Who knew that I'd meet the people who know my dead mom! Now's the time I would explain. Except, I have no idea how to. Maybe I should start from the beginning. My name is Rose Brown. I was born in London, but I've traveled the world with my mom my whole life. My mom's an artist. We travel everywhere in our minivan, trying to make enough money to survive. So far it has been successful. That is until my mom disappeared.

This time we were in New York City. This was supposed to be our big break. There was this huge company that wanted to buy our artworks, I can't remember what it was called though. I think it started with a T and ends with -ative. I'm not sure though. This is strange because I don't forget things easily. It's like a fog is blocking my memory.

We stayed at my mom's old apartment, from when she used to go to school here. I always wondered what school was like. And friends. I would always see people hanging out at the parks we would set up in. They looked so happy. Hanging out with their best friends after school, talking about all sorts of things. It has always sounded so nice. Like a cold bath after a long run.

Unfortunately, I'll never get to experience it. Traveling with my mom all the time means I have to be homeschooled. It also means I can't make friends. Don't get me wrong. I love traveling with my mom. She's so sweet, and she never gets mad at me. I just wish I could do the same things the kids my age do.

Anyways, back to the topic at hand. It had been a week since we have arrived, the 12th of July. I was out gathering some more oil paints. Mom was at home adding some finishing touches to our third piece. The whole way I had this weird feeling. Like someone was watching me, but no one was. I just thought I was being paranoid like always, so I shoved it aside.

The feeling stayed with me back to our apartment. By then I was really worried. I knocked on the door and reached for the keys. I was surprised when the door was opened.

Usually, my mom is in a makeshift art studio, so she won't hear when I knock. That's why I always bring spare keys with me. I still knock though because my mom is super paranoid, I got that from her, so to make sure she doesn't think I'm a burglar, I knock before unlocking the door.

Standing at the door was a tall super buff dude wearing a uniform. He looked around 30. I think he was a security guard or something. What he was doing in my apartment, I had no idea. He didn't look like he was going to speak first, so I did.

"Umm… hi?" I said. I tried hard to not sound suspicious.

"Who are you?" The security guard said.

"I could ask you the same question," I replied. Then quickly I added, "what are you doing in my apartment?" Just to make sure I don't offend him. He looks like he could break my neck with one hand.

"You live here?" He said, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Yeah. With my mom. And why do keep answering me with questions?" I was starting to get annoyed with this dude. Why was he so confused? If he was in my house he must have spoken to my mom. So he should know me too. Right? What's going on here?

"You might want to come inside." He said. Did he sound… concerned? Why?

"Thank you for inviting me into my own house," I said rolling my eyes at him. When I passed him I'm almost positive I felt him tense. I should keep my mouth shut.

There were a bunch of people in my house. Some looked like detectives. Others looked like the security guard dude, but less buff. I guess they were police. How come my mom let them all in? This is super weird. Where is my mom anyways? If there were so many people here she would have been standing there watching their every move. Something's not right.

The guard at the door told me not to touch anything and moved to talk to the other police. Why shouldn't I touch anything? This is my house! There was a policewoman in a corner. When she saw me, she waved me over. She led me to my bedroom and made me sit on the bed. She brought the chair from my desk and sat opposite me.

"Hello. What's your name?" She asked kindly. At least she knows how to get information out of people.

"Rose Brown. What's going on here miss?" I asked. She looked like she'd give me answers to my questions, so I gave it a shot. "And where's my mom?"

"Ah… so you're her daughter. I thought so. There's an investigation in process."

"Investigation? Why? For what?"

"To find your mom." What? What does that mean? My confusion must have shown on my face. "Her body is missing. We believe she got hit by an out-of-control car a few hours ago."

Hours? Died? What? I wasn't gone that long was I? And what did she mean by 'hit by an out of control car'? My mom didn't die of a car crash. That impossible! She was doing her artwork! She didn't even go out! Did she?

I quickly scrambled for my phone in my pocket. 13 missed calls from my mom. 23 messages.

Alice: hey

Alice: darling

Alice: Can you get some yellow paint too

Alice: And grab some dinner will you

Alice: thanks

Alice: darling?

Alice: Rose?

Alice: Rose!

Alice: You better not be ignoring me!

Alice: Rose Carol Brown!

Alice: Answer me right now!

Alice: ROSE!

Alice: WHY ARENT YOU ANSWERING MY TEXTS OR CALLS!

Alice: IF YOU DON'T ANSWER NOW I'M GOING TO COME TO FIND YOU MYSELF!

Alice: I'm coming!

Alice: You better answer now!

Alice: Rose!

Alice: Please answer

Alice: So that I know you're okay

Alice: please

Alice: fine

Alice: I'm coming to find you

Alice: if you do get these call me so I know you're okay

Oh no. What have I done! I forgot to remove my phone from silent mode! Now my mom's dead and-

"Hey? Are you okay?" The policewoman had gotten up and placed a hand on my shoulder. NO! Of course, I'm not okay! My mom's dead because of me and you're asking if I'm okay! I wanted to yell at her, but I held my tongue. Tears started to well in my eyes. "Look. It's alright. Everything's gonna be okay."

"How do you know that for sure? I have nowhere to stay." I said, looking away.

"You could stay with your dad. Where does he live?"

I didn't trust myself to speak so I just shook my head. My dad had died before I was born. I didn't know him, but I wish I did. I did know what would happen now. I would have to live alone. Or I would be given to someone. I could feel anger, fear, and frustration building up inside of me.

"I'm sorry. But don't you worry. I'm sure someone would love to take care of you." That's exactly what I didn't want to hear. I swallowed down the harsh things I wanted to say and looked back at her. When I met her eyes I could see the sympathy in them. That's what broke me.

"I don't want your sympathy or anyone else's! I don't want to be an orphan. I just want my mom back!" I shouted, standing up suddenly. She looked shocked for a second, then realization crossed her features.

"I understand. You're going through a rough time. It's all hard to believe. One moment, you're living life, as usual, then a second later it all turns upside down." She said, standing up carefully as if approaching a wild animal. I'm not a wild animal, and I don't need to be treated like one!

"But you have to accept it. This is life." She continued. I was starting to calm down when she made a grave mistake. "I'm sure your mother would have wanted-"

"How would you know what my mom wants!" I exploded. "You're just a police doing your job! I bet you're just trying to information out of me to solve your little 'mystery'!"

The policewoman looked helpless. I'm guessing she has never dealt with this before. After a second she regained her composure and said, "Look. I'm trying to help you. I understand exactly what you're going through, you just need to trust I know what I'm doing."

"No." I hissed dangerously. "I don't need to trust you. You don't understand anything about me. You don't know me, and you definitely don't know what I need."

With that, I turned and ran. I heard people running and telling me to stop behind me, but I didn't stop. I ran as if my life depended on it. And I guess it did, in a way. I had shouted at the police and they were now chasing me. I might as well be dead now.

I didn't know where I was going, but it had to be far away from my house and the police. Far away from the investigation and my mom's death. Far enough away that I could have time to think about what happened. To figure out this little 'mystery'. My mom's not dead. She can't be. This is all some cruel joke. I don't know who pulled it, but I'm going to find them. And my mom.

I don't know how I managed to avoid the police for 2 days, but I did. I've always been good at blending in with the shadows and pretending I'm not there. I used the spare money I had brought with me when I went to get the paint. I always keep some on me, just in case of emergencies. The whole time I've been searching for my mom. Solving the mystery. I've figured it out.

I know the answer now. My mom did die. She's gone. Forever. But I'm not going to let her die in vain. My mom, Alice Brown, had very few goals for life. Make people happy, share art all over the world, take care of our family and live long enough to see me grow up. She was able to do half of them. Half are still unfinished. The only thing I can do now is trying to avenge my mom. Not by getting revenge on who killed her. By finishing her legacy. I will do everything in my willpower to share art all over the world. Just like she has always wanted.

I'm at a cafe now. Having a coffee while sketching a new piece. That's when I heard the bell at the top of the cafe door ring. Immediately I went into my run and hide before they see me mode, which I developed over the past few days. I was the only person in the cafe, and I would like to keep it that way. If anyone recognized me from the news, they would report me to the police. I still needed time to adjust to the fact that I'm an orphan now, and I don't need anyone rushing me.

What I saw, however, made me hesitate. Two teenage boys entered, hand in hand. I assumed they were a couple, but I have no idea how one would act. They both looked older than me by a few years. One of them was very pale and had messy black hair. He was dressed like an emo with a black band t-shirt, gray denim jacket and black ripped jeans. And just to add to the feel, he had a skull ring. The other had an athletic build and shaggy blonde hair. He gave a sort of summery vibe, what with the orange shirt, knee-length shorts, and sandals.

For some reason, I felt connected to them. Especially the blonde one. Like I'd seen him before. But where? When I looked closer I saw that his eyes were blue. I have definitely seen him before. But how? This is the first time I'm in New York, and he looks like he's been here a while. The only other person I know that has live in New York for a while is my mom. Wait… my mom! The picture!

When my mom was young she used to go to this summer camp every year. It was called 'Camp Half-Blood'. Yes, I know, what kind of name is that? 'Half-Blood'? That's so rude! What if you weren't a 'Half-Blood'? And what does it even mean by 'Half-Blood? As far as I can tell, my mom doesn't fit that criterion. Maybe you only know half of your blood? My mom didn't know her dad either.

So anyway, this guy had the same t-shirt as that camp! How do I know what their shirts looked like? Well, glad you asked. My mom had a picture of her and her cabin from that camp. She would call them her family, but I'm guessing she was just really close to them. Also, it said 'Camp Half-Blood' on it. So that's how I know what they look like.

Continuing, this dude looks like one of the people in the picture! However, I'm not totally sure. They didn't look like they'd report me, so I took the chance. I walked up to them as they were sitting down. The person that I recognized had his back to me, with the emo kid facing my direction.

When I got close the emo looked up. When I locked eyes with him, I stopped. There was this weird feeling in my stomach. Like electricity bouncing around in my stomach. When I blinked, though, the feeling disappeared and he frowned at me. I just shook it off and kept walking.

When I got close, the person I recognized realized that his friend wasn't listening to what he was saying. He looked up and followed the emo's line of sight. When he spotted me he froze for a second then stood up. His friend stood too and walked next to him. They're very good at intimidating people. They looked like they'd fight me if I gave them any wrong signs.

"Uh, hi. Sorry to disturb you, but can I ask you a question?" I asked the blonde one carefully.

He raised an eyebrow but just nodded as if to say I don't trust you in the slightest bit, but you asked nicely, and I don't think you're bad news, so go ahead.

"Umm… did you, by any chance, know Alice Brown?" I asked, trying desperately to keep any emotion from my voice. As you can tell, the wound is still open. The blonde looked stunned at that, which just proved my suspicions.

"Y-yeah. I do. Why do you ask?" He said. I could see he was trying not to get his hopes up.

"She was my mom," I replied. I hope they won't notice my use of past tense. They did.

"What do you mea-" the blonde started.

"It doesn't matter. Now that I know, that you knew my mom, can I know your names?" I interrupted. I did not want to explain everything that happened these last few days. Thankfully they didn't push it.

"I'm Will Solace and my boyfriend here is Nico DiAngelo"

AN

So there it is! The first chapter! Hope you like it. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

I do not own the Percy Jackson books or any of the characters (they belong to the wonderful author Rick Riordan) except for my OC's Rose Brown and Alice Brown, and the plot.