FINDING A HOME | PJO

/ two /

a / n : just posted the first chapter, and you guys seem to like the idea. so i got excited myself and wrote the second chapter. i'm so nice, i know. here you go !

"Wait!" Nancy rushed after Annabeth, who had walked out of the alleyway.

Annabeth gestured for her to follow. "So, why are you out this late anyway?"

Nancy scowled. "Uh, I think I'll ask the questions. Why are you out this late?"

Annabeth continued walking down the sidewalk, not bothering to mention where they were going. "I was on my way to Camp when I saw you."

Nancy jogged a little to get up next to her. "Okay, I'm going to need a little more. Why did you stop for me? And why are you acting like I know what this 'Camp' is?"

Annabeth put her hands in her coat pockets. "Well, you were just attacked by a greek monster. I'm sure you noticed the way everyone around you acted like nothing was amiss."

Nancy nodded.

"Mortals can't see through what we call the mist, which is why no one stopped to help you. Fortunately, I was passing by." She side-eyed Nancy.

"And what makes you different from everyone else?"

"Not everyone else. You could see her too, right? You're a demigod. One of your biological parents is a greek god." Annabeth looked at Nancy, gauging her reaction.

Nancy raised an eyebrow. "Oh. Well, I really appreciate your help, but I'll be heading home now." She didn't say, bye, crazy! but she sure thought it.

Annabeth calmy stopped walking when Nancy turned. "Suit yourself. I hope you don't run into anymore empousai." She started walking again. "Or a hellhound," she muttered.

Nancy froze. She turned to look at Annabeth's retreating figure, and huffed in frustration. She weighed her options.

On the one hand, the girl was allowing her to walk away freely, and pretend nothing had happened. Brushing it off a stress seemed to work, usually.

On the other hand, what she'd just endured was admittedly scary. And the word hellhound really wasn't helping.

Ugh. This Annabeth girl definitely knew what to say.

"Wait, Annabeth!" Nancy caught up with her. "Tell me what you mean."

Annabeth smiled. "Demigods attract all kinds of monsters, including the one you just saw. I'd say you're around my age, which is impressive. Either you had protection, or you aren't as attractive as others." She leaned forward and turned her head to look at Nancy, causing her blonde curls to fall in front of her. "I can't tell you who your godly parent is, but if you come with me to Camp Halfblood, you'll find out.

"And, it's monster free. The barriers protect us from anything demigod-dangerous and provides a home for anyone without one."

Nancy listened carefully. "Okay...but why does this sound like one of those candy-in-the-van situations?"

Annabeth chuckled. "It does, doesn't it? Well, how about this." She touched the hilt of her sword. "If I was going to force you to come with me, we'd already be there. Camp Halfblood is an option. Most of the campers stay during the summer, but year round is an option."

Nancy watched her with caution.

"I don't even have to ask you to know that you've always felt a little out of place. Most halfbloods are misfits." She met Nancy's eyes. "Camp Halfblood is a place to belong, to figure out who you are. My boyfriend once told me, 'sometimes, all we need is a fresh start.' If that's what you want, then I invite you to give it a try."

Nancy broke eye contact quickly, feeling uncomfortable being stared down by those grey eyes. She looked away and studied the scenery around her. The city was quickly fading behind them, and Nancy chose not to ask herself how she managed to get dragged out this far in the wrong direction. Instead, she thought about Annabeth's words.

Misfits. Out of place.

Fresh start.

Now she was really interested. And it sounded like she'd be able to start all over again if she chose to accept the "invite." No one would be able to judge her for what she'd done in the past, or even ten minutes ago.

"Who's your godly parent?" she blurted, avoiding sharing her thoughts.

Annabeth looked ahead as they climbed uphill, and smiled a little. "I don't know how acquainted you are with greek mythology, but Athena, the goddess of wisdom, warfare, courage, and a whole bunch of other stuff is my mom. Heard of her?"

Nancy thought for a moment. "So you mean to say that we're dealing with Zeus, Hades, Hercules--those guys?"

Annabeth nodded. "Well, Hercules is a demigod, like you and I, but yeah. Zeus, Hades, Posiedon, Hera, Artemis, Apollo--there's a ton. And, crazy as it is, they hook up with mortals and we're the result." She frowned. "That doesn't sound right. They fall in love with mortals. Yeah, that's better."

"Less intimidating," Nancy agreed.

Annabeth laughed. After a few moments of silence, she spoke.

"I get that this can be a lot, but I really think that you should give it a try."

Nancy looked at her. There was an unspoken understanding and sadness held in Annabeth's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask. "How did you find this place?"

Annabeth stopped walking and sighed. "I was really young, much younger than the average halfblood, when I found it." She reached into her coat and pulled out a beaded necklace. "Each bead on this represents a year of being here. I didn't have the best childhood, so I was really lucky to meet some other demigods when I ran away."

Nancy's eyes widened slightly. "Wow." She stood silent for a few seconds. "Wait, did you say here?"

Annabeth smirked. "Just over there is where camp's barrier starts." She pointed a little ways away. "As a halfblood, you can go in and out whenever you like. Whaddya say?"

Nancy looked at the ground. Just talking about this place made her forget about her parent's faces if she were to go home, and the weird snake lady that had just attacked her.

And she suddenly realized how much she wanted this.

It was her decision. It was a summer of freedom being handed to her on a silver platter.

Now all she had to do was make sure it was real.

"I could use something new," she told Annabeth. "And I'm curious about all this greek stuff."

Annabeth tucked her necklace away. "Luckily, you've already met the head counselor of the Athena cabin. And if you want, I'll teach you everything you want to know."

Nancy tried for a smile. All of her yearned for this to be real. For Annabeth to be a real friend, for the enormous fire breathing dragon--

"Don't worry about him," Annabeth said, noticing her alarm, "he won't harm you as long as you don't touch the Fleece."

Nancy swallowed hard. "Okay. Let's do this before I change my mind."

Annabeth moved further up the hill and waved her over. She turned to face her, and spread her arms out. "Welcome to Camp Halfblood."

Nancy looked at the green field expectantly. "Uh..."

Annabeth snorted and pulled Nancy towards her.

Whoa.