I saw everyone talk as I still held on to Percy's arm from support. I was feeling like my shoulder had been pierced through, smeared with hot chili and dipped in boiling water.
After discovering that Bianca, Nico and Nathaniel were demigods I wasn't shocked. I mean, I was making the shouldn't-be-real-creature/monster-who-was-my-ex-vice-principal fly in the air. The Di Angelos, Nathaniel Olsen and I found out that the fur and hooves boy- Grover- was a satyr. Luckily Punk-Girl whose name was Thalia, told him to put his shoes back because Bianca looked like she was about to faint.
Percy said something about a camp where half bloods stay to survive? If I heard that right... Anyway because of the camp thing Thalia and Zoë had started arguing.
"Zoë, we will rest here for a few hours. Raise the tents. Treat the wounded. Retrieve our guests' belongings from the school." She ordered. "Yes, my lady." "And, Bianca, come with me. I would like to speak with you."
"And, you are Alex Pierce?" My eyes widened as the goddess called out my name. Artemis looked at me and I could see sadness in her eyes but it was immediately replaced by sternness. "You should rest." She advised. She told Grover to company Nico and Nathaniel while a confused Bianca went with the goddess.
The Hunters began unpacking their bags and started camping. Just as the Hunters went away Thalia and Percy started talking- more like arguing. I left them behind and went towards my brother who was still sitting near the cliff.
I tapped Andrew's shoulder and he turned with his jaw clenched and red, bloodshot eyes full of anger. He pushed past me bumping my shoulder- which was bleeding- and I furrowed my eyebrows. "What is wrong with you?" "What do you mean?" I asked confusedly and he stared at me angrily.
"Don't act all innocent Alex." "What the hell did I do?!" I shouted. He started laughing as if it was the most amusing thing in the world before his reaction went back to the one of rage. "What did you do? What didn't you do?! Because of you I lost one of my closest friends!"
"Are you serious Andrew?!" I yelled at him not caring about how high my voice was and also ignored that there were other people who were staring at us. "I was the one who saved your stupid ass! I was the one who took a hit for you!" Percy stepped in between and slowly said,
"Okay guys. How about we all calm down?"
But us being the Pierces, we ignored him. Andrew stepped close to him and Thalia and Percy had to come between us to make sure that we didn't punch each other. "You have ruined my life! All you do is you take the entire spotlight and make everyone leave! That's what you do! Even Uncle Jack always did what you wanted! You were the one who always wanted attention!"
His words stabbed me in the heart but I didn't let it show. "Wow, why don't you blame everything on me?! That's what you're so good at, isn't it?!" My fists were clenched and my nails were digging into the skin of my palm. I was constantly biting my lower lip to keep me from saying something that I would regret, unlike him.
"You always drive people away and I have to be the one to pay for that because you are- at the end of the day- my baby sister, aren't you?!" "Then don't! Don't pretend to care when you don't! And for the record, I have never done something to hurt you intentionally- ever!" Tears were welling up in my eyes and I knew that this argument was not going to end up good.
"Oh really?! Gods of Olympus, you're so selfish! You're the reason why Mom and Uncle Jake died!" That was the final straw. "Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!" I screamed at the top of my lungs and Andrew was pushed back by a dark blue wave- which came from me- and he went flying into the trees.
My throat became dry and voice became rough. My eyelids became heavy and I could feel the energy leaving my body. I stumbled- for like the millionth time- and my knees buckled. I could her shuffling behind me and I felt someone's arm around my waist to keep and I grabbed the person's hand. My ears were ringing and I was breathing heavily.
"Aid her Hunters!" I heard Zoë order and just as I slightly opened my eyes, I could see a girl helping Andrew up. "Are you okay?" I turned my head only to see Percy look at me in worry. I gripped his hand tightly and nodded.
"I think you need to calm down." I tried to do that but what Andrew said was still ringing in my ears.
You're the reason why Mom and Uncle Jake died.
"Why don't thy come with me, Alexandra? Artemis wishes to speak with thou." Zoë said. I went to step forward but I felt his arm around my waist. "I'll be fine." I said to him. He looked hesitant but still let me go with her.
Zoë led me to the tent and inside I saw Bianca sitting beside the Goddess- which was really unbelievable but still. The tent was warm and cozy. Pillows and silk rugs wrapped the floor. In the middle, a golden fire burned without any fuel or smoke. A clean display stand was placed beside Artemis where her silver bow was kept. The walls were covered by different types of animal fur.
"Sit down, Alexandra." The Goddess said and I did. I sat right in front of her. She may have looked like a thirteen year old girl but her eyes held thousand year old worries. "What you did out there- putting your lives in danger for someone that you don't even know- that was something that takes a lot of courage. I know that you must be shaken after seeing all this." I shrugged (I mean I had seen pretty crazy things) and she told me about Olympus, Kronos, demigods- and how I was one- and also told me about the choices I had. Either being a Hunter or going to a camp.
"So, what will it be, young one?" She asked and at the same time Percy entered and shouted, "What?! You're joining them?!" I groaned internally and spoke politely- and hoped to not offend the goddess.
"Percy, calm down. And Goddess Artemis, I am honoured that you think that I'm could be a Hunter...but I'm not quite sure yet if this is what I want. Being a demigod or a Hunter. I mean, I just found out that I could do magic; my Mom is a Greek Goddess; and that my siblings are the same. I don't wish to offend you but I don't think that I'm ready for this; this new life. I guess...I guess I need some time."
Artemis held no emotion on her face and just said, "Very well. You may leave but you must make your choice, Alexandra." I nodded and just like that I left the tent and went to the bonfire and sat, leaning against the tree. My eyelids were so heavy that I didn't even know when I feel asleep.
~-~-~-•°•°•-~-~-~
I felt someone tap my shoulder before shaking me roughly. I groaned before opening eyes. Just as I did a bright yellow light shone right into my eyes and I closed them tightly. Now I am definitely blind. I kept my hand in front of my eyes before opening them. My eyes adjusted after a few moments and I saw a bright vehicle- bus? - parked in front.
"Come on. We got to go." The figure that came to wake me up said and I recognized him. Percy.
"What? What is happening? Why is there a bright bus in the middle of the forest?" I asked him, and he extended his hand for me and I took it. Just as I stood I noticed that my wounds were bandaged and a jacket was wrapped around my shoulders.
I raised my eyebrows at him and he just rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, after you passed out- half because you were tired and half because you were hurt- Thalia bandaged your wounds. And the jacket's mine." "Uh-huh?" I was actually grateful because it was freezing last night. And with a dress like mine, I definitely would've been a snowman.
I clutched the jacket and followed him to the bus. I noticed the subtle-but-not-so-subtle glances Percy was sending me and I told him to blurt out whatever he wanted to say. "How are you not surprised? I mean, even Andrew never told you anything so-" I stopped walking and faced him.
"Look Percy, I'm going to stop right there and I'll be frank. I knew that my Uncle was hiding something but I never knew it was something like this. And yes I am surprised but...I don't know. I guess I always knew that something was different. By the way, do we have to travel by a bus? I mean, you're demigods, can't you zap yourself anyplace?"
He looked at me like I had three eyes before chuckling. "We're half-bloods Alex, not wizards from Harry Potter." "Ugh, fine. Anyway where is this bus going to take us?"
"To Camp Half-Blood." He answered and stuffed his pockets with his hands. "And I'm going there because?" He thought for a few seconds but then responded, "Because it's safe and your brother's there?" It came out more like question than a statement and I rolled my eyes and spoke sarcastically, "Peachy." "And about yesterday-" He started and I cut him off, again. "Don't. Just don't." I went past him and walked to the bus.
Just outside the bus Thalia, Grover, Andrew and a blonde guy- who was our age- were standing. When we stood nearby- away from my so-called brother- a sudden warm engulfed me. It was like the guy was radiating it.
"...hey, I'm the god of prophecy. I know stuff. You'll turn sixteen in about a week." He said and my brain started thinking. "You're Apollo, the Sun God." I stated. Wow, the God was definitely one of the most handsome boys I ever met. I had just met Artemis last night; battled a creature; and learned that I can levitate stuff and all that, so meeting Apollo was not really THAT surprising.
"Huh, looks like you've done your homework." I simply shrugged and he went back to who's-going-to-drive conversation with everyone else. After a couple of minutes everyone sat in their seats and it was decided that Thalia would be driving the bus. I hated being in any vehicle but since I didn't have any choice, I sat in the front so that if anything bad were to happen I would just break the door and get out.
"Speed equals heat. So start slowly, and make sure you've got good altitude before you really open her up." Apollo suggested. Thalia was so pale that she could almost pass as a ghost. Her knuckles had gripped the wheel so tightly that they turned white.
"What's wrong?" "Are you okay?" Percy and I inquired simultaneously. "Nothing. N-nothing is wrong and I'm fine." She stammered but she looked far from fine.
She pulled the wheel and the bus lurched so quickly that I lost my balance and my hurt shoulder hit the wall. People groaned and Apollo said, "Slower!" "Sorry." Thalia apologised." I glimpsed at the ground and my eyes widened when I saw that we were ten feet in the air. Where the bus once stood, a smoky ring of trees was visible. "We're flying?! Oh, we are so going to die..."
"Please don't talk about dying! At least not now!" Grover pleaded from somewhere behind me. "Don't worry. I've got it under control!" Thalia said and I hoped so too or else this bus along with me was definitely going to go down, quite literally.
What did you think of this chapter? I was watching Wizards of Waverly Place's finale again when I thought of this chapter.
So how do you guys think Alex will react when she gets to camp? And who you think will be her godly parent?
XOXO
Anne