The Forbidden Child

Chapter 29: A New Friend, A New Opportunity

Helena POV

"So... How have you been?"

While Percy and the others were getting ready to leave for California, Annabeth personally asked Helena to meet up. Helena was scared. She knew Annabeth didn't like her at first. Did Helena do something wrong?

They were at the rec room in the Big House. Annabeth brought books, notebooks, and a scary looking ruler.

"I think you and I need to work together to figure out who you heard in your head. This could tie into the current quest. But either way, it would be nice to figure out once and for all who your parent is." Annabeth said curtly.

Helena felt uncomfortable. She heard from her cabin mates that Annabeth and Hera had beef. So many people were still convinced that Helena was a child of the goddess of marriage. Annabeth seemed to be one of them

Helena calmly reached over and closed the book Annabeth was reading. Annabeth jerked her head up. Her stormy eyes were so intimidating but Helena knew deep down she was an amazing, caring person.

"Annabeth, I know how you feel about me. And I understand. If I were in your situation, I would feel the same way. But if we're going to work together, I want you to be able to be open with me. I really respect you and I don't want to be in the way of your research. I'm sorry if I ever made you uncomfortable but it was never my intention." Helena waited. She felt such a weight lift off of her shoulders. She didn't know she had to speak about this but doing so made things much easier to deal with.

Surprisingly, Annabeth started tearing up. Helena herself was holding back tears. Then Annabeth's shoulders started shaking with laughter which confused Helena. Did she say something wrong?

"Helena, I want you to know I don't hate you. But yes, I do have a problem with Hera. The fact that you came as a peacock seemed a bit convincing that you were somehow related to her. You are the nicest person I have ever met and it makes it hard to not like you. I'm sorry that it came down to this. I promise to be nicer and do my best to help find your godly parent."

Helena wiped her tears and went in for a hug. Annabeth grabbed her and gave her the warmest hug ever. They stayed that way for a minute and when they let go of each other, the room seemed warmer and filled with love rather than hostility.

"Are you sure you're not a daughter of Aphrodite? You have a way with words," the daughter of Athena chuckled.

"Gods, I wish. But I'm doing them a favor by not being their sibling. My fashion sense is just jeans and the camp t-shirt."

"Tell me everything about that vision you had in Clovis's cabin. Did you have any feelings? Did she give any clue to who she might be?" Annabeth grabbed her notebook, ready to take notes.

"Honestly, it wasn't much. I did however, see a vision of my foster family but it was kind of fuzzy. I felt such love and hope in that tiny second. I don't remember their names but I know I had a life outside of camp."

Annabeth furiously scribbled stuff down.

"Okay, before I say anything, please don't be mad at Piper. I forced this information out of her so be mad at me. I know about your special writing talent. Can you tell me more about you're writing?"

Helena laughed. "Well, whatever I write, seems to come true. A poem, story, whatever I jot down seems to come to life." She had her notebook sitting in front of her and opened to the most recent page. "I actually wrote something yesterday and it came true. I know I sound crazy right now but read it."

"Tomorrow is new..." Annabeth mumbled, "Sky... sign. Wow. This is amazing, and you're right. It did rain inside camp borders and that never happens."

"I was talking to Percy and I think that he thinks I might be a child of Apollo."

Annabeth shook her head. "No, Apollo is usually the one who is most excited to claim his kids. It might be a god who has a cabin here, it might not be. Okay so all we know so far is that you had a foster family and that you're good at writing."

Helena smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I guess I'm just your regular useless demigod. I'll be lucky enough to even find my foster family."

"Hey, chin up. At least you have a new family here. We demigods will always be here for you." Annabeth placed her hand on Helena's shoulder. "How about we get our mind off of things and try to help out with the others' quest? They should be landing in a few hours. We still don't know what they're up against."

Helena's back straightened, her expression showing a ding! lightbulb moment.

"Thank you, Annabeth. I really appreciate it. But I just realized something about their quest. I think they're going in the wrong direction."

"Please explain."

"Well I've been doing some light reading during my free time and for some reason I read a lot about American history. The line where inspiration grows weak yada yada, and them traveling west. To the west of us, in New York is Harlem. The Harlem Renaissance! It was such a pivotal moment for American arts, specifically the African American community but it impacted Western society and we still draw inspiration from it to this day. Camp Jupiter definitely needs them but I think they were supposed to start here in New York."

"I'll ask Chiron about this and if it's possible to get a quest. The lucky amount is three but the others technically left with four in their party."

"Wait," Helena suddenly lost hope, "what if Chiron disapproves and we can't leave?"

"Don't worry about that," Annabeth winked, "We'll find a way."