Chapter 3:
Both Markus and Percy had a nice tour, though they were careful not to walk behind the centaur. It seems Markus' warnings stuck to them both before.
They passed the volleyball pit. Several of the campers nudged each other. One pointed to the Minotaur horn that Percy was carrying.
Another said, "That's him."
Others were pointing at Markus, whispering the same thing. It made him uncomfortable, not really liking being the centre of attention.
Most of the campers were older than them. Their satyr friends were bigger than Grover, all of them wearing orange CAMP HALF-BLOOD T-shirts, nothing else covering their bare furry bottom halves. They all stared at the two black haired kids, like they were expected to do something.
When they got a better view of the farmhouse, it looked a lot bigger than expected. Four stories tall, sky blue with white trim, like an upscale seaside resort. There was a brass eagle weather vane on top when something caught their eye, a shadow in the top window of the attic.
Something had moved the curtain quickly. Markus got a chill as though she was being watched.
"What's up there?" Percy asked Chiron, seeing the shadow too.
The centaur looked where the boy was pointing, and his smile faded. "Just the attic."
"Somebody lives there?"
"No," he said firmly. "Not a single living thing."
Chiron seemed unwilling to say anything more on the topic. "Come along you two," he said, his lighthearted tone now a little forced. "Lots to see."
They walked through the strawberry fields, where campers were picking bushels of berries while a satyr played a tune on a reed pipe.
Chiron told them the camp grew a nice crop for export to New York restaurants and Mount Olympus. "It pays our expenses," he explained. "And the strawberries take almost no effort."
Apparently Mr. D had this effect on fruit-bearing plants: they just went crazy when he was around.
Chiron explained, it worked best with wine grapes, but Mr. D was restricted from growing those, so they grew strawberries instead.
They watched the satyr playing his pipe. His music was causing lines of bugs to leave the strawberry patch in every direction. When Markus asked about how they did it, Chiron replied that they were using woodland magic, something only satyrs could do. This led to Markus to think of Grover, wondering how he was doing with the god of wine.
"Grover won't get in too much trouble, will he?" Percy asked Chiron, bringing Markus out of his thoughts. "I mean… he was a good protector. Really."
Chiron sighed. He took off his tweed jacket and draped it over his horse-half's back like a saddle. "Grover has big dreams, Percy. Perhaps bigger than are reasonable. To reach his goal, he must first demonstrate great courage by succeeding as a keeper, finding a new camper and bringing them safely to Half-Blood Hill."
"But he did that!" Percy argued quickly.
"I might agree with you," Chiron said. "But it's not my place to judge. Dionysus and the Council of Cloven Elders must decide. I'm afraid they might not see this assignment as a success. After all, Grover lost you in New York. Then there's the unfortunate… ah… fate of your mother. And the fact that Grover was unconscious when you dragged him over the property line. The council might question whether this shows any courage on Grover's part."
"He'll get a second chance, won't he?" Percy asked with guilt in his eyes, upset about his friend.
Chiron winced. "I'm afraid that was Grover's second chance, Percy."
"But he'll be OK, right?" Markus enquired. "I mean, whether he was unconscious or not, he still brought Percy here. I'm sorry about his mum"- here he sent Percy an apologetic glance- "but he still did his job, right?"
"I agree with you, Markus," Chiron said. "But still, Grover's fate isn't mine to decide."
Markus' brows knitted together in thought. "His first assignment… died, right?" he asked him, coming to that conclusion.
Chiron's long face was the only answer given. "Olympus knows, I advised him to wait longer before trying again. He's still so small for his age…"
"How old was he?" Percy wondered.
"Oh, twenty-eight." Chiron answered with a simple shrug.
Markus raised his eyebrow in surprise. "Wait, what?"
"And he's in sixth grade?" Percy exclaimed in mild shock."
"Satyrs mature half as fast as humans. Grover has been the equivalent of a middle school student for the past six years."
"That's horrible." Percy shuddered.
"I wouldn't wish that on anyone." Markus shivered at the thought.
"Quite," Chiron agreed. "At any rate, Grover is a late bloomer, even by satyr standards, and not very accomplished at woodland magic. Alas, he was anxious to pursue his dream. Perhaps now he will find some other career…"
"That's not fair," Percy said with a frown. "Was Markus right, did they…?" he trailed off.
Chiron looked away quickly. "Let's move along, shall we?" he diverted, showing that it was likely true.
"Chiron," Percy spoke. "If the gods and Olympus and all that are real…"
"Yes, child?"
"Does that mean the Underworld is real, too?" Percy asked in hopeful tone. Markus gave him a sad look. He wanted his mum back. He didn't blame him. After thinking of that possibility, Markus also wanted his mum back more than anything. But, he realized with grim acceptance, he doubted he'd be able to get her back, despite wanting it more than anything.
Chiron's expression darkened.
"Yes, child." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "There is a place where spirits go after death. But for now… until we know more… I would urge you to put that out of your mind."
"What do you mean, 'until we know more'?" Percy asked with a frown.
"Come, you two. Let's see the woods." Chiron said.
As they got closer, both of the boys realized how large the forest. It took up at least a quarter of the valley, with trees from rainforests, in Markus' opinion.
"The woods are stocked, if you care to try your luck, but go armed," Chiron said,
"Stocked with what?" Percy asked. "Armed with what?"
"Monsters and weapons," Markus said, rolling his eyes. It seemed like common sense to him. Not so much for Percy, he guessed.
"You'll see. Capture the Flag is Friday night. Do you have your own sword and shield?"
"My own-?" Percy stammered.
"Chiron," Markus interjected. "We just found out about all of this. Why would we have our own swords and shields?"
"…Good point." Chiron said after a moment, looking a little embarrassed at being called out on that. "I think a size five will do for both of you boys. I'll visit the armoury later."
The tour continued as they saw the archery range. Next was the canoeing lake, which Markus took some interest in. He wondered if he would feel a pull from the water like from before, like against the dracanae.
Next were the stables (which Chiron didn't like very much), the javelin range, the sing-along amphitheatre, and the arena where Chiron said they held sword and spear fights.
"Sword and spear fights?" Percy asked.
"Cabin challenges and all that," Chiron explained. "Not lethal. Usually."
Markus seemed to frown at that as Percy shifted a bit. "Oh, yes, and there's the mess hall."
Chiron pointed to an outdoor pavilion framed in white Grecian columns on a hill overlooking the sea. There were a dozen stone picnic tables. No roof. No walls.
"What do you do when it rains?" Percy asked curiously.
Chiron gave Percy this weird look. "We still have to eat, don't we?"
"What, is it enchanted with magic?" Markus asked jokingly. When Chiron smiled slyly at him, he realized he wasn't joking. "Wait, it's actually enchanted?" he asked, a little excited. In case it wasn't clear, Markus had a sort of fascination with magic. Don't judge him.
Finally, he showed them the cabins. There were twelve of them, nestled in the woods by the lake. They were arranged in a U, with two at the base and five in a row on either side. They were pretty bizarre.
Each had a large brass number above the door- odds on the left, evens on the right- , looking nothing alike whatsoever. Number nine had smokestacks, like a tiny factory. Number four had tomato vines on the walls and a roof made out of real grass. Seven seemed to be made of solid gold, which gleamed so much in the sunlight it was almost impossible to look at. They all faced a commons area about the size of a soccer field, dotted with Greek statues, fountains, and a couple of basketball hoops.
In the centre of the field was a huge stone-lined fire pit. Even though it was a warm afternoon, the hearth smoldered. A girl about nine years old was tending the flames, poking the coals with a stick.
Markus wondered if it was safe to let a little kid near a fire. Just what kind of camp let little kids do dangerous stuff like this. Just as he was about to tell Chiron about this, he looked into the girl's eyes. What he saw shocked him. Where her eyes should have been were flames- her eyes were literally filled with flames. But these flames weren't violent; they seemed cosy, like a small, warm campfire.
Also, her face was shockingly beautiful for a nine year old girl, which creeped Markus out for a second. There was no way that was a normal girl. When she looked at him, she seemed shocked also, like she wasn't used to people seeing her. Then she smiled, and waved at him. Markus didn't know what to do, so he waved back.
When he turned towards Chiron and Percy, they didn't seem to notice anything strange. They just continued walking on, as if nothing happened. When he looked towards where the girl was, she was gone. Mystified, Markus quickly followed the others, falling onto step with them.
He joined them just in time to see the pair of cabins at the head of the field, numbers one and two. They looked like his-and-hers mausoleum, big white marble boxes with heavy columns in front. Markus stared at cabin one, it being the biggest and bulkiest of the twelve, also obnoxious looking too. It seemed like a bank!
Cabin two was more graceful and feminine, with its slimmer columns garlanded with pomegranates and flowers. The walls were carved with images of peacocks.
"Zeus and Hera?" Percy asked.
"Correct," Chiron said with a nod.
"Their cabins look empty." Percy pointed out.
"Several of the cabins are. That's true. No one ever stays in one or two."
Then both boys got a look at cabin three. It was sea-themed, they noticed, with a more slender and low look compared to cabin one or two. It was decorated with coral shells and had a mixture of blue and green colours.
Percy made to step inside, and Markus did two, when Chiron said, "Oh, I wouldn't do that!" But it was too late.
Markus got the smell of the sea breeze, like near the ocean. He felt a calming sensation when breathing it in. Like with the water, he felt a slight pull towards the cabin, leaving him puzzled as to why.
Chiron then put a hand on both the boys' shoulders. "Come along, Percy, Markus, there is more to see."
As the boys got a better look, they could see that most of the other cabins were crowded with campers. Number five was bright red, a really messy paint job, as if the colour had been splashed on with buckets and finger-painted by a caveman, but less artistic.
The roof was lined with barbed wire. A stuffed wild boar's head hung over the doorway, and its eyes seemed to be moving like googly eyes. Inside Markus saw a bunch of mean-looking kids, both girls and boys, shouting over blaring American rock music and arm wrestling each other like they had nothing better to do.
The loudest was a girl maybe thirteen or fourteen. She wore a size XXXL CAMP HALF-BLOOD T-shirt under a camouflage jacket and had long stringy brown hair. She zeroed in on both Markus and Percy, giving a dark sneer.
Markus, not liking that, glared back with an intense glare. He didn't have to deal with bullies on the streets, but he just didn't like them in general.
They kept walking until Percy spoke. "We haven't seen any other centaurs," he observed.
"No," said Chiron sadly. "My kinsmen are a wild and barbaric folk, I'm afraid. You might encounter them in the wilderness, or at major sporting events. But you won't see any here."
Then Percy said, "You said your name was Chiron. Are you really…"
He smiled down at the boy. "The Chiron from the stories? Trainer of Hercules and all that? Yes, Percy, I am."
"But shouldn't you be dead?" Percy pointed out tactlessly. This cause Markus to punch him in the arm. "Ow!" the boy exclaimed and turned to glare at Markus, but he just glared back. Seriously, did he just ask that?
Chiron paused, as if thinking of what to say. "I honestly don't about if I should be. The truth is, I can't be dead. You see, aeons ago the gods granted my wish. I could continue the work I loved. I could be a teacher of heroes as long as humanity needed me. I gained much from that wish... and I gave up much. But up much. But I'm still here, so I can only assume I'm still needed."
"Doesn't it ever get boring?" Percy asked, and Markus facepalmed. Can he not just shut up?!
"No, no," Chiron said. "Horribly depressing, at times, but never boring."
"Why dep-" Percy started. Markus stopped him by slapping his head.
"What?" Percy snapped at him.
"People die, dumbass. Learn that."
Percy's eyes widened in realization. Chiron didn't seem to be paying attention to their conversation as he walked along.
"Oh, look," Chiron spoke. "Annabeth is waiting for us."
The blonde girl they met at the Big House was leaning against a railing, reading a book with what looked like Ancient Greek (Markus guessed because that seemed to be the running gig here).
She looked up from her book, her storm grey eyes studying us intently, like she could still see the drool from when both boys slept. Markus wasn't interested in talking about that.
She stood in front of what seemed to be Cabin Eleven. Out of all the cabins thus far, eleven looked the most like a standard summer camp cabin, which seemed run down. Like a worn threshold, peeling brown paint, like it needed work done to it. Over the doorway there seemed to be a caduceus symbol. Inside it was packed with people, both boys and girls, with way more sleeping bags than people.
Chiron didn't go in. The door was too low for him. But when the campers saw him they all stood and bowed respectfully.
"Well then," Chiron said. "Good luck, Percy, Markus. I'll see you both at dinner."
He galloped away towards the archery range.
The two black haired children were looking at the kids, as they looked back at them.
"Well?" Annabeth prompted. "Go on." She urged both boys.
Amazingly Percy did so and tripped on his own feet, making a fool out of himself.
There were some snickers from the campers, but none of them said anything. Markus laughed anyone, getting Percy to glare at him from the floor. Eventually Markus managed to walk in and not make a fool of himself.
Annabeth announced, "Percy Jackson, Markus Henderson, meet cabin eleven." As Percy stood up.
"Regular or undetermined?" somebody asked.
Neither boy knew what to say, but Annabeth did, "Undetermined."
Everybody groaned.
A blonde hair guy came up and spoke to the campers. "Now, now, campers. That's what we're here for. Welcome, Percy and Markus. You both can have that spot on the floor, right over there." He pointed to the corner.
Markus gave the guy a once over (again, not in that way). He looked to be in his late teens, tall and muscular but lean. He had short-cropped hair and a nice smile. He wore an orange tank top, cutoffs, sandals, and a leather necklace with five different-coloured clay beads. He also had a scar, thick and white that ran from just beneath his right eye to his jaw. Markus liked the guy, he seemed pretty cool.
"This is Luke," Annabeth said, though her voice sounded different somehow. Markus looked at the girl and saw her blushing lightly and snickered. Annabeth heard him and saw Percy looking at her, then her expression hardened. "He's your counsellor for now. He's also the one who brought you to the infirmary Markus."
"For now?" Percy asked.
"I thought so because he looked familiar." said Markus. "Thanks for that."
"No problem," Luke said to him. Then to Percy, he explained. "You're both undetermined. They don't know what cabin to put you in, so you're here. Cabin eleven takes all newcomers, all visitors. Naturally, we would. Hermes, our patron, is the god of travellers."
"Also thieves too, right?" Markus pointed out, which got some snickers from the more mischief looking kids. He remembered that little piece of information just now. "Yeah, I'm not placing anything here. I'm not stupid." This got even more snickers from the kids, including Luke.
"How long will we be here?" Percy asked.
"Good question," Luke said. "Until you're determined."
"How long will that take?"
The campers all laughed.
"Come on," Annabeth told both the new campers. "I'll show you the volleyball court."
"I've already seen it." Percy argued.
"Come on." She grabbed his wrist and dragged him outside. Markus followed since he wanted answers.
When they were a few feet away, Annabeth said, "Jackson, Henderson, you have to do better than that."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Markus said sarcastically, getting annoyed at the girl in front of him. "I didn't know we would have to perform properly."
She glared scathingly, but I glared back, sick of this whole guessing game.
"What do you mean?" Percy cracked.
Annabeth rolled her eyes and mumbled under her breath, "I can't believe I thought either of you were the one."
Markus heard her, and scoffed, "Okay, crappy Matrix reference aside"- when he saw both of their confused faces, he really pitied them- "what the hell is your problem anyway?"
"I was just hoping that one of you would help me, but clearly I was wrong," she responded, getting back to her point.
Markus was going to argue again, but Percy interjected, "Look, can I just get answers? All I know is, I kill some bull guy-"
"Don't talk like that!" Annabeth told him with narrowed eyes. "You know how many kids at this camp wish they'd have your chance?"
"To get killed?" Percy asked scathingly.
"To fight the Minotaur! What do you think we train for?" Annabeth retorted.
"The Olympics," Markus snarked.
"Shut up already!" she yelled at him.
"Make me!" he shouted back, sick of this girl's attitude. "I don't think Percy nor me care about any glory or fame from killing monsters. We both lost our mums to monsters, so excuse me if we don't seem enthusiastic to you." At the end, his face was red with anger.
Annabeth winced, like she suddenly realized how bitchy she sounded, because she should.
"Look," she said, calm now. "I'm sorry about how I acted. And I'm sorry about you losing your mothers. It's just… it's serious stuff to us, what you two did."
Percy shook his head. "Look, if the thing I fought really was the Minotaur, the same one from the stories, and Markus did what he did…"
"You're damned right I did." Markus muttered.
"Then there's only one," Percy said, "And he died, like, a gazillion years ago, right? Theseus killed him in the labyrinth. So…"
"Monsters don't die, Percy. They can be killed. But they don't die." Annabeth answered.
"Oh, thanks. That clears it up." Percy said sarcastically.
"They don't have souls, like you and me. You can dispel them for a while, maybe even for a whole lifetime if you're lucky. But they're primal forces. Chiron calls them archetypes. Eventually, they re-form."
"You mean if I killed one, accidentally, with a sword-" Percy said.
"The Fur… I mean, your maths teacher. That's right. She's still out there. You just made her very, very mad."
"How did you know about Mrs. Dodds?" Percy asked.
"You talk in your sleep. Though Markus talks about pizzas."
"Damn right." Markus said proudly, not even bothered by it. "Wait, you watched us sleep? That's getting real suggestive there." He teased her.
"Shut up." She scowled cutely, her face flushing.
"You almost called her something. A Fury? They're Hades' torturers, right?" Percy asked.
Annabeth glanced nervously at the ground, as if she expected it to open up and swallow her. "You shouldn't call them by name, even here. We call the Kindly Ones, if we have to speak of them at all."
"Wow, you have a lot of rules," Markus said, a bit annoyed.
"Look, is there anything we can say without it thundering?" Percy said in a whiny tone. "Why do we have to stay at cabin eleven, anyway? Why is everybody so crowded together? There are plenty of empty bunks right over there."
He pointed to the first few cabins, and Annabeth turned pale.
"…Wow, even I get why you don't do that. And I know about as much as you do." Markus said, having an idea as to why, but not really believing it.
"He's right, Percy." Annabeth said. "You don't just choose a cabin. It depends on who your parents are. Or… your parent."
She stared at him, waiting for him to get it.
"My mum is Sally Jackson," Percy said in a matter-of-fact tone. "She works at the candy store in Grand Central Station. At least, she used to."
"I'm sorry about your mum, Percy. But that's not what I mean. I'm talking about your other parent. Your dad." Annabeth answered him.
"He's dead. I never knew him."
"Percy, I think by now you should have figured out that are parents are gods… along with just about everyone here," Markus spoke. It was definitely a shock to find out Greek gods existed. To find out they were your parents were Greek gods… that was mind-blowing.
Annabeth sighed, "Markus is right, Percy. Your father isn't dead."
"How can you say that? You know him?" Percy asked in surprise.
"No, of course not," Annabeth flustered.
"Then how can you say-"
"Because I know both of you. You wouldn't be here if you weren't one of us." Annabeth assured them.
"You don't know anything about me," Percy said with a frown.
"I agree with him," Markus said, also frowning at that. "Don't assume you know anything about me."
"No?" She raised an eyebrow. "I bet you moved around from school to school. I bet you were kicked out of a lot of them."
"How-" Percy blinked in surprise while Markus denied it. "Actually, I haven't been to school that much." He said. "Only went to one, and that was it."
Annabeth also blinked in surprise by the answer, but nevertheless continued on. "Well, for most of us, we are. You're also diagnosed with dyslexia. Probably ADHD, too."
Markus agreed with at least that statement. "What does that have to do with it?" he asked curiously.
"Taken together, it's almost a sure sign. The letters float off the page when you read, right? That's because your mind is hardwired for Ancient Greek. And the ADHD-you're impulsive, can't sit still in the classroom, or anywhere. That's your battlefield reflexes. In a real fight, they'd keep you alive. As for the attention problems, that's because you see too much, not too little. Your senses are better than a regular mortal's. Of course the teachers want you medicated. Most of them are monsters. They don't want you seeing them for them for what they are."
Markus had flashbacks of his few brawls, from thug fights, to fights with several patrol officers. It did make sense, really.
"You sound like… you went through the same thing?" Percy said as he looked at the girl.
Annabeth shrugged, "Most of the kids here did. If you weren't like us, you couldn't have survived the Minotaur or the dracanae, much less the ambrosia and nectar."
"Ambrosia and nectar." Percy muttered with a knitted brow.
"The food and drink we were giving you to make you better. That stuff would've killed a normal kid. It would've turned your blood to fire and your bones to sand and you'd be dead. Face it. You're half-bloods."
"I'm starting to think you should change the name," Markus muttered, still on the topic that it sounded racist. How could you not notice that?
Annabeth looked like she was about to say something, when a husky voice yelled, "Well! Looky here, newbies!"
The three looked over. The big girl from the big, ugly cabin from before marched over to them. She had three other girls behind her, the same big, ugly looks as her, all wearing camo jackets.
"Clarisse," Annabeth sighed with annoyance. "Why don't you go polish your spear or something?"
Innuendo, Markus thought, biting the inside of his cheek to not call it out.
"Sure Miss Princess," the big girl said. "So I can run you through with it on Friday night."
Okay, how did they not notice what they were saying? It was right there!
"Erre es korakas!" Annabeth said, which Markus somehow understood was Greek for 'Go to the crows!'
"You don't stand a chance."
"We'll pulverise you," Clarisse said, but her eye twitched. Maybe she wasn't sure she could follow through on the threat.
She turned towards Percy and Markus. "Who're the runts?" she asked, successful in pissing Markus off.
"Percy Jackson, Markus Henderson," Annabeth said, "meet Clarisse, daughter of Ares."
Percy blinked. "Like… the war god?"
Clarisse sneered. "You got a problem with that?"
"No," Percy stated. "It explains the bad smell."
"And the pig looks." Markus added, just plain angry.
Clarisse growled. "We got an initiation ceremony for newbies, Prissy, Marcie."
"Percy." He corrected.
Markus' retort was more fiery. "Would it be my foot shoved up your ass?"
"You want to go, punk?" Clarisse mocked him.
"Oh, sorry, I don't screw pig, come again when you've changed… everything," Markus retorted back, loving the look of anger on her face.
"Clarisse-" Annabeth started, but Clarisse cut her off. "Stay out of it, wise girl." She retorted.
She made a grab for Markus' shoulder, but he wouldn't have that.
In Markus' perspective, time slowed down. He wondered if it was his 'battle reflexes' acting up. Nevertheless, he briefly remembered all the fights he had, and what to do.
Slapping Clarisse's hand away, Markus kicked out, striking the girl's leg and making her unbalanced. She cried out, almost tumbling over. Then he reached out and grabbed her arm, twisting his body, and flipped her over his shoulder. He didn't know where he got the strength to leave to lift her, but he didn't care.
He apparently judo-flipped her over, her back landing on the ground. Then he stepped on her neck lightly, twisting her arm that was still in his hand. She tried to cry out, but couldn't when no oxygen came to her mouth.
Everyone froze, including the three girls who were backing Clarisse up. Guess they couldn't believe that the supposed 'newbie' beat Clarisse. Huh, go figure.
"Give up?" Markus taunted, still having his foot on her neck and her arm in a hold. When she didn't indicate anything, he twisted her arm again, getting a grunt from her. "Give up?" he repeated scathingly, sick of her resistance.
Clarisse glared at him with all the hatred she had, but she nodded. He let her go, getting her to cough and splutter. When he gave her a moment, Markus leaned in and whispered, "Next time you want to act like a big shot, don't. Or you'll land flat on your ass, again."
She looked as if she were about to tackle him again, but held back, still glaring hatefully at him. After saying his piece, and wanting to be a little dramatic, he walked off. Markus also did it because he didn't really want to deal with Clarisse.
Leaving the group, Markus walked on, his mind wondering so much that he arrived at the stables, and didn't notice for until he bumped into someone. "Oof!" he grunted, blaming that on himself. He reached out to grab the person falling, noticing that the figure felt feminine. His eyes met dark blue eyes that had a glow to them.
Markus' eyes then took in the rest of the girl's features. She seemed roughly fourteen. She had silky black hair that he'd only seen in top notch salons. Her hair stopped at her lower back. She had pink eyeliner and a bit of pink lipstick on her lips, which made her even more prettier. Markus blushed at the thought. He never really thought that make-up made girls pretty, but it seemed to work on her. She also wore an orange CAMP HALF-BLOOD T-shirt and blue jeans.
She seemed to be the most gorgeous girl Markus ever met. Annabeth seemed cute, but she was beautiful.
He could still feel that he had a blush on his face, which he berated himself for having in front of a girl.
The girl backed up, rubbing her arm in embarrassment. "Sorry. I wasn't paying attention."
Markus snapped out of his earlier embarrassment, and stood straight, his pride demanding that he didn't make a fool of himself. "N-no! It was my fault! I, uh, didn't wasn't looking where I-I was going. S-sorry!"
Great job, Markus. Way to be Casanova. Surely you have the skill to at least talk to a girl.
The girl giggled. Well at least he had that going. She stuck out her hand in greeting. "Hi, I'm Silena Beareguard, nice to meet you."
Markus smile, pleased she wasn't angry. "Markus Henderson, nice to meet you, too." He shook her hand in greeting.
The two kept shaking hands, liking the warmth of each others hands. Then they flushed at that and took their hands back quickly. Markus didn't know how to respond to a girl, since he never had to.
"So," Markus started, wanting to get rid of the awkwardness evident. "Who's your parent?"
"Aphrodite, goddess of love," Silena shrugged, as if it were no big deal.
Markus was shocked. She belonged to the Barbie house that was cabin ten? But she acted so… down to earth. This made Markus instantly like her for that.
Silena's blue eyes widened as she snapped her fingers. "I remember now. You're the boy who killed the dracanae and appeared from the shore two nights ago."
Markus nodded, smiling. "Yep, that's me. Hey, would you like to… uh, hang out?" he asked in a hopeful tone. She was the first girl that Markus met that didn't try to interrogate him (which was done quite poorly) or bully him. Also, she seemed nice to hang out with. He could just tell these things.
She smiled brightly, seeming to actually like the idea. "Sure. I'd love to hang out with you." Then she waved at him. "I'll see you later." She said, walking off into the direction of the cabins.
Markus smiled, the blush appearing on his face again. He needed to stop that, dammit! He just met her! He wasn't going to act lovestruck all of a sudden.
But Markus did find himself liking her. Maybe because she seemed nice, compared to some girls he met, which he could only count on one hand.
A loud explosion made him jump in surprise. He started running towards where the sound came from.
When he got there, he wasn't surprised at seeing Percy standing off to the side while Annabeth, Clarisse and her posse were drenched in water from head to toe. Percy was dry and had a sheepish look on his face.
"Percy, what did you do?" Markus asked, exasperated.
"Why do you think I did it?" Percy asked, trying to look shocked but failing.
Markus deadpanned. "Because I can just tell that you had a hand in this." He said. Then he looked towards Clarisse, and smirked. "Though I will applaud you for this."
Clarisse glared poisonous daggers at him and Percy. Annabeth and the posse just glared at Percy.
Markus turned towards Annabeth and asked. "Okay, what actually happened?", while trying not to laugh at her. He failed miserably.
Annabeth squeezed the water out of her shirt and glared at Markus. "After you left, Clarisse and her siblings dragged Percy into the bathroom and knelt him down in front of the toilet-"
Here Percy interrupted her, frowning, "The water suddenly shot out of the toilet! Wetting everyone else except me."
Markus was about to comment on that, when Clarisse spoke, her voice filled with hatred. "You're dead new boy. And you too." Here she glared towards Markus.
Here Markus rose an eyebrow mockingly. "Oh, if you want to get knocked flat on your ass again, you're always welcome." Here he bowed mockingly.
Here Clarisse had to be held back by her siblings, though they didn't look happy either.
When they left, Markus looked towards Annabeth, who was staring at him and Percy intently. "What?"
"I'm thinking," Annabeth said. "That I want both of you to join my team in Capture the Flag on Friday."
"Oh, joy," Markus muttered.
Hello, everyone! Whoo! Another chapter uploaded! I'm so happy for myself. An accomplishment that means so little to me achieved. Yay!
So as you see, the story is still following the canon route, with some little twists. Now I just want to suggest some things.
Firstly for those of you who want me to pair Percy with Annabeth. The answer is a big fat NO! I'm sorry, I love PercyxAnnabeth as much as anyone, I really do. But I'm pairing her with my OC, and that's final. I will probably pair Percy with either Rachel or Reyna, we'll see. Annabeth stays with the OC, along with the other girls mentioned and a few others in future. Again, sorry, but not really sorry.
Also, there may be different pantheons like the Hindu and Shinto pantheons along with several others. It will all be clear in future as well. And the title will come into play soon, don't worry about that.
Bye! Read and review!