The Exit - Luke Castellan

Chapter 8

Flashback

Before Annabeth had joined them. They had bumped into one of Apollo's demigod children called Halcyon Green who could of course see into the future and had made insane prophecies about Luke. However, him and Thalia were kidnapped by leucrota. Hal told them there was no way they would be able to escape and told them about a treasure that was locked in the mansion. Long story short Thalia had found the Aegis bracelet from Zeus and Hal had gifted Luke a knife and a diary telling him to learn from his mistakes. In the end they hadn't been able to safe Hal because he sacrificed himself for them.

Now this knife had been important for Luke for obvious reasons and when he had gifted it to Annabeth Amara knew that there was a special bond between them now. The group had become a family surviving all kinds of monsters that had been send by Hades and even sticking together when Luke had found out why they were different. They were demigods. Luke's father, Hermes, hadn't made a good impression though and neither seemed Thalia's father Zeus. Annabeth and Amara however still didn't know who their godly parent was.

When they found Grover Underwood an awkward Satyr, they had finally found a reason to hope for the better. There was a place for them. A place they could call home. A camp for kids like them.

The group eagerly started their journey to the camp fighting off any monsters that came their way. At least until that dreadful day.

They had almost reached the camp when they got found by a group of Cyclopes. Suddenly she heard the voice of a woman she had heard in her dreams before. She had always thought that the voice came from a memory from her mother.

"Come here child I'll take care of you", the voice said. Amara stopped in her tracks seemingly forgetting the impending danger of the cyclops following the noise.

"I'm here for you now. I can take you home", the same voice said again.

Amara kept following where the voice came from forgetting about her friends not noticing that Luke and Thalia were seemingly in the same trance also hearing someone.

They stepped into a cave. A fire was lit in the centre of it and the voice seemed to have grown louder. She took another step forward. Suddenly a robe tightened around her ankle pulling her heads down from her feet. She was now handing next to Grover, Luke and Thalia upside down.

This caused Amara to snap out of her trance. The voice wasn't real. They had gone right into their trap. The only one missing was the younger smart girl. Again. She could only hope she was smarter than them.

The Cyclopes were circling them ready to take them as a prey when Annabeth stepped in. At first Amara thought she was in a trance just like them but when she noticed that she was clutching Luke's knife she knew better. Annabeth would get them out.

The Cyclopes stepped closer to her but before he could grab her, Annabeth stepped him in the foot causing him to cry out in pain. Quickly Annabeth cut Thalia's rope and together they freed Amara, Luke and Grover. Together they fought against the Cyclopes however Hellhounds and Furies had had enough time to catch up on them. Quickly, the group started running towards the border.

"We're almost there!", Grover shouted. They group were running for their lives both the Furies and Hounds were catching up on them.

"They're after me, without me you can make it", Thalia said.

"We're not leaving you", Amara protested realising what she meant.

"You remember Hal's prophecy. We can't avoid it", the dark-haired girl pleaded.

"No I refuse", Amara was now crying.

"Luke please get all of you to safety", Thalia pleaded.

Luke's eyes also started to water. "Thalia-", he started.

"Luke please", Thalia pleaded, "Take care of them please".

"I promise", Luke voice broke a little as he took a crying and pleading Annabeth in his arms dragging her with him against her protests.

Amara looked at her friend again. "Thalia please".

"It's ok", she assured her, "take care of Luke too".

Amara nodded before following Luke, Grover and Annabeth.

They were running towards the tree that marked the border to Camp Half-blood. Thalia's cries could be heard as she faced the Furies wit her father's shield. Amara turned seeing her friend fall pleading her father to spear her. Annabeth fell and at the same time a lightning send by Zeus struck Thalia and where her best friend had stood mere seconds ago stood a pine tree in her stead. Zeus had heard her cries.

Annabeth was holding her ankle which she seemed to have twisted and Luke scooped her up carrying her to the border.

Finally with tears streaming down their cheeks they reached camp half-blood. They were safe.

Amara's trials however were long not done. See the problem was Amara didn't know who her parent was, while Luke had already met his father Hermes and Annabeth quickly proved herself to Athena no Goddess seemed to have any particular interest in Amara. She tried her best. She exhilarated in swordsmanship and archery but there was no goddess in sight.

One afternoon Amara was sat by a tree when a giant black dog approached her.

Slowly Amara offered it to smell her hand.

"Hi", she greeted the dog which he seemed to like. Slowly he sniffed her hand licking it before letting her pat him.

Amara smiled at him "Hello what's your name?", she smiled rhetorically as the dog came closer and eventually laid down in her lap.

Eventually this would become a routine. Amara would sneak her furry friend some food and even gave her the name Maya as she sat with the dog for hours.

One day they were sat like this when Maya suddenly lift her head looking around waving her tail.

"What is it Maya?", Amara asked.

Suddenly a woman appeared wearing a long black dress. She had pale skin and layers of necklaces on her neck.

"Hello child", she greeted her.

Amara got up bowing down. "Are you a goddess?", she asked.

The woman nodded "Yes child".

"Are you my mother?", she asked hopefully.

"I'm afraid not", the woman looked at her with pity.

Amara's shoulders dropped in defeat.

"Your mother send me. She does not wish to claim you", the woman explained.

"Why not?", Amara begged.

"You're mother, Aphrodite, she thinks you're not suited for her cabin. I think you have potential. Pledge yourself to me, Hecate, the goddess of Witchcraft, Necromancy and Pathways and become my child. I'll gift you my magic".

Amara hesitated. Why would her mother not want her? Why wasn't she good enough? Hatred spread in her stomach at the thought of her mother watching her and not caring.

"I accept", she finally told Hecate.

"Good. Welcome my child then. I'll talk to chiron", Hecate took a step forward making a glowing mark on her forehead. She was a servant to Hecate now.

Flashback end