Chapter 2
Life Stories and New Faces
I nervously wrung my hands behind my back and rocked on the balls of my feet, while smiling nervously to try and ease some of the thick awkwardness going through the air. They were still unresponsive, so I just decided to gently walk up to the arch with my hands in front of me saying I meant no harm.
"Look, I'm sorry if there was some huge misunderstanding about a monster invasion on your, uh, camp here, but I really mean no harm. I was just walking through the forest a few yards back, and it just snuck up behind me, really."
I looked around but was still greeted with emotionless faces, some faces on the other hand looked apprehensively at me as if I was about to transform into a monster myself while others looked clearly confused at me. Then, suddenly, a centaur came up with his bow on his back and a questioning look on his face. He had brown, shaggy hair and a beard to match on the human half of him; the other half was one of a white, majestic stallion with the eyes of a teacher; calculating yet wise. He looked at me, probably wondering why a 13 year old girl just took down a monster 6 times her size. I mean, who wouldn't? I looked the same as always; dark, layered black hair that went to my waist, a dark tanned complexion, my usual enchanted black long-sleeved trench coat that stopped at the middle of my thighs, dark blue skinny jeans, and my old purple converse. The only thing that made me different was the double fighting swords strapped to both of my sides. Nothing out of the ordinary here. Well, maybe the fact that I just took down a mutated scorpion monster a few minutes ago.
I sighed and looked down, realizing that I had a lot to explain about yet again. Apparently, my feet must have had a mind of their own because they started to walk through the arch while I kept on explaining how I'm not a threat. I looked up with a small smile on my face only for it to slowly disappear by the sounds of whispering. I looked around confused 'till I looked back, and I realized that the arch was now behind me instead of in front of me. I peered closely and saw this almost transparent force field, obviously protecting this place, fading away ever so slowly. I turned back to the crowd in front of me, confused, but they were still whispering and staring. It was starting to make me shift uncomfortably until the centaur spoke in a booming voice, "Silence!"
He looked at me for a possible response for why I was now on the opposite of their arch, but I had none; I was just as confused as they were. A tall, athletic blond girl with curly hair and stormy grey eyes broke out from the crowd to my left and came up to the centaur, her knife out and glistening. She kept looking at me, and I didn't need to take a moment to wonder what she was doing or what was running through her head. She was scrutinizing me, deciphering every movement I made. The girl, probably about 15, finally spoke to the centaur in a cold voice: "Chiron, what do we do with her?"
"Silence, Annabeth. Let the girl give her reasons as to why she is here." He turned to me; this time I was met with kind and concerned eyes. He beckoned to me as if he wanted me to join him for something. "My dear, if you would ever be so kind, would you mind coming with me to discuss your arrival? I mean you no harm whatsoever; I just want to talk." He moved to the side and gestured to a blue and white huge house in the distance about 4 stories in height, nonetheless.
I nodded slowly and gave a grateful smile. The crowd made a path for us as we started to walk in the direction of the house. I kept my head down, my hands at my sides and not on my sword hilts to show that I still meant no harm. At least now, someone has asked to hear my side of the story. Thank goodness my hair is long, so it could try and cover my face occasionally. We walked in silence, and I was grateful to realize that it was just the two of us who were heading to the house. Once we were at the steps of the porch leading into the house, the centaur- or Chiron, as I've now learned- was starting to sit in a wheelchair, his horse legs disappearing behind him and fake legs already in the front. I didn't do a double-take when his legs disappeared; I was used to seeing magic at its finest. I just looked at him, waiting patiently for him to get accustomed to.
He spun the wheels going to reach for the door, but I beat him to it by jogging a little to help him out. As I held the door wide open for him, he smiled up at me in thanks, and I reciprocated. I followed Chiron inside after I shut the door and looked around at the place. Old warn down couches, a fireplace with a leopard mantle that I swear was following me just above it, old arcade games in a corner that blinked in different colors, and a ping-pong table taking up one big space to my left. He caught me looking at the table weirdly and replied,
"It's actually used as a conference table for meetings. And as far as I know, I don't believe it's ever been used for its actual purpose of entertainment. Though, I could be wrong," he said with a kind smile. He motioned for me to sit on one of the old couches, while he sat right across from me. He didn't look at me like that intimidating blonde chick did; he looked at me with eyes of concern and good ol' curiosity. I relaxed at the thought and sat up straight with my back against the couch waiting for the questions to come, but before we even began, he said in a calm voice:
"Annabeth, you could come in, you know." And she did, but with someone following her. A guy, about the same age with messy black hair and green eyes at the most interesting shade that I've ever seen, came in and just stood at the door way. Chiron beckoned them forward, and they walked near him in hesitant steps. I tried to smile, but with all the awkwardness going through the air, I just looked down into my lap and tucked a strand of hair behind my left ear.
"My dear, it is not very often that we get occurrences like what happened earlier, but it doesn't mean that we can't just let it pass by like it was something ordinary. You understand, don't you?" I looked up at him and nodded my head. He continued, "So, I would like to ask first and foremost, what were you exactly doing roaming these forests?"
"It's obvious, Chiron. She's a spy working for the other side," the girl, Annabeth, had said with an icy glare. Before he could reprimand her, my voice apparently had plans of its own. "I'm not a spy, if that's what you're thinking. And I'm not working for anyone either." I met her gaze and held it. "I've been on my own for the past 6 years and have been doing pretty well, if I do say so myself." Her expression changed to disbelief for a moment, yet she remained quiet, as did Chiron and the guy standing next her.
"I left my home and my family for... various reasons, you see. I was normal, like any other child you could find, but that doesn't mean I had it easy." The look on my face was probably one of bitterness and maybe anger, but they didn't question me; the guy on Annabeth's right finally spoke up: "So where do those freaky powers come into the picture, then?"
"Shut up, Percy! Gods, can't you be silent for a minute?" Annabeth said irritably. He was about to protest, but Chiron stepped in and shushed the both of them. "That's actually the main reason. I left because I knew my parents thought of me as a monster when I got my powers. They tried to avoid me, probably thinking that they're only kid got cursed for something, so they kept their distance, especially when my powers would start to act up. They were even so afraid of what I had become that they pulled me out of school; that doesn't mean, though, that I didn't do some investigating. Finally, I was too fed up with it. Even when I got my powers under control, they still treated like I needed to be always watched, always needed to be observed, so I don't ruin their reputation or worse, embarrass them for what I really am. So, one day, I finally left. I highly doubt they even cared. It must have been a 'good riddance' for them," I paused for a second, thinking that what I'm about to say next would probably surprise them even more. "And I'm not a demigod, since that's what all of you were probably expecting."
They looked at me weirdly, as if I just grew another head or something. The guy that was standing next to Annabeth-or Percy, as I now learned- took a step forward and was about to ask me a question, but Annabeth beat him to it.
"Wait, you know about the Greek gods? And the monsters? Yet, you're not a half-blood?" She exclaimed and looked at me incredulously.
"All correct," I said while giving my signature crazy smile at them. I
used my powers to summon us all drinks that instantly appeared in our hands just to make things more interesting and less parched. Chiron and Annabeth gave me looks of astonishment and disbelief while Percy casually opened his can of Coke and frowned ever so slightly. He caught me looking at him weirdly and started to object, saying his drink was alright before, but I ignored him and used my powers to tweak his drink a little. I smiled, pointed at the can of Coke, and said, "Try it now."
He took a hesitant sip, with Annabeth and Chiron both silently observing him. They probably thought I spiked it to turn it into poison or a serum to turn Percy into a tree frog or something. I pushed those thoughts away when he looked back at me, astonishment written all over his face. "H-how did you do that? How did you know that I liked blue cherry Coke instead or regular Coke?"
I smiled and took a sip of my 7UP and was ready to answer their questions. "Well, for one thing," I tapped the side of my head and simply said, "I just read your mind to help me figure out why you frowned at your drink," I turned to Annabeth and continued, "To answer your questions, yes, I do know that the Greek gods are currently living in America, preferably New York, and that they are indeed alive. I have been fighting monsters since I was seven years old, so that answers your second question, daughter of Athena," I said while taking another casual sip.
"How did you know-"
I tapped my head. "Mind reader, remember?" I said with a smile. She didn't return it, so I moved to Chiron next. "And I was in the forests to look for this." I set my drink down on the small brown coffee table in front of me, reached into one of the bottom pockets of my trench coat, and pulled out a small piece of the plant that must have fell in my pocket that I never noticed 'till now, when I sensed its presence and minor scent. "It's a plant that's a major ingredient for a healing serum for cuts, burns, things like that. I was taught how to make this years ago from some great people who had helped me learn how to use my powers so many years ago."
"There are more of you? Your kind, I mean," asked Chiron.
"Yes," I said apprehensively. I didn't want to reveal any of my old mentor's identities, but I still needed to be as open as possible. "I was seven years old when I received my powers, but I had no clue on how to even try to control them at first and don't ask me how I got them, either. Even up 'till now, I have not one clue as to where or why I have them. My magic would act up and all sorts of things would go berserk. The minute my parents found out they stayed away from me like I had the Spanish influenza or something. They would even try to "defend" themselves from me, as if I was an actual raging psychopath intent on hurting them." I rolled my eyes at the memories of the past seeping into my mind like a home movie, replaying every moment just for me to watch. I kept staring at nothing in particular when I talked; I didn't want to face them and the looks they'd have when I would finish explaining my life story.
"My mother resented me the most. I could her yelling at my dad at night saying I was nothing but a demon child that belonged in a mental institution for the young and mentally insane. My dad would try to come to my defense, but she would literally annihilate any chance of that happening. They knew I was hurt by their actions, but did they do anything to help? Did they care to even ask if I was okay? No. All they cared about was keeping their distance. No one pestered my parents for more information, obviously not wanting to defy my mother's word and get on her bad side. As time progressed, they could actually tolerate me being in the same room as them for a while; my mother wasn't too big on the idea of being near her own kid. She would always yell at me, saying things like if I did something uncalled for, she would send me to the nearest juvie, no hesitation required. So my powers were always kept hidden and were never to be spoken in or outside the house. But I was just as curious as to what I could do with them. I mean, can you blame me? A 7-year-old kid who discovers she has magical powers. Who couldn't ask for more?" I smiled wistfully at the idea, but the bitterness and anger from my memories got to me. "So I would secretly start to experiment late at night, or when my parents would literally abandon me in the house when they had to work. For hours on end I practiced, and I eventually was able to master them all in good time. The only slight problem was keeping my "training" a secret from my parents. They'd get suspicious from time to time, but they never questioned me. They just went back to keeping their distance and leaving food at my door when it was dinner time. That is, until one day did they discover what I was doing all this time.
"They caught me one day, and I didn't hear them at all because I was deep in concentration, so you could imagine my shock and nervousness that came after. My mother started screaming and yelling profanities all around and even looked like she was going to hit me," I cringed slightly at this and continued, "but my father, bless him, held her back, giving me enough time to escape to my room to hide for the time being. From then on I knew my mother would call the cops, an idea I knew she wanted to do in the first place, so I made sure the door was locked, and I started to pack. I couldn't care less about my stuff; I just wanted to leave so badly. All I did was jump off my bedroom balcony and started to run."
I leaned forward, put my elbows on my knees, and started to breathe in and out slowly, the nervousness and tension from explaining getting at me. "I had no sense of direction as to where went; I just ran as fast as my 7 year old legs could carry me. I could hear some shouting in the distance of my house, which made me run even faster, because I knew my mother either was trying to call the cops or made the call and was trying to reason with my dad. I ended up in an old playground and took refuge under a large tree for a couple of days." I looked up at them, dubious expressions on their faces.
"I didn't starve or get dehydrated, since that's what you're all thinking. I was smart enough to stash some food and bottled water in my room whenever my mother purposefully starved me at night, and I would eat that during the day. And I did pack some money as well, though I should say stole from my parents, since that's what I did sometimes when I would walk by their room and get this weird feeling to just take for the future. Quite ironic, isn't it? Anyway, about 3 days later since I became a runaway, did I start to see this guy casually observing me from the sidewalk at random times of the day. At first I thought it was a just a random bystander or a kid's parent looking at me, thinking I'm a hobo or something until I started seeing him almost all the time. One day, I decided to just leave in case he was the police, and lo and behold, random-bystander-dude is there, but this time he's walking towards me. I started to jog away, but he still kept up with me. Next thing you know, I'm in alleyway behind a Korean supermarket, and he just casually walks in but with friends this time. I started to panic, obviously, and the guy watching me just kneels down and asks me "Are you okay?"
Now, me being the crazy child I was just screamed at him to leave me alone and go find someone else to stalk. Smart, I know, but I was freaking out. He just looked back at his companions, as if asking them something, and I tried to find a way to get into the supermarket behind me, but they turned back in the nick of time. By now I was hyperventilating, but his friends backed away, leaving the first guy still kneeling. I questioned them, nonetheless, but they said that they've been looking for me for a long time. Odd, huh? They knew what I was and kept comforting and reassuring me that they wouldn't hurt me and showed me their ID's-which were different, obviously- as proof that they weren't kidnappers or unregistered psychopaths on the loose."
An uneasy silence filled the room as they all stared at me with looks of bewilderment (Chiron), astonishment (Percy), and slight disbelief (Annabeth, of course). I continued to smile as my eyes shifted over each person while my fingers on my left hand tapped on the top of the couch. I was about to say something to break the silence, but Annabeth beat me to it, thankfully.
"And you just went with them? Just like that?" I nodded nonchalantly. "And they never did anything bad to you?" Man, this girl is like one, big, lean, questioning machine.
"Aside from the endless hours of training and self-defense," I said smiling. She didn't return it, mind you, but a look of understanding and the tiniest bit of relief washed over her so that was a good thing. The next one to speak was Percy who took his time structuring his sentence. "And you're how old?"
"13 years, 7 months, 2 days," I replied in a beat. He just stared at me as he asked another. "And you're parents never looked for you? At all?"
I scoffed and rolled my eyes, "They wouldn't even no where to begin. And it's not like I stayed in the same place either. They obviously hated me, so why should I put up with all that? Dude, as if."
He thought for a moment and asked, "So, you're not just a mind reader, are you?" I laughed, and it felt good. "That is true; don't worry, I don't just read peoples mind for my personal entertainment."
"And yet you're doing it right now?" Annabeth questioned, arms crossed and right eyebrow raised. "For my personal entertainment? Good Lord, no; I was trained better than that. The only reason why I'm doing that is to show all of you that you can trust me."
"Trust you? You think that by reading our minds and unexpectantly showing up to our camp means we can actually trust you?"
"Yes and no. Look, I never even knew that there was a camp here; this is my first time in New York, and the only reason I'm reading your minds is to answer your questions and because I am literally showing you three what I'm capable of doing when I should be keeping this a secret, okay? And this is big move for me because I have to follow certain rules as well, so, in hindsight, yes I think you can trust me."
She still stared at me, deciphering my every move like a puzzle or a game of solitaire. Percy and Chiron were practically doing the same thing. I leaned on my knees and looked between all three of them.
"Look, I know that this is very hard to believe right now but think of it this way: you two," I said, beckoning to Percy and Annabeth "probably didn't even believe the person who told you that you were half mortal and half god or goddess, right?" They both undoubtedly nodded. "Then please hear me out when I say that what I am telling all of you is the truth and nothing but the truth and that I mean you and your camp no harm whatsoever. If you would like, I can just leave the area and forget about everything thing that I just saw." They all looked as if they were having a telepathic debate based on their facial expressions. I licked my lips nervously and decided to drink from my can just to calm my nerves. Suddenly, Annabeth and Percy started to argue back and forth, and here I am eyes wide in surprise and my poor, poor can only inches away from my mouth.
"Are you serious right now, Percy? She's obviously a spy working for Kronos!" At the mention of this name that I'm pretty sure I've heard somewhere in my studies, the room got instantly colder, and I shuddered.
"Really, Annabeth? Just because she unexpectedly shows up to Camp you just have to immediately assume that she's working for Luke?" Percy said his name with spite and resentment. Annabeth looked as if she had gotten slapped in the face with this guy's name. She regained her composure, and her facial expression turned livid. "I don't know whether she is working for him or not, Percy, but I'm just trying to be critical right now unlike some people who are obviously not thinking about the safety of the camp and everyone in it into consideration!"
Percy's expression screamed, 'Oh no, she didn't.' "You honestly think that I'm not looking out for the camp, huh, Wise Girl? You and I both know that that statement is false. All I'm trying to get across is to at least back off and stop being so judgmental about everything, gods! She is practically surrendering to us right now, letting us decide her fate, and yet you still accuse her of being a spy? Now, that's just harsh."
"Harsh? I'll show you harsh, you-"
"Enough!" Chiron boomed. "Both of you sit down immediately, and the two of you will have kitchen duty with the harpies for an entire week!" That punishment was obviously used for major cases because they both sat down, albeit reluctantly, and shut up. Chiron huffed, and his gaze went back to me and stayed there. "I apologize for the sudden outburst, young one," he said looking at Annabeth and Percy who looked away shamefully, "there have been some recent activities outside of our camp lately, per se, which is why campers are very wary and doubtful at the moment because of the impact they cause, but I assure you that we have everything under control and sorted," he said encouragingly, "and I think that what you are doing in return is very brave and wise of you. Not many people will be so willing to be suddenly interrogated," he concluded with a smile.
I smiled, grateful that some of these people don't look at me as a total freak or potential enemy. "If you still want me to leave, I'd be willing to do so, if you all think that that's the right thing to do," I said. "Really, I get where you all are coming from; I know what it's like to get all defensive over the things we love because we see a potential threat, especially if it's sitting right in front of you," I said, smiling shyly. Percy looked over at Annabeth with his eyebrows raised as if to say, 'You call that evil?' She in turn scoffed at looked anywhere but him. I turned to Chiron, ready for practically anything else they had to say to me. "So, do you want me to leave? I can lead myself out the door."
He studied me for a moment, tilting his head to the side slightly. "No, my dear; not until I have gathered enough information just to make sure. Aside from your life story that you have willingly told me, I must say that for someone your age, I'm amazed that you have held out for so long; not a lot of people can do that," he paused, "but the only thing I must ask you is how you were able to pass through our borders. Judging by your knowing gaze, you know what this camp is for, don't you?"
I nodded, and shock suddenly seeming like the emotion of the day now for these guys. I sighed, embracing myself for whatever came next to decide if I can leave this camp, hopefully with all bodily parts intact. Just great; this is exactly how I wanted to spend my first time in New York: being chased through a forest by a freak monster who shoots acid missiles, being interrogated and scrutinized like I'm an axe-murderer, and also stumbling upon a secret camp who could have me killed in seconds if I so merely skipped out of line. Yep, totally getting an 'I heart NY' t-shirt from the nearest gift shop now.
"You must understand that you have now put me in a predicament that I have never witnessed in my many years as one a camp director. And to be quite frank, that is stating a lot. Even more so, I cannot simply turn a blind eye to this and let it go unobserved, for that will raise suspicions," Chiron paused momentarily, "but based upon your heroic feat of protecting this camp, it would seem unjust to punish you so and call you an intruder. With this in mind, and the fact that this camp has taken in many people who have been abandoned and have been living on their own, I am willing to make a compromise: I will grant you permission to stay here at this camp for the time being. We will give no direct reason as to why you are here or how you were able to pass through our borders, but we will merely say that you are a 'special case.' Just to give the campers here just a bit of the truth until further questioning." He peered more intently at me, if that was even possible, and finished off his verdict saying, "But you must not say anything about your personal life aside from simple things to the rest of the campers; you may even lie if you need to, but in short, you must not reveal anything you have already spoken about here today. Does that seem fair?" He asked this kindly but with the stern confidence of a true leader.
I sat back against the worn-down couch, frozen, mulling over his words. It was extremely generous and well thought of at the same time. But at least it was better than the thought of leaving this place with either a couple bruises or a missing toe. "You're letting me stay? And you're not arresting me?" I asked incredously.
"For the time being, young one. It seems unfair to punish and question you as if you are a threat. Furthermore, I simply cannot even think about the prospect of you going out to the world again on your own with gods-knows-what out there; that would be just as unfair as my first reason. At least now, we can question you on more friendly terms," he said humorously, the laugh lines at the corners of his eyes showing as he smiled at his own joke. I'm pretty sure my mouth was open-a bad habit I do when in shock-yet still I stayed frozen to my seat. "As confusing as it may be, I would like to learn, per se, about you and your capabilities to know just how you were able to get past our borders. Plus, I sense a strong aura and obvious power you hold, my dear. I would just like to also make sure it is being used for the greater good and also for protecting this camp and its secrets."
I nodded, the puzzle pieces sinking in. Not backing out now, I agreed to stay on the terms given to me. Apparently, my decision wasn't taken well, albeit not at all, because the minute I confirmed my stay, Annabeth immediately jumped up from her seat and shrieked, "You're actually going to let her stay? You're practically letting her slip under our noses as we speak!"
"Well, technically, I'm not 'slipping'; I'm still sitting on this couch, aren't I?" I said sarcastically. Honestly, I get that this chick doesn't trust me as it is, but after admitting my life story and finally finding a stable place for a while, you would think that she could at least back off a bit. Apparently, Percy was thinking the same thing because he came to my rescue, defending me by saying that she was so quick to assume on practically everything and to cut me some slack. Her response: "Fine then; continue to be a gullible idiot! But I'm not going to agree just yet that she might not be the enemy." She then promptly got out of her seat and with one last glare-whether it was directed at me or Percy, I don't know- she stomped out of the room and slammed the door. Percy still looked riled up from their heated argument. Chiron just sighed and looked weary before turning his attention back to me. Percy, while blowing his shaggy hair out of his face in a huff, turned his attention to me worriedly, probably thinking that Annabeth's words affected me more than it did. He opened his mouth to apologize, but I held up a hand and smiled at him. "It's okay. I'm used to it, really."
"The accusations or the dramatic exits?" he said smirking. I pretended to think long and hard on my answer before replying. "Eh, give or take, both."
He laughed and looked much more at ease; even Chiron chuckled at our responses. After the laughter died down, I turned to Chiron and asked what would happen next as to my stay. "Well, you'd be staying here in the Big House since you aren't a demigod, and most likely you'll be participating with the campers in their daily activities, so you won't get bored to death. Oh, and mealtimes as well."
I froze at the thought of interacting with the other campers. It's bad enough that Annabeth is already wary of me as it is. Imagine the other campers' responses. Chiron asked Percy to show me around camp, so I can be familiar with my surroundings. He and I both got up, and before we went out, I walked shyly to Chiron and stuck out my hand to shake his. No matter how uptight my mother was at home and in public, she still had the sense to teach me proper etiquette to anyone I come in contact with. "Thank you for your kind hospitality to me even if you just met me today. The entire thing is very generous of you, sir."
He looked taken aback slightly but smiled nonetheless. He took my hand and shook it. I smiled one last thank you and walked to Percy who was waiting at the door. Suddenly, Chiron called out to me, "Wait! Forgive me, my dear, but I never learned your name upon your arrival."
I smiled and laughed at myself for forgetting the one crucial thing most sane people wouldn't forget to say when they meet someone new. "Adora. Adora De Luca."