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This chapter is revised.


Chapter 2: Chance Encounter

It took approximately eight hours and forty-five minutes from New York to Bar Harbor, Maine.

Mrs. Jackson had picked up Annabeth and Thalia along the way, and the car was eerily silent. All of us were too nervous (or too excited) to say much.

When we arrived at our destination, snow and sleet were falling heavily from the sky, and I had to rub my eyes a couple times to see the school: a big dark castle hanging by the edge of cliff with roaring dark waves by the horizon. Gargoyles and tall towers loomed above the entrance. It looked more like Dracula's summer home than a school.

Thalia got out of the car first, looking up at the castle. "Oh, yeah, this'll be fun."

"Are you sure you don't want me to wait?" Mrs. Jackson asked.

"No thanks Mom," Percy replied, "I don't know how long it'll take. We'll be okay."

"But how will you get back? I'm worried, Percy."

Each of us smirked when we noticed his blushing countenance.

"It's okay, Mrs. Jackson," Annabeth reassured with a smile, "we'll keep him out of trouble." Mrs. Jackson seemed to relax at her words.

"Alright dears," Mrs. Jackson said, "do you have everything you need?"

"Yes, Ms. Jackson," Thalia said, "thanks for the ride."

"Extra sweaters? You have my cell phone number?"

"Mom-!" Percy started.

"Your ambrosia and nectar, Percy? And a golden drachma in case you need to contact camp?"

"Mom, seriously! We'll be fine. Come on, guys." Percy said hastily as he headed towards the castle entrance.

When we got onto the school's front porch, Thalia replied, "your mom is so cool, Percy."

"She's pretty okay," Percy said. "What about you? You ever get in touch with your mom?"

As soon as he said that, Thalia's demeanor suddenly turned cold, with good reason.

"If that was any of your business, Percy-!"

"Come on, you guys," I interrupted, "Grover's waiting." The last thing we needed was another fight.

We entered the castle. Inside, Westover Hall was filled with medieval antiques. There were numerous statues, shields, and a bunch of portraits of old looking people from the Dark Ages. Swords hung from the walls, their blades glistening in the faint light. My hands brushed lightly against my pitch black daggers, strapped against my back. I felt a wave of reassurance as my fingers grasped the handle tightly. My bow and quiver were placed over my shoulders.

Annabeth started to say, "I wonder where-!"

The door slammed shut behind us.

"O-Kay," Percy mumbled, "guess we'll stay awhile."

Loud choir music was playing as we went deeper into the school. Some sort of dance?

We stashed our overnight bags behind a pillar and started down the hall. We haven't gone very far when I heard footsteps on the stone floor, and a man and woman marched out of the shadows to intercept us.

They both had short gray hair and black military-style uniforms with red trim. The woman had a wispy mustache, and the guy was clean-shaven, which was pretty backwards to me. They both walked stiffly, their backs slightly hunched over.

"Well?" the woman demanded. "What are you doing here?"

"Um…" Percy started, darting an eye towards me and Thalia.

Thalia quickly snapped her fingers, a gust of wind quickly swept through us as the Mist began to do its work. Instantly, the woman's eyes became a little dreamy.

"We're students here, remember?" I took a glance at her name tag, "Ms…Gottschalk?" I heard Percy snicker behind me, "We went back to get our things. Has the dance started already? I knew we were running late."

"Maybe, if you didn't take so long looking for your things, we would get here on time," Thalia countered.

I rolled my eyes. "Please, I didn't take half as long as you trying to dress yourself up."

"Anyway, Ms. Gottschalk, we should be at the dance." Thalia finished. Our rehearsal was now complete. "Can we go now?"

Ms. Gottschalk and Mr…or was that Dr. Thorn? They briefly looked at each other before directing their attention at us. Dr. Thorn narrowed his eyes-a brown and blue one-at us with a permanent scowl on his face. He didn't look so certain.

"You all may go," Dr. Thorn said at last, albeit with uncertainty, "and may I remind you-Seth, Percy, Thalia, and Annabeth-that next time you children decide to run late, there will be severe expectations enforced."

We didn't wait to be told twice. We left with a lot of "Yes, ma'ams" and "Yes, sirs" and a couple of salutes, just because it seemed like the thing to do.

We eventually met up with Grover, who was ecstatic to see that we had made it. He hustled us down the hall in the direction of the music. I could feel the teachers' eyes on my back until we walked through the doors of a gymnasium.

"So, who are the kids?" I asked Grover, who was being released from the hugs the girls gave him.

"Their names are Bianca and Nico Di Angelo," Grover answered, "twelve and ten years old. Siblings. I don't know their parentage, but they're strong. The point is, we're running out of time."

"Monsters?" Percy questioned.

"One." Grover looked nervous. "He suspects. I don't think he's positive yet, but this is the last day of term. I'm sure he won't let them leave campus without finding out. It may be our last chance. Every time I try to get close to them, he's always there, blocking me. I don't know what to do!"

Grover looked to Thalia, who was thinking decisively. "Right. So these demigods are at the dance?"

Grover nodded.

Thalia grinned. "Then let's dance. Who's the monster?"

"Oh," Grover said, and looked around nervously. "You just met him. The vice principal, Dr. Thorn."

"Not surprised," I muttered. I took a look around. Red and black balloons were scattered across the room, dance couples filled up the clearing. "Where are they?"

"Over there," Grover said, pointing in the direction of a boy and girl at the stadium. The girl had on a green cap that shadowed her face, like she didn't want to be noticed. Both had dark hair and olive skin. She looked like she was scolding her brother for something he did. The boy looked oddly familiar, but since I couldn't place where that familiarity came from, I dismissed it; it was probably my nerves acting up.

Annabeth said, "do they…I mean, have you told them?"

Grover shook his head. "You know how it is. That could put them in more danger. Once they realize who they are, their scent becomes stronger."

"So let's grab them and get out of here," Percy said, stepping forward before Thalia stopped him. She glanced at the doorway, and what did you know- Dr. Thorn was here. So he wasn't fooled by the Mist after all. He stood close to where the siblings were occupying, hovering over them like a vulture.

"Don't look at the kids," Thalia ordered. "We have to wait for a chance to get them. We need to pretend we're not interested in them. Throw him off the scent."

"How?"

"We're four powerful half-bloods. Our presence should confuse him. Mingle. Act natural. Do some dancing. But keep an eye on those kids."

"Dancing?" Annabeth asked.

Thalia nodded. She cocked her ear to the music and made a face. "Ugh. Who chose Jesse McCartney?"

Grover looked hurt. "I did."

"Oh my gods, Grover. That is so lame. Can't you play, like, Green Day or something?"

"Green who?"

"Never mind. Let's dance." She directed her gaze at me, I raised an eyebrow.

"You want me to dance with you?" I questioned.

She rolled her eyes. "Well, yeah. You're not expecting me to dance with Grover, are you? He's a satyr. Satyrs don't dance."

"Sadly, that is true," Grover admitted. He didn't look sad. "You know, I think I going to help myself to some fruit punch. You guys try to get close." Briskly, he escaped towards the snack tables.

"What about Percy?" I suggested uneasily. Thalia made a face while Percy shot me an incredulous look.

Thalia snorted, "Ha, no- who dances with a cousin when there are other guys available? That's just lame-!"

"I'm right here, you know?" Percy said, slightly offended. Annabeth punched him on the shoulder.

"And I'm right here," she retorted. With a hand under his arm, she quickly dragged him away from me and Thalia. "Come on, Seaweed Brain."

"Alright, I see how it is," I grinned, giving a bow. Hopefully, I'd get this right. "May I have this dance, Ms. Grace?"

"I would be honored," Thalia replied with equal sarcasm, before offering her hand. I took her hand, placed my other hand on her waist, and danced our way into the bustling crowd.

With a few steps, twists, and twirls here and there, Thalia and I were able to successfully hover somewhat close to where the Di Angelos were sitting. I made sure not to step on her feet. Percy and Annabeth were still a way off, looking very awkward and uncomfortable.

"You're not bad," Thalia remarked. "Since when did you take dance lessons?"

I shrugged. "The Apollo Cabin taught me the classics." Thalia looked surprised. "I had nothing better to do at the time so I thought, why not? It just might come in handy."

"I guess it paid off," Thalia said. "Anyway, what do you think about those two?" She glanced at Percy and Annabeth. Percy looked like he wanted to die on the spot while Annabeth was rolling her eyes.

I narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, you can't be that dense. Oh wait, scratch that- you are."

"I'm not dense!" I protested.

"Sure. What I'm trying to say is: Don't they look cute together?" I was slightly taken aback.

"Cute? As in relationship cute?"

"What other cutes are there? Yes, Moony Boy, isn't it so obvious?" Thalia pointed out. "It makes me want to do something about it. Ugh. It's too painful to watch."

I didn't reply. I continued to watch my other two friends dance. That was when I started to notice the 'obvious things' Thalia mentioned. I saw how Annabeth would slightly blush whenever Percy leaned in too close or when Percy would accidentally step on her foot and apologize profusely for it. My two best friends possibly dating? That was weird, and well, awkward.

"I suppose…" I muttered. The dance was soon coming to a close. I pulled Thalia into a deep dip, and when I looked up, I nearly dropped her in surprise.

"The kids! They're gone!" I exclaimed.

"What?!" Thalia shouted. She quickly straightened up. "They were there a second ago!"

"Let's get Annabeth and Percy," I stopped when I saw Annabeth running to us. I frowned when I didn't see Percy.

"Annabeth, where's Percy?" I questioned; Annabeth's face paled before she looked behind her.

"I-I don't know. I thought he was behind me!" she exclaimed.

"No time for that now. We got to find the Di Angelos," Thalia said. We quickly ran out of the gymnasium.

Grover saw our hasty retreat, and quickly caught up to us. He didn't say anything, however, like he knew what the gravity of the situation. Then, he suddenly shouted, "You guys, I think I'm getting something…" We halted, looking desperate.

"What is it?" Thalia asked.

"Percy. I think he's contacting me…something like 'Get your furry goat behind out here and bring some heavily armed friends'? I think that's what he's trying to say."

"Can you trace the link?" Thalia said quickly.

Grover nodded. "It's close. Follow me."

-o-

We hid behind the rocks as Dr. Thorn stood beside the Di Angelos and Percy. They were all situated right beside the edge of the cliff. With Grover's help, it took us less than three minutes in locating their whereabouts.

Annabeth already proceeded to move. With her invisibility cap on, she took Dr. Thorn completely by surprised. Thalia quickly leaped out after her, her spear and shield at the ready as she charged the monster head on. I took the roundabout way: notching my three arrows and firing them with great precision as each of them pierced into vital regions. I made sure to watch the girls carefully, backing them up whenever necessary.

Dr. Thorn screamed in rage, as he thrashed his leathery behind at Thalia, who narrowly dodged it by rolling about and landing swiftly on her feet. He began to glow.

He grew larger until he was in his true form—his face still human, but his body that of a huge lion. His leathery, spiky tail whipped deadly thorns in all directions. I stumbled and dropped down and rolled when his tail came across my path. That was close.

"A Manticore!" Annabeth gasped, now visible. Her magical New York Yankees cap had come off when she'd plowed into us.

"Who are you people?" Bianca Di Angelo demanded. "And what is that?"

"A Manticore?" Nico gasped. "He's got three thousand attack power and plus five to saving throws!"

Besides the fact that what he said was completely off-topic, that sense of familiarity hit me again after hearing that. However, I didn't have time to dwell on it when Dr. Thorn was suddenly entangled with green vines. Grover was playing his reed pipes at fast frequency as the plants grew even quicker. I took the opportunity and fired another wave of arrows into the monster's chest. Apparently, that surge only made the Manticore even more enraged rather than weaker. He tore through the plants and yanked out the arrows like it was nothing and snarled at us.

"Get down!" Annabeth shouted, as she dodged an attack and landed with the Di Angelo kids face down into the snow. Percy had his hands busy when his shield became entangled by the Manticore's attack. Grover was knocked out unconscious.

I switched my weapons, going for close combat instead. Taking out my twin black daggers, I quickly ran at the beast from behind. I nimbly ran up the monster's back, and lunged down with great force, stabbing both of my weapons into his flesh. Dr. Thorn screeched in pain as he tried to shake me off.

"You really are a thorn in the behind…" I said through clenched teeth as the monster screeched even louder when I twisted the blades. He walked back, and slammed me against a stone wall, knocking the air out of me.

I yelled before I managed to pull both of my weapons out and lied beaten on the ground, feeling the bruises forming. I hoped I didn't fracture a bone. A helicopter was hovering noisily above us.

What are mortals doing here? I wondered as I struggled to get back up.

Thalia was knocked away on the other side of the clearing as blinding lights suddenly came on from the helicopter. I heard Percy scream as he intercepted a spike that would have fatally injure Thalia.

Dr. Thorn stood in triumph. "Now do you see how hopeless it is? Yield, little heroes."

When all seemed lost, a loud, piercing sound sweep through the air.

The call of a hunting horn.

I knew all too well what that meant.

The Manticore froze. For a moment, no one moved, the silence disturbed only by the breezing wind and the repetitious chopping of helicopter blades.

"No," Dr. Thorn said, sounding hesitant, "it cannot be-!"

His sentence was cut short when an arrow shot past Percy like a streak of moonlight. A glowing silver arrow sprouted from Dr. Thorn's shoulder.

Warning shot. Of course.

He staggered backward, wailing in agony. "Curse you!" Thorn cried. He unleashed his spines, dozens of them, into the woods where the arrow had come from,and numerous silver arrows shot back just as fast. The Manticore pulled the arrow out of his shoulder with a howl of pain. Percy had recovered, and got up to aim a swipe, but was quickly pushed to the side, forced on the defensive yet again.

Soon, Zoë Nightshade appeared- her face was proud and defiant, her dark eyes keen and quickly scanning gist of the situation. They narrowed when she saw Thalia, and a tinge of disgust appeared when she saw me.

"The Hunters!" Annabeth cried, excited.

Yay, the girl scouts arrived, I thought sourly. My pride forced me up quickly, and I moved to where Thalia and Percy were standing.

The Manticore was quickly surrounded by girls of all ages. The youngest looking around ten years old. All of them still wore the silver ski parkas and jeans, using the same style of archery equipment, and wearing the same stoic expression on each of their immortal unblemished faces.

They haven't changed much at all. Figures.

Zoë Nightshade had her bow ready and drawn. "Permission to kill, my Lady?"

The air around us turned colder, the winds picking up faster as she emerged from the enveloping shadows of the forest. Instinctively, I felt my teeth clench hard at the sight of her, a sudden pain ignited inside my chest. Her auburn hair was tied up in a high ponytail, her silver eyes cold and determined. She looked down at the Manticore, who trembled slightly from her condescending gaze. Even in her childlike form, Artemis commanded great authority and fear from her enemies. It was what the goddess of the hunt was known for, and her reputation still held true to this day.

"This is not fair!" Thorn protested. "Direct interference! It is against the Ancient Laws!"

"Not so," Artemis said, "the hunting of all wild beasts is within my sphere, and you, foul creature, are a wild beast." She glanced at Zoë. "Permission granted. You may proceed."

The monster growled. "If I cannot have them alive, I shall have them dead!"

He lunged for Thalia and Percy, knowing they were still dazed. My eyes widened as I sheathed my daggers and reached for my bow, but someone had already made their move…

"No!" Annabeth yelled before she charged fearlessly at the monster.

"Annabeth, don't-!" My voice faltered when I noticed the formation of arrows rising. I turned to glare at the hunters. "What are you doing?! Lower your weapons!"

They looked at me coldly as one of them replied, "You are not Artemis, boy. We do not follow your orders."

"Get back, half-blood!" Zoë shouted. "Get out of the line of fire!"

However, Annabeth paid her no heed as she leaped onto the monster's back and drove her knife into his mane.

The Manticore howled, turning in circles with his tail flailing as Annabeth held on for dear life.

"Fire!" Zoë ordered.

"No!" Percy screamed. He tried to reach Annabeth but was pulled back reluctantly by Thalia.

The Hunters let their arrows fly. The first caught the Manticore in the neck. Another hit his chest. The Manticore staggered back, wailing, "This is not the end, Huntress! You shall pay!" Before anyone could react, the monster, with Annabeth still on his back, leaped over the cliff and tumbled into the darkness.

At that moment, the helicopter raised their guns, shooting numerous rounds as we quickly dived for cover. Only Artemis remained in her place. She looked up coldly at the glaring lights.

"Mortals," she announced, "are not allowed to witness my hunt." With a single wave of her hand, the helicopter quickly dissolved, turning into numerous black ravens that scattered into the night.

The hunters quickly gathered around us.

Zoë looked at Thalia in distaste. "You."

Thalia glared at her. "Zoë Nightshade. Perfect timing. Like usual."

Zoë only narrowed her eyes before giving me a disgusted look, "Seth Hunter. So we meet again."

"Likewise," I said with equal disgust.

Artemis made her way towards us. She gave me a steady look, scanning my face for any emotion. I only graced her with a glare before turning sharply away from her attention with a scoff.

"Annabeth!" Percy yelled. "You have to let us save her!"

Artemis turned towards him. "I'm sorry, Percy Jackson, but your friend is beyond help."

Percy tried to struggle to his feet, but a couple of the girls held him down.

"You are in no condition to be hurling yourself off cliffs," Artemis said, her eyes looking somewhat pitiful. Seeing her pity made me riled up.

"Let go!" Percy demanded, trying to shrug their hands off him. "Who do you think you are-!"

"Snap out of it!" I cut in harshly, and I felt a bit guilty when Percy winced at my tone. There was no way I was letting Artemis gain an excuse to turn my ignorant friend into another pet jackalope. When I've calmed down, I said more gently, "I'm sure Annabeth is alright, Percy. It's pointless to pester them further." Percy eventually saw sense before he noticeably calmed down. The hunters released him, and he was back up his feet, and that was when he noticed the similarities between Artemis and me. His sea green eyes widened, his mouth agape. I sighed at his predictable reaction.

So you finally know why I told you snap out of it, I thought.

"Seth, you...I never knew you had a sister," Percy wondered aloud.

Or not.

Thalia was on the verge of face palming herself, while Zoë looked insulted by the remark. Artemis, instead of looking offended, looked pretty calm. I took that as a good sign.

"I don't have a sister," I answered quietly before I rolled my eyes. Of course Percy would think Artemis was my sibling. I looked more like her twin brother than Apollo did, and that was saying something.

Zoë stepped forward, like she was about to slap Percy for his insolence. My eye twitched, my hand reaching for my dagger until Artemis spoke.

"No," Artemis ordered, "I sense no disrespect, Zoë. He is simply distraught. He does not understand." She looked straight into Percy's eyes, and declared:

"I am Artemis. Goddess of the Hunt."

-o-