ALENA'S POV

Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months. Spring started to set in rapidly, sending all the naiads and Demeter kids in a frenzy trying to get ready for it. Unlike many of the other campers outside, I sat flanked by Paul, Rachel, Mr. Jonston, and Silena around the pin pong table with the cabin counselors, Chiron, and Mr. D discussing who was going on the quest and how it should be done. The once interesting debate between the two siblings lost its charm to me. Mr. D looked as bored as I was with the meeting, but fortunately for him, he had a magazine to keep himself occupied with. I began reviewing today's events wondering what had I done to deserve this.

The past months have improved I guess, unless you count Paul and I have freakishly growing until we looked around 18 or so. (Talk about a weird growth spurt.) Everyone finally excepted the fact that we have not been claimed yet, though, everybody seems uncomfortable about it.

The first day of training we failed at everything except canoeing for Paul and mathematics and architecture for me. Chiron along with every single demigod believed I am the daughter of Athena, but since she didn't claim me, I couldn't be officially called her child. The next day, we have completely transformed overnight. Paul became the best swordsman in camp and improved in many fields besides archery; he almost killed me and nearly shot the Hermes counselor in the bottom before Chiron took his bow and arrows away. I easily beat Silena with the knife. This started a sorts of rumors.

As time went on Paul began to become distant and serious. His eyes didn't seem to sparkle anymore. The one time I saw him actually enjoy himself at camp was when we had a water fight at the beach and he ended up covered in seaweed earning the nickname Seaweedbrain. Other then that one time, he rarely goof around. I know he was concerned about his uncle who fainted because of the poison tipped arrow, but did he have to take all of his anger on everyone else?

The tip barely cut Mark's skin but it was enough to make the man fall into a coma for months. Jacob said he would be alright and Hailey, who just recently to my pleasure, left saying she had to go back to work which I thought was a lie, took care of Mr. Jonston 24/7, only coming out to eat and sleeping as little as possible. . Still, he visits everyday and comes back crankier than before. I missed Seaweedbrain (and I'll deny everything you claim if word gets out).

"Alena! I hope you didn't forget about our bet." I groaned inwardly. Julie, one of my best friends, is the daughter of Aphrodite but doesn't really care much about fashion or clothes, is as smart as any child of Athena, and can play the violin and piano like a pro. The only indication that she's her mother's daughter is that she loves to be involved in other people's love life, dress people up, and do their hair and looks good in nearly everything. I was a fool to make that bet. She always knows how to get the best of me. This was the start of my eventful day.

"Can't we just forget it ever happened or the fact that I lost?" I gave her my best puppy eyes.

"Nope. You're not getting away that easily." Julie dragged me into the Aphrodite cabin and sat me down with me complaining the whole way. It took two hours, two hours, for her to pick out a dress and do my hair, but I won't let her put makeup on me. Of course I was going to make it difficult for her. Finally, she finished.

"Oh my gosh, Alena! You look so cute!" I sighed and looked in the mirror. I've got to admit, Julie did a good job and at the same time, make me still look like me.

"Yeah, I do. Can I go now?"

"Sure. If you want to go out in those clothes, be my guest. If not, I would suggest you stay here."

"But Julie."

"Take it or leave it." I pouted. Never again will I make the same mistake as I did today.

"What do you think about this one?" she asked giving it a critical look. I gave a loud groan and slouched down in my chair as if I was trying not to be seen. Someone please help me. Anybody.

As if on cue, a child of Hecate, Alex, entered without a single knock. "Er, excuse me but Rachel needs Alena for a sec. She said to meet her at her cave and to come quickly."

"YOU CAN'T JUST UNLOCK DOORS LIKE THAT WITHOUT KNOCKING! GET OUT!" He ducked out of the room and slammed the door in time to avoid the shoe Julie threw at him. When she stopped fuming, I have her a pointed look.

"Fine. Get dressed before I change my mind. You owe me." Technically, I owed Alex for barging in and saving me from more torture but Julie stormed out with a 'harrumph' before I could tell her that. I guess she saved me from getting into muddier waters.

I bumped literally into Paul who was taking Mark to Rachel, too. Paul's bag eyes told me that he hasn't gotten enough sleep lately. He held his uncle securely by the arm, helping him up to the top of the hill.

Mark now walked with a black silver tipped cane clutched tightly in his left hand and looked several years older than the first time I met him. He scrutinized me for a moment then trudged on dragging Paul along with him.

We walked to the top of the hill in awkward silence, and Paul refusing to even acknowledge my present didn't help one bit.

I have never been to Rachel's cave in the months I have been in camp, and it intimidated me the moment I laid eyes on it. The bones and rusty weapons littering the ground crunched and groaned under our feet when on of us accidentally stepped on one. Deep purple velvet curtains embroiled with golden snakes covered the opening. Two torches stood on either side.

Despite mine and Paul's protests, Mr. Jonston waltzed inside. We were forced to follow him.

Inside, you would have never recognized it as a cave. An arcade room stood tot he right and the hallway led to a living room filled with painting, after painting, after painting.

"Rachel. Rachel! RACHEL ELIZABETH DARE!" Mark received no reply. Was that a British accent I hear?

The temperature suddenly changed dramatically, especially behind me, dropping steeply from its previously comfortable degree to an icy breath in the beginning of spring. I had a bad feeling about this. As always of course, I was right.

Since I really didn't want to know what exactly was behind me, I grabbed the nearest human being's, Paul's, arm. He turned irritated at first with the sudden contact, then in shock. He just stood there with his mouth imitating a fish's being absolutely of no help to me. Mr. Jonston was sitting at the other side of the room and I couldn't contact him without alerting whoever or whatever put Paul in shock. Why does this always happen to me?

Finally, my curiosity got the better of me. Curiosity didn't kill the cat; it merely stunned her.

Standing now in front of me was none other than Rachel Elizabeth Dare. She sent chills down my spine. Green mist poured out of her open mouth coiling on the floor and around my shoulders and neck, and her eyes were the matching green. I stumbled backwards bringing Paul with me. This got Mr. Jonston's attention.

I think one of the snake-like green mist entered my ear and by the looks of it, Paul's too. For a moment, I knew every little thing that entered his head, what his childhood was like, and his greatest fears, and probably he could do the same for me. I felt him poke around a little too close to a very guarded secret of mine so naturally I poked him back mentally, hard. For a time, it was kind of fun.

Our focus turned elsewhere when the voice that was already in our minds spoke. I am the spirit of Delphi, speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python. Approach, seeker, and ask.

I considered saying something along the lines of, sorry, maybe you mistaken me for someone else, and just run for it and felt Paul's want to attack Rachel, but I held both of us at bay. Maybe it was some kind of freaky test. I highly doubt it but then again, I didn't want to attack Rachel.

"W- what am I suppose to do?"

Rachel (or is it the spirit of Delphi) crackled then started hissing, growling, and making strange noises in the back of her throat. It sounded like rhymes and I could understand some of the Greek words she said in between. Something about a cave and the past.

Once the voice was done speaking, the mist combined into a gigantic green snake made of mist and slithered back where it came from, Rachel's mouth. She began to sway dangerously when Mark caught her and set her down on a couch. Paul and I just stared, trying to processed what exactly just happened.

"Did I say anything?"

"You just said another prophecy in the dead's language. Nothing to worry about." Mr. Jonston shook slightly but made his voice calm. He seemed like his old self now, not that old man I met earlier. "Alena, Paul, help me bring her to the infirmary."

Chiron called for a meeting. We were forced to come and Silena blackmailed her way in. That pretty much sums it up of how I got here, but I still didn't know what I did to deserve it.

Most of the other people attending weren't paying attention anymore and slept, talked(/texted), etc. Three straight hours of debate was enough. Silena and Luke, on the other hand, were engaged in a sibling war.

"I want to go! Mom fought monsters when she was only seven and had no experience at all. I've been in camp for two years already!"

"Yeah, but she's Mom."

"Does it really matter?"

"Yes it does! You'll get yourself killed out there!"

"STOP IT!" The two turned to me alarmed. "How about if it was just me and Paul, ok? Just quit it!"

Slowly Luke nodded, happy that he had won. "Fine." That settled it. Paul and I were going to go on a quest to get rid of the monster that we met at the base of camp starting in the morning. Just me and the Seaweedbrain. Great. What had I gotten myself into?

Everyone scrambled to the door, eager to get away. Mr. D 'poofed' himself out of the room.

Later on, I learned every human beings who attended the meeting had a fitful rest. I was no exception.

Dream:

I found myself standing upright in a dimly lit room, probably a hotel room by the size and the way it was furnished. A couple sat on the couch while a girl about my age rested on another. All of their faces were blurred.

"So just Paul and Alena are going, right?" The man sounded a bit uneasy.

"Yes, sir. She gave a good fight to go but Alena and her brother stopped her." The girl's hands fidgeted on her lap. So they were talking about the meeting, and the girl was the informer.

I wanted to have a better look at her but if all of what I have heard about demigod dreams were true, than I couldn't even blink.

"Good. You should go back to camp before someone notices you." The girl left without rather quickly another word obviously not wanting to be caught.

He turned to who I had presumed was his wife. "Well you have been quiet lately. What's on you mind, sweetie?"

"Do you really think they will end up in California?" She faced the general direction of the man but I had a feeling she was talking to me.

"Of course I do! Since when was the boss wrong?"

"Too many times," she mumbled.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." She gave him a sweet smile, got up, and left.

"Now that Julie's gone, we can finally go to sleep." He walked toward me and shuffled through some papers on the table I stood right behind of.

Julie. Julie? Julie, the daughter of Aphrodite?! Or is it some other Julie? No, she's the only Julie at camp. I couldn't believe it that my best friend was a traitor, but my cautious side told me I better keep my distance from her only until I start my quest just in case. Will I feel guilty? Sure, but right now, I would rather be safe than sorry.

The dream started to fade away and I could finally see their- well, only his acutely since everyone else left- face(s) clearly for the first time. The most random thought crossed my mind:

He's not bad looking.

I must be dreaming.

So how was it? Review!

Also, I probably will not post any more chapters for a while. I have a midterm to study for and tests everywhere I turn. Wish me luck. After that, I have a HUGE project due. Sorry.

~Sepharim