Katie P.O.V

I was worried out of my skin for tonight. Out of the blue Miranda called me and invited me to go to the movies. I know she lives in California, but I think she's going to try to convince me to come back to camp, and I just can't do that right now. I can't face him, I can't face her. Mortal life is just what I need and I hope that Miranda can see that and she lays off and lets me enjoy my new life, because I'm enjoying it just fine.
I got dressed in a simple green 'tree lover' t-shirt, braided by frizzy brown hair, and put on a pair of light blue denim jeans. I grabbed a light jacket and my dagger (never leave home without it), slipped on my converse, got in my car and headed for that new Tristan Mclean movie.

I sighed as I parked my car outside the movies, they were packed and these things were usually crawling with demigods who didn't know they were demigods, which meant a large crowd of monsters. I wasn't particularly interested in being a hero today, so I hope that isn't the case.

I also hope that Miranda didn't bring anyone with her especially not Connor or Travis. I just recently learned that they have been closer than they were before from the Stolls magazine.

You see, the Stolls use to have a blog and it got really popular so they got a part in the gossip column of the camp newspaper, but since that was all anyone would ever read Chiron decided to give them a magazine. And since I was still subscribed I got monthly copies and in each copy there's always something suspicious about flowers and the strawberry fields that their never use to be.

I get a feeling of longing every time I look at one of those entries. Sometimes it's almost enough to make me go back, but I can't go back. Ever. Sure I miss Miranda and Malcolm and Nico and all of my other friends, but truth be told they don't need me. I'm just a flower grower, they have a whole cabin full of me. I'm nothing special. Just Katie Gardener, that super nice leader from the Demeter cabin. Sure I was a respected member of camp, but you know who else was, Drew. So clearly they just give that title out to anyone. My friends will move on in time to come and everything will be better for them. I don't want to slow them down.

I entered the theatre put my head up and my lunch down in my stomach. I trust Miranda. I do, I trust her and she'll respect me enough to trust me too. I know what's best for me. I do.

I entered the theater, heart beating out of my chest. Miranda wouldn't betray me, she wouldn't. She's my sister, my favourite sister. She couldn't.

As soon as I saw that mop of silky brown hair I knew I was wrong. She did betray me. Beside her was a boy with straight black hair, and a girl with blonde princess curls. She brought along Thalia and Annabeth, I had an instant flashback.

Start of Flashback

*"You see, after all these years, you two are still just friends. Can't you see, you'll never be able to compete in this competition, your just a gardener. We have a full cabin where you came from so you why don't you just go and pack up your fertilizer and head for Rona, I heard their gardening section closes at 5 so you'd better hurry along. We don't need you. You've served your purpose pesky little flower girl. But, hey, maybe I'll send you an invite to me and Travis' wedding", she chuckled wickedly, "you can never have enough staff".

"That's not true", I said trying to defend myself. "My friends love me, my family loves me. And I don't even have to enchant them to do so".

"No enchantment could ever make a flower girl like you desirable, and you know it's true. I mean who ever could find you attractive? Especially with all the better options like me out there. Oh, wait. I'm not an option any more. Oops I'm taken. What about you Gardener? Oh that's right. 10 years at camp half blood and what do you have to show for it? No reputation, aside from the whole' good girl who's in love with Travis Stoll and loves cereal'. No battle scars. No boyfriends, no anything. Except maybe a few daisies. So leave and never return," she said and suddenly I felt obligated to do so. Maybe it was charm speak, I don't know and I never will right now my only desire is to leave and never look back, and that's exactly what I'll do.*

End of Flashback

Those were words spoken to me by Drew Tanka, she wanted me out of the picture now here I am 2,901.0 million miles out. I felt a pang in my chest. Thalia and Annabeth overheard the whole conversation and tried to tell me of my self worth but I ran anyway. They must've told Miranda knowing she's one of the only people that I'd actually listen to. I bet they have Nico on standby just in case I listen to her.

"Katie", Miranda ran up to me and gave me a huge hug. " I've been so worried, Drew told everyone that you died on border patrol, we were so devastated. We went on believing that lie for months, until Annabeth and Thalia found enough proof to convict her of her crimes. Oh my Gods Katie I am so sorry. Please come back. Sure we have a whole cabin full of Gardeners but no one that compares to you. Please, please, please Katie come back home. We can work past this."

"Miranda," I said, "whether what Drew said true or not there is nothing that you or anyone else in the world can do to make me think otherwise. The damage is done."

"Katie please," Annabeth said. "This choice of yours is not wise, you know you shouldn't be living so far away from camp, it's not wise".

"I'm near Camp Jupiter, Isn't that good enough?"

"No, you need to be close to us", said Thalia.

"Look I'm sorry", I said letting go of Miranda. "But I'm content with my new life, that's why I decided to meet with you because I thought that you respected my choice."

"Katie," said Miranda, "we're doing this for the sake of the whole camp. We all need you. We miss you. What's camp without the sweet, goody two shoes Katherine Gardner. Even Clarisse misses you".

It's true I'm one of the one and only people that have been befriended by Clarisse . Quite an accomplishment if I do say so myself.

"If this all you wanted to talk about, I'm going home".

"Of course not, I came for the movie!" Exclaimed Miranda. "Tristan McLean is my bae".

"I thought that was Connor," I said slyly.

"You know what, Katie? Just keep your flower pot shut and be grateful that I even allow Stolls weekly to be sent to you."

"You send me the magazines?"

"No, Tr-" Thalia started but Annabeth kicked her.

"That's not important," said Annabeth.

I knew what Thalia was going to say. Travis sends them. And maybe thats true, but it doesn't ,matter. He has Drew. And I have… well know one, but one day I will find someone. Someone better than him, and then Drew will be at my mercy. I tell myself that 3 times a day on average. Once in the morning, again before bed at night and sometimes during the day. Only if I could ever believe that it's true. This was my second time saying that today.

"I've got the tickets," said Thalia. "Let's go watch the movie".

"I'm sorry ladies but I don't think I can permit that Aunty," said a voice that startled me.

I turned around to find myself face to face with fear in its very human embodiment.

It was the Stolls. Okay no it wasn't but you know they're very close seconds for fears human form.

I was face to face with Phobos and Deimos they both had the same straight limp black hair, and pale white skin with red eyes too match. They pretty much looked like vampires.

"What do you two want," said Annabeth drawing her dagger.

"What are you going to do with that, little girl," said one of the two. "We're immortal so don't think that just because you outnumber us you have any shot at winning this battle. Don't be stupid like your kelp headed boyfriend."

"What did you do to Percy," Annabeth demanded.

"In good time you'll know, you can ask him yourself in a matter of time".

"Bring it on," all three of us said at the same time. I rose my dagger, along with Annabeth and Thalia drew her bow and brought out a sheath of arrows that I have no idea where she was stashing.

"No, no, no, we won't be fighting today girls. We drained too much energy on your water friend and the boy who likes to play with his shadow".

"Nico!" Thalia shrieked.

I used to ship Thalia and Nico for the longest time, from the moment Nico showed up at camp, then Thalia had to become a hunter and ruin my life. But it's okay, there's cuter things to ship now.

"If that's his name."

"Well I'm not going down without a fight," I said crossing my arms.

"Oh I think you are flower girl, you don't have a choice".

"Patere viam ad porta Minor Deus inquisition," they chanted repeatedly.

In English that translated to 'Open gateway to the Minor God inquisition'.

Then a vortex of swirling dark light opened in the middle of the floor. Some people started screaming. Unclaimed demigods, I thought, I wish I could help. I remember how scared I was when that hell hound showed up at my doorway.

The vortex started drawing us closer, and closer, and closer, until we were in the very whole ourselves screaming our lungs out.

Then the world went black and my last thought was, This isn't what I signed up for.