Under The Stars

Chapter One

Taylor's POV:

I am awaken as always as the brilliant orange sun makes it's way above the horizon. We always awake around this time in the Apollo cabin. A few months ago we broke a hole in the ceiling, just so we could be awoken by the sun instead of by a light switch. Even so, I am still the first awake. I hop down from the upper bunk where I sleep, and hurriedly get dressed in my grey-black jeans, batman t-shirt and purple zip-up jumper. I jam on my black converse, then hurry through the door, hoping to reach my spot above the lake before anyone else does.

I walk quickly through the almost deserted camp, the only people milling around are a couple of my siblings, and an Ares kid sparring with a Dionysus kid. I slip past the archery range, and hurriedly climb the stone steps up to the hill overlooking the lake. I slip under a eucalyptus tree and tuck my knees under my chin, watching a couple of Poseidon kids diving in the lake. The camp has become a lot more crowded lately, since we've now started to accept legacies, children of demigods, as well, like Camp Jupiter. The two camps are very close now, many of their campers have moved over here for a while, as have ours over there, to test out the different lifestyles. My best friend, Evangeline, is from there, and has moved here for a while. She's very popular because she's one of the children of the legendary Hazel and Frank Zhang, but she's not popular in the way she'd have liked, as she tells me.

"Hey Taylor" comes a soft voice besides me. I turn around and see Evangeline, her dark skin glistening somewhat in the early morning light, her deep brown hair flowing loosely in the sweet morning air, and her wide golden eyes open in assertiveness. She's wearing her denim jacket over her Camp Jupiter t-shirt, and has her skinny black jeans and black converse on. "Hey Evangeline" I reply, running a hand through my golden brown hair. "You know Chiron has called both camps over, must be something important going on" she says, crossing her legs and watching the rising sun. "Must be. Hey Eva, why do you hang around with me? Why not the other legacies? I mean, I'm nothing special. I'd bet the sevens other children would accept you". Evangeline snorts in laughter, then says "Please Taylor. I'd have to much pressure on me, they're way too popular. And hanging out with my brother? Really?" I grin. "Maybe not". "And anyway, why not you? We like similar things. and you're so sweet and understanding. You're like my twin" she says, bumping her shoulder into me. I grin, and bump my own shoulder into hers. "Well I'm glad you do anyway. You're the only one I can actually talk to without you getting all confused. And anyway, I love you. Come on twinsy, we'd better get back to the camp, Chiron gets really mad if people are late" I say, helping her up. She flashes her pearly white teeth, then follows me down the hill towards the camp fire, where most of the two camps already stand waiting, though it's only just sunrise.

We stand to wait north of the camp fire, while the rest of the demigods join us. As the last person joins, Chiron stand and trots over to the center. "Now, as most of you are aware, the gods have gone silent. We believe that they have not only gone silent, but they have dissapeared. Even our own camp director, Mr. D has gone." The camp stirs, but the attention soon goes back to Chiron. "Now we-" he is cut off, as Rachel, a tall young woman with fiery red hair who is the camps oracle stands, green smoke spewing from her mouth. Her eyes open wide, brilliantly green, and words issue from her mouth.

"Ten children must go together, 

To regain the gods companions.

Seven legacies and three demigods,

Must bring the objects forth,

And combine them on the Stone Table.

Most will not make it through,

But you must try to gain,

The location of the gods." 

Then, as the crowd murmurs, her eyes glow green again, and she walks forwards and takes Evangeline by the arm, and walks her over to her original seat. She does this nine more times, and on the last time, she takes me by the arm and swiftly takes me to join the others. She then collapses, and two of my sisters take her off to the Infirmary. The whole congregation turns and faces us ten demigods, and for some reason stage fright takes me hold. "It seems then, we have our ten demigods. Please meet me in the rec room for a conversation" Chiron says, and dismisses the camps. I turn and grab Evangeline's hand, and her golden eyes thank me silently. We walk silently with the others, and go towards the Big House

********************************************************************************************

I'm sorry, I know this chapter's really bad, but I promise he next one will be better ;) - Cameron:)