Hello there!
I am incredibly sorry for delaying updating. I had a bit of writers block and had difficulty deciding on what would happen this chapter. I hope that extra time writing it paid off and you enjoy it! Thanks for your patience and I hope you like it! Please review (:
My weeks after returning I became accustomed with the new arrivals, spent time playing tricks on friends with the Stoll twins and dove headfirst into training, determined to someday receive my own quest after hearing about the latest one. Clarisse told me her version of it, where she courageously accepted and traveled into the Bermuda Triangle, fearlessly charging into battle to save Percy, Annabeth and Tyson, then defeating Luke and his army to bring the golden fleece back to Camp Half-Blood. When she finished I sat there in stunned silence, not for the reason Clarisse might think, but because it was nearly a completely different story from the one I had heard before.
"You are truly a hero to us all," I praised. She smirked and held her chin a bit higher the rest of the day.
I became so skilled with my spear that I was asked to teach lessons. That was certainly an accomplishment on my part. It was during one of these trainings with the Demeter cabin that someone came running with a message that Chiron wanted to see me in the Big House. Puzzled I dismissed them early. On the side porch Chiron was reading a book.
"Chiron, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, I have a task that I believe you are well suited for. Since you arrived you have excelled in training and lessons, which was something I considered when choosing someone for this mission." Pride swelled in my chest at his words. "One of our satyrs has found a small group of demigods in Colorado. If you are willing, please find them and bring them back to camp."
"That doesn't sound too hard."
He grinned humorlessly. "There are several monsters and half-bloods on their trail who are closing in. Luke is recruiting demigods to Cronos' side, as you well know. You need to reach them before Luke's army and bring them safely back. I have heard you are aspiring for a quest," he added. My heart thudded as I took in what he was saying.
"Really? Me?" he nodded, awaiting my answer. "I accept," I could not get the words out fast enough.
"You may bring two other campers to accompany you. When you find them pack your bags and meet me at the stable in two hours." I shook my head and walked calmly around the corner then leapt off the porch. I knew exactly who I wanted to bring.
"Percy!" I raced into the sword fighting arena. He turned around, sweat dripping off his face and plastering his shirt to his skin. Breathlessly I relayed the last few minutes. "Will you go with me on my quest?"
"That's not really a quest," he said slowly. I glared at him and huffed. "Fine, it is if you say it is," he shrugged. "Yes, of course I will." I grinned and gave him a quick hug before running off to find Annabeth. She was more supportive than Percy. When I got a definitive yes from her I headed to Cabin 2 and packed my backpack. Considering how simple this is, I shouldn't need much. The wait was brutal: I checked my shield a dozen times, sharpened my spear, braided and rebraided my hair, tightened the laces on my shoes, and walked around Camp. When the two hours were up I hurried to the stable.
Once Annabeth and Percy arrived Chiron gave us more details on who these kids were and where they live. "They are in Grand Junction, not far from your home, Caitlin." It took about three hours to get to Grand Junction when Dad took me there to shop for a Christmas dress a few years ago. "Your transportation will be pegasus, if that is fine with you. These magnificent horses can help you reach your destination in a considerably shorter amount of time.
"Stay safe," Chiron patted my shoulder, "I trust you are more than capable for this task."
"Don't worry," I smiled, "those kids will be here in no time." He gazed sadly at me, probably thinking of all the preceding demigods before me who said those same words and never returned. Percy concentrated and a moment later a black pegasi landed, stomping its hoofs and shaking its mane. I swung a leg over Avalanche, the same one I rode my first day, and Annabeth mounted one named Porkpie. With a final wave to Chiron we took off and circled the camp once before facing west. What would have taken six hours on a plane took about two and-a-half hours on Flying Horse Airlines. We landed on the baseball fields of the middle school. I stroked Avalanche's muzzle and thanked him before the three pegusi took off into the sky, disappearing in the clouds.
Taking a deep breath I led the way. The halls were quiet with everyone in their classes. "What should we do?" I asked.
"Act like we belong here," Annabeth suggested, "and look for Stephen, Lucas and Alisha Braxton."
"I still don't understand why they have to be twins. The scent will attract all sorts of monsters," Percy grumbled.
I laughed, "more than you, being Poseidon's child?"
"We don't know their parent. For all I know, it could be Zeus or Hades!"
"Or Poseidon," I pointed out.
"Where are you three supposed to be?" we all turned simultaneously to see an older woman with dyed-blond hair, dressed in a pantsuit striding up to us.
Percy's mouth flapped uselessly. Quickly I came up with an explanation. "They're new here and my teacher asked me to show them around school. I have a pass here somewhere," I continued, pulling my backpack off and digging through it then patting my pockets. I turned to them and they both shook their heads, saying neither one had the pass.
"Who's your teacher?" she asked impatiently. Her badge read Mrs. Cordova, Secretary.
"Mr. Garcia," I said the first name that came to my mind and hoped there was a Mr. Garcia here. She seemed to buy it and checked her watch.
"Lunch begins in three minutes so I will excuse it this one time. If I ever catch any of you wandering the halls again I will personally call your parents and write you up. Understood?" We nodded and she stalked off.
"Terrifying," Percy whispered as we followed the flood of students to the cafeteria. "Let's please find them quickly and get out of here."
"I don't think it'll be that hard," Annabeth stopped us. "Look."
