Something Forbidden

Chapter 19: Janelle

JANELLE

Tia was playing board games with Dianne, my sister, in the cabin. Leaving me with nothing to do. I've read all the books Annabeth leant me, and all the board games were being used by my brothers and sisters in the cabin.

I decided to start solving the problem Raili was telling me.

"I need you to find out Danika's secret... dont tell anyone about this, even Tia."  she had said.

Mostly, i wouldnt be solving cases for anyone, cause they'd always come back and make me solve new ones... which was annoying. The only reason i did this is because i agreed with Raili. Danika has been acting really strange ever since the attack... even before that.

I would have to start from there, then. Before the attack, before the night of the sleepover. But first, i would need clues, pieces of information from everybody that day.

Raili had given me some information last time:

1) She said she saw Grover at school during her Math class, which must've been what Danika was staring at during Lunch.

2) Danika knew alot about Camp Half Blood, not just the monsters she reads in her Mythology book, but also the people. Like Grover, Mr. D and Chiron.

3) During Lunch, she sprayed perfume on all us, saying it was a mosquito repellant. (And based on the books i've read, monsters can smell demigods.)

4) She looked really nervous that day, somehow knowing we (ADHD) were all demigods.

···

I was holding my notepad in my hand, the pages blank. I asked everyone i knew who might know about this, including Chiron and Grover.

Chiron seemed clueless, but was determined to find out too, scared their might be danger in the camp. As for Grover, he seemed really nervous, but said he had nothing to do with it.

I sighed heavily, exhausted. I was tempted to ask Danika herself, but no, of course not, thats stupid. I decided to look for more clues, pieces, so i can put them together... find out her secret.

···

I walked to the woods alone, which was dangerous for a first timer at camp. But i needed to solve this case, so i continued walking.

I stopped near a small circular clearing, with a small pond in the middle.

"Hello?" i said, looking around.

"Hello, dear." a voice called out.

I looked around, but saw nothing. At first, i thought i was hallucinating, but then, i saw her.

"Youre a ... wood nymph?" i asked, hoping it wasnt an insult.

"Yes. Are you lost dear?" she asked.

She looked like a human elf (elf human, whatever), with skin the color of leaves. She dint look like the other young wood nymphs you would see at the mess hall, bringing you food.

"No, no... just, walking. Youre a Hamadryad? Is- is that your tree?" i asked, which sounded pretty stupid for a daughter of Athena.

I just kept a straight face and pointed at an old oak tree near the pond. The wood nymph turned and gave a smile so warm my eyes drooped.

"Yes, it is. Why, are you here to cut it down?" she said, her voice becoming more steel.

"Oh, no, never. Im just here to ask you a few questions, if thats okay."

The Hamadryad softened, and gave her heart warming smile.

"Sure, dear. What would you like to know?"

"Have you heard of any conversations lately? A demigod and a satyr, maybe? Talking near your tree?"

"Come to think of it, yes dear, i have. A daughter of Poseidon, yes, and a satyr, came down here to talk in private. Something about a girl. Rachel Elizabeth Dare."

I stood there in shock. Annabeth told me about Rachel, she was the Oracle at camp. Told prophecies...

"Dear, are you alright?"

"I- im fine. Thanks, so much." i said.

"Youre very welcome, dear. Oh, by the way, my names Addonia."

"Thanks, Addonia... my names Janelle."

I waved goodbye and raced back to the cabin.

···

I've read one of Annabeth's prophecies she got from a red harpy named Ella. One where in it involved Danika.

I looked around the pieces i found. Papers all over my bed, scattered everywhere.

Rachel Dare. Prophecies. Danika's secret.

I solved the case.