CHAPTER 3

xx

GOOD BYE OLD HOME

Nico shut the door behind him loudly as he'd entered his room. His face was flushed with angered, his fists were clenched by his side. Bianca is nothing but bossy, Nico thought. It took him awhile to realize that he was still clutching his prize; a statue of the goddess Artemis. His gaze lingered taking in the beautiful white robe that was dressed on the statue and the bow and arrow that gleamed silver when it met sunlight. He was completely fascinated.

That's when he snapped back into attention. Sunlight? But it was night time now…Right? He was too busy trying to get a grip of reality that he'd lost track of time. Nico strolled to his window and gazed down into the world. It was dawn. Shocked washed over Nico as he gazed at the sun rising. How is that possible? Only a few hours ago he was here and midnight was approaching. Nico gripped the statue of Artemis harder and then he flung it on his bed.

What am I doing here? Where am I? Why am I here? These thoughts circle his head up to the point where he began to get a headache. He collapsed into a heap on his bed and soon he was in a deep sleep.

He dreamt of a place called Camp Half-Blood. In his dream, Nico saw a few people in a big white building arguing. One man was half human and half horse and he was taller than everyone else in the room. Everyone was trying to get their words said, but Nico heard none of what they said. His dream showed him more of the place and Nico had a new feeling of yearning to be there. And he awoke.

2 MONTHS LATER

Nico and Bianca were sitting at the kids bar eating pizza and drinking soda when Tom came around. It's been 2 months after they got scold had they seen him.

"Hi Tom! How are you?" Bianca greeted.

"Hello to you to, small Bianca. I am doing well. And how about yourself?" Tom grinned.

"I'm doing great, thank you."

Nico regarded Tom with a smile, "Hello."

"Hello, little Nico." Tom smiled back.

Nico fidgeted in his seat. He hated being called little Nico.

"I've come to inform you that you have 5 minutes to pack your bags." Tom said.

Bianca and Nico froze. "Have we done something wrong?" Bianca questioned with tearful eyes.

"Oh, no! Of course not my dear. But your guardian has to come pick you up." Tom retorted astonished to see Bianca's watery eyes. "You 2 are the most obedient children, I've ever had. Considering you're 12 and you're ten."

"I thought I was 8?" Bianca queried. "And Nico is 6?"

"No, no, no. You are 12 and your brother is 10." Tom chuckled. "You forget your own age now spending time in here."

Too confused to say anything, Bianca and Nico stared at Tom dumbfounded. Tom looked back at the 2 and hastily added, "You two are going to be going to a military school." Seeing Bianca's and Nico's eyes widen in horror, he continued in an urgent voice, hoping they don't start crying. "It's not going to be bad. I came from a military school myself. It won't be bad as you think. You'll love it. Now hustle, hustle. Your guardian and waiting." With that, Tom shoved Nico and Bianca out of their seat and up to their rooms.

Nico was all done packing. Tom said he could take anything he wanted except the lotus flower – which disappointed Nico, but he didn't argue nor take any. All he had was 2 suit case filled with a yearlong clothes and of course his Mythomagic games which held numerous statues of gods and goddess. He took one last look around his room which he called home for the past 2 months, and then he left.

When he reached the lobby, Bianca was already there with her luggage and her floppy green cap on her head. Their guardian was he mysterious lawyer. The lawyer didn't even acknowledge them but simply snapped his fingers for Nico and Bianca to follow. Angered flared in his veins, he could've at least said hi. Bianca and Nico pulled their luggage along. And Nico turned his head back at the place one and more and gave Tom a good bye smile.

Sorry, that I took an eon to update. I've just been really busy and I know I uploaded 'Hand In Hand' before this, it was only because I had a spark or interest in writing that short one shot. And I know this chapter is really boring (in my opinion) but I had to get this across not to confuse anyone. I'm trying to keep it as close as I can to the real books. The next chapter will be when they meet Dr. Thorn and Grover, and possibly I will add what happens when Thalia, Annabeth, and Percy arrive. Also, please rape the review.