Chapter 2

"Miss Jackson, there is no Ms. Dodds." Now if you were to just fight a bat looking demon, who just transformed from your Pre-algebra teacher to that, not to mention tried to kill you, and you hear those words, you probably have to say to yourself, "WHAT THE FUCK?!" I didn't dream of the old bat for the past few months, I didn't just meet with her to discuss my grades in math and I CERTAINLY didn't dream of her trying to kill me. That was basically on my mind for the trip back to the academy.

Lots of time passed as I still couldn't get that day out of my mind. Everyone just up and forgot about the beast that once walked in our school halls. Everyone just thought our new teacher was the one we had all along. Now I know something was up; did some drug or food poisoning mess up their minds, brainwashed them all into thinking what they saw was all fake and what was happening now was reality? This whole endeavor did not help me at all. I asked Grover on it, but the hippie just... hesitated. Everyone else was to the point "Who is she?" "Never heard of her." or even "I think your mind is more messed up than we thought." I know something was up, I just didn't know what it could be. Whatever it was, I had to know; otherwise, the world is just fucking with me.

The rest of the year was just studying, bullying and lots of other school drama. However, it was near the end of that year when finals were coming around. If there's one thing I hate more than thinking on hard questions, it's answering them. With all my dyslexia and ADHD, testing feels like rocket science. I must study harder and earlier just so I can make sense of some letters and sentences. I was in the middle of a Latin review as I decided to take a break and get some air. The halls were empty since it was late at night, right around nine at night. I walked through different halls as I tried to clear my head. I tried to think on the better things that were going on, or will be going on. I would see my mother after exams are finished, I'd be free from the crap school I was living in, and so much more.

A few minutes past as I heard some muttering going on. I was trying to be polite about it and decided to keep going but the words "Perci might be in trouble" got my attention. It came by Mr. Brunner's office as I listened in; I could hear Grover and the mister talking. Grover said to the teacher, "Look all I'm saying is that if a fury attacked her, then it's clear we might have the right kid." Mr. Brunner sounded a bit stressed as he said, "I saw the whole ordeal, we might not have the right child, but maybe found... another. I noticed in the room it became darker and colder as well as... something more fearful than Phebos." Grover sighed as he said, "Look, I can't fail like I did the last time... I... Just can't. Besides, we need to make sure she's the one we're looking for and get the issue resolved by the Summer Solstice. We need to have Perci protected during the break, maybe I could-" Grover was cut off while the old man replied, "Look, Grover the matter can be resolved at a later date, just let the girl live with the ignorance for a little while longer. You have also not failed, Grover, you know how she was, who she was meant to be. But for now, let's focus on keeping Perci alive." I... couldn't believe what I was hearing, what was wrong with me? Is there like a gang after me and if I heard that right "fury"? So the old bat really was a monster, but how come they knew what she was? Brunner and Grover acted as if she didn't exist. And now that the old man brought it up, that room did turn a bit into a nightmare zone. I thought it was due to the injuries I thought I had faced, but if they both noticed... than what's happening? I wanted to lean in for more, but by then, it was a mistake. I rushed to the end of the hall as I heard one of them coming to the door. When taking cover, I heard Brunner saying, "Damn these nerves, I haven't been tense since the Winter Solstice. Mr. Underwood, time for you to retire. As well as ready for tomorrow's exam." It was then I heard Grover exiting and complaining about tomorrow. Luckily he left another way, but by then I decided to get some rest. I had enough craziness for one night.

I'll skip a head past all the school stuff. My break was beginning now, as I was now in a cab to my mom's place. Well, I had to take a bus then to a cab. The station was busy and I saw my dear hippie friend; he said he wanted to come along and was acting weird like he was looking for something like say a fury for instance. However, a pair, three of them at least, of old ladies knitting a pair of large blue socks made the poor guy freak out. I didn't want to do it but I left Grover there. Believe me, he wouldn't want to see where my mother and I live. When the cab ride was over, payed the driver, I went to my apartment building or Gabe's place. I found the place in shambles, a pigsty. Place smelled like moldy pizza, cheese fries and gym shorts; not exactly a friendly place, could use a fumigation squad. I walked into my room, or what was my room. Place was filled with trash, car magazines, my bed was messed up and the place looked like Gabe lived in it forever. I put my stuff down, couldn't believe I was back with that pig. I just wanted to see my mom and just see some light in this darkness. As I waited for my mom, the filth came in. Gabe was a fat man who was balding so he barely had any hair on his head, he just wore jeans and a messy white shirt and eyes so brown they'd look like a toilet full of diarrhea. He stood there with his arms crossed as he said, "Give me your money, brat." I rolled my eyes as I said, "Good to see you too, Gabe, but I don't have any money." The fat piece of work came over, trying to act all macho saying, "You took a bus and a cab here, I know you have money, so fork it over. You're in my house and you'll live by my rules, my word is law; unless you want to live on the street-" before the guy could finish, an angel spoke to the devil, "Gabe, leave her alone, she just got here." My mom came to the rescue. My mother had long, beautiful brown hair, amazing sea-green eyes and fair skin. She was wearing a blue blouse and black skirt as she came in with black heels. Gabe decided to leave, knowing he wouldn't get any money. When he left, I hugged my mother as close and as tight as I could. I missed her so much, I missed how she smell, how she held me and how much I love her. I needed her more than she needed me. We sat down as she said, "You've grown a lot since Christmas, it's good to see you, sweetie." We both sat down as she said, "Sorry for the mess, your stepfather wanted a place to read his magazines." I scoffed as I replied, "There's a place, it's called a chair." My mother laughed as she soon replied, "Well, never mind that, I've got some good new; I've rented out our favorite cabin by the beach for three whole days!" I smiled when I heard about that; my mother said my parents met there, with my biological dad, not Gabe. It's a hard place to rent out since we have a lot of financial issues. I'm glad my mother was able to get it, finally wanted to get the whole Ms. Dodds and Yancy Academy.

I thought my mother and I would be at the cabin sooner, unfortunately, Gabe got in the way. The pig wanted my mom's legendary seven bean dip. Apparently he and his friends were going to have a poker game and he wanted food to stuff his if it wasn't bad enough that Gabe was being an asshole as usual, he even told me "If you have one scratch on the car, you're paying for it." Unbelievable! The dip-shit clearly wanted payback for that dumb "change". People run out of money, he would know. Well, now me and my mother were together for an all-girls weekend. The cabin was at Montauk at Long Island, about three hours from Manhattan, as it had two bed rooms, one bathroom and the living room and kitchen were together. It was a bit small, but it was better than the apartment. As we sat in the sofa, there was a storm going on outside, a hurricane. Power was out and now me and my mother were drinking hot coco by the of my uniform, I changed into some clothes more in my style. I was now wearing a black shirt with a red outline on the collar and at the opening for arms. I was now wearing a pair of denim shorts that went half-way to my thighs and my red sneakers. My mother was now dressed in a pair of jeans, a red shirt and brown slippers. It was nice being close with my mother, haven't had such an experience in a long time. We use to have shopping trips, ice-skating during the winter, even the arcade, I tell you my mom is good at Dance Revolution. As we drank our chocolate drinks my mother said, "Now this is the life; nice fire, cozy little place and spending time with my little girl. I'll take it any day." I smiled at my mother as I replied, "I agree, I'd take this over that school. Lots of stuff happened to me; exams, bullying as well as an... incident. I don't think the school will be taking me anytime soon..." I really was disappointed in myself; I heard Grover said he failed something but he has nothing on me; I've failed private school again. My mother look at me as she said, "Don't worry, we'll come up with something. I know of a place that can help, sweetie, somewhere your father wasn't keen on, but said would help you." I scoffed and replied, "Old man ditched us and has a school for me?" My mother looked disappointed as she said, "It's not a school... it's a camp. People there are like you; special. Just trust me sweetie, give it a chance, I'm sure everything will be fine." I looked at her as I was a bit sad; would we really be separated again? I replied, "But... but what about you? I don't want to leave you with that fat shit Gabe. Mom he mistreats you, why do you still put up with his crap?" My mother looked at me, as if what she was going to say was practiced or being forced to say, "He's been helpful, but you just don't even know it." "Helpful" I thought in my mind. How did that crap help? He beats my mom, treats her like a slave and thinks he's a god.

As if on cue, there was a knocking at the door. I walked over as I said, "Must be Gabe asking to refill his bean dip." My mother soon freaked out as she yelled, "Perci, don't answer that!" I didn't know what she was freaking out about, I know Gabe is evil, but if I know the fat ass, he won't leave. It's time I stand up to the pig as I opened the door. However, when I thought I was going to bad mouth smelly Gabe, I soon found Grover soaked to the skin. I was wondering how the Hell he found me and my mother, but there was something else about Grover... he wasn't wearing any pant, but what was more weird, he had goat legs... first my pre-algebra teacher turns into some bat demon called a fury, my Latin teacher said I'm in some trouble, now my friend has goat legs... guess that explains the vegetarian thing... I was wondering if I really was dreaming this time, I fell asleep with my mother by the fireplace and now having a wacky dream. My mother brought Grover in as he said, "Being followed... Sally, we need to get Perci out of here now... like right now." Okay seriously, what the fuck was going on? Who was after me? Why was Grover half goat and why isn't my mom freaking out?! As if no one wanted to explain anything, they grabbed my arms and dragged me out of the cabin. By that time, my weekend with my mom was over.

We drove in Gabe's car, which didn't smell as bad as the apartment (Thank God) as my mother was taking me to this "place" my old man wanted me to go but wasn't keen on it to begin with. My mother was freaking out, she acted like we were delivering a bomb and needed to hurry before exploding. As for my goat-legged friend, poor guy was exhausted and soaked to the skin; I had to give him some time off and trust him for now, but still, what the fuck with the goat legs? I asked, but not too abruptly, "So... if my memory of the stories Mr. Brunner said are correct, my friend here is a... a... saytr?" Grover nodded as he replied, "Yup, those myths he told you are true. As for why people didn't notice before, it's complicated. But listen, what's following us is worse than Ms. Dodds." Ah, ha! He admitted there was a Ms. Dodds! Well, got that off my chest, but now it's filled again with what's chasing us, and I don't want to know. Unfortunately, it was going to catch up, one way or the other. Now you're thinking, "Don't think like that, there's hope." Well, here's what happened.

As we kept driving, the weirdest weather occurred for my mother; it was raining cows. A bovine was tossed in front of our car as my mother swerved out of control as the car went flying. I held on to dear life as the hunk of junk twisted in the air; but the landing had the car standing on the roof as my neck began to hurt like crazy. I groaned as my mother looked back to say, "You two alright?" Ah, motherly love, but I replied, "Yeah, mom I'm fine. But..." I looked to Grover as the poor saytr was out and muttering, "Food..." over and over. I knew whatever was after us wouldn't be far off. Needing an escape, had to break the back glass as we manage to get out of the torn car. Hopefully, Gabe won't notice the car had a scratch or a thousand. When we pulled Grover out, my mother and I looked to see something was coming, something big was on our tails. I couldn't make it out, but it was coming in fast. My mother soon had the same idea, "Run!" With that, we took Grover's arms and ran for it

Our marathon led our group into the woods on the side of the road as we did our best to outmaneuver the thing that was after us; okay so my teacher was a demon, being chased by a big... thing and now carrying my friend, who is half goat to some place my deadbeat dad wanted yet didn't want me to go to. Whoopee doopee do! As we ran, I heard something coming... and it sounded mechanical. I looked back as there was an update on the weather; it was now raining cars. Needing to hurry before my death, and the death of my loved ones, " we ran past a giant tree as the broken-down car crashed into the side on the tree. We managed to dodge the weather, but I smelled gas... and that's not a good sign. It wasn't long before the gas decided to ruin our evacuation plan. Within a matter of seconds, the car combust as it ignited the gasoline leaking from the engine. The explosion had a force that blasted our group a few feet. My body is just not getting the respect it deserves; first thrown into a wall by some Fury, the car wreck now this explosion... honestly, what world wants me dead? What did I do to deserve this? I landed on my stomach from the explosion as I staggered to get up from the attack. I picked up Grover as the flames of the car roared behind us. I might have been banged up due to maybe a few stray pieces of metal hitting me, but hopefully nothing serious. My mother looked at me worryingly as she said, exhausted, "Perci, head to the hill with the large pine tree, there you'll see a big white house, head there, you'll be safe... please, sweetie..." I didn't know how my mother knew something was there, but I didn't want to second guess anything in this world. However, I couldn't leave my mom... I didn't want to leave her at that thing's mercy. I shook my head, telling her I couldn't do it, but it was too late, my stubborn action came to bit me in the back side. The beast caught up with us.

Chapter 3

To say this thing was ugly would be like saying the sky was blue; this beast ranged in about 13 ft in height, had a body built for ten muscle trainers, had the legs of a bull, covered in dark brown fur and on it's head were a pair of curved horns like a bull and I didn't need to know mythology to figure out this guy. Unfortunately, Grover came to his senses and said the answer for me, "The Minotaur!" I'm glad Grover was okay, because I hope he can help me against this thing. My friend got back on his... hooves, I guess, as my mother was getting up. At least I can see the Minotaur clearly due to the flaming car behind him. I nearly died from a Fury, I have a feeling I'd die for sure if I take on this thing; I got lucky with whatever stopped the old bat teacher, now I'm not so sure it could happen again. However, before we could do anything, it grabbed my mother.

My mother, the woman that raised me and cared for me was now in the clutches of a monster. The Minotaur held my mother in his giant fists, squeezing the life out of her. I... I couldn't think. I didn't know what to do as my mother being held as a hostage. My green eyes teared up from anger and fear as I didn't know what to do... I couldn't leave my mother, she needed me and... I needed her. I soon felt cold as I teared up, it was as if the summer night was turning into a winter's night. I thought it was just me but... I noticed something strange, the Minotaur was shivering as was Grover. I didn't know why they were but it was happening. Before I could make sense of it all, the beast began to charge at me.

The Minotaur charged at me, yet, I couldn't move. My life was always bad, I figured I'd just let death come and end it. I couldn't go up against a bull monster, I'm weak, pathetic...I'm no hero. I hoped my death to be quick, but as if it was by some divine intervention, I heard the voice that saved me from the fury, the one that made a demon afraid. I felt something around me, I didn't know what but it felt like someone was holding me. The voice said, "Move! Do so, or you'll regret it." A chill went through my body, either fear or energy as I dodged to my left. When I did, the Minotaur was soon lodged into a tree. His right horn was stuck inside the tree that was behind me, he struggled to get out, poor guy. I heard the voice calling to me, "Show me your worth, don't be a coward, be brave, Persephone." Persephone... somehow this voice knew my true name. But it was right, I had the perfect opportunity to get my mother back. I looked around to find a large shard of metal from the car near me. I grabbed hold of it as I ran to the arm my mother was in. I had only, maybe a few seconds, but I lodged the shard into the bull's arm. I roared in pain pulled itself out of the tree, losing it's right horn and at the same time throwing my mother in the air as it was being dislodged from the tree. My mother was many feet in the air. I ran to save her, at least cushion her fall when the unicorn bull got back on its feet and knocked me away with his enormous hands. I went flying into a tree as I could feel my back possibly broken. I looked to see my mom about to land on the ground but, and I swear I'm not lying, she vanished. She just turned into some golden mist before hitting the ground. I didn't know how or why, but my mother was gone... I was about to charge at the beast, hoping to get some answers if it could speak as the voice in my head said, "No, Perci, don't. Go for the horn and say these words." I said to myself, "Just who the fuck are you? Why do you know about this shit?!" I was in a sad tone, yet angry too when I spoke as Grover, the lazy goat boy, looked at me like I was going crazy, but at this point, I think I was. But the Minotaur charged again with his only horn and so it was either life or death. I could feel my mother alive and yet... I needed to make sure I would see her again. I dodged, but the Minotaur grew smart and didn't get stuck into a tree. As I grabbed the horn, I pulled it with all my strength as the beast was about to come at me for the third time. It readied to charge as I decided to say, "Heh, fuck it," as I repeated the words the voice spoke to me, " I, Persephone Jackson name you, Asterion, son of Pasiphaë and Minos, grandson of Helios. I name you to be mine!" As I finished, the horn and the monster glowed bright, almost like gold, as he too turned into a golden dust, showering me with his remains (gross, by the way). After that... I just past out cold.

All I could see... was a darkness; all I could hear was a voice, another voice, saying, "You show potential, child." His voice was deep, as well as evil. He continued, "I'll let you live for now, but you'll have to show me your worth." I didn't know what the hell was going on, why a pre-teen was exposed to such nightmares, but the darkness around me changed into some new scene. I saw some kind of city, and the landscape was... different than modern times. It looked like...New York but in like the early 1920's. I was looking at what looked like Time Square, people were in vests, suits, those old dresses and bland hair styles. All around cars and buildings really gave signs of it being in the twenties, I can even hear a radio newscaster saying, "And we have quite the broadcast to you, folks, the market is going up as men and women line up to get in on growing companies. In the light in the criminal world, local NYPD police busted several crooks running a speakeasy in downtown Manhattan." One of the men at the time had a newspaper saying the same news as he said, "Well, people miss their booze; can't blame them for trying." It was so weird...I barely remember this era yet... it seems so real. I looked around as there was this one guy that kind of stood out among the... twenties. He had a very pale skin complexion, like a skeleton, had short, ragged hair, eyes that glittered like tar as he wore a black vest with a blood red tie, some dark grey pants with red suspenders, and black leather shoes, man looked like a mix of a roaring twenties party guy and a man going to a funeral. He was just standing in an alley was, as the scene was bare with clothes lines hanging above him and sounds of conversations were heard. As he stood there, someone else entered the scene, as for what how this someone looked, they were...hot! This someone was a lovely female with long blond hair, lovely tanned skin, purple eyes, wore a Marilyn Monroe dress and heels, had a perfect figure, cheek bones and... everything. It was as if my I was falling in love, I wanted to forever do as she said and hope for a kiss in return... she looked to the man with her lovely eyes as her voice was like honey, "I'd like to ask why I'm here in a place like this. I should be... well, you know. Out enjoying the fun, the love and pleasure of the city. Instead you asked me to meet in this disgusting alley." I felt infuriated for some reason, like I couldn't stand this woman being mistreated by this man... it was as if I have some crush for her. But I heard out the man, "The reason I asked you here is because of the fact that your son shot me. And you knows what happens when your son shoots people, just for the fun of it." This guy survived a shot from... a gun, maybe? Impressive I'd say. The woman rolled her eyes as she said, "Yes, yes now, what will it take for you not to seek revenge on my beloved little boy? A night with me? Undo the shot? What will it take?" The man's black eyes looked to her, with some anger to it, as he said, clinching his fists, "I'd like you to take my side, my ally. I need you and your powers in THAT place. Listen to me, you know how powerful and not to mention feared I am with the others. I need you as my ally there. You are just as powerful and feared too." I didn't understand what was going on, but this seemed interesting. I looked to see the woman giving a smile saying, "Oh stop, you're making me blush. Very well, we'll be partners." She extended her right and as the two shook on it as she said, "I swear by the River Styx." When she finished, they let go. The woman soon asked, "So... who's the either the lucky or unlucky woman you met?" Wait... first payment for getting shot then mentioning a woman? I was just so confused at this point... but I heard the man saying, "A nice gal, her name is Sally Jackson."

Is it weird that you hear your mom's name in a dream? Especially one that takes place in the 1920s? Before anything else happened, the scene changed into a pit of darkness as I began to open my eyes. It was morning as I saw the blue sky, heard birds chirping and saw where I was. Must have been the farm house my mom told me to go to; I was out on some porch as I was out in a lawn chair with a blanket over my lap. I stretched, not knowing how long I was out for as I saw Grover; the guy had a change of clothes as he now wore a orange shirt and still had the goat legs... now I know that wasn't a dream. I fought the Minotaur... my mom vanished... I didn't know what to feel as I looked to Grover and asked, "So... how long was I out?" He looked to me and said, "Well... only for a day. You seem to be a fast healer, that's something. How are you feeling after the fight?" I looked at him and noticed a stink... I smelled myself and said, "I feel gross. Need to shower due to running, being thrown and all kinds of crap." Grover gave a small chuckle as he said, "By the way, here, I don't know what you did, but this is yours. Consider it a... spoil of war." He gave me some shoe box that felt really heavy; I opened it to find that horn from the Minotaur. I guess now I have a reminder of how real the world is now and also that I need to find my mother, where ever she is... I stood up as I was still in my old clothes from before. I held onto the horn as Grover told me, "Come on, some people want to meet you; you might know one of them."

When walking over, my own eyes beheld a man I knew all too well, as for why he was there... I have no idea on; I looked to see my favorite teacher with the scruffy brown hair, Mr. Brunner. I had absolutely no idea why he was there, but it was time I got some answers before my brain got fried. I approached the old man as he said, "Good, Perci, you're awake. We kept you stable after the... incident." There was this old, grouchy man, had more hair than Gabe, as he wore a panther shirt, some khakii shorts as his hair was a black mess as he said, "You're the second person I've seen to survive and defeat the Minotaur, though now it's under a different circumstance, not sure how you knew how to do a Naming Spell, maybe you're Hecate's daughter." I was confused by what I was hearing from him as I asked, "And who might you be?" He looked at me with his purple eyes, "Chiron, I thought you told this missy about our tales, seriously don't know who I am? I'll give you a hint, former demigod turned Olympian." I jogged my memory and kept that "Chiron" statement in my mind as I replied, "Dionysus, god of wine?" The man chuckled as he formed a drink in his hand, I thought it'd be wine but turned into a can of Diet Coke as he said, "Unfortunately, wine was my rule over, now dear daddy Zeus has made me the God of Diet Coke until further notice." I chuckled a bit saying, "Is this how gods get grounded?" Chiron answered, "Well, Mr. D had a little misfortune as he was after a nymph that was... off-limits." The old god sighed as I turned to Chiron/ Mr. Brunner, "So... care to explain everything? Why I'm here, why there's this god of alcohol, why Grover is half animal, and also why you're now being called Chiron?" My old teacher smiled as he looked like he was to walk out of his wheelchair, but as he did, now he was half animal, a centaur. His lower half was a strong, brown set of horse legs as now I was beyond the point of no return as he said, "All will be explained, Perci, but first, welcome to Camp Half-Blood."