AN: Here's chapter 11. This is another longer chapter but other than that, I don't know what to say so just read on. I hope you enjoy this one.
Replies:
Bdarwin85: Thanks for the heads up. I checked to confirm your warning and it seems that the same message has been sent to other stories. So, I just want to clear this up. I am not spending any money on stories. In my reply, I said maybe in the future so that I will still have that open if I want. But as of currently and in the foreseeable future, I am not spending money.
LydiaCrazzy: Ok, you didn't even try. you sent it exactly after that warning. You didn't even change the name of the story. I don't have a story titled Devilish Whispers. And read the earlier reply for your answer. Maybe I should stop replying to these comments.
I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians. All credit goes to Rick Riordan.
Chapter 11: Hello Fellow Unwanted Children
The next few days, I settled into camp. I stayed in my corner of the Hermes cabin. I learned that most kids stayed there. Unclaimed, Minor gods' kids, and Hermes kids.
Throughout my time here, Luke and I caught up on our time away from each other. Everytime I would talk about Thalia, he would get a sad gleam in his eyes and maybe… guilt?
I told him that getting separated from her wasn't his fault, just like it wasn't when we separated, but he still looked guilty.
Luke taught me the basics of how the camp worked and how not to embarrass myself. Who are the oldest campers, most powerful, most influential, traditions, just everything to do with camp.
During meals, Luke will order the cabin to form a single-file and lead us into the dining pavilion.
We went to the Hermes table but there were so many in the cabin that some opted to sit on the floor. Those who didn't choose the floor route had to squish themselves into the packed seats.
Then there were the people who said no to all that and sat on the table. I looked around to see no one batting an eye.
Luke sat at the head of the table and since I was in the back of the line, I got to choose my seat last, which meant either on the floor or the table because my tiny 10 year old body will get crushed if I try to sit on the regular seats.
I decided to sit on the floor. I was sandwiched between 2 campers. It seems even the floor is crowded.
As I was new here, I decided to make new friends. And what's the best way to make friends? Awkwardly try to make small talk with random people. So that is what I resorted to. Plus, I was bored out of my mind.
We were waiting for the Hephaestus, Aphrodite, and Demeter cabins to arrive.
The Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, and Artemis tables were empty as no one was allowed there lest they be smited, or so they say.
The Athena table was filled with kids that are obviously siblings, Golden blond hair, Stormy gray eyes, Completely opposite of the dumb-blonde trope. Annabeth sat at the head of the table.
The Apollo was similarly full of blonde kids. They seem to exude energy, happiness, and life. Some of the campers were carrying bows. The kid at the head of the table looked a few years younger than Luke. He had the same blond hair as his siblings and had a bow slung on his back. Lee Fletcher, I recalled his name from Luke's teachings, the head counselor of the Apollo cabin and renowned as one of the best shots at camp.
The Dionysus table only had two campers on it. The twins Castor and Pollux. Their skills weren't really noteworthy, but they are the only DIonysus kids at camp so Luke felt the need to mention them.
And finally, the Ares was full of children that looked too buff for their age. I saw Clarisse at the head of the table, glaring daggers at me. I decided she hasn't let the incident go.
Now, back to plan Get-Me-Embarrassed-On-My-First-Day.
I looked to the boy beside me. Had black hair and seemed to be of asian descent. I steeled my nerves and tried to make awkward small talk.
"Sooo…" I started. "What's your name?"
He stared at me for a few seconds as if deciding what to do at the moment. Then he replied, "Ethan Nakamura. Unclaimed."
"Oh, I'm Percy Jackson. Also unclaimed." I responded.
His eyes widened in realization. "You're the new camper right? Killed the Minotaur, Knows Luke, Embarrassed Clarisse." He asked.
I blushed. I didn't know the incident would spread that fast. "Y-Yeah."
"Man, you're pretty famous around here already. Knowing Luke would do that to you, but owning Clarisse? That would give you everyone's respect."
I was about to say something about how someone like me can't be famous. That I was a weirdo when the other person beside me spoke up.
"Clarisse isn't that bad. She's actually ok when you get to know her."
"Says the simp." Ethan teased.
I saw the boy's face flush and he muttered something under his breath.
"Who are you?" I questioned.
"Chris Rodriquez." He held out his hand.
As I shook it, I noted his facial features. He had those mischievous eyes and that trouble-maker grin that says he will prank you when you least suspect it. Definitely a Hermes kid.
"So, your dad's Hermes?" I inquired.
His eyes adopted a dark expression and he said in a low voice. Almost growling. "I'm unclaimed."
"What? You're obviously a Hermes kid." I said before I could shut my mouth.
He tried for a smile, but it looked more like a grimace. "That's what everyone says. I don't know why he hasn't claimed me already."
"It's alright dude, we don't need our godly parents. You'll always be our brother." Ethan comforted him.
"Yeah, even if I just met you, you seem really nice." I chimed in.
That seemed to lessen the tension in his muscles, but some still lingered.
Then, people started getting up. I thought it was just for dessert and I realized I haven't eaten anything off my plate yet. I was about to take a bite when Ethan stopped me.
"Come on." He hauled me up and we followed the group who formed a line to a fire at the front of the pavilion, me in the front 'so I won't get lost.'
"What are we doing?" Apparently I said that too loud because the two people in front of me turned to look.
"Oh brother, look. It's the gremlin that taught Clarisse a lesson." one said.
"High-five little buddy." the other said, offering a high-five.
I accepted and asked again. "What are we doing?"
"Oh, we're sacrificing a part of our body to please Satan." one said dramatically.
The girl in front of him slapped him. "Stop that, she's new."
Then she turned to look at me. She had dirt-brown hair and warm green eyes. She had a soft smile but what she just did to that guy made me want to stay on her good side. "We're sacrificing a portion of our meal to the gods."
"Katieeeee! Why do you ruin our fun?" the one who wasn't slapped asked.
She ignored them and introduced herself. "I'm Katie, head counselor of the Demeter cabin. These two idiots are Travis and Connor. Sorry if they are too much, they're sons of Hermes."
"Masters of Pranks."
"Bringer of Mischief."
"Harbinger of Fun."
"And annoyance." Katie grumbled. She then proceeded to slide a part of her food into the fire. Travis and Connor did the same.
I was about to do the same when Ethan tapped my shoulder. "Don't forget to give prayers or talk to the gods. They don't like to be ignored." I nodded then slid a piece of steak in.
I didn't know what to say so I just said the first thing that came to mind. Hey uh, dad. I don't know if you can hear me but I just want to say mom is in trouble and it's all our fault. Me because I'm a demigod and you because you gave her a demigod. So, Can you please at least keep her safe? That's the least you could do.
I didn't know why I said that. All day I had been trying to forget that that dream even occurred. I didn't want to dwell on it. It was probably a nightmare. Why would a monster come after a mortal, but I had a suspicion that it was far from a figment of my cruel imagination.
With the reminder of my mom's current state, I quietly retook my seat on the floor and ate.
AN: There it is. Ethan, Chris, Travis, and the other demigods are gonna play a bigger role in this story than in canon. Just setting up some future plotlines and emotional trauma. Please review, but please no ads for your businesses or scams, whatever they are.