Chap.1

"GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE, KALONICE, BEFORE I BREAK DOWN THE FUCKING DOOR!" my step dad yelled behind my door.

"MAKE ME!" I screamed back, my voice cracking with hate.

I heard him stomp off and I finally relaxed.

I heard my baby sisters, Theophilia and Delphina, cry out in pain.

"I broke down my door, rushing to her.

"I SWEAR TO GOD IF THEY HAVE ONE BRUISE I'LL CALL THE COPS!" I yelled.

Wallace(my step-dad) stepped out of the kitchen, his smile wicked like a jack-o-lantern.

"Kalonice! Delphina's not moving!" Theophilia cried out.

I ran over to her side, pulling Delphina's limp body in my arms, I transferred her to the couch.

Her frizzy dark brown hair covered her eyes halfway, and her clothes were ripped where Wallace tried to slash a knife across her stomach.

"Del, wake up." I whispered, "You're ok!" I choked out.

"Kalonice?" she coughed, her lilac colored eyes fluttering open.

I hugged her to my chest, "Don't you ever scare me like that again!" I whispered, one tear landing in her brown hair.

"Are you crying, Kaly?" Theophilia giggled, grasping my sleeve.

"That's a sign of weakness." I felt Wallace's beer breath wash over my ear.

"Leave us alone!" I hissed at Wallace, "If mom was here, she wouldn't let you abuse us!"

"First of all, Theophilia is my child! Second your mom is dead. Third…I need another beer." He burped and traveled into the kitchen.

I rolled my eyes, and yawned.

"It's midnight, guys! Bedtime." I murmured.

Once everyone was in bed, I sat on my terrace, looking at the stars in the inkblot we call a sky.

"Are you Kaloniece?" someone called from below me.

"Kalo-nice!" I snapped.

"Sorry!" he hissed, climbing up my ladder.

"Who are you?" I asked rudely.

"Name's Percy." He smiled.

"And now I'm bored." I said, sliding inside my window.

I shut it before he could follow.

"Wait! Can't we just talk?" he called through the window.

"If you come in, I could be killed." I muttered.

"By who?" he asked, alarmed.

"My step-dad." I sighed.

"Kala, can I call you Kala-"

"No." I said curtly.

"Ok, Kalonice, I'm Percy Jackson, I've come to retrieve you."

"For WHAT?"

"Camp." He said, half-smiling at my reaction.

"I've never been to camp. Nor do I want to start."

"Just open the window and I'll tell you more." Percy coaxed.

"Fine, but if you wake my dad, I'll murder you before Wallace can yell, 'GET OUT HERE!'"

He smiled and jumped inside.

"So, you're telling me that Theophilia, me, and Delphina are children of Greek gods?" I asked sarcastically.

He nodded, "Mhm."

"Should I take you to the hospital for being MENTALLY INSANE?" I yelled.

"Well, no, but I can prove you are if you just come with me."

I weighed my options.

I could keep getting my family abused or go live at a camp.

"Ok, we'll get ready." I said firmly.

"I can help." He offered.

"No, we don't need help!" I snarled.

He put his hands up in defense.

"I'll be on the terrace."

"Pack quietly." I told them both.

"Ok." Theophilia chirped.

I quickly stuffed some random clothes in the book-bag.

I looked over at my dresser, grabbing my jewelry box, and a small velvet box with duct tape covering the openings.

"Why are we leaving?" Delphina asked, throwing her bag to Percy.

"So we can have a better life." I murmured.

"I think we're ready!" Percy yelled.

"Let's go!" I picked up Delphina and Theophilia, and jumped out the window beside Percy.