The Gathering

Chapter Three

"Finally! Looks like we got some good stuff!"James said excitedly, his slender hands pumped into the air in triumph.

I looked around at all the new items, and I had to agree, it was some pretty good stuff.

There was a cloak that had Hermes' symbol on it with several greek letters covering it, probably some sort of stealth cloak. There was also some books lying around, whether they were real books or concealed weapons I didn't know. I picked one up and looked at the cover. "EXPLOSIVES" was written in big red letters... Yea, probably should touch that one.

I picked up another book and leafed through it, the papyrus feel coarse and rogh to touch. It seemed like I could summon any of the weapons I here if I recited the spell on the page. Well only one way to find out: gotta try and summon one myself.

I picked a simple staff to summon and recited the greek on the page. Nothing happened. Dam, must only be for Hecate kids.

"Done talking to yourself?" Ava asked teasingly.

"Hey, we gotta figure out what these things are one way or another" I said.

We all continued sifting through our little pile of new stuff. Danny was clutching a deck of baseball cards, and was looking really sad so I went to talk to him.

"Hey, you okay?" I asked.

"Not really, I know Adam will be okay, but still..." Danny said, trailing off as his gray eyes distanced thmesleves in reflection

"I'm so sorry about all of this. It was my fault the zombie got past" I said.

"I can sense you really are sorry. It's okay, we both kinda knew we weren't going to make it for too long. Were both small and weak and without you and James we would've been dead ten times over by now" Danny said.

"When we get back, all four of us will go and Adam, cheer him up some, sound good?" I asked.

"Yea. Thanks" Danny said.

We all went back to looking through our stuff. James had found a backpack and had put his whole pile inside. It must be enchanted to never have a bottom.

Ava was engrossed in a sketchbook and flipped through the pages with many "oohs" and "aahs". Intersted as to what was in the sketchbook, i edged my way over next to her, and took particular notice to the front, as it clearly read "Annabeth's diary of inventions". And, boy, were there lots. There was everything from flying ships to flying toasters. The detail to which they were made was amazing too. This demigod really must have known her stuff.

"We should probably head back now" I suggested after being in the hideout for the past two hours.

We all got our stuff together that we were taking back and headed off. On our way back, i took some time to look around, something i usually didnt do. Despite this being the apocalypse, we used what we could and i think weve made a pretty good life for ourselves here in DC. Many buildings that had been fallen to pieces and tore apart by raiders and theives were fixed up by us, with either wood structures or we patched whatever fabric we had together to make things comfortable. We were smart, not fashionable. As soon as we got back, Hanna, the camp leader, approached us and she looked angry.

Hanna was seventeen and had been our leader for about two years. "What in Hades do you think you think you four were doing, wrecking the carts and hoarding the goods for yourself?!" Hanna asked angrily, her gray eyes hinted with a slight red of anger. Behind her I could see Doug smiling, like he was enjoying seeing us suffer.

"It was either us or Doug" James said flatly. "And I think we both know who you trust more". I almost laughed at that. Almost. Leave it to James to tell it like it is.

Sadly, this was true. Although Hanna often gets on our case often it's just because she's worried for the group. Doug, on the other hand, is a complete leech in her mind. Hanna truly was the best suited for the job of leader. She had not only proven herself in combat but she headed many of the architectural projects and did a great job of keeping the area in working condition so we had as many fallback places in the very real evet of the loss of camp, all too familiar for some.

"If you wouldn't mind, were going to visit Adam now" Ava said, clearly annoyed with how Hanna treated our return.

"Oh come on, you guys didnt have to come and visit so soon" Adam said sympathetically. He seemed in okay spirits, but by his slate white complexion and weak grip as we all hugged him showed he wasnt in the greatest strength.

"How could we not. After all, Danny was too distracted to make us forget about you this time" i said jokingly, warning several laughs from all of us.

As we all gathered around Adams stark white cot and talked, i got a real sense for how close we were. All five of us, and how much we had been together. Soon though, one of Adams nurse came in and made us leave. As we filed out the door i looked back for one final glance and Adam gave me a nod of thanks. It was good to have people that appreciated you, even without the thanks. Danny decided to stay out by Adams room by imself, and we knew that he was troubled by what had happened all today, so we let him.

"Next stop on todays crazy train, casa de Naomi" Ava said, making her way towards the hunters campsite where our friend Naomi would be.

Naomi was one of the two daughters of Artemis, with both of them being in the hunt and her older sibling, Zoe, being their leader. "Hey, Vande! Over here!" Naomi called as we entered the half circle of carts that the hunters had formed. Naomi's caramel hair bounced up and down her back as she excitedly and impatiently waited for us to make our way through the maze of tents and cars.

We sat around a fire that someone had started in the middle and talked about all sorts of things, anywhere from recent deaths to if any new legacies were found. As always the hot topic of the visit was the Zeus' encampment and whether or not they had finally been wiped out. In the war, Zeus had shamed and disrespected Athena when she took the opposite side, and we took that as a personal offense, making us general enemies ever since. Sure, im sure they were great people and skilled fighters, but as far as working together on anything, i dont think that would ever be possible.

"Well we should head over to dinner now. Nice talking to you again Naomi!" Ava said, as we finished up our conversation.

On our way to the McDonalds we use as the mess hall we met up with Danny as we passed by Zoe's tent.

"Why don't we listen in for a bit?" Danny asked mischievously. They were probably going to have something prohibiting us from hearing and they too powerful to be affected by Danny and his mind control, but why not?

We walked up to the tent and made sure no one was nearby, as we gingerly pressed our ears to the smooth blue fabric.

"...Hasn't happened...Can't be...What does this mean?" I heard Hanna say.

"Guys, I don't think we should be here" I advised.

"Agreed" James said. We all crept back with James leading us. That was our first mistake.

He stopped at the corner, but we were too preoccupied with being quiet that we didn't notice and ran right into him making all of us fall into the tent. Right at the feet of Zoe and Hanna.

"We didn't even need to get them al all, they came right to us!" Zoe said with a smirk.