"He's kind of odd."

"He's a bit to himself, yes—"

"He didn't even want to tell me his name. And when I told him mine, he just said 'irrelevant' and went back to his book," Eirene hugged her legs; she didn't know if she was hurt or annoyed by his reaction, it just puzzled her. "Why is he so introverted?"

A sad look glazed over Annabeth's eyes, and she sighed. "It's a long story. He wasn't always like that; cold and drawn back and self-served, it was as series of events that led up to his newfound personality."

Even though she knew it futile to ask, she still wanted too. "What happened?"

"What exactly are you?" Annabeth countered.

Eirene smiled knowingly. So these were the ways of Athena's children, a secret for a secret. Even though Eirene was curious about Andrew' past, she wasn't that curious.

"Earlier in the Hermes cabin I heard the twins mention a guy named Dennis. But they talked about him like he died or something. What happened to him?"

"Dennis isn't dead, but we don't know where he is. Which is weird, because we keep tabs of every camper that leaves this camp; we usually always know where every demigod is, but we don't know where he is. And we know he isn't dead because our Hades demigods would be able to feel it."

"Maybe he's not a demigod anymore."

Annabeth furrowed her eye brows. "What?"

"You said you always track all demigods. Well, what if he's not a demigod anymore? Or never was?"

"That's not possible." Annabeth said, but she didn't sound sure. She sounded like she was convincing herself more than Eirene.

Eirene shrugged. "I suppose so, I was just thinking out loud."

But Annabeth seemed lost in another world and didn't hear her. She was thinking of what Eirene just said, trying to remember if there was a way to become UN—demified. It sounded ridiculous, but the casualty in Eirene's voice made her consider it. But the part about not being a demigod was also ridiculous, but in a way made the smallest of sense. Dennis had never been claimed, and he'd never shown any sign of ADHD or a talent in reading Greek. He was only good in sport activities and lacked knowledge in Greek mythology. It sounded ridiculous, but it was a plausible explanation. Even though the camp did have a mist around it was known that humans occasionally came across it; Rachael Elizabeth Dare for one, and the pizza guy for another.

"What are you thinking about?" Eirene questioned.

"What you said about Dennis. It seems possible…impossible but possible. He may have not been a demigod at all."

Eirene nodded, remembering another fact. "I'm 100% certain he wasn't a demigod." Eirene said blankly. Annabeth gave her an odd stare. "The Kobalos, there was a Kobalos in the forest during monster hunting. I was speaking to it, and it said that a false Hermes kid took something from him last summer. I'm not one to believe in coincidences, and I don't think you are either."

Annabeth just stared at her, dumbfounded. Either because Eirene had figured out something Annabeth couldn't, or because Dennis had managed to spend a summer in Camp Half-blood before anyone noticed he wasn't a demigod, she didn't know.

"We have to find him. I don't know why he came here, but it worries me that a mortal is out there carrying around the secrets of the gods. We have to find him."

Then suddenly, the name that sounded familiar clicked with a face. She did know a Dennis; he had appeared to her in one of her most desperate time of need.

It was a years ago when she met him, and it was raining brutally on that day. Not only was it raining, but Eirene was running from what she believed were furies for the hundredth time. The ground was muddy and wet so she had slipped several times as was covered from head to toe in dirt and grind, her little dress no longer recognized as white. She had no strength to stop and fight, and even when she did fight they never seemed to come in contact with the furies. So she ran, and she fell, and she got up and ran again. But she had run miles without ambrosia and she was starting to feel lightheaded.

Just the second she stopped and paused for a breath, she heard someone yell, "Hey! Hey are you okay?"

She turned and saw a boy of average height with black hair beckoning her to come forward. He was inside what looked like to be an abandoned building and without even thinking whether it was a trap or not she rushed forward to take shelter and hide from the furies. He closed and locked the door as soon as she entered, and Eirene feared she'd made a huge mistake. But when he turned on the lights she saw the concern in his eyes and couldn't bring herself to believe that he would hurt her.

"Are you alright?" He scanned her clothing and skin. "Wait here, I'll get you a towel."

Eirene nodded and watched him walk away, taking in the warehouse before her. It was not in the best condition, but it did look like someone had been living here. There was a couch and a bed, and a mini fridge.

He returned with a cup of warm chocolate and wrapped a towel around her shoulders. "There's a shower down the hallway to the right, if you want to clean up."

After fifteen minutes, Eirene exited the shower feeling much more relaxed and cleaner. She glanced at her mud-covered dress and sighed, reluctant to put it back on until she saw another set of clothes right next to it. It was a clean pair of clothes, a grey hoodie and jeans. Trying them on she found that they were obviously sizes too big, but it was better than putting back on a dirty rag.

Once she exited the bathroom she saw him waiting outside, and gave him a sheepish smile. "Thank you for the clothing."

He nodded and then sighed. "I know they're too big but I don't have any girl clothes…" He reached over and took Eirene's former clothing in his hands. "Don't worry, I'll wash this and return it to you later."

She nodded, and then there was a two minute awkward silence.

"What's your name?"She finally asked.

"Dennis. Dennis Walker."

"I'm Eirene. It's nice to meet you."

They shook hands like strangers which caused Dennis to chuckle. "I'm sorry; it's just a bit weird that we're having a casual conversation after what you just went through."

Assuming he was talking about the furies, she nodded. "You could see them?"

"Yeah, I heard their screeches before I saw them. Do you have a weapon?"

Eirene gestured to the ring on her finger. "It's a morph tool."

"That's nifty. Why don't you sit and wait until the rain has calmed down?"

She shook her head, worry already overcoming her. "I can't stay long. The longer I stay, the more come."

"All demigods face that predicament. But still, it's pouring outside and you're obviously exhausted and probably hungry. You can take any leftovers you want from the fridge." He amenably displayed the fridge like it was a prize and opened it to reveal two half sandwiches, a can of Fanta, left over store-bought lasagna, and about two-tons of water. Though off to the corner, there was a bottle filled with cream-colored liquid that shone in the fridge light. Eirene grabbed at it and took a sandwich, thanking him silently.

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