Hello Peoples!
Sorry for not updating sooner but I just started third year, which as any of you other Irish people know, is an absolute pain in the arse. I found this chapter hard to write because I couldn't get it to go the way I wanted it and I freely admit that it is shit. But anyways, I hope you like it and I'd just like to thank all of you for taking the time out to read this. ILY all you wonderful people!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus or anything really except Ava and the plot.
When I woke up, I knew I wasn't in Camp Half Blood anymore. I sat up cautiously, rubbing my head. I had a splitting headache but other than that, I seemed to be in fairly good condition. No broken bones, as far as I could tell just a few scratches. I strained my memory to try and remember what happened. The last thing I remember is Conner, then pain, immense pain. I get up gingerly and brush my clothes down. I'm still wearing my armour over my camp t shirt and shorts. I pat my sword thankfully. At least I was armed. I still had my bracelet shield from Mom.
I looked around the forest. This definitely wasn't the forest at camp. It seemed more foreign, if that makes sense. I did notice the temperature was a lot hotter. I had no water and I could already feel my throat becoming drier. I got down on my knees and began praying. "Dear mom, mighty Athena, please guide me home, away from here and back to camp. Please keep me safe."
An owl hooted in a tree and I knew Mom had heard me, wherever she was. The owl hopped from tree to tree, hooting at me. I decided to follow it. It hopped all the way through the forest until it stopped at a road. Well, not a road, more of a dust track. I was about to go out and start walking up the road when I heard the sound of hooves coming rapidly towards me, getting louder and louder. Something told me to hide so I shrunk back into to trees, hiding in the shadows. I couldn't help but wish I had Annabeth's invisibility cap right now.
A chariot came thundering past me. It was painted red and was drawn by black stallions. Two men were riding in it, both surprisingly wearing tunics and armour. Ok, now, you certainly don't see people dressed like that nowadays so to say the least, I was a bit shocked. It only strengthened the idea in my mind that I probably wasn't in America any more or even in my own time.
I know what you're thinking. What the fuck is going on here? I'm thinking that too. So far, none of the gods were answering any prayers since my little owl friend. I was stuck in this strange place, which seemed to be either stuck in a time warp, or extreme cosplay. To be honest, I thought I was losing my mind. I knew I wasn't dead; otherwise I'd be in the Underworld.
I followed the road, keeping hidden in the bushes. A few more chariots passed by, all carrying people in tunics and chitons. I almost had a panic attack when an entire fleet of chariots carrying a legion of an army passed by. I even stooped so low as to pray to Mr D to stop this insanity. I wondered what I could have done to get on the receiving end of his wrath. I couldn't remember anything after we captured the flag. I have a vague recollection of running to Conner, but after that, nada.
By the time it was getting dark, I was parched, starving and after walking miles. Apollo had decided to fry this wretched place and I was nearly sick from sunstroke. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the heat, and I tan really well, but this was outrageous!
It was pitch black when I heard the laughter. To be honest, I nearly shit myself after the long hours of silence. My legs were nearly ready to give up. I stopped, leaning against a tree to try and get back some energy. The laughter was coming from a camp ahead of me in the forest. I realised with a jolt it was the army legion that had passed me earlier. I could make out the chariots parked in a neat line, the tents set up and a massive camp fire, surrounded by young men, laughing and singing. I couldn't help but think of Camp Half Blood and the magic camp fire and, oh gods, I was going to start crying in a minute if I kept this up. The scents of cooking food wafted over to me, almost enticing me to show myself. I watched the camp carefully. No women soldiers, all men in clothes that came out of a history book. Yep, something was most definitely up.
I had resigned to setting up my own camp, and going hunting when I heard a twig snap behind me. My ADHD kicked in, helping me whip around and have my sword at the intruder's neck in seconds.
"Whoa, stop! What are you doing?" the person asked in Greek, looking shocked that I had a weapon. "Tell me where I am and what year it is!" I demanded, glaring at the person pressed against a tree. I had begun to form a theory in my head but I needed clarity. "Why should I tell you? Crazy Woman!" the person snarled back. I noticed his hand sneaking towards his own sword. I knocked it out of his reach and pressed the blade closer to his neck. "Tell me!" I said, my voice deathly calm, a trait I had inherited from mother dearest. "20 miles outside Thebes!" he said nervously. My stomach dropped. "And what year?" "500 BC"
And that's when it all went black again.
When I woke up, there were many concerned faces around me. I screamed, confused and disorientated. The faces leapt back and I sat up too quickly. Spots once more clouded my vision and I clutched my head in pain. I felt a hand on my forehead and the pain disappeared. I looked up shocked to see a familiar face in front of me.
Will Solace smiled down at me as he healed my head. "Will?" I asked in disbelief and he looked confused at me. "I'm sorry? Do I know you?" he asks, concern written across his face. I realise with a jolt, looking around, that there were many familiar faces around me, all looking at me in utter confusion. I realised that not one of them knew me. "Emm, we come from the same village," I lied and he seemed to buy it. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't recognise you…?" "Ava," I finished for him. "Well, you seem to be in shock. Travis found you on the edge of camp. Are you ok? Did something happen?" I shook my head. "No, I just, em, ran away from home," I was surprised at how easily the lies dripped off my tongue. Will looked at me as if he didn't believe me. The faces once more crowded around me. "Where did you get that sword?" asks a voice and I turn to see an unimpressed Malcolm analysing me in a way only children of Athena can. "It was my mother's." This was obviously not the right answer. "How did your mother get a weapon?" asked Nico, who had appeared out of nowhere. "She's not an ordinary woman," I said, trying to cover my mistake. "What is she then?" asked Grover, who had been leaning against a tree for the whole of the conversation so far. I felt about twenty pairs of eyes trained intently on me. "She's a goddess," I say and there were a few murmurs of 'I told you so'. I shifted uncomfortably under the stares. "Which one?" asked Leo and I heard them murmuring their bets to each other. "Athena," I say and I hear a few sighs as drachmas are passed between demigods. I turn to Malcolm and he finally smiles. "Hello sister."
It turns out that all the boys are demigods (shocker, I know) and they had formed their own army for the gods and were on their way to Athens. I asked where all the girls were, hoping that Annabeth and Katie and the others were with their own army somewhere but they all looked sheepishly away. I suddenly remembered that history lesson I may have fallen asleep for a bit of. Women hadn't many rights in Ancient Greece. My heart fell as I realised that my friends were probably property of some men somewhere. My friends looked at me sadly as the realisation crept in. Malcolm patted me on the shoulder. "My sister and her friends, also half-bloods, live in Athens. You can travel with us until we reach the city." I nodded silently, tears welling up in my eyes as I realised I might never get back home, and I might be stuck here for the rest of time. Of course though, boys freak out when girls cry and it seems to be the same in Ancient Greece. Malcolm seemed torn between being brotherly and fleeing in terror, Percy decided he would go and see if my tent was ready, Nico crept back to the shadows with a look of fear on his face and the two Stoll brothers' suddenly became very interested in their shoes.
Eventually, I calmed down but I still felt terrible. You don't know what it feels like to have all the people you love look at you as if you are a stranger. Conner hurt the most. It broke my heart to have that look of unrecognition on his face. It felt like all the hope in the world was gone, and despair had come to suffocate and drown me. I don't ever want to feel that way again.
The boys arranged a tent for me on my own. I only had my sword with me, and my dirty camp clothes. Percy, Conner, Travis, Malcolm and the others insisted that I was in my underwear (I was adamant that I was suitably dressed) and I was given a toga of Malcolm's. I accepted, just to please them and said I was going to bed.
That night, I lay in the tent, thoughts whirring around in my head. I knew I was in Greece, about 2000 years off my own time and in some weird world where my friends were here but didn't know me. If you asked me, it was pretty fucked up. I honestly hadn't a clue what was going on. I decided the Fates must have it in for me. Either that or the gods really hated me.
Sooooo, shit right? What are your theories about what's going on? Are you as confused as Ava? Tell me what you think because both thoughts and criticism are very much welcomed. :)
Until next time xxxxx
