Chapter 1
It was a normal day when I woke up, just the green walls of my cabin and the dim light from the start of morning. I always woke up early, just to get a head start on training before breakfast. Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself.
My name is Tom Sanders, I'm 15 years old and I am the son of a God! Most people have ordinary parents, as in two mortals. Me, I only have one mortal parent, and one parent is a god. Being the son of a god isn't all it's cracked up to be. I mean, it's not as if I seen my dad (Hermes) very often! We have this special camp for kids like me, where we learn to be fighters and heroes. After all, once we reach adulthood, we have to go into the real world and live 'ordinary' lives! You see, the problem with being a demigod, demigod being the technical term, is that we have all these monsters constantly attacking us as soon as we leave the camp! My story starts on a very ordinary day, as I was just describing.
I'd just clambered out of bed when I saw an old friend, Chiron the centaur; trotting towards me (he's a centaur, so he has the body of a horse!). Running alongside him is another friend, Percy Jackson. Percy is something of a demigod celebrity now, after he led us victorious last summer, but no one wanted to talk much about it, so my knowledge is vague! Anyway, on with the story; Percy and Chiron came over and explained their dilemma. There was a new suspected demigod over in England, where I used to live. The problem was, that all the protector satyrs, junior and senior, were off on missions collecting demigods, and Percy was needed back at the camp. So, as the most knowledgeable about England, they sent me.
Before I leave, Chiron hands me something that looks like a letter opener. "This is a letter opener, but with a twist. It is deadly sharp, and made of pure celestial bronze, so will be a significant weapon if needed. Here is its case; you don't want to be caught by it- it will cut you just as much as it would a Cyclops!"
So here I am, sitting in some boring maths class with a 'teacher' more incompetent than a Cyclops with concussion! Anyway, Robyn Bayliss is sat on the other side of the class to me, so no hope of connecting for the rest of this lesson. After maths was lunch. I took this opportunity to say I, just to introduce myself as the new boy and throw my name in just to see what happened. She didn't seem to show anything, but I have hopes that she'll remember me.
After lunch is English – I've only been in America for a few months now, and already my spelling and accent is changing! Luckily, I sit in front of my only friend in the school so far and – would you have it – Robyn! I turn around as soon as the work is announced and put in a comment about my A.D.H.D meaning I can't concentrate that long and my dyslexia means I can't write that much! I see Robyn giggle slightly and she makes a comment like 'oh my gosh! I have those disorders too!' a good sign, it means she could be a demigod. The only question is, who her immortal parent, if any is!
"So, what did you think of that maths teacher, Mr what's-his-face Gibbons, Tom?" chatters Robyn.
"Uhm, I think I would prefer a gibbon, thanks," I reply, jokingly, "why, is he new?"
"Yes! He only came today, just like you!" giggles Robyn. We didn't talk much after that, just a few passing comments about family and disorders. It turns out; she only has her father to look after her since her mum left shortly after she was born - another telltale sign of a demigod.
After English it was time to go home. I was living in one of the camp safe houses with Argus, the one hundred-eyed head of security! He's not great company, but is great for protection!
Sleep came easy that night, as I thought about how to reach Robyn and explain her situation so that she will come to camp with me. Luckily, her dad knows about our outreach mission and has agreed to help us if necessary.
The next morning, I wake up early as usual and get ready for a run before school. On the way to school, I meet Robyn and we start talking about things. Nothing important really, just talking. "So what's your family like, Tom? I realised I never asked." Asks Robyn, I just realised too, and I never anticipated anything like it – I was so engrossed in getting her to camp and getting her to believe everything I said, I didn't even look at her properly! It's only now I realise who her immortal parent must be. Her being looked after by her father narrowed it down a bit, but it was immediately obvious - she was the daughter of Aphrodite.
