Chapter 2: The Chosen One

Lucas's POV

As soon as the bell rang we all packed up and everybody filed out for lunch.

Everybody except for Percy, me and Zay.

"Hey Percy. So, what do you think?" I asked my friend. We had met last year at

Camp Half Blood and had quickly become friends.

"Well, you definitely found them. There's no question about that." Percy answered.

"The real question is do you think one of them is the chosen one?" Zay frowned and

we both looked at Percy in anticipation. All of the satyrs and most powerful half-

bloods are on the lookout for The Chosen One, and we might have found her. Wait,

why did I just think of the Chosen One as a girl? Well, probably because it's Riley.

But we don't know that for sure. I battle with my mind whilst waiting for an answer

from Percy.

"No doubt about it. One of them has to be; otherwise the gods wouldn't have put

another two demigods near the other. All we need to do is figure out which one is

the Chosen One."

"I already have an idea," I beamed. "We have to think about who would be strong

enough. I mean, sure, they need to be physically strong as well. But mostly

mentally strong. We know how powerful and deceitful Cronos is, he can be really

swaying." I knew this would get Percy's attention, as during a quest Cronos had

been able to temp his girlfriend, Annabeth. If he could tempt her than he could

tempt anyone. At least that's what Percy thought. I know Riley is different. I continued.

"We need a hero who is the most loyal, strong-willed, kind, caring person on the face of the earth." I finished.

"He's talking about… Well, three guesses who." Zay smirked.

Percy rolled his eyes at Zay. "I know he's, like, head over heels in love with her, but Lucas is right.

This was not what I was expecting. Percy knew as well as anyone how feelings can

blind you. I know that I think Riley is the one, but do I really think that? Or is it just

my feelings telling me she is the most amazing person on the face of this earth? If

Percy agreed with me than I know that what I know I think is right.

"I am?" I asked, not bothering to mask my confusion.

"Yes, Cronos is very persuasive. We need a strong-willed, loyal person. By what

you've told me about Riley, which is a lot mind you, she's perfect for the position. If

she is the Chosen One, because we can't be sure right now, then we'll train her.

There isn't much time though. We need to get them to camp today." Percy told us.

"But how will we know for sure who it is?" I asked, now realising the full danger

Riley might be in.

"We do what we can, expose her to as much as we can, training weapons, magic.

Then we wait. There should be a sign from the gods." Percy answered, shrugging.

"Ok, we better go meet Farkle and the girls." Said Zay. "Or else they'll find out

something is off."

I pulled my bag over my shoulder and waited as Percy pulled out a letter from

Chiron from his bag. The letter was to tell him what was going on in case we had to leave early. We're meant to leave after school, explain everything at Riley's place and head to our apartments to pack. If we run into a monster than we might have to change our plans.

We walked out of the classroom and found Riley and Maya putting their books into their lockers. I went over to Riley and helped her put away her textbooks. I noticed her sacred notebook was amongst them. She pulled it back out and shoved it into her bag. I smiled, someday I'll find out what was inside. She won't even tell Maya, so good luck to me, but I will find out. Somehow, someday.

I leaned against the lockers next to her and waited for her to close her locker. She beamed at me.

"Thanks, Lucas." Riley adjusted the strap of her bag as I grinned. I don't know how she makes me smile so easily. We stared at each other's eyes. I have no idea how long we were lost like this but Maya's yells snapped us both back into reality.

"Hey! You two doves, get over hear before lunch is over, I'm hungry." Maya shouted across the hall, holding open the door to the cafeteria.

Riley laughed and we made our way over to Maya. She was there waiting for us with Farkle and Zay. Percy was standing a little farther from the group waiting for me to ask him to sit with us. We lined up to get our food. Percy was just behind us.

"Hey, guys, is it ok if we ask the new guy to sit with us?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Riley smiled at me. "Of course, I was just about to say the same thing."

"You were?" I stated more than asked. She was. I know how friendly Riley is, so this shouldn't bother me. It shouldn't, but it did. I pushed it away, determined not to let it get to me. I know it was nothing. Sometimes I just panic.

Percy knew that it was his que, just like we'd planned. "Hey, I was just wondering if I could sit with you. I don't really know anyone here." He smiled.

"Sure," Riley returned his smile. "We were actually just about to ask you if you wanted to sit with us."

Once we had gotten our food we sat at a table to eat. Then a teacher came over to us. I haven't seen him before. He was old and wrinkled like a prune. His eyes were a really weird colour, like a redish-brown. He glared down at me.

"Make sure you clean up after yourselves." He practically snarled, his lips curved and his nostrils flared. Then I noticed that his mouth was slightly open. He was breathing through his mouth. Monster. The word wrung through my head like a doorbell. Oh no. I almost shot up from my seat with alarm. They found us.