Mortal Power: A Percy Jackson Fanfiction

Chapter 3

The strange boy waits outside the door as I dress into some less grimy clothes. Thank God, I think as I pull on a soft yellow top with long sleeves. My bag is still with me. It's not like I thought it would get stolen, but... Okay, I thought it would get stolen. I look down at the top with rebellious pride, thinking back to when I got sick of wearing cheap and itchy clothes, so I snuck into the city and bought some of my own. I'm torn from my thoughts when a knock echoes through the room. "You coming? I can't wait all day."

I roll my eyes and quickly shoulder my bag as I pull the door open to see the boy, leaning against a wall and smirking. "Finally. Let's go." We start down the stairs, and it seems like the boy's smirk is blocking my vision. I scowl. "Quit it." He simply looks at me and suppresses a chuckle. Who does this guy think he is?

We reach the bottom and walk down a hallway, various rooms flashing at me as we progress. We finally reach daylight, coming out onto a porch that seems to hug the house right around. I start at the view, which is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. 

This place must take up acres, stretching across as far as the eye can see, held in a bowl of rolling hills. The strawberry fields bring me a warm, summery scent, even though it's a long way away before the baking season returns. People in bright orange shirts, identical to the one the boy fashions, roam amongst the lush meadows and groves of trees, laughing and participating in fun-looking activities like archery and horse-riding. I also spy a large cabin area tucked into the trees. Is this a camp?

As we continue walking, I realise we must be on the north shore of Long Island when the sea glitters at me in the distance. We eventually come to a stop and I look over to see...

I falter as the sight hits me. Normal things: table, card game, chubby man in a tiger print Hawaiian shirt. Not normal: the centaur. 

If this were a horse, I would call it beautiful. A brigh white coat, smooth as can be, something I would ride any day. But I think the man, who is positioned where the neck of an average horse would be, would object.

"Ah, you've awoken. Are you feeling well?"

I try not to stare, and it takes all of my will power to maintain the effort. Why isn't the boy, or the man, or anyone weirded out by this? "Uh, sure. Where am I?"

The centaur gestures to a seat. "All in good time. Why don't you sit down?"

I oblige slowly, making sure to perch on the very edge of the seat. The pudgy guy scowls at his cards and lets out a huff. "Welcome to Camp Half-Blood, Audin. There."

I take in a sharp breath, gazing at him. "How do you know my name?"

He snorts, the boredom never leaving his face. "I know many things."

I wait for him to say something else, to say, 'Surprise! The cops found you and took you straight to the boot camp.' But he just continues glaring at his cards, as if they are a bad school production that he has to endure for hours on end. Chiron decides to break the silence. "Audin, are you familiar with the greek gods?"

I shrug, a smirk growing on my face. "It's all greek to me." Chiron ignores the pun. "They're real."

I sit staring at him, waiting for him to continue, but he just waits for me to reply. "Uhh... cool. I'm glad we clarified that. Can I go now?" Again, he doesn't look amused. "You ought to not be so rude during your stay here."

I start. "Stay? What makes you think I'm doing that?"

"Because, Audin, you're a demigod." I shoot a scowl at the annoying boy.