Sparks in the Flame

Percy II

Percy II

"Why should I trust you? You're talking nonsense and have weapons." She spat, wrestling out of Nathan's grip on her shoulder. She crossed her arms and flipped her fiery hair, turning the other way.

"She has a good point, Percy. Why would anybody trust three random strangers who crashed into their life with weapons and crazy stories about gods and monsters? Those aren't exactly normal things." Annabeth pointed out.

"Jeez, Wise Girl. Help me out here, seriously. This girl needs to come back to camp. She's obviously a demigod and needs to be safe inside the magical borders." Percy frowned at Annabeth and turned to the girl again. "You really need to come with us. Please. Who are you?" He pleaded. She sighed and turned around.

"Okay, fine. My name is Grace Everson and I'm fifteen. I'm from Maine but my parents let me visit my aunt here in the city this summer—except things got weird. I got these letters one after the other and each one said the same thing, 'join us or face the consequences.' I originally brushed them off as pranks. But then the monsters started showing up and following me relentlessly. Never actually hurting me, just following me. I was on my way to my summer job when those snake ladies started chasing me. Okay, is that good enough? Can we be done here?" She got up and brushed off her tattered jeans. "Nice to know there's some other crazy people out there too, but I'm not coming to this...camp or whatever it is. Not my style." She waved and turned around, starting to walk in the other direction. Annabeth started to get up and stop her but Percy held his hand out.

"I got this. Give me a minute and she'll be running to camp." He smirked and walked towards her. "Hey, Grace. You sure you don't want to come back to camp with us? You look like the kind of gal who would appreciate, uh, mythology?" She shook her head. "How about arts and crafts?" She shook her head again. "Okay fine. What about Nathan, huh? You certainly seem to be taking a liking to him." Percy guessed.

Grace did not move for a moment. She stood there contemplating and then slowly turned around and frowned at him.

"You know Percy, most people would be offended by that comment, but since he's the most interesting offer you've given to me and I don't know how to get home, I'll come with you." She grinned halfheartedly. He high-fived her and they walked back to the bushes, where Nathan and Annabeth were quietly waiting, probably eavesdropping.

Annabeth clapped him on the back. "Great job, Percy! Let's go and hope we don't meet any more of Grace's 'friends' on the way."

*

It was dusk. Fireflies lit up the forest like hundreds of tiny stars and Percy could see the moonlight starting to shine through the canopy.

"Here we are. Welcome to Camp Half-Blood" Percy held out his arms in front of the massive arch that led them to Camp Half Blood. He watched as Grace ran her hands down Thalia's pine tree, tracing where she used to lie. Percy ushered her inside, promising to tell the story later.

Chiron was pacing, in centaur form, by the entrance. He was clearly troubled.

"Chiron, over here!" Annabeth waved him down. He smiled, relieved, and trotted over to them.

"I'm so glad to see you! I was worried when you didn't come back to camp quickly like you were instructed." Chiron gave a pointed look at Percy, who shrugged and scratched his neck. "Anyway, this must be Nathan. I'm Chiron, camp leader." He shook Nathans hand. "And who is this young lady? I don't recall hearing about her." He turned to Grace and she looked down.

"This is Grace Everson. We found her being chased by two dracanae in Central Park after we found Nathan." Percy said.

"Nice to meet you." Chiron shook her hand. "We should get to the campfire. Percy and Annabeth, the others are sitting at the big bench. Introduce these two to the other new arrival and hope they get claimed soon." He instructed. Annabeth nodded and thanked him.