Hahaha…. Whoops… I'm really sorry for the delay guys, but I've had a lot of doctor's appointments and due to that no energy to write. But the good news is that I got my braces off yesterday!

Note: this chapter caused the author (Luna in this case) extreme sadness to write. Please be warned because backstory

Another note: We get some Chelsea backstory! YAY!

Disclaimer: We own nothing (kidding, we own everything! MUAHAHAHA)

Chelsea's POV:

After what seemed like years of walking through the forest, we finally made it to the outskirts of Philadelphia. Even that early in the morning, the city was bustling with activity. We knew that we probably looked suspicious, so we agreed to check into a hotel to shower and rest for a few hours before heading out again.

We found an Embassy Suites (hey, go big or go home, right?) and walked right in and up to the front desk. We had about $200 bucks of mortal money that Chiron had given us, but what I hadn't told Reece or Roxy was that I had my credit card with me. Yeah, I know, makes me sound really rich. It's just something my dad set up for me when I was a kid. He gave it to me right when I left for Camp, in case I needed it. I'm glad I never spent any of the money, though it's a credit card so it probably wouldn't have mattered.

Ordinarily I doubt they would've given a room to three teenagers who looked like they'd just lost a fight with a cave monster, but a couple of bucks and a credit card later we found ourselves in a nice, two-bedroom suite. That's what I like about adults – mortal or not, throw some cash their way and you can get almost anything if you're smart. Anyways, there was a pull-out couch in the living room that Reece elected to take, so Roxy and I each chose one of the two bedrooms. Then there was the matter of showering. Since there was only one bathroom we took turns – Reece went first because he's a boy so it'd be faster.

I sat on the bed in my room, flicking through TV channels absentmindedly. Finally I settled on a crime drama – maybe a fake killing would distract me from the real ones haunting my mind. I barely noticed the shift of weight on the bed as Roxy sat next to me.

"Chelsea?" she asked me. Her voice was calm and soothing. "Are…you okay?"

I shrugged. "I'm fine. Why?"

"Well…after the attack you've seemed distant. And I thought that since Reece is busy you might want to talk." I started playing with the green streaks in my hair and looked up at Roxy. She smiled at me, and for some reason I felt like I could tell her anything. I sighed.

"What do you want to know?" I asked.

"Who was the voice that the Cyclopes imitated?" she asked, pressing a hand to my arm gently as though she expected me to lash out suddenly at her.

"The voice… Gods, I haven't heard that voice in years…" I muttered.

"Who is it?"

"That voice was my twin brother, Sebastian."

"You have a brother?"

"Had," I said. "He's dead now."

"Oh..." was all that Roxy said. Then: "What happened to him?"

"The day we found out that we were demigods… We were attacked by a Cyclopes at our school. T-the mortal were running around in panic... We had no idea what to do... A-and as we were running, the Cyclopes was on top of us. It pinned me down." I took a breath and then managed a smile. "But then that… that stupid, idiotic guy tackled it and got it off me."

"Your brother tackled a Cyclopes?" Roxy said in amazement.

I nodded. "Y-yeah. He had been training to try out for the football team later that year. That's pretty much the only reason I made it out. He told me to run... to save myself… And I was so, so scared so… I did." I was on the verge of tears as I lifted one of the sections of my hair that I'd dyed green. "I ran home and told my dad and we went back to the school but we... couldn't find him anywhere. The next day he sent me off to Camp, but before I left, I wanted something to remember my brother by. So I bought some hair dye at the airport and went into the bathroom there and dyed it green before getting on the plane. Green was Sebastian's favorite color, so I thought... Well, I thought he'd like it. "

I hadn't noticed before but I was crying, tears rolling down my face. Roxy offered me a tissue, which I wiped my eyes with and threw it away, then pulled me into a hug.

"I'm so, so sorry Chels," she said.

"It's okay. It was a long time ago. Just… promise me you won't tell anyone, okay?" I asked.

"I promise."

"Especially not Reece."

"I promise!" she said again, and we fell into a comfortable silence as we watched TV.

Once again, I apologize for this taking so long. My body hates me. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! *hands out tissues*