Thanks for making it to here! Im glad you're at least somewhat interested in my story… well that or you're only here to see how much worse it can get. I can believe that… anyways! Yeah.
The next morning Chiron visited to come get Percy and take him to his new cabin. I wanted to tag along, but the Hermes cabin had the rock wall reserved this morning, and there was no way I was going to miss that. I told Percy I'd come by later when I had some free time then followed the rest of my cabin out the door to the huge death trap.
When we got close, I saw the wall already roaring to life; spewing the first of the lava out of the top whilst beginning to crash around. Though I should've been terrified, I was only excited. I waited until a few other people had gone so I could see how well they did, before I followed and began my ascent. The first few feet were easy, but then the wall gave out a violent shake and I had to hold on so hard my knuckles turned white, until it calmed down enough that I could continue. Looking down to find your foot holds was even more dangerous since lava could creep up on you. I found that out when it took off the last inch of my hair before I swung out of the way. By the time I made it to the top my clothes were slightly on fire and covered in dirt, with pebbles down my collar. After patting down the flames, I looked at the others and smiled. Some of them, really only three, smiled back. The others were focusing on their own climbs, or still pissy about last night even though no one would say it.
Next we had sword practice. Oh gods, that was a disaster. I was paired with Travis and he was much better at this than me. None of the swords I tried felt good in my hands and were all too bulky and awkward to swing correctly. I was able to improve a little though. The rest of the morning was spent on archery, were I learned I was actually decent. With some more practice, Luke said I would be pretty good. We went to lunch with the rest of the camp where I received my camp shirt. I put it on under my black hoodie, which was much easier to look at than the bright orange Camp Half-Blood shirt.
I saw Percy sitting by himself at the Poseidon table and he didn't look very happy about it. I guess it would get rather lonely being on your own all the time. I tried talking with him a little on the way out of the pavilion, and he ended up coming down to the canoe lake with us. He didn't get in one with us though. He just sat on the dock and shouted to us every now and then.
Even though the situation was weird with the whole demigod thing, I liked camp. The crafts were fun and so was forging, though I couldn't make anything in either of those that looked like something at all. I could draw well though. Later in the day I got my first Greek lesson from Annabeth. It was much easier than learning Spanish at my old school. During a break from activities, I tried to track down Chiron and see how well the conversation with the people at the orphanage had gone. I found him supervising a volleyball game between the Aphrodite kids and some satyrs.
"Chiron, have you had a chance to contact the orphanage yet?" I asked politely.
"Oh yes. Apparently you aren't the first demigod to have wandered into the orphanage. Mr. Rasmussen had suspected you from the start and was actually going to bring you here once he found the best way." He said smiling. Well. That was a shock. I thanked him for the information and then proceeded to wander about camp.
Sitting down on the biggest hill, I looked out over the camp. It was by far the most exciting place I'd ever been in my 12 years of life. Only my 2nd day here and I already had more friends than I had before. Percy, Luke, Connor, Travis, Annabeth, and even Grover when I talked to him, were all being rather nice. I suppose it's because they understood how confused and different I was. Though, I also had quite a bit more people who probably thought I was evil or something, now too. Oh well. Guess that's just how it is.
I got up from my spot and made my way down towards the cabin to go retrieve a book from my few possessions. I'd read it a few billion times, but I liked the story. Unfortunately I didn't get there without running into a few pigs.
"You got a lot of nerve walking around here after what you did at the games punk." A voice growled from behind me.
I sighed and turned around, facing Clarisse and her siblings. It was a group only a few short of being the entire cabin. "You're just mad because you lost. And got beaten up. And humiliated in front of everyone. And were almost attacked by a hellhound." I said listing off the unfortunate things that had happened to them.
"You're damn right. And what did all those things have in common?" She sneered.
I put a hand on my chin giving it serious thought, "Let me think…," I suddenly had an aha! Moment and grinned at her, "You showed your ugly face at each and every one!" I said triumphant. They growled and took a few steps towards me but I wasn't finished. Clapping my hands together a few times I nodded sarcastically. "That was quite a difficult question, I mean there were so many other good answers. For instance, you guys charge like a bull. All power and no thought. Next time we're in that situation remind me to bring a red cloth so we can at least do it the right way." I said mockingly grinning up at her. I understood that I was digging my own grave, but at least I would die leaving them with their egos deflated.
She swung at me and I dodged, "Then of course there's the way you run, like a lumbering idiot. It's quite funny, have you considered joining a circus?" I laughed avoiding a few more kicks and punches. The whole group surrounded me, and behind them was the circle formed by the rest of the campers who were watching. The Ares cabin advanced on me and I ducked down before crawling between two legs to freedom amongst the rest of the campers. They whirled around trying to grab me, pushing the others out of the way. I just ran to the forest behind the cabins. They followed for a while but the farther in I got, the less enthusiastic they seemed. Eventually I completely lost them, with one final call from Clarisse.
"Don't think you've won! You have to leave sometime. If you're not eaten first." She growled out at me.
Running until the laughter faded, I bent over and heaved. Then I fell to the ground, panting ridiculously. I was so bad at running.
When my lungs stopped burning, I stood up and looked around. I was pretty deep in the forest and it was fairly dark. All around me I could hear the distant calls of monsters. One repeating noise from my left was getting closer each passing minute, until it was just beyond the trees. Another loud hiss joined the other making me jump. Great. I quickly patted myself down for something I could use to defend myself, but no luck. I picked up a decent sized rock and held it by my head ready to throw. The bushes rustled and leaves were crushed underneath something. Not footsteps, too continuous for that. It was explained though when a really horrific head popped out. It was hissing and baring its sharp fangs at me, liquid dripping off them. I could only assume it was poison. A gigantic poisonous snake, and I had a rock. As if that wasn't enough, when the creature's tail made its way into view, I saw ANOTHER snake head. Perfect. A two headed gigantic poisonous snake. This could not get any better. It -they?- made a move to circle me, so I chucked my rock for all my worth. Please have taught me something, dodgeball.
To my surprise, it hit the first head right on the nose. My victory was short lived though, as it did absolutely nothing except piss it -them?- off. The monster advanced, hissing viciously and spitting venom at me until I was with my back pressed against a boulder. I had a dumb plan, but might as well.
Slowly I leaned down and grabbed another rock, standing back up and chucking it at the snake thing. It lashed out and struck at me, but I was faster. I stepped back, and the snake's shrill sound was heard as well as the crunch of its face. I was safe in my shadowy confines and watched grinning madly. I had figured it out. This ability was just like walking through a powerful waterfall. It pressed against you, but if you kept going, you made it through. So far I could only use it in death emergencies, but that was fine with me. I'd just have to practice.
The creature backed off realizing it could do nothing, and turned around so that the second head was at the front. The other laid limply behind it, and I wondered if it was dead. I really hoped so. All I needed was the other one to die also. That would be nice. But it was a task easier said than done. I had a feeling it would take some extra motivation to do something like that again, so I had to come up with a new plan. One that didn't involve using my powers. I could feel my energy quickly leaving my body from just being here so long already. Think Rena think. Then it came to me. A plan that would most likely end in pain, but the only one I had.
Darting out of the boulder I let my battle reflexes kick in as I rolled to the side. The quick mouth came down behind me not even a half-second later. Getting up, I sprinted toward the other end and grabbed it. So far so good. Until it began to thrash around, lifting me into the air and swinging around. Bull riding had nothing on this. When it failed to dislodge me, it slammed the unconscious head into the ground, almost crushing me. I used this to my advantage and planted my feet, holding it right below my chest. The beast lunged, and I yanked it up over my face. The impact threw me back into a tree, but it had worked. I blinked, dazed at the monsters own teeth lodged in its other throat. Then it fell. Army crawling my way over I saw the snake disintegrating, and when it was done, nothing was left but a thick snake skin about three and a half feet long, and a vile of venom. I picked up the vile and slipped it into my pocket, refocusing my attention on the skin. Now that I wasn't fighting for my life, I could look closer at it. The many scales were speckled white like a splatter painting, and had a golden spine run up the middle. It was actually really beautiful. Grabbing it, I stood shakily and began to make my way out of the forest. Hopefully I would make it there uneventfully.
It was sundown when I emerged at the entrance to the dining pavilion where the rest of the camp was seated, enjoying their dinner. One by one the tables began to hush, and look at the bruised and battered new girl clutching a two headed snake skin. Chiron cantered up to me with Annabeth, Luke, and Percy.
"What happened? Where'd you go?" Percy asked.
"She was chased into the forest by the Ares cabin, but I don't know after that." Annabeth stated. I nodded tiredly and grabbed a goblet of water before speaking.
"Yeah. They chased me into the forest, and then this big two headed snake comes out and starts spitting venom at me. I had to kill it by making one head bash against a rock, and the other bite itself." I said before draining the cup and yawning. Chiron looked at the skin I was holding up to him. Annabeth took it and began examining it.
"This is the skin of an amphisbaena. They aren't supposed to be in the forest are they? Especially not on regular days. They're far too dangerous." She said to Chiron handing him my prize. He nodded grimly.
"You're correct Annabeth. But neither was the hellhound yesterday. Something is not right." He was silent in thought for a while before turning back to me and smiling, "This is yours my dear. You killed it, so you get the trophy. Legend says if you wrap this around a walking stick, it will discourage any attacks from animals that strike instead of bite. Quite a fine prize. Well done." He handed it back to me and told me to go join the other Hermes kids.
Luke smirked at me, "Yeah, those are quite a tough enemy. Are you sure you're okay?"
I nodded, "Yes. It's only a few bruises."
"Okay. Go on then." He said smiling. As I walked past him he laid a hand on my shoulder and said quietly, "I would hide that in your jacket during dinner. Not everyone will be so pleased at your accomplishment." I saw him glance quickly at Clarisse and her siblings. Nodding I hid it under my hoodie and then returned to my table.
There were a bunch of questions asked, but none to me directly. All of them were between others in hushed tones. My friends were more polite about it though, the brothers were telling jokes and stories of their various pranking expeditions and I found myself laughing genuinely for the first time in a while.
After the campfire, which was pretty awesome (the Apollo kids are really good at music), I picked up a moderately long stick and tied the skin securely around it. Then I returned to my corner in the Hermes cabin, and curled up on my backpack with the stick tucked safely in the space between my backpack and the corner where the walls met.
Done! Did you like it? I hope so. It was fun to write. So far I've only been doing one or two days per chapter, but that should pick up once the story progresses a bit more. Things are kinda slow right now. Plus, I'm also really tired as it is approximately 3:20 in the morning as I'm writing this, and I have to be up in two hours for school so go me! I'm great at this whole life thing aren't I? So yeah! That's enough rambling, I will see you all next chapter.