This is the flashback of Alyssa surviving in New York. I'm really trying hard to not make Alyssa a Mary-Sue. This is my first OC.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own PJO or RA, all rights go to their respective owners.

Flashback

Alyssa woke up in the middle of bustling strangers, tall buildings, and strange, metal creatures that moved on circular wheels down the paved road. She was confused. And scared. Strangers gave her odd looks. Some were of confusion. Others were of anger as they hastily pushed Alyssa out of their way. Alyssa looked around at her surroundings. Nothing she could see was of any familiarity to her. All she remembered was falling asleep last night in her room in Will's cabin.

At the thought of Will, she looked around once more, her eyes searching for the familiar shock of tousled brown hair, but to no avail. She figured she would have to get out of this situation alone. She slipped into a dark alley, blending in with the shadows.

Alyssa took stock of her inventory. Luckily, she had her grey-green mottle cloak, and her longbow and a quiver full of arrows. Whoever "decided" to drop her off in the middle of nowhere in her sleep apparently didn't feel generous enough to provide her with some food or water. She checked her belt and fortunately she found her saxe knife and throwing knife hanging in their normal double scabbard.

Alyssa let her survival instincts take over. Will's voice seemed to echo in her head as she recalled the lesson's he had taught her. When you're in an unfamiliar place, always assume that everyone's your enemy, until they prove otherwise. Alyssa made a mental checklist of things she would need until she could find out where she was and how to get back home. First she would need a source of food and water. She crept out of the dark alley and looked at the stone building surrounding her.

People bustled in and out of the buildings with large bags filled with some kind of goods in their hands. Alyssa assumed that that was where the shops were. Only one problem; she had no money. And it's not like she could steal the food. She had spent years training as a Ranger to stop people from stealing, among other things. If she did such a thing herself, especially to people who might be an ally, she would be a hypocrite and a disgrace to the Corps. Besides, people were everywhere, even Rangers couldn't move unseen in these crowded conditions. The grey-green mottling pattern of her cloak didn't blend in well with the stone-grey surroundings. Her last solution was to fight. Alyssa almost immediately put the thought out of her head. If she acted as their enemy, they would simply act in the same way. If she acted peaceful and friendly, she might gain some information; a Ranger's stock-in-trade.

Coming to a decision, she quickly stood, trying to look as normal and friendly as possible. As she strode swiftly down the street, she glanced quickly at passing strangers. She noticed that no one carried weapons of any kind. They didn't have that air of fear and worry that normal farmers and lower-class citizens had as they lived in their unprotected homes. No, these people had seemed carefree, happy even. They must be nobles, she thought.

Alyssa approached a young woman in her early twenties.

"Excuse me," Alyssa said, trying to capture the attention of the woman, who was talking into a small, black device.

The woman turned to face Alyssa and snapped the device shut. "May I help you?" She asked politely. Although Alyssa could tell that the smile was forced. "Going to a costume party are you?" the woman mused. Alyssa looked down at her garb. She wasn't exactly sure what a "costume party" was, but she tossed that thought aside. "No, rather, I'm seeking information on where I am?

The woman raised an eyebrow. "Well, you're on Parker Street," she replied.

Alyssa furrowed her eyebrows. "Parker Street? Care to elaborate on that?"

"Well...there isn't much to elaborate on. You're on the corner of Parker Street, in New York. Listen, I've got to go to work. If you need directions, I'm sure someone else will help," she added hastily. Then the woman strode quickly down the street, and entered a tall building.

Alyssa frowned slightly. New York? Parker Street? She had never heard such names. Nonetheless, she had to get food. She watched as people came in and out of the shop, and made up her mind. Haggling a little wouldn't hurt. It was worth the shot. She walked confidently into the shop. Always appear to be confident, even if you're not. If you show nervousness, people will surely take advantage of it. Will's words echoed in her head.

Alyssa pushed the glass door and entered. She made sure to keep her two knifes within easy reach. Just in case. There was a man at the counter in perhaps his late twenties. His eyes widened at the stranger, dressed in mysterious garb and carrying an arsenal of weapons. The stranger clearly spelt trouble. The man quickly dialed the police into his cell phone.

Alyssa, confused, held up her hands in surrender. She wasn't sure exactly what the man was speaking into, but she was certain that he was calling for reinforcements.

"I mean no harm. All I want is a little information on where I am. And perhaps some food, as I haven't got any money," Alyssa said, keeping her voice calm and neutral.

The man put down the strange device. "Put down your weapons," the man called, rather harshly. Slowly, Alyssa unsheathed her saxe knife and lay it on the counter for the man to see. She was careful to keep her small throwing knife concealed. She couldn't go wandering around weaponless. She shrugged the quiver off her shoulder and took off the bow as well. She placed both weapons on the counter, next to the saxe. She made sure that the saxe knife would be in easy reach in case of an incident.

"There, see? I honestly mean no harm," she said.

The man looked at her skeptically. "Got any other weapons on you?"

Alyssa lied and shook her head. Alyssa was generally an honest person. But she wouldn't tell the truth if it risked her safety.

Alyssa kept her distance from the man. He looked relatively harmless. But it was better safe than sorry.

The man opened his mouth to say more, but he was interrupted as three men clad in a dark blue uniform burst through the doors. They each carried a small black device that looked like a small crossbow. And all three were aimed at Alyssa. Great, she thought. This is going to be harder than I thought.

There's the end of this chapter! There will be one more chapter on this flashback. I just cut it in half and posted this because I haven't updated the story in a while.

But after the next chapter, the story will continue in the present, at Camp Half-Blood!

IMPORTANT NOTE:

I wanted to know whether I should make Alyssa a demigod or not. I thought that having the powers of a demigod and Ranger skills would make her too overpowered. But what are your opinions on this? If she's going to be a demigod, who should her parent be? And also, if you have tips to improve my OC, let me know! :)

Thanks for reading! :)