Ch. 2: I get to Camp Half- Blood. It's nice, though not really my style.
Ash

Thank you everyone for reading my Fanfic, I will try to post a new chapter either every week, or every other week. And please make suggestions by commenting.

I couldn't understand why everyone was making such a big fuss about a guy who was supposedly dead. Then again I was already used to it. I was tired of being cooped up in the infirmary. I wanted to learn all about this place… then get the heck out. Of course the girl Kayla, I think, would not even let me get up from my bed!

"Stay in bed! You lost a lot of blood, and need rest," she said just before she went out the door.

This is my chance. As I got up from my bed my arm started to ache, but I ignored it. I picked up my dagger and bolted for the door.

Once I was outside I immediately scanned my surroundings. There were cabins everywhere, all unique in their own way. One had an extremely dark exterior but also had a mystery feel. Another was covered in grapevines. There was also a big blue house, but also an armory. I decided to check that out, might need some new weapons before I leave. As I walked around, I noticed that there were kids around the ages through 12-17 was sword fighting. "If only I could have gotten here sooner," I said to myself. No. I pushed that thought deep in the back of my mind. Once I got to the armory I already noticed that a lot of the weapons were made of bronze, just like my dagger. I decided to take another dagger if I ever lost mine. "You know..". I spun my body around and took my dagger to whose ever neck was behind me. It was a boy, around 16 years old. He had a tan skin color with rough hands, as though he had worked in a workshop his whole life. His hair was a dark brown and covered in grease. His eyes were brown, but I could sense that they were filled with pain, but also joy.

"Hey! Sorry if I startled you, no need to get all upset." He had his arms up in surrender. I still didn't put my dagger down. "The name's Leo… Leo Valdez." He put his hand out, while still having one up. I put my dagger down and shook his hand.

Are people here always so nice? I wondered. "Ash".

"What are you doing here Ash?"

"I'm just poking around. I was actually wondering if you could tell me who is in charge around

here?" I asked.

"That would Mr. D, but Chiron is usually the one meets all the new campers," Leo said.

"How did you know that I was new?"

"Well, for one thing, we don't just go around putting daggers at people's throats, when someone tries to start a conversation."

"Sorry… reflexes," I said.

"No biggie, hey why don't I introduce you to Chiron, and Mr. D?" Leo exclaimed.

"That would be great," I said while putting on a fake smile.

As we walked to the big blue house, Leo told me that this place is where demigods... like me, train to battle Greek monsters, not that I needed it. Leo also told me all about his friends and the adventures they had last year. How they... well as Leo put it "Flew his bronze dragon/ ship into Gea, therefore causing an explosion, which killed him and Gea. "

"How is it possible that you are alive?" I asked.

"Thanks to that fancy drug I took, I was able to cheat death. That's another point for team Leo!" Leo exclaimed.

I'm not sure what to think of Leo. He seems nice, maybe enough that we could be friends. You're not here to make friends, you're on a mission, says the voice in the back of my head. Don't put anyone at risk, like last time. "And here we are." I look up, not realizing that we had arrived. As we walked inside it was not what I had expected. There was a Ping-Pong table with chairs around it, and a live moose head on the wall. The walls are all gray and there are wooden stairs leading up to the second floor. There was a fireplace with two cushion fake animal chairs and a small table in between them. The floor is a rough red oak wood, and the center has a deep brown coat with a thick dirty yellow main.

"Hello, new camper my name is Chiron, and welcome to Camp-Half Blood."

"Hi, name's Ash. You wouldn't happen to be the "Chiron"? As in the centaur who trained Hercules."

"Yes! I am indeed. But enough about me, why don't you take a seat. Thank you, Leo."

I totally forgot that Leo was in the room.

"See ya at dinner Ash!" Leo exclaimed as he walked out the front door.

I waved him goodbye as I sat down on one of the fake animal chairs. It was really soft, and I couldn't help but make myself feel at home, considering that I never really had one.

"So Ash. What do you know about Greek Gods?" Chiron asked.

"Well for starters, I know that they are real and so are other Greek mythological beings, such as centaurs," I said as I looked at his hooves. "I also know that there was a battle in New York against the Titans. I also know that there were two battles going on, recently. One where the gods were fighting a Giant, and another where the Earth goddess, Gea, was forced back into her slumber." "I'm guessing you guys along with some Roman demigods helped with that?" I asked. Chiron tried to hide his concerned look, but I was already a master at reading faces.

"Yes, the Roman demigods did help us. But how exactly do you know all this?" he asked.

"Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter, aren't the only places, where demigods can be safe." He was a little shocked. His eyes slightly widened, and his eyebrows went up.

"Can you at least tell why you were kept a secret, assuming that you won't tell me your location."

"We only kept secret because we like to kept to ourselves, and most of us aren't really the social type", I lied. While you're at it, tell him that we also have a sphinx as our guard cat, says the annoying voice in my head.

"I see," he said before pausing. "Then why exactly are you here?" he asked. He doesn't trust me, I couldn't blame him though, I mean, I don't trust them, why should they?

"I only came here because I was injured and needed supplies. I'll just stay for one night, then we can go our separate ways." I told him. He's convinced, but I know he wants to know more about my secret camp. Though I am not going to get attached, I'll be in and out as if I were never here.

"Very well, you can sleep in the Hermès cabin if you wish," Chiron told me with concern.

"Thank you, but I have a tent," I tell him sternly. "Would it be ok if I place it near the strawberry field?" I asked.

"Sure." He told me with a smile. I guess people here don't really acknowledge the strawberry fields.

"Well thank you, I'll just get out of your hair," I tell him.

"You are welcome to participate in the activities as well as the campfire singing we have when the moon comes up." He said.

"Thanks, I'll consider it"

I get up from the chair, and I head out the door. I go back to the infirmary, and as I walked out with my bag, I notice that a lot of campers were staring as I walked past them. Whatever, I'm not exactly here to make friends.

After I am at the edge of the strawberry field, I take out the folded tent from my camo colored, nylon bag. I also took out my denim jacket. It is a dark blue with two black rock guitars crossing each other, with fire at the ends. It also has an ocean blue wave, with a patch of fine sand. I put it over my plain gray short sleeves and beige denim shorts. The tent was actually the same kind, that the Hunters of Artemis use. But that story is for another time. All I had to do was throw it and… Bam! The tent had expanded. Just as I was checking to make sure that everything was in my bag, I hear footsteps coming towards me.

"You know it's not nice to sneak up on people," I told whoever was behind me.

"Sorry, I just wanted to talk to you, about what happened in the infirmary", he said.

I turn around, and it was the same boy. He had black rough hair, with medium brown colored eyes. His skin was pale and was wearing a black skull shirt. As well as dark denim blue pants. But what caught my attention, was his skull ring, on his right ring finger. I can only assume that he was goth, not that I'm one to judge considering I'm gay. And no, I'm not in a relationship, nor looking for one. He is kinda hard to read, he seems curious, and I think maybe a bit concerned. For him? No. For me? I was confused, we haven't even met, formerly of course.

"Sure", I tell him. "Come on in."

I unzip the front and lead him inside. The inside was nothing like a normal tent, on the right, it has a fireplace in the corner and two brown leather chairs in front of it. The floor has a super soft brown fur rug, that covers that covers the entire floor. Then right next to the fireplace is a bunk bed, with a desk space underneath it, however, it can be turned into a bed. Also, the bunk bed leads up to a small quiet space, and at night the only things you can hear are the crickets chirping. There is also a safe right next to my bed. It contains both Greek, Spanish, European, and English money. On the left side, there is a bookshelf, and next to it there is a cabinet/ fridge, stocked with food. And finally straight ahead was a closet full of extra pillow and blankets, as well as extra clothes in all different sizes. I never know when I might have guests, which is like never.

"Is this like your house?" Nico asked.

"It's more like my moving home. I can take it wherever I go, and it has all that I need." I tell him.

"Right… I'm Nico by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Nico, yeah… sorry that we haven't been able to formally meet, names Ash."

We just awkwardly stare at each other it, since neither of us took out their hand. Which is good because I'm not really the formal type, so to speak.

"You wanted to talk about what happened at the Apollo cabin, I think it was"

"Yes, about that-"

"Why don't we sit down?" I interrupted as gesturing towards the floor.

"Um, sure"

We both sit down on the rug and start talking.

"You didn't seem surprised when Rachel, the girl who tried to great you, started to have smoke coming out of her."

"I know a thing or two about Greek mythology," I told him.

"Right. If I may ask, how come you weren't claimed by your godly parent. Assuming you already know about those things."

I pause. Should I tell him? It's not like I'll be staying here long. Though he does seem nice enough to be an ally. And so I take a breath and tell him the same thing that I told Chiron. As I talked he didn't interpret, and he kept a straight face. I was impressed, he was almost impossible to read, almost. Once I got to the part about the camp being kept a secret, for a few seconds he looked he was considering something, and I think he had a bit of regret in him. But then he went back to a blank expression.

"So yeah, that is my big secret that everybody wants to know," I said.

He started to open his mouth, but I interrupted before he even uttered a word. I knew what was coming, "Don't worry, I won't tell anybody". Yeah, no. They may say that, but eventually, they will spill the beans to someone.

"Before you say anything, I want you to know that I really don't care who you tell as long as you trust them, and won't tell anybody."

"I was going to ask you what your favorite food is." He said.

Huh? I was pleased, he didn't push, or ask any questions about the camp. But before I could respond, I jumped to my feet and went to the back of the tent, then pulled down the zipper. Yes, there is a back exit/entrance. I carefully walk around the back, with Nico right behind me.

"Hey!" I shout.

There were two boys, identical twins in fact. They both had curly dark brown hair and a slightly tan skin. They also had blue eyes, and when I shouted they jumped to their feet.

"Oh, hi". One of them says.

"We were sent to let you know that it's dinner time". He says.

"Thanks. But next time don't try to eavesdrop, the tent is magical, it prevents anyone from listening. Also, don't try to steal it, it only works for me and anyone I choose." I tell them.

"Thanks, not that we would ever steal it, right Conner?" As he nudged his twin with his elbow

"Um, yes, no sir," Conner said, before tapping his brother on the shoulder and running off with each other. I smile, nothing stronger than a siblings bond.

"So are you just going to stand there all night?" I ask Nico.

He looks up and says "Come it's dinner time", and he nods his head forward.

I start walking, and Nico catches up with me.

"My favorite dinner is Crab Cake, by the way". I tell him, and we walk towards wherever dinner was served.