Chapter 24.

"What the Hell was that!?" Olivia cries out as soon as we're on an empty street.

"Was that freaking Medusa! Like the snake lady Medusa who turned people into stone?" Maisie adds.

"Yes, it was the Medusa." Thalia says. "But we're not going to talk about the fact that she said that she's in love with Katy?" She laughs.

"Well, I am naturally charming." I cup my chin with the back of my hands.

"I sprayed her with Love Potion, makes anyone or anything fall I love with you." Chantelle explains. "I'm pretty sure that it was my good looks and charisma that made her fall in love with me." I joke.

"Ok, so we're not going to get an explanation? You freaking chopped Medusa's head off Thalia!" Olivia shouts. As Chantelle un-ties her hair so that it falls across her shoulders. "Ok, don't freak." She says.

"I already am freaking out." Olivia points.

"Ok. Well, do you know how in Greek mythology, there were gods and goddesses and Titans and Giants." Chantelle begins

"And lions and tigers and bears? Oh my!" Olivia sighs as she crosses her arms. "Anyways, I know some. Like Zeus, Poseidon, Satan, and Neptune." Olivia says.

"Well, sort of. But not Satan, he's to do with God with a big 'G' in the Bible and we don't know if he exists. Also, Neptune is another name for Poseidon. But, yeah you're right."

"Okay," Maisie says.

"Well, sometimes gods would fall in love with mortals and have children with mortals. They were half god, half human. Often called Half Bloods, Demi gods or Heroes." Chantelle pauses. "And, Katy, Thalia, Nico and I are Half Bloods." Chantelle cracks her hands.

"It's true. My dad is Hades. Thalia is a daughter of Zeus, and Katy is a daughter of Athena." Nico says.

"And I, am a daughter of Aphrodite." Chantelle adds.

At first, they just stand still. Then Maisie sprints off down the street. "Yeah, bye!" Olivia says before following. Chantelle swears but doesn't go anywhere.

"Should we go after them?" I ask.

"Nah, they'll be back. They left their bags." She points to the holdalls left on the floor.

"How long can that take?" Thalia asks.

We stand in silence for a few minutes.

"Now." I look to where she is and I see them walking back up the street. Chantelle smiles at us. "I left my bag." Maisie says.

"Maisie," Chantelle stars.

"Chantelle. Ok, you need to call dad to tell him that we're with these lot."

"I can't call anyone. You need to do it, either you or Olivia."

"Why us?" Maisie responds.

"Unless you want even more monsters, you call him. It's too dangerous for us to use a mobile phone."

"She's right." Nico backs her up.

Olivia signs and digs out her phone while mumbling under her breath about how stupid Demi gods are. Chantelle smiles. "Your siblings like this?"

"One time Grace just left me and went to Primark but she didn't know the town centre like I did, so I abandoned her. Then when I went back she was crying outside the shop." I say.

"You're sadistic, you." Nico stares as me. "I think I like that. You know, I went to the Asphodel Fields to look for my sister." Nico's face darkens for a second but his eyes light up a second later, "Although, I've met Grace and I don't blame you,"

"You REALLY don't like Grace, huh?" Chantelle asks.

"Nope. I think it's partly because our parents hate each other, partly because sibling rivalry and partly because she's horrible." I shrug. "Anyways, we should go to my house to try and find any clues to where the others are, I hate Grace but I need someone to hate on and I can't do that if she dies."

I look at my feet to try and pre plan our next steps but I lift my head as I realise something, "I think I've had an epiphany." I say then bite my lip.

"Ooh big words. But carry on." Thalia urges.

"You know how the oracle said 'Siblings of mortal soil return to a place they knew'? And at first we thought that was me, Liam and Grace? Liam and Grace aren't here now. I think, I think that Chantelle, Olivia and Maisie are the 'siblings of mortal soil' that the oracle was about." I theorise.

"It does make sense. Yeah. Chantelle, what is a place that you used to know?" Thalia asks.

"The only place I can think of is my old school. We left last year, when we moved house." She informs.

"Do you remember the way? I think I do but I trust you more since you lived here for longer." I ask.

"Yeah. If we can get a uniform, we'll be able to fit in. There's a shop at the high street and then we can get a bus in the morning."

"We don't really have enough money to buy a school uniform," I say.

"Not a problem. We'll have to run fast, but I can charm speak the shop keeper into giving us the uniform, but we should get away fast before they realise. It's not that strong and could take about five minutes to wear off."

"well, I can come with you to get the uniform. Then we will be in a smaller group. I know the high street pretty well and I can use my locket to turn invisible. We can meet the others, at the train station? We can get a train to a walk away from Egglescliffe and camp in the athletics track field until morning? Then we can just go to school." I plan.

"You need to show us the area first, so that we know where you are." Nico says.

"Olivia and I can lead you two from Rawcliffes, the uniform shop, to the station. If we plan it so that there is a train, ten minutes, before you get the stuff. God, it's like we're planning some heist when all we're doing is tricking some guy into giving us free bloody shirts and trousers."

"I know I should be surprised by this, but as of that Medusa thing I don't think you can shock me anymore." Olivia laughs.

"Don't say that, the gods will probably take it as a challenge." Thalia laughs.

"It's true. Don't jinx anything. You think I'm joking but I'm being deadly serious. Ba dum tss!" Nico clicks. We all stare at him.

"I'm shocked at what you did there." Thalia grins.

"Honestly guys, I'm in love with your puns." Chantelle stares expectantly at me.

"Owl be glad to see these puns die." I say.