In My Head - A Percy Jackson Fanfiction

1 - Don't mess this up, Imogen

It surprises most people, when I tell them I was fairly calm as I crested the hill overlooking the valley of trees and cabins. Three hours earlier, I had been told that nearly everything I believed was a lie. Of course, that didn't alarm me nearly as much as you would think. You see, I've learned not to trust anything I think is real.

It turns out the Greek Gods are real. So are Satyrs, and giants... and Demigods - I've always had a part of me wondering if I'm entirely human. I guess this is my answer; A Half-blood. I could get used to that.

Something shimmers in the air as I reach the top of the grassy hill, a lone pine tree marking the summit. A blueish, translucent wall blocks the path forward. Knowing all the things I've learnt in the past day, it could very well be real. It seems so lifelike, but so do all the things my mind convinces me are there. I shake my head angrily, and reach out a shaking hand to the blue force-field. My arm moves forward like there's nothing but empty air in front of me. Not real, then? Slowly, I step closer, one foot crossing the invisible threshold. I turn back to the pine tree behind me, and I could've sworn I saw a flash of gold nestled in its branches.

" Wish me luck, tree. This camp better be good."

The tree doesn't respond, but hey, you never know. Chatting to a tree is hardly the weirdest thing I've done today. 

I force myself to take another step across the border. Camp half-blood, here I come. What's the worst that could happen?

—---------------------------------------------------------—

The top of a cabin pokes out from behind the huge pine trees. Through the foliage, I can see a campfire burning, the smoke stinging my eyes. Deep breath, Imogen. All you have to do is introduce yourself to some campers. They'll take it from there. It's not like you've messed up introductions before. Hundreds of times.

Maybe they'll be a god here. Or, at least, someone who knows how to find Dionysus. The god of mental health; the only one you need to meet. And convince to fix you.

Something rustles in the trees to my right. I spin around, only to find a silver bow drawn and pointed at my face, a pale girl with dark hair and startling blue eyes glaring at me from behind its arrow. I open my mouth to talk, but before I can get a word out, another figure bursts into the trees. He has dark hair and deep, sea-green eyes, and is wearing some kind of bright, orange t-shirt.

" Woah, Thalia. Let's not kill some kid before she gets to say hi, okay?" He calls to the girl, her scowl deepening.

" You can never be too sure what's in the woods these days, Percy." The girl, Thalia says, slowly lowering her bow. I breathe a sigh of relief. Having a bow pulled on me wasn't exactly the first impression I was going for.

The Boy turns to me, smiling hesitantly. " I'm Percy, and the punk hunter over there is Thalia. I'm guessing you're a new camper - where's your Satyr?"

"Uh, Satyr? The half-goats?" My voice cracks a little more than I would like it to.

" Yeah, new campers have a Satyr guide that leads them to camp. You know, so they don't get eaten along the way."

" I-" Percy cuts me off, smiling again.

" Nevermind that. We'll figure it out later with Grover: For the meantime, let's get you to camp. The others probably think me and Thalia have killed each other by now."

I follow the two Demigods out of the woods, trying to not look too in awe as they lead me down a gravel path to the campfire I saw through the trees. We walk by several cabins, each with their own unique colours and feel. I count 9 in total, with more probably out of sight. I would guess 12, one for each of the Olympians. I try to remember their names, but my brain blanks the closer and closer we get to the campfire. I can't mess this up. Please don't let me mess this up.

" Hey everyone!" Percy calls out as we reach the circle of firelight. Eyes shift to us: there must be 20,30 people here. Even so, people are sitting with gaps in between them, like there used to be many more.

" Thalia found a new camper in the woods. This is... Oh Dam, I forgot to get your name!" His eyes widen comically as someone in the crowd stage-whispers "Seaweed Brain."

" Imogen Tersoaln." I say, my voice cracking again.

" Alright," he grins. " Everyone meet Imogen. Imogen, this is everyone."

Percy takes a seat on a log next to a girl with blonde hair and storm grey eyes, the one who called him a seaweed brain. She smiles at me and turns to a camper sitting a few logs over, wearing another bright orange shirt.

" Connor, can you go find Chiron? He'll want to meet Imogen."

" I'm not Connor, I'm Travis, dummy." She glares at him.

" You are most definitely Connor. Travis is 2 inches taller."

He shrugs, getting up from his seat. " Worth a shot."

The girl glances at the sky. " We still have a few hours until dark. Percy will take you to the weapons shed to pick something out Imogen, and Connor can show you to Cabin 11 when he gets back with Chiron."

Percy nods. " See you soon, wise girl." He places a quick kiss on her lips. She rolls her eyes.

" Please. It's not like you're going to disappear on me." He laughs, and gestures for me to follow.

As we walk further down the path, Percy points out a few things, like the dining pavilion and Cabin 11.

" It's the Hermes Cabin, but also where all the unclaimed Demigods go."

" Unclaimed?"

" It's the term we use for not knowing who your godly parent is. They don't pay much attention to us, which me and Annabeth - the blonde girl- are working on, so when you come to camp, it takes a while for them to claim you as one of their kids. My dad is Poseidon, God of the Sea, and Annabeth's mom is Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, but it took for me a hellhound to attack me for my dad to reveal that I'm his."

Athena. Poseidon. Zeus. I try to name a few other Gods, but my mind is everywhere right now and I can't seem to focus. Stupid ADHD.

Percy stops in front of a small wooden shed, pulling the door open with an ear-splitting creak. I wince, my head throbbing. We step inside, my eyes drifting to every surface. All the walls, even parts of the roof were covered in weapons, from bows to daggers and spears.

" Take a look around, kid. You'll know when you find the right one."

I nod, and inch forward. I land on a short golden sword, but when I go to lift it, I narrowly avoid impaling my toe. That thing was nearly as heavy as I was! A bronze dagger finds its way into my hand next, and Percy nods approvingly, but I end up putting it back. Would that small knife be able to save my life? 

I'm in the middle of examining a blowgun, when something tugs on the back of my mind. I walk to the back of the shed, where most of the weapons are half shrouded in darkness. Even so, I end up seeing the object leaning against the back wall as clearly as if it was in broad daylight.

A tall, elegant, Golden Scythe.

I grasp hold of the shining handle, the metal instantly warm to my touch. My hand buzzes slightly, the Scythe feeling light and comfortable and... Perfect. Like it was made to fit me. Suddenly, Percy's voice pierces the air, sharp and panicked.

" Don't touch that!"

I hear hoof-beats coming toward the shed, and spin around just in time to see Connor, Annabeth, and a Centaur all staring at me from outside, their faces filled with... Fear?