The Sun and Sky

Unanswered Questions--Char

 Waiting outside of the school were three large school buses, with the letters SPQR written on them in dark purple ink. Char was running too fast to even realize them.

"Let's move!" Charlotte shouted to her soldiers, making sure everyone was in the buses.

Char ran inside a bus instinctively and found an empty seat to sit in.

The interior looked exactly like a normal school bus that students would take to school.

As each Roman soldier took a seat and unstrapped their helmets, Char noticed Charlotte and another soldier walking into her bus.

"How many?" she asked her soldier.

"Five," he answered.

Charlotte took a deep breath. "Okay. They are getting bolder. We will have to stay on our guard."

The soldier nodded and took a seat.

Charlotte's eyes trailed the bus full of soldiers. She flashed a grin when she noticed Char.

"Hey!" she said, sitting down next to her.

"Hey? That's all you're going to say to me? Hey?"

"Uh...glad you're still alive," she said, rubbing her head.

Char got a pang of guilt, realizing that was where she hit Charlotte in the head with the pencil sharpener.

Char instantly gave Charlotte a tight hug. "I missed you so much," she said, choking back tears.

Charlotte paused, as if she was not expecting it. She patted her on the back. "I missed you too."

* * *

"So," Char started, trying to stay calm. "Mind telling me what is going on?"

Charlotte smirked. "This is going to sound completely crazy, but you're going to have to get over it," she said to her.

"Huh?"

Charlotte took a deep breath. "You know all the stories of Roman gods demigods?"

"Like our history test?"

"Oh yeah speaking of that, how did I do on it?"

"I'm not sure. The crazy teacher turned into a monster before I could ask," Char recalled. "Continue please."

She shook her head. "Anyways," Charlotte looked at her intently. "What if I told you those stories were real? And, that you are one?"

There was a moment of silence. Char blinked. "I...beg your pardon?"

"What if I told you that there were Roman gods and monsters, and that they existed in this universe?"

Char's eyes widened. "How-?" she trailed off.

Charlotte cracked a small smile but it quickly faded. "Pretty overwhelming hearing it for the first time eh?"

There was no way that this could be real.

"You're serious?" she asked helplessly.

Charlotte's eyes narrowed slightly. Char never recollected Charlotte ever looking so focused.

"Does it look like I am joking?" she asked her.

Char paused. "No," she stated.

Just then, all three buses came to stop.

"Where are we?" Char managed to squeak out of her mouth.

Charlotte grinned. "Home."

* * *

Char, Charlotte, and each soldier, now looking like kids her own age, departed from the buses.

Her surroundings consisted of a large mountain to her right with a forest on the top of it. She was standing on lush, green grass. It may as well have been a postcard picture, other than the fact that there were about 10 giant boulders scattered along the ground, almost as if they had been thrown down.

Charlotte scratched her head, looking at the boulders. "We better clean up the mess I caused soon."

Char tilted her head, confused, but before she could talk Charlotte grabbed her hand and led her towards two giant, silver doors, built into the mountain wall, with two guards standing at the front.

Charlotte gave a slight nod to each of them, as they opened the doors for them. She led Char and the other soldiers inside.

As they came to the end of the tunnel, golden sunlight poured over Char's face, although she felt no need to squint. The place was gorgeous.

Charlotte turned to her. "Welcome home," she grinned. "Welcome to Camp Jupiter, home of the Roman demigods."

Char's jaw dropped. "I'm a-"

"Yup."

"Who's my godly parent?"

Charlotte pondered the question. "I'm not too sure. It's got to be your father, since your mom is mortal."

Char's stomach lept in excitement. This meant her father was alive, and she could possibly meet him!

"Let's go. The praetors would like to meet you."

* * *

Before Char could enter the camp, she was forced to cross a strange, small river, while the others crossed a bridge. 'Little Tiber' they would say to her. Although she thought it was completely unnecessary, Charlotte later explained that it ridded her of any enchantments that could have dwelled over her.

"So, what are Praetors?" Char asked.

Charlotte grumbled. "They pretty much run the camp."

Char tilted her head. Something was wrong with Charlotte. She did not sound like her normal self, almost as if she had a grudge with someone.

"What does it take to be a Praetor?" she asked.

Charlotte rolled her eyes slightly. "The campers have to choose you. It's similar to a voting process."

"So, you have to be like the top dog of camp?"

"Pretty much."

Her best friend seemed to be trying to dismiss her questions. But she wasn't done yet. She wanted to know what was wrong with her.

"Do you want to become one?"

Charlotte didn't respond to her.

There was a long pause.

"Come on," she finally said, concluding the conversation, obviously angered by her comment.