Stupid Cupid

~Stupid Cupid - Chapter 21

        Nico and I slow as we emerge from the forest. Travis and Connor are still running toward Thalia's tree. Several people were gathered around something so they block our view. I see Will and a few others run up and push threw the crowd. The idea of someone knowing me and the fact that they're possibly injured jolts me back into running. Nico is behind me and soon right next to me.

We both run up and I push past random campers who I may or may not know. When I finally get to the front I can't believe my eyes. In front of me are Riley, Brandon and Jake. My three best friends in the entire world are demigods and currently in Camp Half-Blood. What is life?

"Brandon? Jake, Riley? What is wrong with you! Of all times you could show up injured it had to be on my birthday?" I yell and it makes some people step back some. Jake, Riley, and Brandon smile because that's how we joke around but I guess the others didn't quite get that.

"Well, excuse us but we were told that you came to New York by Zach and so we came over. We didn't know how Zachary would know that and we didn't care but then, about two days ago, he showed up. We didn't really care until twenty minutes ago when he came at us with two swords. Oh, and he had a scorpion tail and lion head!" Jake yells.

"Zach's a manticore? Huh. Actually, that makes sense. Now he has a reason for being such a cold blooded reptile." At this point, I'm not looking at them.

"Oh my God. Thank the Lord you're alive." Riley rushes up and gives me a hug.

"Nice to see you too, Ri." I hug her back.

"Um, I'm feeling a bit left out here." I pull away from our hug to look at Brandon.

"Get over here. Both of you." Jake and Brandon obey my orders and get up to join Riley and I in our hug.

When we pull away Brandon puts up a finger. "What is this place exactly?"

"This is Camp Half - Blood. It is a camp for people like you. You are demigods - children of a mortal and a Greek or Roman god. I am Chiron, camp director. You can either stay as a year rounder or just for summer camp. For now, you will be staying in the Hermes cabin until you are claimed by your godly parent. Since you already know her, Sky will show you around and explain things further." Chiron turns to me. "Bring them by the Big House before supper. I'd like to talk to them." I nod at him and he walks away.

When I turn back to my friends their mouths are open and eyes are wide. Oh, Chiron was in horse form. Yeah, that's not usually something you see all the time. I snap my fingers and they look back at me. I usher them to follow and we head off. Nico comes with me and snakes his arm around my waist. Riley pinches my arm and I turn to see her confused face looking at Nico's arm wrapped around me. I gesture that I'll tell her later.

I show them the cabins, beach, Mess, arena, climbing wall, and take them to pick out their weapons. Riley chooses an imperial gold gladius which makes me frown slightly because usually Greek demigods go for Celestial bronze. Jake picks a bow and arrow and Brandon picks a dagger and sheild. After they pick their weapons I take them to the Big House about twenty minutes before dinner.

I say goodbye and leave with Nico.

"Do you think Riley is Roman? She grabbed Imperial gold."

"It's possible but that doesn't mean anything. There's always a fifty percent chance. I don't think you'll loose your friend, Princess." I hit Nico lightly at his nickname.

"Pick a different nickname, Neeks."

"Fine. How's Mia Oceano?"  I smile at that and blush at the sound of him speaking Italian.

"I think that will do."

"Good, Mia Oceano."  By the time we get to the Mess, it's time for dinner so we go and take a seat.

As soon as everyone is seated and enjoying their food, Chiron comes out with Riley, Jake, and Brandon. Riley is fidgeting with her sweater and Brandon has his hands stuffed in his pockets. Chiron ushers them infront of him.

"Today we got three new campers who decided to show up. We hope that they are claimed soon but for now they will be staying with the Hermes cabin. Travis, Connor, could you come up and take these three to your table?" Travis and Connor run up and drag them over. Riley looks freaked out, Brandon questioning, but Jake is smiling. "We will be having Capture the Flag tomorrow so I expect lots of training and a good fight. It will be Hades, Poseidon, Hecate, Hebe, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Iris, Dionysus, and Athena against everyone else. Annabeth, I suspect something new as usual." I see Annabeth blush but her smile shows pride.

Chiron stomps his hoof and things are back to normal. I go over to the Hermes table and steal my friends to introduce them - and save them. I introduce them to everyone and they grin. Leo looks slightly distracted so I make a mental note to question him later.

"So, wait. You found out about being blessed by the gods, met the goddess Night, saved the world, met the twelve Olympians and Hades, and got a boyfriend in one month alone?" Riley asks and I nod. "You're really lucky. I want a boyfriend!" I see Brandon's eyes flicker to Riley and I get an idea.

"Hey, since we're having Capture the Flag, why don't I show you guys some tricks? I'll teach each of you one on one and then Riley and Brandon spar and Jake and I. Neeks, could you come by and help?" Nico nods but his face shows that he gets my plan.

"Don't become an Aphrodite on me." Nico whispers in my ear so no one else hears. I wave him off.

"How do I get a drink?" Jake asks.

"Just talk to it. Watch." I say 'apple cider' and my cup fills. "Yeah, as long as it's not alcoholic." They try and stare in awe at it.

"That's nuts!" Brandon yelps.

"Can we have our cabin mates back?" Connor and Travis yell.

"One second!" I yell back. "When it comes to the Hermes kids, make sure to keep your wallet and anything personal or valuable hidden from them. God of theives." My friends nod at me and walk off kind of hesitantly back to Travis and Connor.

We all continue our meal and joke around like usual. When we finally finish, everyone says goodnight and Nico walks me to my cabin.

"Goodnight, Mia Oceano." He kisses me on the cheek and then he's gone.

"Ugh. Shadow travel." I shake my head but go back into my cabin.

"Night, Perc." I don't wait for a reply. I'm pulled into the darkness.

I'm running in the woods. A full suit of armor covers my body. Several other campers run behind me which makes me realize this is Capture the Flag. It's raining above me and a dove and owl fly almost in a dance around each other.

"Mine! I wouldn't mistake my own child!" One yells.

"You can barely remember your last boyfriend! That child belongs to me!"

The fight continues. The owl flys up and dives at the dove. The dream shifts before I can see what happens. Now, I'm in the Mess. The entire camp is standing in shock looking at something behind me. Instead of turning I scream at them.

"They're my friend! Don't look at them like they're some freak of nature! Chiron! What's going on?" Chiron shows up and the look on his face is grave.

"Go. I will take care on this."

Suddenly, I'm back to the first vision. Now there is a hawk like bird, maybe a buzzard, added to the other fighting duo.

"Stop this! This is not how things should be handled!" The other two ignore the plea and continue to fight. The buzzard joins.

"Stop!" I bolt up from my spot in cold sweat. "What could that mean?" I wonder.