The Hidden Goddess

Chapter 1: Vultures Interrupt my Peaceful Trip to the Bathroom

Percy never adequately described to me how monsters look when you're up close and personal with them. He left out details that I consider to be extremely important, such as their yellow teeth, horrible breath, and BO. Especially when they're staring you up and down and saying (very breathily, I may add), "Time to die, mortal girl" over and over again.

Maybe I should explain.

My name is Estelle Jackson-Blofis. Before you think, Percy's little sister! even though I know you probably already have, try to remember to call me Estelle and not Percy's Little Sister. I get it enough already.

I've always known who Percy's real dad is, and I've always loved having this elite knowledge that the Greek gods (and many other pantheons) are still in existence today. As a mortal, I'm "so, so lucky!" to get to know things exist like Camp Half-Blood, Camp Jupiter, Valhalla, and the Nomes. Percy told me stories when I was little (the few times he was home) about all the magical encounters and adventures he's had, and even though some were sad, I loved them. So, so, much. But the thing about stories is that they can't hurt you. Well, they can hurt you emotionally, but not physically. I've learned firsthand that reading a book can traumatize you, but I'm getting off-topic.

Back to the topic: I know things like how the Empire State Building is the home of the Greek gods, Camp Half-Blood is in New York...somewhere, and there are many other 'common' places for mortals where mythological beings like to reside. It's never been scary because I thought they couldn't affect me. Surprise, surprise, though, on a day that was supposed to be like any other, some of those same mythological creatures attacked me.

Okay, I guess the monsters didn't really attack me. They tried to attack the glowing boy who sits two tables in front of me in science. He literally glows, all the time. It's so annoying. Percy glows, too, with a bluish-greenish tint, but the boy in front of me glows yellow. I've seen very few people who glow, but it's always been there around some people, like Annabeth, Percy, and my niece and nephew, Silena and Ethan.

I have to go to the bathroom. It's science, so I often go to the bathroom, because I hate science. A lot. It's so boring, and there are so many letters and numbers even though it's not English or Math.

"Mrs. Kard?" I raise my hand.

"Yes, Estelle?"

"Can I go to the bathroom?"

"Well, I surely hope you can, and yes, you may. Take the pass." Mrs. Kard gestures to the three-foot-tall plastic spoon propped against the door.

It takes all the willpower in every fiber of my 5'4 self to hold in my eye roll until the door slams behind me. Mrs. Kard always says that. I don't do anything noteworthy on the way to the bathroom, nor do I do anything I wish to describe in any significant amount of detail while I'm in the bathroom. But on my way out, as I reach for the spoon, I hear someone outside yell in...pain? And then, a sound like...a bowstring? The fancy bar under our apartment does axe throwing and archery, so I know the sound well.

Then a raspy voice I've never heard before says, "Show us the girl who can see through the mist, and we'll never speak to you again."

I know it's probably a dumb idea, but I peek around the corner. What I see almost makes me throw up, pee, and scream all at once.

Three shriveled vultures with old ladies' heads are circling the glowing kid who sits in front of me. One is plump and the other two are lithe (at least, as lithe as they can be, considering their interesting mix between species). The boy is holding an ornate bow that looks like it's from the beginning of time, and he's stuck in a circle among all the shriveled bird women, sadly lacking the necessary eye placement to see them all at once.

One of the wrinkly birds cackles, "Eirene, can you smell the girl?"

Eirene? What kind of name is—

Oh, shoot. I've forgotten to pull my head back into the bathroom; the bird ladies practically hypnotize me. I've never seen anything so revolting. Now all three of them are staring at me, smiles widening their pruned faces. The boy is staring at me, too, and suddenly I remember his name, Sorin. Of course, that's the only piece of information my ever-so-helpful brain is providing. No sudden karate knowledge? Really? Oh, well.

The three vultures lick their lips and Eirene says, "Charikleia, I don't need to smell her."

Again--what type of name is that?

Charikleia blinks and scowls at her. "Yes, Eirene, I can see that. I'm not blind."

The plump one chimes in with, "Let's eat her now!"

Eirene and Charikleia say in unison, "Shut up, Isidora!"

Eirene goes back to licking her lips. She smiles sweetly at me and says, "Hello, Estelle Jackson-Blofis. I've waited so long to meet you."

i promise these get better and longer as you go!

remember to comment!! don't be a ghost reader <3

peace from cabin 6, 

~~zoe~~