The Trials of Camp Half-Blood

Into the Woods We Go

You ever get that feeling where you know something bad's coming, but you just can't put your finger on what it is? Yeah, that's me right now, standing at the edge of these cursed woods, trying to pretend like I've got this all figured out.

Chiron gives the signal, and we're off. The demigods scatter like we're in some kind of race. Which, to be fair, we are—except the finish line is survival. I dart into the trees, doing my best not to trip over my own feet. Not exactly the most heroic start, but hey, I'm alive, and that's a win in my book.

Okay, Percy, woods full of monsters, no problem. 

Just gotta find somewhere to hide, avoid getting mauled, and maybe not die on day one. Easy peasy.

Yeah, who am I kidding?

I slip deeper into the woods, the branches closing in around me. The whole place smells like damp leaves and something... else. Something that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I can't put my finger on it, but there's definitely a feeling that these woods have seen some serious stuff. And not the fun kind of "serious stuff," either.

For a few minutes, I'm just focused on putting some distance between me and everyone else. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for teamwork—sort of—but something tells me that being alone for now might actually work in my favor. At least that way, I only have to worry about monsters and not one of my fellow demigods trying to stab me in the back. Figuratively, I hope.

But of course, the universe isn't going to let me have a nice, peaceful walk through monster-infested woods. Nope. Because as I'm sneaking through the underbrush, I hear something—footsteps, coming fast.

Please be a friendly demigod, please be a friendly demigod...

Annabeth bursts through the trees, her expression halfway between "I'm glad to see you" and "Why are you standing there like an idiot?"

Annabeth: Percy! What are you doing just standing there? Move!

Before I can respond, something huge and snarling crashes through the trees behind her. Hellhounds. Because of course.

Yeah, I was really hoping for a relaxing evening, but sure, let's fight some hellhounds instead.

I draw Riptide just as the first hellhound lunges at me. Now, I've fought these things before, but that doesn't make it any less terrifying when you've got a slobbering monster the size of a truck coming at your face. I slash down, and the hellhound dissolves into dust. Annabeth is right beside me, her knife flashing as she fends off another one.

Annabeth: We should've expected this. These woods are practically crawling with monsters.

Me: Yeah, but did they have to send the extra big ones right away? Couldn't we have started with, like, squirrels or something?

We fall into our usual rhythm—Annabeth planning, me hitting things. After taking down a few more hellhounds, the rest of the pack slinks back into the shadows, clearly not interested in becoming more celestial bronze dust tonight.

Breathing hard, I lean against a tree and give Annabeth a look.

Me: So, you come here often?

She rolls her eyes, but I can tell she's relieved we got through that. I mean, this is only day one, and we've already had a near-death experience. Definitely setting the tone for the rest of the week.

Annabeth: You can't keep joking your way through this, Percy.

Me: Sure I can. It's kind of my thing.... better that than to be depressed because we COULD LITERALLY DIE OUT HERE!!!!!

She sighs, but there's a hint of a smile. And honestly, I get it. Humor's all I've got right now, because if I actually stopped to think about how insane this whole situation is, I'd probably start freaking out. I mean, we've barely been in these woods for an hour, and we're already fending off monsters like it's a Tuesday afternoon.

We decide to stick together—temporarily, of course. There's that whole "only one can win" thing looming over us, but for now, two heads are better than one, right? Plus, Annabeth's got the whole "brains of the operation" thing down, and I'm really not interested in getting lost out here.

As night falls, the woods get even creepier. The trees look like they're leaning in, whispering to each other about which one of us they're going to drop a monster on next. The temperature drops, and everything gets so quiet, you can hear the leaves crunching under your feet like thunder.

We find a decent spot to camp, or as decent as you can get in cursed woods. Annabeth starts setting up some basic defenses—a circle of stones, a few traps that I'm not even going to pretend to understand. I, on the other hand, am tasked with gathering wood for a fire, which seems ironic given that we're in the middle of a forest.

Me: So... what's the plan for tomorrow? Not getting eaten again?

Annabeth's already thinking ahead, as usual.

Annabeth: We need to find water first. If we don't, we won't last long. And we'll have to stay on the move—there's no telling how many monsters are out here, or what the other demigods are planning.

Me: Right. So, don't get eaten, find water, avoid getting stabbed. Simple.

She gives me that look again—the one that says, "stop being an idiot." But seriously, what am I supposed to say? This whole thing is ridiculous. Seven days of trying not to die, all for the chance to get our hands on some magical artifact that grants wishes. It's like a reality show from Tartarus.

As we sit by the fire, the woods start to come alive with sounds—twigs snapping, leaves rustling. At first, I think it's just animals or monsters, but then I notice something else. The sounds are too regular, too deliberate. Like footsteps. Annabeth hears it too. She gives me a quick glance, her hand already reaching for her knife.

Annabeth: We're not alone.

Me: Great. Because I was really hoping for company.

We sit there in silence, listening. The footsteps get closer, but then, just as quickly as they started, they stop. I grip Riptide, my heart pounding in my chest. Who—or what—is out there?

Annabeth: We need to be careful. It might be one of the other demigods... or something worse.

Me: Yeah, I'm voting for something worse. Seems to be the theme of the day."

We don't sleep much that night. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig sets my nerves on edge. I can't shake the feeling that we're being watched, and the eerie silence of the woods isn't helping.

By the time the sun starts to rise, I'm exhausted, but we're still alive. So, that's something, I guess.

Me: Well, that was fun. Can't wait for day two.

Annabeth shoots me a look, and we pack up camp, ready to face whatever the woods—or whoever's following us—throws our way next.