A Tainted Half-Blood

Chapter 3-Paintball and Owl Poop

Disclaimer: I do not own PJo or HoO, all rights to Rick Riordan.

Modern fun was coming to the camp. A paintball tournament.

This afternoon, everyone was to participate in at least one game.

Annabeth was leaning towards the survival round as she could but she could just get shot and be out.

She gently stroked her owl as it perched on arm. Her eyes glazing over the buzzing demigods roaming around the grounds.

Gossip roared with the excitement of the paintball tournament, as many of us haven't experienced it. They also fight traditionally, so guns weren't exactly their forte.

Annabeth was nervous but didn't really care for the event. It was just another insignificant waste of her day. But she couldn't help but let her thoughts drift towards Percy. He intrigued her in ways she couldn't comprehend.

She shook it off as a mere emotion. It couldn't be a crush, as her stubborn streak got the better of her.

Anyway she didn't even know him, she thought in frustration.

A nasty scowl swept across her tan face. The daughters of Aphrodite, known for their excessive flirting and quest for love.

They swarmed around the green eyed boy, no room for escape. At first Annabeth didn't know why Percy was here or why he was famous already, apart from "Capture the Flag."

Until she heard that he defeated a Minotaur. to say she was impressed was true, but she was jealous of his opportunities, to leave this...cage.

Bound to stay and wait for the day of a quest, and some wannabe comes in as though he is a superstar. Her glare hard as she didn't like his attention or popularity.

Whether it was the friends or limelight she could never have, her wise thoughts told her to believe, in time.

But what is time, a simple ticking clock or the beginning and the end?

Why speak in riddles child when everything is clear? We were made to be the strongest, show them our strength with their deaths, it persuaded.

It's voice was as cold as ice but slyer than a cunning fox. It had age on its side as though it has experienced something in the past.

She couldn't trust this so called power, even now when all seems murky, like swimming in polluted waters, blind to see.

Her owl nipped her hand, springing her out of her twisted thoughts. The faint glow of a smile, painted her lips as she continued to stroke her friend.

She looked back to were she last saw Percy, he was gone. Not that it bothered her.

She walked gracefully towards the stands to sign up for an activity.

Survival, that way she could get out so quickly no one would notice that she got out with her own gun.

She grabbed the pencil and scribbled down her name itching to leave the crowed arena.

She scrabbled away in a fast walk, not that anyone cared for her presence. Seen as a shadow, never always visible, but when noticed, becomes insignificant.

That was she was seen as nothing more, maybe even less.

She made her way to her cabin, until she heard the call of Percy.

"Annabeth," he yelled over the crowd.

She froze, submissive to his voice. She didn't turn around, too shock to even hear his footsteps behind her.