Preface

Happy new years! Sorry, I've been busy with the holidays. Here's part one of an adventure featuring Travis and Connor Stoll. I know it's a little short, but hopefully the next part will make up for it. Part two will be in Connor's POV and coming out shortly. Enjoy!

Chapter 3 - Travis Stoll

"I think I just had my greatest idea yet!"

I toss a golden drachma up in the air while lying on my bed before lazily looking at someone who was identical to me. My brother, Connor, has been spitting out horrible ideas of what we could do for fun.

"Hear me out, we go at night and cover the roof of the Demeter cabin with chocolate Easter bunnies!" He cackled evilly.

"What?" I raise an eyebrow. "Connor how would that be funny?"

"How do you not get it? I mean it's genius!" Before he could finish, the door of the cramped cabin flew open. In the doorway was Charles Beckendorf, easily as tall as the frame with arms as thick as the support beams. What were they feeding that kid?

"Travis. Connor. Chiron's asking for all the counselor's to meet at the Big House," his voice was all serious as if we were all in trouble. More likely, only Connor and I were in trouble.

I sneaked a glance at my brother as we walked out, but he just shrugged his shoulders. Weird. We followed Beckendorf, passing the lake and pavilion. Aside from a few naiads playing water polo, things were pretty empty. During April, most of the few kids who stayed year round were in-doors doing arts and crafts or building lame junk. The weather was simply a bit too cold for much else to happen. The only exception were the Demeter kids. They're busy planting away strawberries helped by Mr. D's pot bellied sons. One of them, Pollux, waved at us.

"So what's this meeting about?" I asked casually while we waited for the other Dionysus kid, Castor, to join up with us. The big ole blacksmith just grunted. I love it when he does that.

The four of us walked up to the squeaky porch and made our way to the game room. It was the only place appropriate for super serious meetings to happen; yes, around a ping pong table. To this day, I don't know why we couldn't just talk in the living room. Maybe that would be too normal for a bunch of ADHD teenage freaks.

Chiron was reading some dusty book in his wheelchair, his face scrunched up like he was holding in a fart. Meanwhile Mr. D was clearly too absorbed in his own magazine and Diet Coke combo to notice we had walked in. Clarisse La Rue, Katie Gardner, Silena Beauregard, Malcolm Pace, and Lee Fletcher were already there, awkwardly basking in the silence. Even Castor didn't have the courage to speak up to his dad.

"Jeez, it's not like our first time seeing Clarisse" I clicked my tongue and pointed finger guns at the Ares counselor. My brother pretended to be paralyzed by her ugliness. To my pleasure, she slammed the table and stood up. Before she could start Chiron cleared his throat and put his little reading away.

"Heroes, I'm afraid there's a problem. It would appear our friend Luke has left us a parting gift we did not discover until now," Chiron looked at all of us briefly, but it felt like his eyes lingered on Connor and I a few moments more.

My heart dropped. Luke was our old counselor before Connor and I got the gig. In a lot of ways, he was the perfect older brother. An excellent swordsman, check. Dastardly handsome, check. Survived a crazy quest, check. Hell, he even had the grisly, manly scar. I mean the whole cabin looked up to him. He took care of us, taught us how to fight, steal, barter, lie, and cheat. I mean, Connor and I were year rounders, which meant Luke practically raised us. So it wasn't easy to hear he had betrayed the camp a few months ago. I still can't believe it now, to be honest. Every now and then, I wonder if he's going to stroll back to our cabin, crack a few jokes about stealing Zeus' master bolt and crash in his bed.

"What did he do?" Beckendorf scowled while leaning forward.

"An unaccounted monster roams our forests, and I am told it mimics the voice of men and cattle," Chiron sighed. "I believe Luke must've summoned it before he left camp over the summer. Perhaps another way to sew chaos to cover his escape."

"What is it?" Clarisse growled.

"Is it a crocotta?" Malcolm suggested. He quickly shrunk back once everyone looked at him.

"Yes, very good Malcolm," Chiron managed to crack a smile at his student's knowledge. "Can you tell me more about them?"

Malcom shifted in his seat a little before speaking; unfortunately, his voice cracked, "They're known for luring out men and other farm animals from farms at night. Oh, and I think they kind of look like hyenas that are the size of horses."

Chiron nodded, clearly pleased by his student. "But this particular one has clearly been very elusive and cautious. I'm surprised it hasn't made an attempt on the campers yet."

"Maybe it's scared?" Katie from the Demeter cabin brought up.

Lee Fletcher frowned slightly. "Who found it?"

The other counselors looked at each other expecting some explanation. Personally, I would've guessed some random nymph or something; but, the last thing I suspected was Mr. D lazily raising his hand without looking up from his magazine.

"One of my Maenads told me about it," he said halfheartedly. "Was eating some poor squirrel or other. I was told the beast is not a partier."

Castor gulped. "Um dad, it got away from the Maenads?"

The sound of his son's voice seemed to have finally grasped his attention, causing him to look at us. I must have been hallucinating, because it almost sounded like Mr. D cared.

"Yes, Castor. So come up with a solution unless you want to be eaten boy."

"Mr. D, where did your nymphs see it?" Silena Beauregard asked as nicely as she could. For some weird reason, I wanted to answer even though I had no idea.

"Serena Bearguard, does it look like I cared to ask?" Silena recoiled slightly at Mr. D's comments.

"I believe the best option would be for us to seek out the crocotta in hunting parties at dusk when it would wake," Chiron interjected gently. At this point, our camp director was already back to reading. I guess he didn't care that much.

Lee Fletcher folded his arms and frowned. "You said this thing lures out prey by mimicking human voices? Sounds like we should make some big groups so we don't get confused."

Malcolm shook his head, "Too many half bloods would scare it away. From what I remember, it doesn't like huge confrontations."

"Then parties of three. We'll root it out of the forest one acre at a time, and when we find it, we converge and kill it," Clarisse growled as she sat forward. There were some murmurs of agreement. As much as we poke fun at Clarisse, when it comes to killing that girl had some special talents.

"Alright sounds like a plan," I smirk. "And let's say the team who finds it first gets to pick their chores for a week?"

After glancing at Connor, I look at Chiron for permission.

"Excellent idea Travis. Form your parties by Thursday night, and by Friday dusk, we'll set off in teams to hunt. I will of course referee and provide medical support." Chiron nodded and gave a supportive smile. "This will be a great training exercise."

Before anyone else could interject my brother stood, "Sounds like a great plan. Well, thank you guys for your time and good luck to the rest of ya!"

I did all I could not to rub my hands together like some cartoon villain, then I put my arm around my bro as we made it out of the game room.

"So what's the plan?" I say in a hushed voice. "Maybe some poison ivy in the Ares cabin beds... and setting a stink arrow off in the Athena cabin... and rig a trap in front of the Apollo cabin with Greek fire, and…"

"No, no, no, Come Trav, I got a secret weapon," Connor smiled wickedly which made me shiver with excitement.

"What you got?"

"Follow me." He made his way down to the woods.

This was a terrible idea. Trust me, I knew camp like the back of my hand. Luke had shown us every shade and shadow of the woods. From Zeus' fist to the geysers to even where the old satyrs had their secret little meetings. But I've never been here. Well maybe I have, but always in passing. It was a dead end with a giant stone cliff around a hundred feet tall that sat nested around Zeus' fist. It was really a pain to get to with all the rock scrambles and thorn bushes, so most campers kind of went around. Besides this part of the forest was always eerie with how quiet it was. It was almost like the birds and critters gave this place a wide berth.

"Connor, this better not be the surprise," I panted as I made it carefully down some loose stones. Connor had forced me to follow his exact footsteps for some odd reason.

He brushed the sweat from his brow and laughed, "Oh it is." His breath was visible despite it being April. "This is the perfect spot to lure it to us."

I stared at him blankly. "What!" My voice bounced off the cliff which caused a few birds to flutter away. "There's nothing here but a big rock! I mean I could've told you how stupid this plan was before you made me hike all the way out here you moron."

"Where's the trust?" He wiggled his eyebrows as he carefully tiptoed around the wall. "Have I ever let you down?"

"Yes," I answered abruptly. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Checking for more landmines," he said casually. "I'm pretty sure I've found all of them."

"WHAT?" My body suddenly turned rigid. Then it came together. "Ohhhh, I see the vision, but a damn heads up would've been nice. What if a loose pebble set one off?"

"Nah, the reaction was worth it," he gave me a mischievous grin. "Besides, it takes something pretty heavy to set these off."

"How would you know?"

"Eh, I've chucked some rocks at some."

I looked at him for a brief moment before breaking into a fit of laughter. My brother was almost as crazy as I was. "So we set up a spot near here and hope that monster steps on a landmine?"

Connor winked, "Basically. Worst case the landmines will let the others know where we are."

"It's a good start, but we should really find ourselves some bait," I mused and glanced at my brother. We both then grinned wickedly.