had reminded me of my promise.

"Hey, uh…" He stuttered over his words for a moment. "Victoria." He must've heard from someone. Once upon a time, I preferred my nickname, Tori, over my full name. After everything that'd transpired that led to my punishment, I stopped using it. I only allowed certain people to call me by my nickname now. I let my half-siblings do so, because they stood by me, we were family. But they also respected that I didn't exactly like to go by that anymore.

"Are you…coming with me?" I asked.

Grover nodded.

"Shouldn't you be…you know doing Lord of the Wild things?"

"I found a break in my schedule." The satyr shrugged. "Thought I'd…help. For old time's sake."

"You mean the feeling of imminent death?" I was only half-joking. With me around, there was no telling which monster was going to show up and ruin something routine and relatively easy/safe. Or what should be easy/safe.

"Camp's also low on satyrs, what with so many new half-bloods being found and claimed," Grover explained. I wasn't sure that was quite true, but I wasn't going to question him either. We had more pressing matters to attend to currently. We were wasting time chatting.

"Shall we go—?" I broke off on account of a dragon snout nudging me from behind, nearly knocking me over. I turned to face Peleus, who huffed, shooting steams of smoke out his nostrils. I reached up and patted his nose. "Hey, Peleus." He huffed again. "I can't, I've got to go. But, maybe when I get back, okay?"

Peleus snorted and pulled his head away, curling back around the tree again. It was hard to tell, but it looked like he was pouting.

"Come on," I said, turning back to Grover briefly before making my way down the hill. Argus, a guy who looked like your stereotypical surfer dude from California, who also had eyes covering the entirety of his body (he only showed the two where humans had their eyes, most of the time), was waiting by the van that was going to take us into the city and to the school.

Grover quickly caught up with me.

"What was that all about? Do you feed him or something?" he asked.

"No, I…I sing to him," I admitted a little embarrassed. I had nightmares. A lot. "Sometimes, when I can't sleep, I sneak up to the hill and sing. He grew to really like that. He also keeps the harpies away, so I can sit up there as long as I like after curfew."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

We got to the van and I was about to slide in, but paused before turning to face Grover.

"Look, if you don't want to come, I totally understand," I told him. "I know we're not on the best of terms, and we haven't really talked about everything that…um, happened, but I'd understand if you weren't expecting me and want to go back to being Lord of the Wild."

Grover's eyes widened in surprise. "No, that's not—Tori, I don't—" He broke off, noticing my flinch at the use of my nickname. "Uh, in any case, I don't…well, I mean, I don't blame you if that's what you're thinking. I don't think you're a traitor. I don't hate you. In fact, if you'd like, we can be friends."

Oh. A friend. That was such a foreign concept to me these days.

"I'd like that," I finally said. "Thank you." Argus cleared his throat and I looked at him. He tapped his watch. "You're right. We really should be heading." I slid into the van and Grover followed suit. As Argus drove, I started to undo my hair from its Dutch braid that started on the left side of my head and went diagonally across the back of my head to rest over my right shoulder. I used this hairstyle when I was at camp. When I was on missions, I put it into a milkmaid braid.

I used to have a pixie-cut, but, once again, after everything that transpired after the Second Titan War, I grew it out. Long before that, I had had it long, but then decided to shear it all off. Now, I'd decided to grow it out again. I put it into a milkmaid braid because that provided the monsters less to grab onto during a fight, less to get caught on something, etc.

Two of the Aphrodite kids, Mitchell and Lacy, had helped me…on the sly. When it came to doing hair and make-up I was at a total loss. However, the head counselor of the Aphrodite cabin, Drew, had instructed the rest of the cabin that I was Public Enemy #1—also because of the events that transpired during the war—and that meant they weren't allowed to interact with me. Ever.

Mitchell and Lacy were nicer than most children of Aphrodite, they'd given me a chance to explain my circumstances, tell them my side of the story. So when I'd gone to them for some hair help, they gave me instructions without Drew's knowledge and I practiced until I had mastered doing my own hair.

"I mean," Grover started, breaking the silence. I looked over at him as I finished up the braid—having done it so many times, I could put it up into either of those two braids in no time flat. "I've just had a lot of time to think about the events surrounding the Titan War and your…um, situation. And I just, well, I can't…" His voice lowered to a whisper and I stiffened. "I can't even begin to imagine losing Juniper." Juniper was his girlfriend, a nymph.

Grover was silent for a moment. My heart beat irregularly. My demons rattled in their cage, and I became painfully aware of the ache in my chest. I had managed to block it out until now. I didn't know how to respond, or even if I could. I was afraid if I tried to say anything, I would break.

"Oh gods, I'm sorry!" Grover yelped, looking over at me wide-eyed. "That's probably not helping is it? I was trying to—oh, forget it." He looked away.

I took a quiet, shaky breath. I swallowed hard and squeezed my eyes shut for a long moment. "It's okay." I managed to choke out. "I'm just glad that I have someone I can call a friend again."

He looked back at me with skepticism in his eyes, but I tried for a small smile. I'm not sure what I managed, but Grover didn't say anything more. The rest of the ride was quiet.

We were going to extract the demigod during one of his high school's dances. His name was Ivan. The satyr that'd been there scouting out the place had confirmed he was attending the dance before having to leave. In other cases, that might be the perfect setup. Everyone would be too busy with the dance and their friends to notice someone leaving. If they had friends, they could easily explain why they're leaving. At something like a dance, it'd be natural for someone to leave whenever they wanted for whatever reason.

For me, however, it was probably the worst possible scenario. The loud music, the lights, all the people—too many things to keep track of. Adding monsters into the mix really didn't help. Usually, with an extraction, monsters didn't show up because we've managed to get to them before the monsters. If they do, it's not many. Seeing as most of these missions I'd gone on had monsters swarming, I had a bad feeling this mission was going to be no different.

I snuck a peak over at Grover. Had he heard the rumors about my latest missions? Did he know just how dangerous this was going to be?

The car stopped in front of the building. It had a large façade, with stone steps that led up to the large, wooden double doors that were surrounded by red bricks. Windows sat above the doors, perfectly spaced from them and from each other.

Grover opened the car door and coughed, cringing back into his seat.

"Monsters," he said.

I was out of the car in a split second, meeting Argus's eyes as I flew out of my seat. I slammed the door behind me and made it to the sidewalk as Grover slammed his door close.

"We have to hurry, then," I said, grabbing his wrist and pulling him up the stairs.

"Whoa, wait," Grover protested, pulling me back. It startled me how strong he was, but I quickly got over my stumble and continued to pull him up the stairs. "I just wasn't ready for it, that's all. Monsters are common on these missions. You know that."

I pulled him with more force. "Nothing's common with me." He hadn't heard anything about my predicament, then.

We burst through the doors and Grover got his footing, meeting my stride. I let go of his wrist.

"This way!" I turned down a hallway lined with lockers.

"You know where the gym is?" Grover asked.

"No, I'm following the sound of the music," I told him pointing to the left to signal a turn down another hallway. The pounding of the bass from the music was getting louder and louder with every step. We were close.

Another two turns and we finally came to the gym. There was an adult standing at the entrance as we came up. He looked at us suspiciously with a raised eyebrow. Couldn't blame him, two obviously-not-teens he didn't recognize, appearing in the middle of a high school dance, breathless sounded suspicious.

I walked up to the man without hesitation. "We're looking for our son"—Grover made a choking noise from behind me but I continued on—"there's been a minor family emergency. We'll go find him." I tried to edge my way past the man, but he held out his arm, blocking my way into the gym.

"I'm going to need to see some ID," he said.

"Sir, please—" Grover tried, but I held out a hand, looking back at him and slightly shaking my head before turning back to the man. I met his eyes and snapped my fingers, a small breeze blowing past our little group of three.

"Oh, don't you remember? I've already shown them to you," I said.

The man blinked, his eyes glazing over for a moment before he blinked again, hard, and his eyes cleared. "You're right. Head on in."

"Thank you," I smiled and started in, looking back and making a small gesture with my hand telling Grover to follow.

We stuck close to the wall. I scanned the darkened room for monsters. I needed to know where they were as a precaution. When I found Ivan, I would know best how to defend him and ourselves while getting to him and getting him out. They were mixed into the crowd, at least a dozen of them—dracaenae and empousai. So far. The empousai were better at blending in with the dancing teens.

"How are we going to find him in here?" Grover yelled over the music, looking over at me. I turned my head to look at him, but kept one eye on the dancefloor.

"Judging by the way he dresses and holds himself, he's not very social," I explained, scanning the room, only for Ivan this time. "Probably quiet, probably not very outgoing. Most likely because of his ADHD and dyslexia. So, at a dance, he'll probably be somewhere…on…the…outskirts—there!" I pointed. "You see him?"

Grover looked to where I was pointing and squinted. After a small moment he shook his head, turning back to me. "The lights are too disorienting, you sure that's Ivan?"

I grabbed his wrist again. "Definitely sure." Grover opened his mouth to say something, but I yanked him forward and started pulling him around the crowd, toward Ivan and his small group of friends, keeping my eyes locked on the boy. He was tall and lanky. It was too dark to tell, but I knew from the photograph that he had short dark brown hair, light brown eyes, and light brown skin.

He and his friends were dancing together, smiling and laughing. A wave of guilt washed over me and I suddenly felt bad that I was going to be taking his life away from him. At the very least, making it a hundred times more dangerous, because there were some of us who went back into the mortal world after summer. Those of us who still had families and lives to go back to, that is.

When I glanced back at Grover, he was giving me a strange look, so I stayed on him, feeling insulted.

"What?" I yelled over the music, which was getting louder as we got closer to Ivan's group, and closer to the speakers.

"How did you do that?" Grover yelled back. We'd slowed slightly, but I moved my gaze back to Ivan.

"Do what?"

"You knew where he'd be," Grover clarified. "Satyrs usually do the scouting."

I shook my head and answered, "Mr. D only showed me what he looked like, a photograph."

We were almost there. I did a sweep of the crowd. The monsters were in about the same spots as I'd last seen them, but I could tell they were paying attention to me—at least that's what it felt like. What were they waiting for?

Grover's eyes widened. "You got that all from a photograph?"

"I've had to learn to read people at a glance," I explained off-handedly, paying more attention to Ivan than to Grover. We'd finally reached the group. Grover and I stood a little ways away from their group, close to the walls.

"How do you think we should get his attention?" Grover asked.

I looked back at the crowd. The monsters were moving now, trying to make their way toward Ivan. It was like I'd stepped on some kind of trigger, causing them to start moving.

"No time, might as well be direct," I said, going over to Ivan, grabbing his arm and pulling him away.

"Hey!" He exclaimed. His other friends stopped dancing, too and started objecting, getting after me for barging in, but I silenced them with a look.

Ivan ripped his arm from my grip, giving me a look that was between something that said, "You're crazy!" and anger. I opened my mouth to tell him what I was doing but, without a word, he turned away and started to return to his group, which had moved a few feet away from us.

I reached out and gripped his wrist. He turned back to me, to probably yell at me, but when he met my eyes he froze.

"I don't have time to explain," I yelled, looking out the corners of my eyes. The monsters were getting closer. They were still a little stuck in the crowd, but it was clear they were forming a semi-circle to surround us and back us up against the wall. The closest empousa was smirking wickedly. "We have to get you out of here right now. You're life's in danger."

Ivan swallowed hard. He looked stricken.

I felt a tug on my t-shirt and I risked a look. Grover was pulling on the hem of my sleeve. He pointed to the crowd. The first empousa was just breaking through the wall of teens.

Ivan also looked. His eyes got wider and his head snapped back to me.

"You see them, too?"

I wanted to explain, but the empousa was heading straight for us at an alarming speed. "Grover, come on!" I pulled Ivan even closer to the speakers. His group of friends tried to follow, but Grover cut them off as he took up the rear and we pushed our way through to where the DJ was stationed.

"How is this supposed to help? There's no way out!" Grover yelled. His voice sounded like it was coming from under water the music was so loud. My heart beat off tempo against the rhythm of the bass. It was disorienting, but also…exhilarating. I'd missed dances.

I turned toward the DJ, ignoring Grover's question. It would take too long to explain. I waved a hand to grab her attention. She removed one side of her headphones and leaned down toward me. I leaned up to make things a little easier.

"I'd like to request a song!"

When I turned back toward the group, I looked through the crowd. The monsters had gone back into the crowd. They were interspersed throughout, but no doubt they were trying to surround us again.

"That song you requested better be amazing, because if not, I don't think we're going to make it out of here." Grover yelled.

The song started and I held my breath. There was no guarantee it would work, but going on missions and running errands for Mr. D meant I got to be out in the real world much more than I used to. Which also meant, I was exposed to a lot more pop culture. From what I gathered, it should, in theory, work. Also, at the time, with limited resources, it was the best I could think of. I wasn't about to endanger a large group full of innocents by starting a fight.

"This is our saving grace?" Ivan asked, looking down at me with an incredulous look. "How is this bubble-gum pop song supposed to save our lives?"

"When I say run, you run to your left. Do you understand?" I asked ignoring Ivan's questions. When neither Ivan nor Grover answered, I looked back and forth at them. The song was almost at the chorus. "Do you understand?"

In front of us, girls were singing along with the lyrics and swaying to the music. They looked excited, which was encouraging. The boys weren't as enthusiastic, but they stayed in the throng. Also encouraging.

Ivan and Grover nodded. I nodded once and said, "Good." to myself watching the pulsing crowd. My heartrate started pounding as the chorus hit. I let out a relived breath as nearly everyone started jumping up and down, throwing their arms up and twisting their bodies around as they did.

"Run!"

We ran to our left and skirted around the crowd. As we neared the door, I glanced behind me to see the monsters struggling to push through the jumping mass of adolescents, and not succeeding. An empousa who was getting pushed and shoved around met my eyes across the room and I smirked.

The three of us raced past the adult at the door and into the hallway. Grover at the lead, Ivan behind him, and me, taking up the rear.

"Ivan!" a girl's voice rang through the hall. We all stopped and turned to look. I almost pulled my bow and arrow, but managed to restrain myself. It was his friends. I'd completely forgotten about them. Of course they'd think it suspicious that two strangers show up and pull their friend away from them.

"Family emergency, I've got to get going!" Ivan explained as we backed up toward a crossroads in the hallway.

His friends followed. I backed up to stand next to Ivan.

"Get rid of them, they could get hurt. We don't have much time." I told him quietly.

"I'll explain everything tomorrow—" I grabbed his wrist. He looked at me as I looked at him. I shook my head. I saw his chest rise as he inhaled sharply. Blinking rapidly, he turned to face his friends again. "I'll…I'll explain everything later, okay. I-I really have to go. It's pretty serious. Go back in. Enjoy the rest of the night!" Ivan gave them an easy smile and I was impressed he was able, seeing as this was all new to him, and he was probably terrified out of his mind right now.

His friends looked unsure, but they reluctantly started to make their way back inside. The girl, the one who'd called his name loitered.

"Really, enjoy the night. I'll update you as soon as I can. I promise," Ivan said, his smile dropping. I had to wonder what his connection to the girl was. Best friend? Partner?

"…okay," she said. "I hope your family is all right. Good night, Ivan."

"Good night, Violet," Ivan responded.

Once Violet had turned away from us, we spun and started running again. We had only made it down one hallway when the baying of hellhounds echoed through the halls.

My heart skipped a few beats before jumping into my throat. I readied my bow and an arrow, gripping them tightly and swallowing down the panic that threatened to engulf me. My mom had been killed by a hellhound, ripped open and left to bleed out. I had been there, watched it happen, helpless. When it had finished with my mom, it had attacked me, leaving large, jagged scars on the back of my left arm and across my whole left shoulder.

"We have to move faster." I tried not to sound desperate or gasp. Ivan was looking to us for calm, so I had to stay calm.

How had the monsters known to show up here? Was someone informing them? How else could they have known? My blood ran cold. Did that mean there was another spy at camp? I nearly stumbled.

"Hey, you okay?" Grover asked, looking over at me with concerned eyes.

I gripped my bow and arrow even harder. "I'm fine."

I took a deep breath and swallowed hard. No, I couldn't afford to think like that. At least, not think about it now. I needed to focus, because I needed to get this demigod back to camp alive.

As we passed through a hallway, I thought I heard the sounds of claws on linoleum floors, howling of hellhounds as they closed in.

"Ivan, change of plan, lead us around in circles and then find a place we can hide," I explained.

Ivan looked over at me like I was crazy. "What?"

"I'm with him," Grover chimed in.

"Take a left," Ivan instructed.

"The hellhounds are going to sniff us out, surround us," I explained as we ran. "They've probably got a group that'll sneak up behind us. We have to lead them on a goose chase. When we hide, I can pick the monsters that come by who are following our scent."

"I don't understand, why all these monsters?" Ivan questioned, sounding a bit winded. "Did I do something I don't know? Go right."

I shook my head, trying not to feel guilty. Ivan was going to make it out of this. "It's not your fault." I said, maybe a little too quietly.

Ivan didn't say more other than instructions. Finally, when Grover said we should be good, at least long enough to take out some of the monsters, we broke into a classroom and hid. Grover and Ivan went further into the room, behind me. I stayed at the door, keeping it open enough I could see into the hall and fit an arrow through it.

After an indiscriminate amount of time, "How…how long are we going to be in here?" Ivan asked in a whisper.

"Shh," I scolded as I raised my bow and arrow. A hellhound was sniffing around the area. I just needed a good headshot. It continued sniffing the air, slowly edging forward, past our door. Just a few more steps…gotcha! I pulled my arrow back. The sound of the string being pulled taught alerted the demon dog and it turned its head, red eyes meeting my brown ones. The hellhound pulled its lips back, a snarl building in its chest.

I let my arrow fly.

All right, all right! There you have it! First chapter down! And just like last time, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. (Okay, so maybe not…completely true. I know where this is going, I just don't know how to get there while divulging the information I want to at the same time. I've been seriously struggling. Anyway—)

I'm on summer break right now, so updates shouldn't be weeks or months at a time. I am working full-time, however, but, we'll see, if I can organize my ideas well enough that I may be able to start a posting schedule. (Because I have SO. MANY. IDEAS. And I cannot wait until you read them!)

Besides which, it adds an element of surprise! So, I hope ya'll join me in the next chapter of Tori's life!

Thank you for reading,
TheBrightestNight