Author's note: I am not sure where this is heading. It's about how Clarisse found an entrance to the Labyrinth and Chris wandering around her house. Review!

"Stupid centaur," I muttered as I made my way through the icy streets of Los Angeles. "Can't spend time with my mom. Huh. I don't think he even have a mother."

My blue winter jacket was thin and old so by the time I reached my street, I was freezing and my backpack felt like it weighed a ton. I hate centaurs. Chiron told me I was needed in the camp as councelor and leader since the war is getting worse day by day. He couldn't afford to lose me. I know I'm the toughest camper in Half-Blood Hill but hey, I'm human. I need a break. I've stayed in camp even when it's not summer. My mom missed me and I miss her.

But don't you dare tell anyone that! Especially not Prissy. So anyway, I figured Mark could handle things in the Ares Cabin since he's one of the only competent siblings I have.

I ran out of the camp border that night. It was a clean getaway except for this one harpy. It was about to raise an alarm but I used Maimer and it dissolved. Did I feel sorry? No. It's a moster, it will reform. I had a Hermes guy steal some cash from some of the rich Aphrodite girls so I had enough money for the airplane flight from here to Los Angeles. He owed me a favor. I only stabbed him once with my electric spear in capture the flag.

It was one long plane ride. I didn't meet any monsters in the way except for the old lady that sat beside me. She happened to be the sister of the harpy I stabbed. Go figure. I sent her to Tataurus to join her sibling. The attendant asked me where the other passenger was. I just gave her an evil eye and shrugged. I was good at giving evil eyes. The air plane food was horrible as usual.

Anyway, let me tell you about my mom. She's a PE teacher and the strongest woman I have ever seen which is how she got Ares's attention. Her father was a guy that fought in a war and died. Now, she's trying her best to support herself and me, which is one of the reasons I get sent to camp a lot. She's in debt a lot. In her good times, I can afford be sent to school.

I finally saw my mom's low gray house. I knocked on the door hard. I practically punched it but I couldn't feel the impact in my numb fingers. There was frantic movement inside the house as my mom scrabbled to unlock all twelve latches. I rolled my eyes. She was paranoid because the last time I stayed here last year, a hellhound decided to use our house as a fire hydrant.

The door finally burst open and I was engulfed by a green XL Puma t-shirt. Her brown eyes matched her brown hair and I couldn't help thinking how alike we looked.

"Clarisse! You're so thin! What have they been feeding you at camp? Chocolate?" she exclaimed.

I let her drag me to the living room that's also the kitchen. She began fussing over me and cooking me a nice nutritious meal- salad.

I began telling her about the camp, remembering to give the full details of fights. She was looking at me proudly and tousling my hair. I chest swelled. I was planning to stay for a day or two, but maybe a week couldn't hurt?

Author's note:

To be continued! Next chappie, we're going to see Chris and maybe a few monsters for her to fight! Oh joy! Any monster suggestions?

NO ROMANCE. I absolutely hate romances. Ugh. Makes me think of Titanic. Titanic makes me think of seasickness. Seasickness equals vomiting. So romance equals vomitting. No romance equals no vomitting. Yay!