The Earth's Prophecy || A Heroes of Olympus AU

Chapter I - My Relentless Imagination

Chapter 1- My Relentless Imagination

   [hoax- taylor swift]
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It was my fourteenth birthday today. I feel like I've been alive for such a long time, but I know that I haven't been. I woke up the same as every morning, didn't do anything special, just grabbed a basic sweater and jeans. I wasn't necessarily nervous or excited, on every birthday it's the same thing; a cake, and a card.
I am not ungrateful, because I know we are tight on money, and I also know that my dad is trying his best. Being a signle parent is hard, and he's already doing a lot; giving me a roof over my head, food, a bed, and etc. Honestly, I don't like wanting things. Occasionally I want what other kids have, nice clothes, free spending, a big house, as I won't be able to have those things. But it's okay, because my dad is working hard, and again, I hate wanting those things, I would never want my dad to feel bad about not being as fortunate.
I finished brushing my hair and went on over to the living room, I walked over and saw the usual. A store bought cake, a card... but this time something else was on the counter too. A small box. I wondered what it could be, but before I opened that, I opened the card.

Dear Lilith,
I'm so sorry, but I couldn't skip work, I have a double shift, so I will be there overnight. I'm sorry, but we need the money,

He never was there on my birthday... it's to be expected- it makes me sad but I remember that it's for the money. God, I need to stop wanting things all the time.

I hope you'll forgive me. Also, here's $20, go treat yourself! Have a nice day!
-Love, Dad

I know he works so hard everyday for us to be able to live in the city, so I don't ever ask for much. Either way, he did give me a gift, that's a first. I almost wanted to give it back to him so that he could get the money back- almost. My curiosity got the best of me, and before I could stop myself, I quickly snatched it and ripped the top off.
Inside was a notecard, like one I would use for studying. It was short and sweet, only stating,
"Happy 14th Birthday Lili-bug! I made this just for you. xoxo"
Huh...my dad has never gotten me more than twenty bucks before. And I'm not sure when he would have time to make something for me. I gave it a second thought but after careful consideration, I ripped the tissue paper apart and lifted the gift out of the box.
I audibly gasped as soon as I saw what it was. A pretty emerald crystal necklace, it sparkled from the sun glinting off of it, it had a vintage feel to it but at the same time it looked newly polished. It was seriously so pretty, and my happiness overpowered my guilt for the moment. I put it on and looked in the mirror. The emerald offset my brown eyes and somehow complimented my skin? How is that even possible? It's almost as if this is magic. Dad really outdid himself this time! I happily skipped over to the kitchen and grabbed a bowl and poured myself some cereal. I quickly scarfed it down and decided to walk around town.
I put on my favorite pair of beat up converse and made my way into town. I looked over to an ice cream shop and through the window, I saw a flicker of a funky looking one eyed thing, but it quickly turned back into a tall human. Huh. I ignored that and kept going, looking
around my familiar surroundings to see if there was anything out of the ordinary. There were cars driving through, on the left side there was the ice cream shop, a fancy restaurant that my dad and I went to once to celebrate his promotion, but he had to work five all day and night shifts after that dinner. That was the first and last time we were ever there.
On my side, on the right, there were tons of clothing stores that I would never be able to afford, so I decided to cross the street, and go into the ice cream shop. The one eyed thing... Cyclap? Ciklep? Whatever it was, was definitely a figment of my imagination. Plus, they have the best caramel ice cream.
In the ice cream shop, I looked at the pink walls, decorated with candy stickers. It was like a little kid's dreamland- at least it was mine when I was younger. I looked back at where that monster thing was, and it was just a normal looking- then it happened again, a flicker of that one eyed monster. I blinked and it went back to normal, as if it never happened. What? What if it's not my imagination? I have never had a problem with hallucinations so it must be. What am I even thinking! There's no way Cyk-...Cyc-? Whatever they are, they do not exist. I mentally face-palmed for being so gullible to my imagination, and realized it was my turn in line.
I ordered a scoop, paid, and sat down. I couldn't seem to shake off that feeling, and it kept my thoughts running until suddenly, I felt my ice cream melting on my hand. Dude, seriously? I quickly licked my ice cream and wiped my hand. This is so stupid. I should be doing something useful, instead of dreaming about- oh! I got it! Cyclops! That's what they were called. I made a mental note to research it, because even though it was just a human it seemed like an interesting topic.
I decided to go out and look at some of the clothing stores. I started with H & M. When I realized that the only thing I could buy there was a $9 bracelet, I left. Then I came into a Salvation Army thrift store, this was where I got my converse. I looked around, and looked for popular brand names but it was filled with vintage grandma clothes. I internally sighed and I saw the Cyclops again. What the-? Then again, it was there.I blinked and it was just a normal person. The third time today? Am I going crazy? Ugh! I hate not knowing! Part of me wanted to go up and talk to him but the other part of me screamed to run. I decided to prove myself to nobody in particular and be brave. I thought of what to ask him, and just came up to him.
"Hey, I'm doing a poll! What's your favorite creature or animal?"
"Cyclopes," he grunted.
No way. There is no way that's a coincidence. I kept calm and asked the follow-up.
"Oh, cool! May I ask why?"
"Powerful. Destroy. Do what they want! Heh heh!" My eyes widened and he showed off a wicked grin. I wanted to scream but I just stood still and managed to mutter out a quick
"Nice!"
Then I quickly turned and started walking off when I heard him grumble out something else, "Where does little girl think she's going?"
I gulped.
"Uh... what?"
Then he turned into the cyclops again, I blinked, he stayed as a cyclops. What. The. Heck. Just staring back at me with his eye, that one can only describe as unsettling. I started pacing back when he lunged at me to strike an attack. I fell to the floor, eyes closed in fear, and when I opened them, nobody was there. I remained unharmed.
The others in the store stared (probably because I was sitting on the floor, looking terrified), although some barely noticed. Partially due to the fact that Salvation Army is typically for grandmas, and partially due to the fact that everyone my age had headphones in. That was the first time it happened.