By the way, this story takes place 2 years after the Heroes of Olympus series, so older characters will not be in it, because they'll be like...20.


I walked through the shop, looking at different boots.

"Find anything?" My mother asked.

"Not yet," I sighed, rolling my eyes.

I'm Maxx. My full name is Maxine Eliza Johnson, but who likes a girly name like that? Maxx suits me just fine.

"Maxx, please hurry. I want to get lunch." Mom begged.

I sighed, grabbing a pair of dark brown leather boots with teal trim. I handed them to my mom for her to check out.

I don't see why I can't use my old ones. I thought, looking down at the old faded leather boots I wore. Sure, they were tearing up, but they were well loved.

I walked around some, and sat down on a bench and fiddled with my iPod, pushing my blonde hair behind my ear, my side bangs falling in my face. I looked up and met eyes with two boys. One had sandy blonde hair, electric blue eyes, and the look of a body builder. The other had a messy mop of dark hair and eyes that were nearly black, and his skin was pale. They looked suspicious. As soon as I looked at them, they both turned away. I could feel my eyes turning a dark blue gray just watching them. My eyes change color with my mood, by the way.

Suspicious… I thought.

I sighed. We were picking out back to school clothes. I hated shopping, especially for school. Mostly because I hated school. Let's just say I'd gotten expelled from 8 or 9 school in my 15 years of life. I sighed. More time getting treated like a 13 year old.

The other reason I hated school is the ways I got expelled. When I was in kindergarten, I got in trouble for pushing a kid into the river, even though I didn't lay a hand on him. In fifth grade I got kicked out for destroying art in a museum because I picked up an old sword and learned I was excellent and swordsmanship. In eighth grade I was expelled for making an electrical fire in the science lab worse by pouring water on it. What else do you do? Water fixes everything.

I blamed most of it on my father, who had walked out on us before I was born. I never met him, but for some reason, I could imagine him.

The boys continued to watch me and talk quietly. I saw my mom motion me over, so I got up to go join her when I heard the fire alarms go off. Several people screamed and started running. My mom dashed out of the store, thinking I was behind her. I had just started to follow her when a hand clasped my mouth shut.

I screamed. What else do you expect me to do? Somebody cursed in…was it Ancient Greek? They wrestled me until I was pinned against them, and I heard a male voice in my ear.

"Stay quiet. I don't want there to be an accident." His hot breath hit my face. I was panting fearfully as he led me out the emergency door and pushed me against the brick wall of the store. We were in the back, so nobody was here.

It was the two boys from the store. My eyes flitted between them.

"Who are you?" I snapped.

The blonde boy nodded. "I'm Jason Grace, and this is Nico DiAngelo." Nico nodded to me. "Where's your mom?"

"Do what you want to me but leave her out of the picture. What do you want," I pressed myself against the wall and tried to think of escape plans.

Jason reached out to set a hand comfortingly on my shoulder, but I ducked away from him, my eyes burning with anger. He withdrew his hand and just watched me. "Chill. We just want to talk to her. Trust me."

"I don't trust kidnappers." I growled.

"Maxx!" I heard my mom's voice. "Maxine! Come here now!"

Great. I thought. Just great.

She walked around the corner and saw Jason and Nico. "Excuse me boys, can I help you?"

"Yes, Ms. Johnson, I'm guessing?" Jason raised a brow.

"Yes, what do you need?" My mom asked, her lips in a tight line.

"I'm Jason Grace, and this is Nico DiAngelo, from Camp Half-Blood."

My mom's face drained of color.

"Your daughter Maxine…"

"Maxx," I glared.

"Hush, Maxx," Mom silenced me.

"Maxx, I apologize. Your daughter Maxx is in danger. We need to get her to Camp as soon as possible."

My mother nodded. "Okay, everyone in the truck. We'll need to get home to pack you up."

"Wait, you're sending me away?" I asked. "Why?"

"Honey, you don't understand, it's for your safety…"

"I'm not leaving here!" I snapped.

"You don't get it, Maxx." Nico spoke for the first time. "You're a half-blood. Half human, half Greek god."


So how was that? I hope you like it. What is after Maxx, what will happen next? How will she react to being a demigod? Please review and follow/favorite. Thanks!