Chapter 2
"Come on, Martin." I led him quickly down the street and into an alleyway.
"What's going on?" he asked. "What's a Nemeon Lion and why do you guys have swords and clubs?"
"It's going to take a really long time to explain but… have you learned about Greek Mythology yet?" I asked him.
"Yeah, we started it last week." he replied.
"You know all the gods like Zeus, Poseidon and Hermes? And the legends like Theseus and the Minotaur or Jason and the golden fleece?"
"Yeah."
"Well… all that is real."
"Yeah, right."
"I know it's hard to believe. I didn't believe it when I found out. But you have to believe it. You are a demi-god. That means one of your parents is a god or goddess of Mt. Olympus. My dad is Poseidon, god of the sea. Those other two boys are Justin and Adam. Adam's dad is Zeus, god of the sky, and Justin's dad is Hermes, the messenger god and god of thieves."
Martin frowned. "I guess it kind of makes sense… I mean, some weird things have happened to me."
"Like what?"
"Well this weird guy kept staring at me during school. He only had one eye in the middle of his forehead. When I told my friends, no one believed me. And once it was really hot outside and in my head I wished it would get cooler and right away it the temperature dropped." Martin answered.
I had a feeling I knew who Martin's dad was. Here's a hint: which god rules over the sun? Yep, you guessed it. Apollo.
"I… guess I believe you." he said.
"Good. Look, I'm really sorry we had to scare you so bad. You must be pretty freaked out. I'm Riley, by the way."
"Hi."
"You should also know that you'll be going to Camp Half-blood for the summer. It's awesome there. Trust me, you'll fit right in."
"What's Camp Half-blood?" he asked.
"It's a safe place for demi-gods thirteen and up where they can train to be heroes and stay safe from all the monsters in the real world. Since your birthday is in a month, Mr. D, the camp director, let you come early." I told him.
"Cool. Are you a hero?"
"Well… I did go on a quest last year with Adam and Justin so I guess I am."
"That's awesome!" he grinned.
He didn't seem to realize that there was a giant lion tearing apart his school. I really hoped that Adam and Justin were okay.
Another roar echoed through the streets. The sirens of cop cars and ambulances wailed, heading to the school.
"Are Adam and Justin going to be okay?" Martin asked.
"I hope so. They're really strong and brave. I'm sure they'll come back okay."
Just then, I heard someone yelling my name. It was Adam. I stood up immediately.
"Stay here, Martin." I told Martin.
Adam had a horrified look on his face. His eyes were slightly blood-shot as though he had been crying or something.
"What's wrong? Where's Justin?" I asked, realizing that he wasn't with Adam.
Adam lowered his head. "He killed the lion but he got hurt really badly."
I clapped a hand over my mouth. "Is he alive?"
"I don't know." Adam shook his head.
Tears welled up in my eyes. "Where is he?"
"Come on. Get Martin." Adam said, still not looking up.
I ran and got Martin, trying to look like everything was okay.
We followed Adam.
A bloody body was on a stretcher. It was Justin. Limp, and torn apart.
His right arm had a large chunk taken out of it. He had a long, deep gash in the side of his face, his nose was bleeding badly, and his shirt was torn and bleeding heavily.
I covered my scream with my hand.
Martin stared wide eyed at Justin.
People were pushing the stretcher into an ambulance.
I buried my head in Adam's chest, sobbing uncontrollably. He embraced me with one arm and put his other hand on Martin's shoulder.
One of the paramedics came over to us.
"Are you his friends?" she asked.
Adam nodded.
"Come with us." she let us sit in the ambulance and we raced down the road.
I sat beside Adam, my head in my hands. Justin could be dead and even if he wasn't, he was surely injured horribly.
Adam rubbed his hand up and down my back comfortingly; though his face was chalk white and he looked depressed and lost.
Finally, the ambulance stopped at the hospital.
Justin was raced away in his stretcher and the same lady led us to the waiting room.
"We need to see him!" Adam pleaded.
"I'm sorry, but you can't right now. We'll let you know as soon as soon as you can visit him." she told us calmly.
Adam knew it was no use. He collapsed into a seat and pulled at his hair.
I sat beside him, watching the door Justin had disappeared into, tears still streaming out of my eyes.
Martin looked terrified.
"I'm going to call my mom, okay?" I told Adam weakly.
He just nodded once.
I pulled out my cell phone and dialled my mom's number.
"Hello?" she said from the other end of the line.
"Mom, can you come to the hospital on 56th?"
"What happened? Are you alright? Are the boys okay?" she asked, automatically worried.
"I'll explain when you come, okay, Mom?" my voice broke.
"Riley, what's going on?"
"Just come, okay?" I said, choking on a dry sob. I hung up.
Ten minutes later, my Mom hurried through the doors.
When she saw Justin wasn't with us, her eyes widened.
"Is Justin alright?"
Adam looked up and shook his head.
