I get lucky before I die.
The parachute wasn't working. Why wasn't it working? I debated whether to begin to scream at such a high altitude or drift toward the trees, which would hopefully break my fall. I began swinging back and forth in a lame attempt to head toward the tall pine. It looked very hurtful and fierce as I began to sink into it the pines and branches cutting my face.
The pain didn't register as quickly, and I was grateful for it. Unfortunately for me, the tree didn't exactly break my fall and I kept falling down until I managed to grip onto a not-so-stable branch. I breathed deeply and felt my heart beat faster, I heard a crack. No, no NO. The branch broke with an audible snap and I shut my eyes.
The ground didn't hurt as much as I thought it would; the ground was actually pretty unleveled. Perhaps it was the shock of falling five thousand miles. I opened my eyes and expected to see my arms detached, bleeding or in severe pain. None of this was true, I began to move and realized that the floor was rather uncomfortable. "No," someone whispered. I looked around and before I had time to register that this boy caught me he put me down abruptly, confusing me.
"Wh-what?" I stammered as I re-adjusted the clothing that had been ripped or moved during my graceful trip down.
"You fell; from the sky." He smirked pointing at the pine tree that still stood strong. I got a good look at him he had dark, black hair that needed to be cut soon and deep blue- green eyes that reminded me of the ocean.
"Who are you?" I asked, ready to fight him with my bare hands if necessary. I took two steps back automatically as he approached with his hands raised, radiating peace. I rummaged around my half ripped backpack for the bow my father gave me. "What's your name?" I asked cautiously, certain my knuckles were paling.
"My name is Percy Jackson, and I am Poseidon's son. I can tell you're a half-blood. You seem lost." I flinched in reaction to his honesty. He shouldn't have given himself away like that, besides for all he knew I could have been a mortal. However, I still held on tightly to the bow. "I'm Lorraine, but don't use my first name. I prefer my middle name, Ashley, or Ash for short. I'm the daughter of Apollo. Take me to your leader." I joked.
I guess it was time to start trusting others, especially ones who didn't seem half-bad. We began walking back to Camp Half-Blood and got started talking on the most random things. Why pine trees weren't as soft as maple ones and we got into a heated debate about whether swords were better than arrows. I stubbornly refused to change my mind, swords were much more difficult and heavier to carry. He rolled his eyes.
When camp was in sight, my steps quickened and I tripped on branch. Lucky for me, Percy had caught me before I could hit the ground and ruin my first impression. "Thanks." I muttered, my face and cheeks aflame with embarrassment, but someone else thought otherwise.
"What do you think you're doing?" A shrill voice addressed us and before I could decide who she was talking to, she marched over and ripped my arm away from Percy's grasp.
"Annabeth, it's not what you think." Percy began in fear, I looked at him quizzically. Why was he in fear of this Annabeth? She had a pretty face and I really liked her name, but I didn't like the way she was glaring at me right now. I was pretty sure that her eyes could probably burn through my skin and the gray color was warning me to run. My hands automatically searched for the bow, and when I found it I sighed.
Again she mistook my expression. "Oh, so I'm annoying you." She began circling me, looking like a tiger on the prowl.
"N-no. Not really. Percy was just helping me get to camp. He rescued me from a pine tree." That didn't seem to soften her up, however Percy was fighting a grin. I realized he was scared of losing her, they must be dating. Uh oh. "Are you two dating?" I asked softly.
"That doesn't matter. What's your name?" She half-screamed into my ear, tracing my neck with her knife. Annabeth didn't cut me, but if I didn't speak fast enough I knew she would.
"Ashley; the small and meek. Daughter of Apollo." She nodded once, most likely analyzing the many ways she could kill me. I saw my way out and began to retreat away from her rampage. "I'll be leaving now." I began trying to walk back into the woods, ready to take a long detour towards what seemed like the cabins.
"Are you chicken?" She screeched. "HUH A CHICKEN!" I looked back with a wild look in my eyes.
"Nobody calls me a chicken." I said steely and glared into her stormy eyes. She raised her knife, most likely expecting me to have a sword or knife as well. I prepared my bow and prayed to my father that this would go well. She charged at me, I aimed for my target and closed my eyes.
"What are you doing?" Percy screamed, ready to fight alongside his girlfriend. The arrow hit my target and I smiled.
"That's done with." I said walking towards the cabins. Three faces of shock stared back at me. I looked into the eyes of the boy at the far end, he was breathtaking. Before I could get my hopes up, I turned and marched back toward the cabin of my father, ready to meet my siblings. I did a looked back briefly. "Bullseye."