{1} 𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐒𝐄𝐘𝐄 | p.jackson

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘦

| chapter one |
in which bulls breathe fire and storm the camp
( and breathe fire, did i mention that they breathe fire? )

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD NIA had been on the streets alone for about three days now and had already been attacked by many different monsters. Monsters with strange features: fangs, claws, horns. It was all like something out of Nia's nightmares. Luckily, her strange powers came in handy more than once, or she would've been already dead or kidnapped or worse.

When she was just about to go back to her quiet alley, she heard a soft rumble and quietly got the weapon of her water bottle from her backpack.

She counted down from three quietly to herself, then sprang at her little corner, pulling away the sheet covering it.

A little girl with dirty, tangled blonde hair and flannel pajamas appeared, a toy hammer in her hands ready to attack. She looked about the same age as Nia, her gray eyes stern. Nia immediately scowled and said, "This is my corner."

"Oh," the blonde girl said, slowly lowering her toy hammer. "Sorry. I was just looking for a place to sleep."

It was obvious that this girl was just looking out for herself. Nia felt bad and lowered her water bottle. "S'ok. You couldn't have known."

"I was just trying to hide from the mon—" Annabeth stopped abruptly, eyeing Nia suspiciously.

Nia snapped her head up to look at the girl. "You know about the monsters?" The blonde girl nodded her head and Nia grew excited. Finally, someone who knew what she was going through! "They follow me, too!"

The girl's eyes widened. "You're like me?"

"I guess so."

The two just stood awkwardly until the blonde girl finally said, "So is it okay if I stay here for the night? I don't got anywhere else."

Nia shrugged. There was safety in numbers and this girl didn't annoy her too much. "Sure."

"Thanks," the blonde girl said, looking slightly relieved as she sat on the tarp that Nia had laid down. "I'm Annabeth, by the way."

"Diana," Nia said, sitting down next to Annabeth. "But call me Diana and I'll make you wish you hadn't."

The corners of Annabeth's mouth twitched. "So what should I call you?"