(A/N) This past is Albert Schneider's. He was submitted by Crunch-Crunch-Crunch.

Flight – "Demon Child! Demon Child!" the school yard taunts rang out in Albert Schneider's ears. He had always won his fights but still the taunting never stopped. It didn't matter which school he went to or which teachers he had. It didn't matter if it was boys or girls, kid or adults, or during school or after. The taunts always followed Albert. Yes, he had a temper and he knew he did, but it wouldn't be called into question if the other kids didn't tease him. His mother was the only one who believed he could be more. He had told her he wanted to be a doctor and she smiled and told him that it was a good idea. He could still remember her words.

"What a wonderful idea Albert." she had exclaimed, "I know that you will become a wonderful doctor one day and help all those that can't help themselves."

Right now though, Albert wasn't being helpful. He had challenged another, much bigger boy, to a fight. This was a fight that the other boy had coming. He had been picking on Albert and calling him names since the start of the school year. The names that the boy called Albert were much worse than what the other kids called him. The tipping point for Albert was when the other boy insulted his mother. Albert had challenged him to a fight after school and the other boy had snorted an agreed. Now Albert was waiting at the park. He heard a shuffling sound and saw the other boy making his way over. It was around supper time and the park was clear. It was only the two of them.

"Thought you got scared and ran!" Albert called over the space between them.

"Me, run?" the other boy snorted, "Don't fool yourself."

His voice got deeper and gruffer as he spoke. He also appeared to be getting taller and taller. Albert thought it was because he was getting closer but that didn't appear to be the case. At some point, the other boy's head seemed to burst and a furry mass with horns, like a bull, came out of it. The thing just kept growing and growing until it stopped. It stood twice as tall as Albert, was half bull and half man, and was wearing a kilt around its lower half.

"Why would I be scared of you demigod?" it chuckled, "I am the Minotaur!"

"What?" demanded Albert trying to act brave.

"You are a demigod. By your smell, likely a bastard of the King of Gods himself. Half of a god and half of a mortal. You die easier than both and are worth less than either." the minotaur told him, "I shall demonstrate."

It lowered its head to charge but an arrow hit is straight in the face and exploded into a cloud of smoke.

"Albert this way." a voice whispered.

Albert looked around and found himself face to face with his best and only school friend, Dieter.

"Why do you have a bow and arrows?" whispered Albert.

"No time to explain." Dieter said grabbing his hand, "Come on."

Albert lagged behind as Dieter dragged him all the way across the park and towards Albert's house.

"That won't slow him down for long." Dieter explained, "There are some cases where you get lucky and they wanted to revive it quickly so it doesn't have much brains but you're unlucky. They wanted it to revive slower so it's completely cognisant now."

"What do you mean?" asked Albert, "Do you mean the mino…"

"Don't say its name." Dieter yelped, "Names have power and they're like a homing beacon of sorts for monsters."

"Okay, but what…" Albert began then trailed off.

They could hear the monster running behind them and shouting as it went.

"Come back here…rotten, no good, Zeus spawn…interfering, Apollo…going to crush…both going…Hades. Out of my way mortals!"

"Zeus?" asked Albert, "Like the Greek god of lightning?"

"Just keep running." Dieter instructed, "I'll head him off."

"You can't." Albert replied.

"Go." Dieter told him in a tone that meant no arguing.

Albert wanted to stay but he had no choice. They both split up.

Albert ran into his kitchen panting.

"Albert, what's wrong?" asked his mother, "Was it another bully?"

Albert shook his head panting, "Minota…monster, Dieter, distraction, Zeus…"

"Sit down." his mother told him.

"But Dieter lead that thing off. It could hurt him." Albert told his mother, "It also said I was a demigod, the son of Zeus, the King of the Gods, which meant I was half human and half god."

"It's true." his mother confirmed, "Because of this, you will never be safe. Monsters will hunt you where ever you go. The only safe place for you is Camp Half-Blood, in America."

"America?" asked Albert.

"Yes." his mother told him, "You should go now. It will be the safest thing for you."

"But I don't want to go." Albert protested, "What about you?"

"I will be fine." his mother replied, "Monsters ignore mortals."

"But America is a completely different country." Albert protested as his mother packed a suitcase for him, "It's across the ocean on a completely different continent."

"I know. We can write each other letters." his mother said, "But you will be safe."

"Can't I just be safe over here?" Albert tried to reason, "I'll learn to defend myself and always keep an eye out for monsters and I'll have Dieter and you can fix me if I get hurt."

"Albert, love, please go to America and to camp." his mother said, "There is nothing in Germany that can prepare you for life like Camp Half-Blood will. I don't want you to leave…"

"Then don't let me." Albert protested.

"…but you must." his mother finished and pulled out her favourite necklace.

She held it out between them and Albert stared at it fascinated. It was a plain gold chain with a cylindrical red crystal hanging from it.

"This is a necklace that your father gave me." she said, "I want you to take it so that you have some piece of you parents with you always."

"Okay Mom." Albert replied fist closing over the crystal, "I'll go."

"That's my boy." his mother said and not a moment too soon.

"I've got tickets for New York!" Dieter yelled climbing through the living room window, "But we need to leave now."

"Go on." Albert's mother urged.

"Coming!" Albert shouted and as soon as he appeared, Dieter dragged him out the front door and into a cab.

"Airport and step on it." Dieter told the driver.

The driver seemed confused why there were now two kids in his cab but he sped off when Dieter handed him some money.

They got to the airport in record time and took off just as the Minotaur burst out of security. Some guards were trying to haul him back into the terminal but he stood there and shook his fist at the plane while bellowing angrily.

As soon as they touched down, Dieter was dragging Albert after him again and they got in a white van with a driver that had eyes on every part of his body. This ride was much calmer and Dieter tried to explain everything to Albert while keeping an eye on the road. Suddenly, the van spun to a stop and Dieter and Albert were thrown out as Argus jumped out the other side. The van exploded as the Minotaur rammed it once again.

"How did he get over here?" asked Albert.

"Don't question monsters." Dieter told him, "Just run. Once you get past that hill, there is a boundary line that'll prevent the monster from getting to you. All you have to do is get past the tree."

Albert didn't have time to look back because him and Dieter were already running. They made it to the top of the hill when a girl and a woman came rushing past them. Both already had arrows nocked and aimed at the monster.

"Don't stop!" a Chinese girl shouted at him.

"All the way to the bottom of the hill bro!" a boy added, "Up one side and down the other."

"My name's Nate. I'll take you the rest of the way." another boy said and gestured for Albert to follow him, "Dieter, you'd better head over to the Apollo cabin. No telling what help they'll be needing if this turns into a fight."

"Later Albert." Dieter said and took off.

Meanwhile, Albert followed Nate to the Hermes cabin. They were almost able to ignore the scream and the bellow of rage from behind them. Albert tried to stop but Nate made sure he kept going.