Chapter 1

(Silvia)

It's been several years since the accident and it still rings in my head. New York during my break from school. My parent's wanted to take me to see the lady liberty. I remember the accident and I remember people screaming. I remember hearing explosion's and I remember seeing a few bodies on the floor every now and then. I also remember my parent's faces the last time I saw them.

It took me years to forget what happened and that it was just some stupid terrorist attack. But not so easy to live with when you're growing up without a family with the constant reminder that life can go upside down in a matter of seconds. I steadied myself looking through the window out at the horizon of my room. I have been living with my cousin Rio since the accident.

And yes I know isn't Rio Spanish for River. I hear that about my cousin a lot. But his mother is Hispanic and thought it would be a cute name. My cousin lives with it and with the constant teasing and bullying her gets from it. Not to mention that it never helps that he has ADHD and can't stand still so getting into fights about his name is just a common thing around the house.

My cousin was probably one of the only one in the house who understood and listened to me. I met my best friend Herra threw him. She was always a quirky little thing. A real fireball if I have ever seen one. I also forgot to mention one little detail about myself. I'm attracted to other girls. And only Rio knows. Mainly cause he doesn't care. Which is kinda why I like him better than his brother.

And speaking of my cousin he should have been home a while ago. Living with him has been a great experience for me. He is a nerd and he loved reading an writing. His favorite series was by Rick Riordan called Heroes of Olympus. I know cause he has the whole set and I will constantly give him hell about it. I was so lost in thought thou by starring out at the horizon I failed to notice him walking up the driveway.

It is not uncommon for me to actually be lost in thought. I always have to relive that flashback every day. I relieve the screaming the people fighting on the streets and the hospital stay from the whole thing. Rio is always the only one who can break me out of the trance. He is a really sweet cousin to care for me like he does. He often makes me laugh to brighten my day.

Thou sometimes he can also be a little sneak on days like today when I'm lost in thought I didn't hear him enter the room nor did I hear him sneak up on me. I was too lost in thought staring at the horizon still when I just heard him say my name in my ear causing me to jump throwing my fist back at him which he actually caught.

"Come on now Silvia you know you need to do better than that." He said laughing to himself. "That's not funny Rio you know I hate it when you do that to me," I said eyeballing him. He gives me a slight bow and apologizes. Ever since he started that self-defense class he started acting differently more composed and better controlled.

Which is saying a lot considering he used to practice Roman and Greek style fighting with an old friend of his mother's. "I came to tell you that it is going to happen tomorrow so I hope you're ready. Herra is coming along as well." Rio said smiling. We were going to be heading to New York so I could get some closure. My counselor told my guardians that it would be good for me.

I didn't agree but having Herra there would make it much easier. She always knew how to cheer me up. "I think your friend Anthony is coming to right?" I asked curiously. He nodded and walked out the room. I looked back out the window to see the sun sinking below the horizon. I didn't even want to go back to where it all began. I suffered enough with these flashbacks.

I closed the curtains taking a deep breath to myself. I had no choice but to do this and I knew I wasn't going to be getting out of it. I pulled open a drawer and started placing a few clothes into a travel backpack. We weren't going to be there for more than a few days. And frankly, that's all that I wanted. I didn't want to be there anymore then I had to be.

I placed the back by the door and was about to head to be when Auntie Sheral came in. "Is it ok if we have a little talk for a bit." She asked. I just nodded climbing onto my bed and laying on it. She came and sat on the side next to my legs. "I know this is going to be hard for you. So long after your parent's died going back to where it began." She said in a soft tone.

All I did was listen to let her say her piece. "We would have taken you last summer but that unexpected earthquake ruined our plans. But not my point." She babbled on. I was aware of it it had hit along with freak storms and disasters that happened in other parts of the globe. "I'm trying to say is yes it's going to hurt. But ill be here for you when you need me just like with your cousins." She said.

This made me smile. She smiled kissing my cheek goodnight before getting up and heading out. I loved my aunt and my cousins but sometimes I still feel alone in this big house. I lay there in the darkness after turning off my light. Nothing but the sounds of the cars going by my house and the fan blowing on me. Sounds that would normally put me to sleep but now do no such thing.

I had thought's running through my minds. Wondering if I was ever going to be ok. I hated the fact that this tormented me for so long. And as I laid there staring at the wall a sudden thought crossed my mind. What if I did some looking around. Find out how I got out the car. I know I was in it when it crashed. I remember the voice of a boy saying I shouldn't be alive. then I remember being outside the car in a hospital with the doctor telling me the truth.

Or rather what I saw as the truth. The doctor had told me they had found me on the road with my leg in a makeshift cast my head bandaged and my arms at my side like someone did first aid an moved on. I wanted to know how that happened to me most of all-cause I know for sure I was in the car with my parent's when it happened. With this running through my head I then passed out knowing tomorrow my search for answers begins.

(Jason)

When the Roman's left for Camp Jupiter I decided to stay for a while. I did have a promise to keep to Kymopoleia. He said he would make cabins and shrines at the camps to show that the god's mater an that they are worshiped. All these minor gods would mean I was going to be busy for a long time. But for now, I was going to enjoy myself with my girlfriend Piper.

The late night filled the air as we listened to the other campers mill around after the campfire. Piper was holding my hand as we starred at the stars. "So I heard your sister may be stopping by with whats left of the Hunter's tomorrow?" Piper said. I nodded smiling. I was happy my sister had survived. "yeah they are coming here to rest and nurse their wounds." I said.

Piper had grown so much threw out these past months in the war with Gaea. More dependent, stronger, and if so more beautiful. "You feel it don't you Jason?" She said squeezing my hand slightly. I knew exactly what she meant. We all had that nervous feeling we just never spoke it publicly letting everyone enjoy the Victory. "Yeah, I do. Somethings coming. We still aren't done not by a long shot." I said.

"Well, at least we have now to just relax," Piper said leaning on my shoulder. I smiled and held her hand still starring up at the night sky. I wanted to very much enjoy this moment I wish it could have lasted. But I knew come tomorrow morning we were all going to have to get to work and do our very best to prepare for whatever was coming next.