Author's Note: I had this idea a while ago. If you read my other story, don't worry, I'll still write that one.

THANK YOU RICK RIORDAN FOR THESE AMAZING CHARACTERS

I don't know why I've decided to tell you this story. It's pretty mundane, but you haven't heard from any of us in a while. So here we go…

Sadie Kane here, magician in the House of Life, saviour of the world and blah blah blah. Titles, I don't care much for them. You know who I am, you've listened to mine and Carter's previous recordings. You know my titles, Carter's titles, Amos's, bloody everyone's. But that's fine because that means I don't have to waste my time giving the backstory. Let's get started, shall we?

I guess it started during summer hols. There was nothing to do. I was bored out of my mind. Carter and the most of the other initiates were playing basketball and video games during their free time, but I hate video games and I much prefer Netball, thank you (For those who don't know, Netball is like basketball except you can't dribble, can't leave your area and the baskets don't have backboards… It sucks). So, yeah, I was probably on the verge of dying of boredom when I decided to call Lacy, my mortal friend from school, and see if she'd like to catch up. Last school year, she'd given me a number to call if I needed her. I punched it into my phone and waited.

After about half a minute, a boy picked up, "Delphi Strawberries, Will speaking, how may I help you?"

"Uh," I said. "I'm sorry, I was given this number by my friend, Lacy. Does she… work with you, or...?"

"Yes, she does. Please hold while I get her." There was a scuffling sound and I heard Will yell, "Nico! Go get Lacy!" There was a short pause, and then, "Because you're the closest!"

I waited another 30 seconds before someone got to the phone. "Hello?" the familiar voice asked, out of breath.

"Hey, Lacy! It's Sadie. Remember you gave me this number if I ever needed you?"

"Oh! Right! Uh, hi Sadie, what's up?"

"Well, I'm really quite bored and I was wondering if you're available to do something later this week."

"Uhhhh," she paused, thinking. "I'm free on the weekend?"

"Brill!" I said. "I'll meet you at the mall! Saturday at twelve by Sephora."

"See you then." And the line went dead.

So, I know what you're thinking, totally normal. That's what I thought until Lacy never showed.

I waited for two hours. I walked around the entire mall twice, wishing I'd brought Walt or Jaz or Cleo or even little Felix with me to keep me company… but then again, I'd been sure Lacy would come. She'd never let me down before.

By the third minute of the second hour, I got fed up. I ripped my phone out of my bag and furiously typed the number.

Nobody answered, but before I hung up, I listened to the answer machine. I don't know why I did, I just felt compelled. A male voice rang into my ear. He sounded wise and old even through the phone. "You've reached Delphi Strawberry Farm, we are unable to take your call right now, please leave a message."

I groaned. I don't know why I called, if she couldn't get to the mall, why would I think she'd be at work?. Maybe she had a family thing. I decided to call on Monday, make sure she was okay.

And I did. I called on Monday.

"Delphi Strawberries, Will speaking, how may I help you?" It was the same voice, only now, the boy didn't sound nearly as happy. The first time, he'd been upbeat and sounded like he genuinely wanted to help me, now he sounded scared and agitated, as if he needed the call to end so he could get back to something.

"Hey, I called last week. Is Lacy there?"

I heard a sharp intake of breath. "Yes, Lacy's here, but she's... occupied at the moment, I'll have her get back to you." There was a crash and a yell, then the call ended.

How rude! I thought, to just hang up on me like that. I called again, to give that git, Will, a piece of my mind, but instead I got a robotic voice telling me the number I was calling was disconnected.

At that moment, I think I started to realize something was off, but I didn't focus on that because school was starting in a week and I had other priorities.