DISCLAIMER: I do not own the PJO/HoO series.

Chapter 2 : Auden

Let's start where we left off, skipping the boring parts. Chad turned me in. Seriously! He was a cop's kid. How could I not see that one coming? The cop gave me two choices. One: to go back home to my dad. Two: to go a school for troubled kids. Obviously, I chose the second option. So here I am, at some stupid place called The Kruger School for the Troubled, or KST for short. Maybe this place won't be too bad. Maybe it will. I won't be staying here for long though, so I should not worry.

It's been three months and I've learned one thing. This place is horrible. Just horrible. This place is like a prison, not a school. My roommate is bratty, and the food is just- no words (in a bad way). But through all of this, I have been devising a plan to run away again, and I have found a friend/ military strategist to help me. I felt like I wanted to run away as soon as I could, but it kinda sucks that this place is a "top notch troubled kids school" and the security was "top of the line".

It was breakfast, and I was sitting at the table with Beck, one of my closest friends here at KST. Beck was kinda crippled and his hair was very curly and tall. Beck's parents were homeless so they sent him here, thinking that this prison would be the closest thing he could have to school. He's been here longer than everybody (10 years!). I kinda get why his parents would do that. If my dad had hated me less, he probably would have sent me here.

Anyways, we were discussing our field trip to Austin. Austin is the perfect place to run away because it is 3 hours away from Houston, and I could get out of Texas in less time. I have been planning this moment for a long time. I will be bringing a few supplies that would be useful to be on the run. We would be splitting up and touring Austin. , the headmistress, was announcing our groups. Her fiery red hair was pulled back real tight and her gold hawk-like eyes scanned the room.

I got paired up with Claudia (the bratty roommate I mentioned earlier), and this girl named Ethanah. I sat next to Beck on the bus because he was paired with another group.

"You're lucky you're paired with your roommates. I barely know my partners."

"I only know Claudia, and she's a jerk. I don't even know who Ethanah is."

Beck's eyes widened, and then he looked confused. "Ethanah is your roommate and best friend. How could you not know her?"

"Wait, isn't it two per dorm?"

"No, it's three."

"That's weird, I don't even remember her."

"Interesting."

We sat there in awkward silence until we reached Austin. I felt kinda sad because it was the last time I would ever see Beck.

"Well, it was nice knowing you," I said.

He tilted his head. "Today?"

"Yup."

"It was nice knowing you too."

We shook hands and exited the bus. I found Claudia easily. Her black/purple hair was in a high ponytail, and she was wearing very high heels. She was wearing a bright pink T-Shirt and very skinny jeans. She was standing with a dark haired girl with gray eyes. I figured she would be Ethanah. As we walked together, Ethanah whispered in my ear, "Ready for D-Day?"

"D-Day? How do you know?"

Ethanah laughed. "No need to pretend, Claudia knows you silly. Don't you remember? I was the first person you told your plans to."

I gave her a weak smile. "Yeah sure."

I was absolutely positive I didn't know this girl, but at the same time, I felt like I've known her for years. Ethanah, Claudia, and I went to a park and sat down. Making sure no one was watching us and getting suspicious, Claudia leaned in and said, "Ok, when the field trip is almost over and we need to report back to the parking lot, we leave you behind in Downtown, because no one would look there."

"And why is that?" I interrupted.

Ethanah replied,"Downtown's too big and too crowded. Plus, doesn't even bother to take role call, so you're fine."

"But is so strict and um, scary."

Claudia and Ethanah rolled their eyes. Claudia looked like she holding back a smile. "Sure. She has bright blue hair and wears One Direction T-Shirts to work. Then she sleeps on the job."

I sighed. "Fine. But if I get in trouble, this is all y'alls fault."

Claudia and Ethanah looked at each other and said in unison, "Then it's settled."

A/N: This is my first fanfic, so please review and give me feedback on my work.

PS/Possible spoiler if you know the answer: Ethanah. Think about the name. :)