Chapter 5, Amanda's POV, Out of Denial and into the Department Store.

I woke with a start from my plane seat. I was surprised I could even get to sleep at all on the plane, but unfortunately I fall asleep and have a dream about my sister plummeting to her doom. This was all my fault; I ran away and that got Rose sent to camp half blood, in extension her doom.

Wait a minute, this wasn't even real. I was just dreaming, and Rose wasn't plummeting somewhere else. This couldn't be real, it just couldn't, but if I was dreaming why was I on a plane? Maybe mom and dad decided to take a surprise vacation? I looked around but I was the only one here. Maybe everything that happened was true but I misread what Greg said, that made the most sense. But who in their right mind would be named Chiron in this day in age?

I just had to be dreaming, and that last thing was a dream within a dream. When I woke up I would have to explain to myself that running away wasn't the answer. I usually never run away, I like my home and my friends, so why would I leave it? I usually understand that I should tough it out, and no matter the circumstance don't run away.

I would also have to explain to myself that if I was going to run away, don't run away to Alaska! It is a little weird; long daytime and short night vs. Long nights and short daytimes, and not to mention the weather. I would just have to say, it's not my taste. So why did I run away, to Alaska of all places?

So if I wasn't dreaming, why would I run away? I still haven't figured it out; I had reasons, they just didn't seem to fit. Was it to clear my head? I didn't think so, my head was already pretty clear with only one thought "I might be a demigod". A better term for it would be "Sorting-out-my-thoughts-so-I-could-think-again". I still didn't think that was it, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to think on the way here.

Was it to escape camp half-blood, I don't think so either. Everything has good and bad, and camp half-blood actually has more good than bad. Sure there are monsters in the woods, but otherwise it has everything I could want. Horseback riding, archery, good food, capture the flag, arts and crafts, good architecture, multiple languages, environment enthusiast, the works (even if these activities are modified a little) Despite it being an American place, it was pretty cool. I could also become a hunter if necessary, so I didn't see a problem.

Although there might be some problems with being a hunter of Artemis, like for example the fact that you have to go around hunting is a problem. I have never really been a fan of hunting. Then there is the whole swear off "guys" thing; although I don't particularly like boys, I was hoping to get past that one day and start a family. Then there is the immortality. Many would think it's great and I too would love to be frozen in time, but I wouldn't like everyone aging around me, so it's a no for me.

So I'm just saying I would probably want to go to camp, and it's not why I left. So what was the reason? What could it be if it wasn't what I said it was?

After a few minutes of thinking about it, I finally realized an answer. I ran away to escape the danger. I ran away hoping the danger wouldn't find me or my family. I ran away so we could be safe. I knew danger would come immediately, so I left immediately.

Why would I run away to Alaska? A few hours ago I would have said "It's the land beyond the gods and the direct opposite direction as camp half-blood", but I don't think that's the case. Why would I go to a land full of monsters, where the gods couldn't even protect me? I most probably thought that if I went there I could escape the life and it wouldn't befall me, because the life of the gods can't go to Alaska; but who was I kidding, this life would befall me one way or another, because I am a Demigod!

I now know why I ran, I ran because I was in denial. I denied everything in hope that things would stay the same. I now know that things would never be the same for me again.

To be frank, I think that I should have stayed in denial. Denial is safety, and once you acknowledge something it only gets worse. I might have seen that coming, but how can I not acknowledge something starring me right in the face?!

Once I got off the plane I grabbed my pack and started speed walking toward the door. Once outside I yelped as I saw a hyperborean giant in the distance. Then I sighed with relieve "At least not all of them joined the war." I said to myself, a few people looked at me strangely; others looked sort of weirdly at me.

I walked toward a payphone and looked in the phone book for places to stay, no luck. All I found was some adds for "Moose burgers" and "Sally's salmon shop and boat rental." Unless I wanted to sleep in a boat there was no place to stay. I didn't know what I was going to do. I was low on cash and ideas. A flight back was too expensive and I wasn't sure if I could go back anyway. It's not like I could just go home and say "Sorry I ran away, I hope you're not mad." I would be in so much trouble.

This had to be my worst plan yet; I had no money, which meant no way home, no food, and no shelter. Oh yeah, I was also surrounded by monsters with no protection. Yeah Amanda, real smart; I just walked around town awhile with my back pack, not knowing what to do next. I could always walk home I thought, sure I might get lost but I'm sure I'll make it there eventually. Yeah that's a bright idea I'll probably starve or freeze to death first.

I looked around the area; there were no gods or demigods around for miles. It made me feel a little bit peaceful... until I remembered that this place still had monsters (a surplus of them as a matter of fact)! I was unarmed; well not for long.

I walked (or rather ran) to the nearest department store. When I made it inside I raced to the cook wear section hoping my luck would turn up. I turned into the cooking isle; there I saw pots, pans, cookie sheets, muffin tins, micro waves, oven mitts and gloves, plastic utensils, napkins all in various sizes and colours, but not what I was looking for.

I walked around quickly and frantically until I made it to the front checkout. Sitting there was an old man with wiry white hair on the sides of his head and speckled skin, snoring and drooling on the cash reregister.

I reluctantly walked over and tapped him on the shoulder, he just snored louder. "Um... excuse me sir..." I tapped him on the shoulder again, this time he rolled over onto the counter scanner. The red light began scanning his head. I thought about turning and looking around the store again, then the scanner went "BEEEEEEP" as the screen read "SCAN UNCOMPLETE, NO PRICE FOUND, TRY TYPING IN PIN CODE" and the old man jumped up yelling "How may I help you?!" and searching around anxiously.

I started to back away slowly when he noticed me. "Aha! You there, you need assistance is that correct?" I stood there starring at him. On his uniform there was a orange nametag pinned on his chest and in white letters it said "STAN". His uniform vest was the same colour... or at least it was supposed to be. Instead it was covered in food, drool, booger, grass, dirt, and who knows what else stains! It was hard not to say "Eww..." and walk away. Instead I walked forward and said "Yes, I'm looking for some steak knives." Stan looked at me funny, and then I quickly added "They're a gift for my mom."

He smiled a crazy smile and said "Why didn't you just say so? The steak knives are right over-" then Stan fell over asleep, hitting the intercom button. His snores filled the entire store. There weren't many people in the store anyway, but it was still embarrassing.

I turned around to see another employee starring at me. He was much younger than Stan, 18 or 19, and his was certainly better dressed. He starred at me with his mouth wide in pure horror! "You killed the boss! He didn't even choose a successor yet! Who's going to run the store now?" I was so flustered with his comment I didn't know what to say or do "I...d-didn't mean to...I-I just was standing here and H-he just-" immediately he started laughing

"Ha, got you didn't I? He's not really dead, he's not even asleep!" at that moment he walked over and hit Stan on the back hard. Stan awoke with a start. "Wh-what, oh yeah we got you..." Stan fell over to sleep again, snoring on the intercom. The guy turned it off and starred at Stan blankly. "Okay, I guess maybe he was. I'm Owen, and I heard you were looking for steak knives?"

"I could tell by the name tag, and yes they're for my mom."

"Does your mom like steak?" Owen asked

"Oh, yes she's basically a carnivore! So any meat knives will do the trick." I replied. It felt weird referring to the monsters as my mom, considering the fact that I was going to be stabbing them with these knives. It would cause me to never look at meat the same again, forcing me to go vegetarian. "Why didn't you just come to find me in customer service? I would have helped you get the knives immediately." Owen asked looking at me sincerely,

"I'm kind of new in town. I just moved here today." I said shyly

"First day in town and you buy knives?" Owen asked surprised.

"Well my mom will kill me if I don't get these knives!" Literally I thought.

"Wouldn't she need the knives to do that?" Owen asked; I forced a laugh. Owen was cute, funny, and nice, everything I would want in a guy basically; but he was way too old for me, and he was clueless to what I was going through. Owen led me to the storage area of the store. We entered the room and he said "We keep the knives in here so they are harder to steal. We wouldn't want someone running through town carrying knives now would we?"

"Right, we wouldn't want that." I replied, He had no idea. Owen climbed up a latter to a top shelf in the store room and he picked up a big box with Tupperware knives in it. "Knives on the top shelf, wouldn't that be dangerous?" I called up to him, he laughed at my comment. He came down the latter and was about to hand the box to me, but then he resisted. "What's wrong?" I asked, he frowned

"I don't feel right, giving knives to a child." He said sadly.

"Hey I'm not a child, I'm 15 years old! Besides these aren't for me, they're for my mom." I said. He thought about it for a moment then he said "I guess you're right." Then he handed me the box. We walked out and started heading to the checkout when I said "Can I check this out in customer service, Stan... I'm not really comfortable around." I expected him to argue instead he just smiled and said "He creeps me out too; we can do this in customer service." And we turned and headed to customer service.

Once we made it there, Owen went behind the counter. He took the box from me and scanned it. "That's $50 for the knives." He said. I looked in my pocket, I only had $5, and I could never afford this. I needed these knives I had to think of some way to get them. I tried to control the mist, I snapped my fingers and said "No, it's not $50, its $5." He looked at me with anger in his eyes; clearly he didn't believe me "No miss, its $50 for the knives." So I guessed I should try being honest, it was the best policy after all. "Look Owen, my life is depending on the possession of these knives. So can you just make me a special offer, just this once? I promise to pay you back when I have the money and time. You believe me don't you?"

Owen stared blankly into space "I believe you, just this once." He robotically handed me the box. "Thanks for the knives, have a nice day." I said waving back to him. He stared blankly back at me and said "I will have a nice day." With that cheerful note I left the store.

What's up with Owen? Who else thinks Stan is super gross? Post your answers to these questions in the review box, below. Stay tuned to find out what happens next.