Truth [Book Three in Fake Series]

Part Three:

Part Three:

Zoe hadn't had a proper shower since she was at Jaz's 'house' (cave) back in Tartarus. But now she was giving herself a proper scrub-down in the shower in her parent's house, which was where she was staying at the moment.

At Camp Half-Blood, Chiron had designed a small community for retired demigods. Zoe's parents had bought a house there, and they had gotten jobs in the camp. Annabeth was a part-time camp architect, and Percy helped teach Sword Fighting.

Zoe felt the water run over her skin. She sighed deeply, enjoying the warm liquid and the aroma of the soaps she had being using.

The house was two stories tall, with Ethan, Lily and Zoe's bedrooms on the first floor and their parent's room on the ground floor. There was an upstairs bathroom, and a large Living Area with plenty of room for couches and a big magical flatscreen TV on one wall. Downstairs there was also a bathroom and an ensuite to Percy and Annabeth's room, along with a small office, a large kitchen/dining room and a play area. They didn't have much of a back garden, as they could just go into the camp, but Zoe found the house cosy. It wasn't as big as their old one, but it still felt like home.

As Zoe stepped out of the shower, she turned off the tap and quickly dried herself using a towel so that her mother couldn't scold her for leaving wet footprints on the carpet. She then wrapped the now damp towel around herself and headed down the hall towards her bedroom. She got changed into a camp shirt and jeans with sneakers before heading out into the camp.

Zoe had been claimed by Athena and Poseidon, but she didn't want to stay in either of the cabins. There were only three Poseidon demigods, and the head counsellor was quite bratty.

Her name was Sophia, and she was the same age as Zoe. She looked like a girl version of Zoe's dad, except for the fact that she was shorter and much more bossier.

Zoe walked towards the Arena. Her mind wandered off and she thought about Charlie. The feeling that she got when she thought of him wasn't one that she could describe easily. She had known for a while that she liked him, but never thought much about him until now, as they were separated. Lily and Jaz would probably tease her for this, but she felt that she was definitely in love with him.

As Zoe approached the Arena, she watched Sophia teach her younger brothers Robert and Denis how to control the water beside the Lake. Getting a better idea than sword fighting practice with her dad, Zoe walked over.

"Hello," she greeted.

"What do you want? Sophia snapped, hands on hips as she spun around to face Zoe.

"Oh, nothing," Zoe smirked. "I just wanted to show you this." She flicked her wrist and a column of water came spiralling out of the lake. It engulfed Sophia and pulled her into the water.

Robert and Denis were laughing. They looked only about Lily's age, but they seemed to be troublemakers - just like Lily, in a way.

"How dare you!" Sophia spluttered, rising to the surface of the lake on a wave. Her sea green eyes flashed dangerously. "Stop being so full of yourself, Zoë. You're just a legacy. Nothing more. You may think that you're amazing and all because you were claimed by two gods, but maybe you should learn to show some respect."

"Hm, good point." Zoe put her hand on her hip and pretended to think. Then she shrugged. "Maybe later." And with a simple swirl of her finger, Sophia went back under again.

•••

Ethan was nervous. He had no idea why he had offered to go with Zoe in the first place, but just the thought of going on a quest made him feel sick.
Maybe it was the fact that the only reason why he was going was because of Silena. Or maybe he just didn't want to go at all.

Ethan didn't have any powers, so he felt practically useless. He could wield a knife, but he hadn't found a proper blade that suited him yet.

Ethan scowled and pushed a pebble that was lying on the ground with his foot. He was taking a walk along the edge of the forest, thinking about last night's game of played Capture The Flag. During the match, he had come face-to-face with Silena. They were on opposite teams, but she for some reason let him pass right underneath her nose. It was obvious that she knew he was there, but why hadn't she attacked him?

Straight after the match, Ethan was claimed by Athena. Silena had given him a strange look before walking away, but his mother had come up to him.

"Well done," she had said, before quickly pressing something into his hands. "For you."

It was a New York Yankees Cap. Ethan was confused at why she would give him a hat, so he tried it on. And became completely invisible. He remembered gasping before a million ideas swirled around in his head. This was so perfect. He could get Lily back for all those times she had pranked him.

But something told Ethan that the hat shouldn't be used like that. Something about a quest...

Maybe this was why he joined. Because of a nagging feeling in the back of his head. Or maybe it was-

"Hey," a voice said. Ethan was pulled out of his thoughts to see Silena jogging towards him. He stopped walking to let her catch up.

"Oh, uh, hi." He stuttered in reply.

"Exciting, eh?" She said, nudging him in the shoulder. "Our first quest."

Ethan noted the fact that she said 'our' instead of 'your' or 'my'.

"Yeah, I guess." He muttered.

"What, do you not want to go?" Silena asked in surprise.

"No, it's just that," Ethan faltered. He couldn't explain it to her.

"Oh, so should I tell Zoe that you're not coming?" Silena raised her eyebrows.

"No, no! I'm fine, I just can't believe that I get the privilege to go on a quest with-" He couldn't do it.

"Zoe?" Silena asked. "Jaz?"

"No, not them." Ethan sighed.

"Me?" Silena said, eyes as wide as saucers. "Ethan, do you, well, like me?"

Ethan felt his cheeks go red. Man up, he thought. Just tell her! "No, not like that, I swear."

"Oh," Silena seemed a bit crestfallen. "Well, later then." She ran off back towards the camp, leaving Ethan feeling like an idiot.