A Mummy Gives A Poem?

Now, I will be the first to admit that screaming and throwing up at the same time is not advised. I did not think it was possible, either. Yet there it happened, in that attic. The combination of a mummified corpse speaking, rotten green smoke and those blank white eyes staring at me? It made it possible.

Yet when it spoke? I was compelled to listen. As if an invisible force nailed my shoes to the floor, made sure I would not leave until the verse was done. It was not till I reached the outside of the house did I realize what happened.

A mummified corpse read me poetry. That was a first and something I never ever hoped to be on a bucket list.

And...and the words the mummy spoke to me. They shook me to my core. As if they held a deep meaning beyond my comprehension. Everything here was beyond my comprehension!

There sitting on the deck behind me was a God and a man with a horses rear. Kids ran around poking each other with swords and spears. I was what was called a 'half-blood', and I was nearly killed by a man with a dog head. What was I to do? In all of this? And not just that! I was essentially kidnapped! I would never be fostered again, believed to be a runaway...okay, that part I did not mind. Foster families hated me anyway.

I coughed when the grass came fast towards me, falling to my knees. It all hit me at once. Footfalls were heard beside me. No, not footfalls. Hooves. I dare not look up, in fear of passing out from too much information.

"Helen? Are you all right?" Chiron asked, sounding truly concerned.

I shook my head, dry heaving.

"I...may have misunderstood just how little you know. This is all troubling to you, but you need to learn that this will be your life now" He explained with a sigh.

"...but we can get into contact with your foster family," he continued, "Explain what we can. They will believe us, there are-"

"No" I almost shouted, taking in a breath. Once I finally calmed, I repeated.

"No? May I ask why?" he asked.

To be quite honest, I did not want to go back. If the services knew, they'd come for me. I didn't have a terrible upbringing or anything...I was just tired of being called a freak. And while all of this was completely new and unknown to me...these kids were like me. No one would call me freak, or trouble maker. I could fit in.

"It's fine. Really, it's fine" I said, pulling myself up to my feet. "Is there like, a place I can learn stuff? About the gods you spoke about, half-bloods, all of that?"

Chiron narrowed his eyes, searching me for anything of a truth to what I had said. He gave a nod.

"You can ask the more experienced campers here. Athena cabin no doubt has many books to read. Ann-" There was a pause, followed by a flash of worry and pain.

"No matter. You will find a way to learn. Will you excuse me for a moment?" I nodded. It hadn't occurred to me till now, but ever since I saw him Chiron seemed distracted. Worried. He paused in moving away, holding a hand up.

"Ah! Of course!" he turned to address me one last time. "The Oracle? What did she tell you?"

I frowned. Oracle? It took a moment for it to process. Then I felt sick again.

"O-Oh. She's...called Oracle? Oh, she...well her age certainly has not caught up to her at all, she looks lovely. Really, whatever it is she takes for her-" Chiron while looking mildly amused urged me to move on.

"Right...she gave me a poem?" Now he frowned, leaning in. "It...it went like this," And I recited it.

"Three will go to yellow rock and fiery heights,

One who is of luck and one bearing blinding sight,

it will test their bonds and might,

where one of false blood will be their plight."

Chirons eyes searched the ground as if for an answer to a great question, like me when I first learned Algebra. Was it something about what I said? Sure it was a nice poem and all, but his gaze was intense. More so than before.

He looked back to me, resting a hand my shoulder with a very deep sigh. He looked sad.

"Go rest...I will come to get you in the morning" He said in a somber tone. Just hearing that tone made me feel small, as if I should crawl away somewhere or give him a tissue.

I nodded, already starting to take my leave. Then it occurred to me.

"Um...you might want to clean the attic." Chiron arched a brow. "Weak stomach...sorry." That was all that was necessary when his sad look turned understanding. With a hint of disgust. Not wishing to further embarrass myself, I took off running.

That, and I couldn't bear to share what else had been told. About the vision the Oracle had shown me. About a man on fire, same man from my dreams.

Gods, this was crazy. Could I say that, without it being in vain of their name? Well, if it did they would have done something about it.

Anyway, I took up Chirons advice. Find out all I could about Greek mythology. Apollo cabins counselor was kind enough to provide plenty of information. Through song! But one tends to have enough after sitting through a classical music about how Apollo had several oracles and his many romances.

Athena cabin had insight to spare. From what I could make out from their ramblings and going off topic frequently, I learned of monsters to look out for such as the Gorgons, undead, telkhines and cyclopses. I was also told never ever to say their names. Apparently it gave them power?

My next stop was to check up on the kid, Tetsu. He had been hurt bad, so what better place than the infirmary where I had woken up?

It was getting late in the afternoon, everyone inside was resting or working. Will spotted me, but was too busy tending to a camper with a massive bite out of their thigh. To prevent myself from making a mess I looked away quickly, searching.

Alas, he was not here. I sighed.

"Hermes cabin" said Will from behind me, cleaning off his hand. I didn't look to see what of.

"Oh...so he's awake?" I asked.

"Last I saw...thanks, by the way. For saving the kid."

"Oh, it was not-"

"You risked your life," he cut in, resting a hand on my shoulder. "A kid of Apollo, going in like that? It's brave. Dad would be proud. As much as it is a detriment to your health, with how you could have had your head bitten off or your back broken, or being cut in tw-"

"Yeah! Yeah I get it" I couldn't tell if I was appearing green, but I felt like it. Not like I knee what I was doing, I thought. He gave me an odd look, then shrugged it off.

With a goodbye exchanged I left before I made his job harder with a clean up in aisle four.

Hermes cabin was larger than the rest. It was worn down, old yet also seemed much simpler than the rest in design. Less extravagant. More of a normal cabin. Stepping up the door, I knocked and waited.

There was hushed voices on the other side, soon turning to silence. The door opened to boy with a mop of curly brown hair. Rather tall and lanky, with the same orange t-shirt as everyone else, save for me. I had not put mine on yet. Behind him was a look alike, yet younger.

"Hey there! Thought you got determined, here to see someone or just to check the place yet?" the taller one asked.

"Or maybe to check someone out" the younger said, earning a glare.

"Maybe, maybe" the two, whom I could only assume as brothers smirked to each other.

I huffed, glaring at the both of them.

"I'm here for a kid. Recently came in, came to this...place, this camp with me? After I fought the Telk-"

"Don't say it's name!" warned the younger of the two. "Didn't you get taught anything?"

There was a pause as they looked past me out the door, as if expecting one to come charging over the hill or through the woods. Before ushering me inside.

I immediately set into my search, averting as many gazes as I could. The cabin was packed. Sleeping bags, bunks, all over the place. Some kids hung down from top bunks to talk to their buddies, or poke fun at each other. I stopped when I spotted the short dirty blonde hair.

"Tet?" He turned and beamed up at me, rushing out from his spot to hug me. It caught me by surprise. The little guy really must have missed me and it warmed something in me...

"Hey little guy...they treating you well here?" He nodded.

I frowned, trying to get a closer look. I had not taken till now how be barely spoke. Apparently so had the others.

"He's barely said a thing, Helene." I turned to the twins, one of them flipping through a leather...

My eyes widened, hands quickly going to my pockets while everyone laughed. Even Tetsu giggled a little.

"Helene Miller. Fifteen..., a couple twenty bills-"

"Give me that!" I reached for it but the taller of the two took it from his little brother, holding it up high for a moment.

"Not one for family photos, are you?" My face felt hot red, reaching higher. The laughing was quietly dying down. "Oh, here's one!" I reached again, not feeling the tears down my cheek.

The youngest of the two, however, took notice. He nudged his brother in the side.

"Trav..." The taller one finally looked down to acknowledge his brother, before taking notice of my huffing, crying face. He quietly handed the wallet back.

"Sorry...just a harmless joke. Promise."

But I was having none of it. I ran out of the cabin, clutching it close to my chest. Others stepped aside quickly. I hated that I got emotional at that. I hated it. But it was the last heirloom I had.

Soon as I got outside I sat on the steps, sniffling and rubbing at my eyes. I checked every inch of the brown leather wallet for any damage.

The edges were blackened, a corner partially wrinkled and worn from being melted from heat. Many of the card slots were blackened also along the lips. A single photo rested in the photo slip. It was long since burnt out of shape, more of a rough oval around a woman's face. Her smiling as the sunshine cast her features in the best light. Hazel eyes that I remember shimmering green in the light, just like in the picture. Her hair down over her shoulder in a braided tail. Her dimples were the best part about her. I held the wallet to my chest, ignoring the creak of the door.

I felt a small hand on my shoulder and was about to brush it off when I saw the kids face. Tetsu tried smiling. His face was still dirty from the alley running and a couple of scratches. I managed a half smile in return.

He gazed out, before there was a call across camp. And suddenly the door burst open, kids hurrying out. I got out of the way but Tetsu was carried down the steps. I was worried for the little guy, only to watch him stumble through without ever landing on the ground. Once the crowd was gone, with only a few slow walkers, Tetsu planted his feet somewhat clumsily, before grinning up at me. I knew anyone normal would have been knocked over and trampled.

"Well...you sure are lucky, aren't you?" I said, ruffling his hair. Off we went, to the gathering by a large bonfire.

Tables were set around the bonfire, in an open field with no walls or roof. An odd place to eat, where it could so easily rain and storm and bring down a meal time with ease. But everyone seemed comfortable. I followed with Tetsu to where everyone else of his cabin was sitting, only to feel a hand grasp my shoulder.

"Nope, that doesn't go with camp rules. Come on!" Lee said with some amount of excitement, pulling me over to the Apollo table. I barely got out a goodbye.

Being seated, I took a moment before glancing around. Everyone looked so happy. Girls ran from trees, literally separating from the tree trunks, satyrs sprinted around. Nymphs, as I had been told, went around handing out plates to each table. Mostly vegetables and barbecued meats, the smell made me swoon. Do you know how long it had been since I'd eaten a good meal? Too long. I was just about to dig in when everyone stood up, a plate in hand.

"This way" Will urged, and I reluctantly stood. Will took notice of the lack of a plate and gestured to grab one. Shrugging, I did. Why though?

Campers marched around the campfire and...I could not believe my eyes. They were wasting perfectly good food. One of them tossed a steak in!

"It's for the gods" Will said, seeming to sense my confusion. "An offering to them, for all they've done for us." I was tempted to ask what they had done, knowing so little.

"Ever since...well ever since what happened so recently, how so many of us have disappeared and probably joined the other side, we've been giving thanks to them for protecting us.

It's been rough around here lately. Just a couple days ago Annabeth disappeared. And then Percy! Could you believe it? Going out there, without much medical supply or a camper who knows how to stitch a wound? Not recommended by your average doctor, I'll tell you that."

I just looked at him...what on Earth was he on about?

Coming to the bonfire I paused...then tipped a lamb chop into the fire with a few carrot bits. To Apollo, I guess, I thought. The flame enveloped it. I stared into the fire.

The dream came to mind, along with a distance memory. A burning wreck on the TV, a name I knew all too well.

I tore my eyes away from the fire. Ever since speaking with the Oracle it had come to mind...

Did the burning man have something to do with it? I thought to myself, walking back to the Apollo table. Did he...did he cause it? Did he kill her? One way or another, I was going to find out. And as I ate in silence with my cabin, I thought over just how I could do that. Little did I know, my chance to find out was coming ever closer.