Tarah's POV
I turned around and stopped dead. Standing behind Andy was a gorgeous boy. I mean, this kid could be a super model. He had blonde tousled hair, blue eyes with golden streaks, and dimples. He was tall and lanky, and he wore a simple cross around his neck, no shirt, cargo shorts, and sandals. A bow and quiver of arrows was slung across his back, and a small hunting knife was sheathed on his belt.
"Any word on Nat?" he asked Andy.
Andy shook his head, and the boy groaned.
"Callie, Tarah, this is Sam Jones. He's a son of Apollo."
Sam nodded in our directiogns politely before grabbing a Diet Coke from the mini-fridge in the corner.
Chiron just stood there lost in thought, and I remembered our conversation. Both of my parents? Is that even possible?
Callie voiced my thoughts by asking, "What about Tarah's things makes you think both her parents were demigods?"
"Well, first of all, her sword was celestial bronze, which is the metal used to kill monsters. It's harmless to mortals, they can't even touch it. But Tarah's sword was definitely made here at camp. You can see Hephaestus Cabin's logo etched into the hilt. Secondly, her father's necklace. It's the kind that we give to each camper. In the summer, a new bead is made for everyone to put on their necklaces saying they made it another year." Andy showed me his own necklace with four beads before replacing it under his shirt.
"I guess...it could be true," I said slowly.
"Tarah, what can you remember about your parents?" Andy asked me.
Gosh, I was only four when they died. I remembered how cautious they always were about me, but I figured it was just because I was so energetic all the time.
"Well, my dad was only 17, almost 18, and my mom was 19 when I was born. Their names were Joshua and Rachel Foster. Does that help any?"
"Maybe. What else? Where did you live? What did they do?" Chiron asked. He was obviously very distressed.
"Umm, we had a small cottage by Lake Ariel in Pennsylvania. My dad was a scientist and he was studying the ecosystem. My mother worked at the medical school in Scranton as a professor and did volunteer work at some clinic in town."
"What about...the night they died?" Sam asked quietly.
I didn't respond at first. Callie shot daggers at Sam, but he just stared at me. It was almost as if he already knew everything about me.
Finally, I spoke. "It was late at night, I was home with my babysitter. I had snuck out to my favorite tree by the lake and was sitting in the branches examining the necklace and sword, which my parents had just given to me before they left. Suddenly, someone pulled into our driveway and I heard a knock on our door. I walked inside and was met by a tall woman who told me that my parents had been killed. They were hit by a drunk driver. He drove off and was never identified. The lady said her name was sister Mary Clarence, and she was going to take me to my new home." I remembered how I refused to leave. I ran out to my tree and climbed as high as I could. I didn't believe the lady, and I was convinced that at any moment, my daddy would come walking around the house calling for his little princess. But he never did. And I realized he never would.
The room had gone silent as I finished. I became aware of the tears on my cheeks, and I quickly brushed them away.
Andy looked at Chiron, "Ring any bells?"
Chiron sighed, "Yes. Two campers, about seventeen years ago, fell in love and left camp together. I was against their departure, but they wouldn't listen. Their names were Josh Grayson, son of Poseidon, and Rachel Stewart, daughter of Athena."
"So...what does that make Tarah?" Callie asked.
"Technically, she is a demigod. A one-of-a-kind demigod, but still half-god, half-mortal." Chiron started pacing around the porch, which was quite impressive considering it only took him three steps either way.
My head was spinning, so much had changed in the past few hours. I noticed that Callie looked dead-tired as well. It was only about 2 in the afternoon, but give us a break! I pointedly yawned, and Andy got the idea.
"Chiron, I think we should decide on lodgings for the girls, seeing as they'll be with us for a while." Andy winked at us, and Callie stuck her tongue out at him.
The centaur thought for a second, then finally said "Well, the rules say that a camper cannot be placed in their cabin until they have been officially claimed. Seeing as that hasn't happened yet, the best place for them would be Hermes. Andy, why don't you escort them to your cabin?"
"Wait, I have to stay in the same cabin as HIM?" Callie groaned. "No way. Not happening."
"Well, you could always stay in the Pegasus stables if you want." Andy said, examining his fingernails.
Callie went white, and Andy grinned. We followed him off the porch, but just as we reached the volleyball net, someone behind us called for us to wait. We turned around and saw Sam running to catch up.
"Tarah, can I talk to you for a second?" He asked.
I nodded, too stunned to speak. We walked a little ways away from the bickering Andy and Callie. I couldn't help noticing how gorgeous he was. Seriously, did this kid take a magic good-looks pill or something? With all I'd seen that day, I wouldn't be surprised.
"Listen, I'm sorry about asking you about your parent's death. It's just...Natasha is one of my best friends, and I'd do anything to find her."
"Don't worry about it." I shrugged.
"Well, I feel really bad. I'd like to make it up to you, if you'd let me," Sam asked.
"Ummm, sure."
"Great! Meet me after the campfire tonight." Sam said goodbye, and he turned and ran back to the house.
I walked back over to Andy and Callie. They were fighting over something, but I didn't really care. I was too busy thinking about what just happened. Callie looked at me knowingly, and I rolled my eyes at her.
We reached the cabins, and Callie and I were once again dumbfounded. Line after line of bizarre cabins stood before us. Some were on fire, some were covered in flowers, some looked more like barns than cabins. I could hardly believe my eyes. Andy led us to a simple cabin with a caduceus over the door. Inside was rows of beds and sleeping bags.
"Unfortunately, no beds are open, so you two will have to take the two sleeping bags at the end, near the counselor's bed." Andy pointed at the end of the room where two brand-new sleeping bags sat next to the only single bed in the entire room.
"Who is the counselor?" Callie asked as we headed to our bags.
"Some devilishly handsome british bloke. Everyone loves him." He smirked.
"You're the head counselor?" Callie scoffed.
"You think I'm devilishly handsome? I'm flattered!" Andy chuckled and headed to his bed.
"Devilishly annoying is more like it," I heard Callie mumble under her breath.
I was so tired, I slid into my sleeping bag without putting away any of my stuff.
"Uh, I wouldn't do that if I were you," Andy warned.
"Why not?" I mumbled, already half-asleep.
The last thing I heard was him sighing and saying he'd take care of it, then I was out cold.
