AN: So, my third story… or actually my first. It's a bit crappy because I wrote it some while ago, but I've already written 43.000 words in Dutch and I didn't want it to go to waste. I'll translate it to English, and change some stuff if necessary. I'm not expecting many readers, since The Shapeshifter is not really a popular fandom. Seriously, this is the fifth crossover. That's why I'm not expecting much, but it would still be nice if someone reviews… or just reads it.

Even if you haven't even read The Shapeshifter or Percy Jackson, it will all be explained later in the story. And if it isn't explained clearly enough, just review.

And for those of you who read my other stories, I'm halfway through the next chapter of Demigod Dreams.

Disclaimer: The Shapeshifter series belong to Ali Sparkes and Percy Jackson to Rick Riordan, not mine.

Chapter I: Last Day of School

The best way to end the day is to fall asleep in a comfortable and warm bed.

Unfortunately, that is not the way that this day ended. For the biggest part of the day I had no idea what was waiting for me at home. Even the thought of feeling as normal as I did this morning seems too good to be true.

I know you're probably wondering what happened today, or you just want me to stop stalling and get on with the story already. But first, you'll have to know some things about me.

My name is Mestra Emily Johnson, but just Mestra is enough. I know, it's a strange name, deal with it. I'm eleven years old, next week I'll turn twelve, I live in Philadelphia and my parents are both dead.

I never knew my father and my mother died when I just turned four.

And because I never met my mother's family and didn't even know who my father was, I was a homeless four-year-old kid without a family.

So I did the only thing I could do, or the only thing I could think of since I was just four, and ran into the woods. (Or maybe I half crawled, or walked when I got tired, but that's not the point.)

Don't worry, this story isn't going to turn into some messed up Jungle Book. Instead of being raised by wolves, I met Owen Hind. And without him, I would most likely already be dead. He's got dark, curly hair and ice blue eyes that make you think that he can stare into your soul and see all your secrets. But still he is the kind of person that everyone would trust.

And that is exactly what I did. I told him about my mother, maybe a little gibberish, but he seemed to understand the situation. He asked me if I wanted to stay with him, and of course I said 'yes'. It was a rash decision, yeah, but it was also one of the best I made.

The house is, or was, in the middle of a forest in Philadelphia. From the outside it looks like a cabin, but the inside is just like a normal house. It is just big enough for two people. It lay within walking distance from the school where I used to go.

Owen didn't really change that much over the years. He looks and acts just the same. But he is also a lot more stressed and I can tell from his eyes that he has seen many horrible things. I know that he had been in the military for some years, but this was something else. I once asked him about what happened, and he told me that there was this boy with dark hair and brown eyes that always ends up in some kind of trouble.

I never found out whom he was talking about. Who knows, maybe one day I will meet him. Whoever it may be; Owen must care about him a lot for him to be so worried.

He most probably met the boy on one of the business trips he sometimes goes on. Before Owen leaves for those trips, he'll make sure there's enough food in the fridge for me, so don't worry about me starving to death. Is it irresponsible of him? No, he just trusts me to not destroy the house for a few days.

He works for the ministry of education or something like that. I'm not sure what he does exactly, but it's some important stuff where he is required to go on business trips. Every time that I ask him about it, he tells me something vague about a school for special children.

Yesterday he left on one of these trips. Good thing he did, because otherwise he would've been killed. I don't know why, but I can't help but think about what would have happened if he didn't leave and also didn't get killed. Could he tell me about what I am?

Most likely not, but that doesn't get rid of the feeling that he knows more than I do. But then again, that isn't a hard thing to do considering that the only thing I understood from today is that a lot of things will change and that I am not a normal human.

For all I know, I could be one of those special people that Owen told me about…

If I leave, I will never get to know what he was talking about. But I can't stay.

So, I'll run away. I don't know for how long, or how far I'll go.

But this time, that won't hold me back.

It all began this morning. (Yes, I'm done stalling.)

As always, I woke up to the annoying beeping sound of my alarm clock at seven a.m. and suppressed the urge to throw it into the wall. Owen wouldn't be happy if he had to buy me a new one. Again. I'm pretty good at breaking things.

I wasn't looking forward to school. It was the last Friday before the summer holidays would start. The day that most children at my school will beg their parents to let them skip, or just skip without permission of course. But since Owen is away, that's not a possibility for me. I'll just have to sit this day out with the children that failed to convince their parents.

I couldn't wait for the holidays to start. Owen promised to take me to his school. That's why he is gone now, to deal with all the last day of school stress there, and when most of them are gone, return and take me to the school. He told me that his favorite students agreed to stay at school for a while to meet me. It would be my first time outside the States. His school is located in England.

Against my will I climbed out of bed and got dressed into the first clothes I could find. I quickly brushed my curly black hair and ran down the stairs. I grabbed an apple and my backpack, and left through the door.

Line Break

I threw my half eaten apple in a trashcan in front of the school when I spotted my friends five minutes later

Priam Gold and Nia Sharp, the only people of this school who aren't afraid to be seen talking to me. The other children (and most teachers) are going to be really happy next year because I got kicked out of this school, mainly because I couldn't control my ADHD. If it were the first time, I would complain about how it wasn't fair, especially since Priam got into even more trouble. But it wasn't the first time I got kicked out. It will, however, be the first time I have to leave my friends behind. I'm going to miss them next year. I haven't found a new school yet, and it's going to be hard to find a school that still wants me.

Together we walked to our lockers, who were by the way next to each other. Priam owned the locker left of me, and Nia the one on my right side.

Coincidence? Yeah, no.

The original owners switched with Nia and Priam. It actually should offend me, but it's also how I met my friends. And what a strange meeting that was…

Flashback

It was the second day of school and the other children only needed one day to decide I wasn't good enough. I was endlessly staring at my schedule while standing by my locker. I couldn't read it well because of my Dyslexia.

I just figured the first word out, when Priam suddenly came out of nowhere. He was listening to music with ear buds in, but I could hear everything! I can't believe he isn't deaf yet.

"HI! I'm Priam, let's be friends!" Priam screamed loudly. And then Nia joined us and slapped Priam against the head.

"Idiot." She scolded him, and then she turned to me. "I'm Nia. We've both switched lockers, so we're your new neighbors." Every time she spoke, she put a book in her locker. I still don't understand how all those books could've fit. And what does she need all those books for? I don't like books, and books don't like me, that's how the nature works.

"It pains me to say this, but for once I agree with Priam. Let's be friends."

So, we became friends, and we still are friends. I hope.

Well… Right, back to today.

"My first class is history, what's yours?" I asked them. Nia was first to respond, probably because Priam couldn't find his timetable. "Also history, Fortunately for you, it's not physics. Mrs. Pratt will give you detention if she catches you asleep in class."

"And that's why I have you to wake me up!" I grinned cheekily.

Priam groaned. "I have physics first! I don't want to be in detention while you two are celebrating the end of school!"

He looked appalled, but Nia and I couldn't help but laugh. It looked like he wanted to pull his blond hair out, and that alone is reason enough to laugh. Priam loves his hair, and his blue eyes, and the rest of himself. Let's just say he's quite confident about his looks.

"Maybe you should try to stay awake then." I advised him earnestly. "Now we're on the topic of no school, what are your plans for the summer?"

They both suddenly tensed up. "We... We're both going to a summer camp in New York. It's a family tradition."

A summer camp in New York? I frowned. Okay, so I won't be able to spend as much time with them as I would like to.

"Well, in that case, how long will you stay there?" I asked them, hoping that we could remain friends over the summer and until next year.

"The whole summer." And there goes the possibility of staying friends. No way could I stay in touch with them if they forget about me while in camp. I would have to say goodbye today.

Then an idea came up in my head and my face brightened. "Can I come with you?" I crossed my fingers.

They looked at each other, and seemed to have a silent conversation going on. Scary, but I guess it comes in handy. I tried to understand their debate.

Nia was like: Don't you dare say yes! (Which kinda hurt)

But then Priam reacted with a pleading look. Sadly, Nia gave him her 'my look can kill you' stare. Looks like she won. Unbelievable that those grey eyes of her can also do a perfect puppy imitation.

I knew they already decided on whether or not I could go, but we all just stayed quiet for a while. Eventually Priam couldn't stand the silence anymore and answered my question. "Mestra, we would love it if you came, but..." he looked at Nia for help. She just raised an eyebrow at him and gestured for him to keep talking.

"Er... Owen promised to take you to his school, right? I mean-ehm, you've been gong on about it for months now. Going to a school is much more fun than a summer camp... " He winced slightly, quickly adding something to make himself more believable. "And besides, Chiron wouldn't allow it since you're not a dem- ARGH!" Priam groaned in pain and jumped around clutching his left food in his hands. "Nia! What was that for?"

Nia rolled her eyes at him before focusing on me. "Anyway, it's too late to sign you in now. I'm sorry."

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. Nia sounded truthful, but Priam? He is a horrible liar.

"So Priam, why am I not allowed?"

Priam froze up. "It's... for special children?" I could just see Nia mentally slapping her head right now and thinking: 'Seriously? Answering in questions?'

Not this again, I groaned inside my head. That word, 'special'. I didn't know what to think about it anymore. I felt hurt that I'm not good enough for Owen's school, and my friends' camp. But at the same time, I understood. Well, not exactly, but I had a feeling that I wasn't supposed to know their secrets. Not yet.

Sensing his screw up Priam hastily changed subjects. "Nice weather, huh? Really sunny. I hope it's going to stay like that."

Line Break

"Mestra? Hello? Miss Johnson?"

I awoke with a shock. In front of me stood my history and Latin teacher, Mr. West. He looked annoyed, but it could've been worse since I was sleeping in his class.

"I'm sorry, Mr. West. It won't happen again." Mostly cause I got kicked of this school, I bitterly added in my head.

He probably understood what I meant and his face showed sympathy. Chuckling dryly he responded. "I am sure it won't. Don't worry about it, Mestra."

And that is why he is my favorite teacher! He's never mad at me and his classes are the only ones that are interesting sometimes. Probably cause for a fifty-years-old looking man in a wheelchair, he's got a fun way of teaching kids.

"Why are you still here?" he asked me, grabbing his coffee.

What did he mean? I looked around and saw I was the last one in the room.

Seeing my confused look he chuckled again. "School's over. You can go now."

My eyes widened in shock. I hastily grabbed my backpack and ran out of the classroom. "Bye Mr. West!" I called over my shoulder, not waiting for his response.

My friends were waiting for me at my locker. Or maybe their lockers, since they're next to each other. I looked at the empty halls of the school. I didn't sleep that long, did I?

"Hi, thanks for waiting. Mr. West woke me up not long ago." I said while I emptied my locker.

Priam whined. "So you fell asleep in Latin, but not in Physics?"

"Course not, otherwise I would've joined you in detention." I said matter of factly.

He looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "How did you know? Neither of you were in my class."

Nia snorted. "I think everybody knows. We both had History from Mr. West, he was telling us about the Greek gods. But then we heard a screech that sounded like a tortured pig followed by more shouting. After it silenced Mr. West calmly said: 'I've got a feeling that Priam fell asleep during Physics. Again.' It was hilarious."

That it was, everyone had been laughing, but only few knew that it wasn't a joke. It wouldn't be the first time Priam pissed a teacher off; he's a regular at detention. I do have to admit that I often join him there, though.

"Oh, well…" Priam drawled out. "Luckily it was shorter than usual. I think even the teachers want to get out of here."

We laughed and went outside, eager to leave school. But then the eagerness died down as we realized what that meant. Leaving each other. "Can't you stay here for a few more hours?" I all but pleaded them.

Nia's grey eyes softened a bit, but she still refused. "We can't, we promised to go straight home so we could pack our stuff and go. This is were we part ways."

I looked over at Priam whose shoulders were slumped, though I could see the hidden excitement in his blue eyes. Of course he wanted to leave, he was going to a mysterious summer camp in New York.

"Goodbye, you guys. I'll miss you." I trailed of, not sure if I should say something more.

Priam weakly smiled at me. "Have a nice trip with Owen, when he comes back."

"You'll see us next year, remember? Camp isn't forever, we'll come back." Nia tried to reassure me, but it didn't work the slightest. Still, I plastered a smile on my face, even though an inner voice told me that maybe they won't come back. I pushed my insecurities away, forcing myself to be happy for my friends.

I nodded. "See you next year, then."

I spread my arms, initiating a group hug. Smiling one last time at them, I turned around and walked into the direction of the forest, not daring to look back. The walk home was longer than I remembered, and the forest seemed empty of life. I was alone.

Owen will come home tomorrow, and my friends are gone for at least the whole summer.

The faster I got home, the better. I wasn't afraid of getting lost, I'd probably memorized every bush and path in this forest, so many times have I walked here. Sometimes alone and sometimes with Owen. He often taught me things about surviving in the wild, and though I'm not sure why I would need to know all those things, it was fun to do. It was also some kind of family bonding for us.

Just being in the forest made me calm down, even if it was only for five minutes. So when I walked down the path that leads to my home, I was feeling more optimistic. Nia and Priam were the best friends I've had in… well, ever. If Nia says we'll meet again, then we will. And who knows, maybe I'll make friends with some kids from Owen's school! I smile formed at the corners of my mouth, only to disappear again when I saw my home. Or rather, the ruins of my home. And standing in the middle of it, was a gigantic… giant?

AN: Thank you for reading. Next chapter, Mestra will have to deal with the giant and she discovers something very important that will change her life forever. Please let me know if you like it.