The new Goddess

Chiron called all the campers together in the arena. Everybody wanted to know what was going on, so it took a while before everyone was quiet. Chiron stood in the middle with Alex next to him. She looked uncomfortable, all eyes on her and Chiron. But mostly on her. Chiron started speaking:
'As you may know, Alex hasn't been claimed yet. After this time it's unusual.' Silence. No one dared to say something. Some kids exchanged nervous looks. Everybody had the feeling that Alex was different, but nobody wanted to talk about that.
'Alex wants to go on a quest, she wanted to go alone but I didn't want her to.' Chiron continued. Alex started blushing a little. She looked at her feet. I guess she thought that she had to look brave because suddenly she looked up. Her eyes at the campers. No fear. No blushing. Nothing that looked like she was afraid or something.
'She needs three volunteers to go with her.' Chiron said.
Finally a boy from the Ares cabin dared to ask something: 'What's the quest about? What are we looking for?'
'Only the ones who go on the quest get to know.' Chiron answered.
The campers started rumouring.
'So, who wants to go?' Chiron asked.
Silence. If you volunteered for this quest you were very brave. I looked at Emily. She gave me a this-is-your-chance face. I was nervous, but without thinking longer I putted my hand up. 'I volunteer.' I said. Campers looked at me. They didn't expected this at all. Some of them smiled and putted there thumbs up. Others looked like I was already dead. Alex didn't look happy at all. She frowned, and tried not to show the disappointment. She faked a smile, but her eyes were still about to kill me. 'I volunteer too!' A girl said. It was Abby. Alex sighed. If Abby and Alex didn't like each other, why had Abby volunteered? 'We need one more.' Chiron said. Everybody looked at each other. After a few minutes a boy from the Apollo cabin said: 'I'll go.' He walked toward us and introduced himself. His name was Callum. He came from Scotland, and was sixteen years old. He had arrived a few summers ago at camp.

The four of us followed Chiron to the Big House, were we sat around a table. Chiron told us what the quest was about: finding Annabeth and Percy. It was the only way to know more about Alex. 'So what did the oracle say?' Asked Abby.
'Nothing, we didn't ask the oracle.' Chiron answered.
'Why not?'
'Because this isn't a normal quest. Otherwise I wouldn't let go all four off you.'
Chiron told us some practical stuff and ordered us to pack. We would leave by sunrise.
Chiron told us about dangerous monsters and that there could be danger in every corner. I felt immediately sorry for volunteering. Who cares about being brave? But I couldn't stop now.

I was about to enter my cabin when someone grabbed my arm. It was Alex. She looked deadly serious and said: Don't mess this up.'
Without saying anything else she walked away.

Notes