Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Rick Riordan does.
"What's going on? Why am I leaving?" I asked Jake as we ran down the street. We went through many back alleys until we finally reached the park that I lived near. "What are we doing? camping?"
"No, now hush or they will hear you, we have to wait here quietly!" He hushed.
"Who will hear us? Wait for what?" I asked as we crouched behind some bushes.
A woman then walked by our bush a huge wound stretched across her abdomen, her white dress stained as crimson blood poured out from the wound.
"Oh my gosh!" I screamed. Blood poured from her wound making me a little queasy, I quickly jumped out of the bush and ran over to the bleeding woman.
"No! Don't it's a trap!" Jake called behind me. I didn't listen this woman needed help.
"Miss! We need to get you to a hospital!" I yelled urgently looking at her frantically, trying not to barf.
"Don't worry that won't be necessary." Her voice screeched she suddenly turned into a bat like creature and flew into the air.
"Oh my f-" I got cut off as Jake quickly used my bow and one of my arrows to shoot the creature. He failed miserably missing her.
"Pathetic!" The creature laughed diving down straight towards me I ducked out the creature's way but not before she scratched my arm I hissed in pain as I grabbed my wound. I walked in pain over to Jake, grabbing my bow and the fallen arrow and shooting the creature for myself.
I hit my target and expected a thump from the creature's body but instead she just burst into golden dust. I stood there again dumbfounded and felt crazy.
"What on Earth was that?" I yelled at Jake dropping my bow and arrow and letting my back pack slide off my back as I resumed to clutch my arm, my hand now coated in crimson blood.
"A harpy, see why we needed to leave?" He said getting back up and walked over the lush grass towards me.
"A harpy- Oh my God I am going crazy... If only my mother had me tested.. I might need medicine. Oh no I get it this is a dream! I must have fallen asleep after getting dressed! That's it somebody pinch me." I yelled, people walking by in the park looked at us funny, they must have assumed I was doing some sort of cosplaying.
I felt a pinch on my left arm opposite the one that was bleeding.
"Ow!" I yelled in pain turning around to face who pinched me.
But instead of seeing a face, all I saw was a chest covered by an orange shirt on the front of it was a black Pegasus with black letters that from what I could read said 'Camp Half-Blood' my dyslexia must have messed the words up...
I looked up from the chest to have my eyes meet a pair of sea blue ones. I looked up to see a tanned boy with slick black hair, his smile was wide as he looked down at me. He looked about 18. A girl who looked around the same age came running over to him, her blonde curls bounced as she ran. Her stormy grey eyes peered at me.
"You must be Stefani." The blonde girl asked.
"Uh yeah I am..." I stuttered.
"I am Annabeth and this-" She said pointing to the tan boy. "Is Percy we're here to take you to camp. Oh ow that harpy left a nasty mark didn't she?" She asked.
"Nothing compared to what Stefani here did to that harpy." Jake came trotting over to me wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
"Uh yeah that harpy did..." I began to laugh hysterically. "You know what? I'm surprised I haven't fainted yet, but I'm crazy aren't I? You aren't really here I am simply dreaming."
"Sorry to break it to you, but you aren't dreaming and here eat this." Percy said taking out what a plastic baggie, which contained something that looked to be a golden brownie and handed it to me. "Eat this, it'll help your arm."
"Yeah I was told never to take anything from strangers." I sneered. "Do I look like Alice lost in Wonderland? I am not eating some strange food that could shrink me!"
"Stefani you trust me right?" Jake asked from his spot beside me.
"Of course I do even though in this dream you're half-goat.." I stated.
"Trust me eat the ambrosia, it'll help." He reassured me, Percy outstretched his hand towards me the golden brownie in the palm of his hands.
"O-Okay if you're sure." I wearily took the brownie and was about to take a decent size bite until Annabeth yelled at me.
"No! No take a small bite other wise you'll burst into flames." She said cautiously.
My face paled. It's only a dream I muttered to myself only a dream.
"Stefani for the last time it's not a dream!" Jake yelled at me, I looked at him confused. "You were talking out loud again.."
I brought the brownie-sorry ambrosia to my mouth a took a small nibble of it, it was the best tasting thing ever. It reminded me of my mom's Smartie cookies with candy cane ice cream on top. After the small bite Percy snatched the brownie out of my hand and placed it back in the plastic baggie.
I soon felt no pain in my arm and the cut had stopped bleeding somewhat, all that was left were three long white-ish pink scars.
"So much for shrinking.." I said amazed at the healing power of the ambrosia.
"That's ambrosia for you, now come along we need to get out of here before another monster arrives." Annabeth said walking over to me grabbing my wrist with her tanned hand and pulling me across the park.
Percy and Jake carrying all my stuff, followed close behind as we walked over the green grass that blew in the soft May air. She finally let go of my wrist once we reached a deserted part of the park. I stood in a mix of awe and terror at the two creatures in front of me. One was a magnificent black winged horse the other a salt and pepper coloured winged horse. From the Greek stories my mother has told me I knew these creatures were Pegasi.
They were beautiful, but only mythical.
"I swear my mother really should have had me tested." I mumbled looking at the beautiful creatures.
"Everything will be explained to you once we get to camp." Percy smiled at me, Jake came over and dropped all my stuff in my arms.
"C'mon Stefani Chiron is waiting for us!" Annabeth gestured to me, as she climbed a top the salt and pepper horse. I quickly put my back pack on, and secured my quiver to my waist throwing the bow over my shoulder.
I walked over to the salt and pepper horse and attempted to get on it's back after a few trial and errors I finally managed to climb on its back. I saw that Jake wasn't climbing on to the other horse.
"You aren't coming with?" I stared down at him looking in his brown eyes.
"No Stefani I have to stay here and find others like yourself." He smiled up at me.
"I'll miss you Jake, thanks for everything you've done." I smiled weakly down at him.
"I'll miss you too. Don't train her too hard Percy." Jake laughed turning his attention to the tan boy.
"I'll try not too." He smiled from his horse. "You girls ready?" Percy called back to us.
"Yeah we're all set! Next stop Camp-Half Blood!" Annabeth yelled up. "Hold on tight Stefani don't want to fall off." She laughed looking over her shoulder at me.
The horse's wings started flapping up and down as it began to rise in the air I clung to Annabeth, I was terrified of heights. I shut my eyes so tight I began to see colours behind my eyelids. I felt my hair whipped in all directions as it hit my face, stinging s bit. With one eye slowly opening I saw we were very high off the ground falling over the city.
The horses flew at an impressive speed.
"You alright back there?" Annabeth asked with concern.
"Yeah..." I looked down again. "Never mind no I'm not!"
Annabeth's laughed filled the air as her blonde curls flew everywhere as well. "Don't worry not much longer, we should make it before nightfall."
"W-Where is this camp?" I asked shutting my eyes again.
"Oh just a little outside of New York." She stated.
"So why must I go to this camp?" I asked.
"I think I should let Chiron explain that part to you." She said.
"Chiron?"
"Yeah he's the activities director." She stated, I opened my eyes again looking down at the ground we were now flying over vast acres of lush green farm lands.
"I see.." I said with a shaky breath as I closed my eyes again.
The whole heights thing wasn't helping my mental stability. This 'dream' is crazy I swear I could write one hell of a book about this so far. My English teachers would probably think I need to go to an asylum.
After what felt like hours the wind started to die down I could feel my hair somewhat falling back into place. I slowly and cautiously opened my eyes to see us descending towards the ground. I closed my eyes again until I was sure we were on the ground.
I soon heard the sound of hooves hitting the ground. I opened my eyes fully to see Percy already off his horse and petting it's head. I hoped off the horse's back my legs a little wobbly. Once re-balanced I re-adjusted my bow and backpack. I took in my surroundings, we were situated at the bottom of the hill.
Annabeth hoped off the horse as did I. She began to run, Percy ran leading the Pegasi with him. I followed suit running up the hill until we reached a large gate way that was in some foreign language. The words begin to scramble as the name Camp Half-Blood sat on top of the gate way.
I walked through the gate way following Annabeth as Percy went in a different direction
"Come on Stefani I'll take you to Chiron!" She said gesturing me to follow her.. I ran to Annabeth trying to keep up with her long strides.
"So where is Chiron?" I asked Annabeth looking up at her, she was a tad taller than me.
"Most likely at the Big House with Mr. D." She said smiling down at me her grey eyes sparkling.
I turned my attention else where, I looked down at my now dirty black shoes and realized I was still in my Rapunzel dress which was now covered in dirt.
"Don't worry we can clean it up later, and get you some camp clothes." She smiled.
As we walked I noticed a large field filled with luscious looking strawberries, the sun was still somewhat high in the sky casting a beautiful glow over the field as teens picked baskets full of strawberries.
We continued to walk down the path until I noticed a huge ware-house looking building.
"Hey Annabeth what's that building for?" I asked pointing to the large building.
"That's the armory were campers can get a weapon for battles or capture the flag.'' She stated, she must have noticed my face getting pale because she quickly corrected herself. "Oh I mean no one dies or anything! It's just for training!" I nodded still feeling a little freaked out that we had to battle here.
Annabeth continued walking and I tried to catch up to her again my skirt flowing behind me. I got a few stares from some of the other campers, but I mean I was wearing a cosplay costume.
We finally reached a big sky blue house with a beautiful wrap around porch, like something you'd fine way out in the country. As we approached the porch I noticed two men, one was a chubby man sitting in a white lawn chair. His leopard print shirt stuck out like a sore thumb, the other was a well built man with brown hair and a beard but only on top. For his bottom was a horse?
"Uh-Uh Annabeth?" I stuttered stopping before we got to the porch.
"What's wrong?" she asked concerned filled her stormy grey eyes.
"Th-That man is half horse!" I yelled what is wrong with these people?
"That's Chiron it's okay he's a-"
"I know he's a centaur I'm familiar with the myths but they aren't supposed to be real. This really isn't a dream is it?" I asked her.
"No it's not but it's okay you're safe here." She smiled squeezing my shoulder.
We continued to walk to the porch both men finally recognizing our presence. The chubby man had blue teary blood-shot eyes which made him look a little drunk.
"Chiron this is Stefani Johnson the new camper." Annabeth introduced.
"Hello child, as you must know already I am Chiron activities director and this-" He said pointing to the chubby man who took a swig of some diet coke. "Is Mr. Dionysus."
Mr. Dionysus mumbled some form of hello.
"Thank you Annabeth you may return to your cabin dinner is in two hours." He nodded to Annabeth. Annabeth waved good-bye to me as did I. "Come along Stefani it is time for the orientation video." He said guiding into the sky blue house.
About half an hour later I had most of my questions answered, like why I have ADHD and Dyslexia, but I still had a few left. Chiron and I walked down the porch steps I was about to ask him something when another camper came running up to us.
"Chiron they need you in the arena!" An out of breath camper wheezed.
"Tell them I will be there soon." Chiron looked around before his eyes settled on two boys. "Travis! Connor!" He yelled to the boys, who came running over to us.
"Whatever it was it wasn't us!" The taller one proclaimed.
"Yeah I bet it was that other Hermes kid Jimmy? Johnny? I don't know but it wasn't us!" The slightly shorter one stated.
"You boys aren't in trouble I need you to show our new camper around and answer any of her questions she may have. I have other business to attend to. Stefani, Connor, Travis." Chiron acknowledge trotting away.
"So new camper?" The taller one said slyly. I looked up at them they were definitely twins from what I could tell. Both boys had unruly brown hair, blue eyes with a mischievous glint and many elf-ish features including up turned eyebrows and noses.
"Uh yeah.." I drifted off.
"I'm Connor the much cooler Stoll." The shorter one, whose name is apparently Connor said.
"So that means you're Travis?" I asked looking at the other twin.
"Yup we're the Stoll brothers best thing to happen to this here camp." He exclaimed wrapping his arm around my shoulders and using the other to gesture to the wide open camp. I brushed his arm off me and began to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Connor called out to me.
"Chiron said you have to show me around!" I said my face lighting up. "So! Show me around!" I turned around and began to sprint excited to explore this new place.
The boys laughed as they ran to catch up to my sprinting figure.