“Uh. . . Where exactly are we going?” Ariana asked Percy while they were walking going to somewhere.

The guy with blue hoodie and jeans was in front of her. She wished that the guy won’t turn into a Minotaur, because she didn’t have her pizza or schoolbooks to throw.

She had a few scratches on her arms and legs. But Percy’s was worse – he had a huge wound on his right knee and scratches on his face. Ariana wished that she was there to help him. She didn’t get to do it, because he just disappeared out of the sudden.

Luckily, her handkerchief was inside in one of her pockets the whole time. She obviously gave it to Percy as a bandage. “We’re going to Long Island with the help of my Pegasus.”

Ariana choked, “Pegasus? Like those flying horses in that Barbie movie?”

Percy laughed and got something out of his pocket, “Pretty much, yeah – I don’t watch those Barbie movies, by the way. Want a cookie?” He offered her a pack of cookies.

“Thanks. I’ve had enough for today.” Ariana got a cookie from the pack. She looked at it with a weird look – as if Harry Potter’s wand just lying down the street.

Blue? She never had seen a blue cookie with chocolate chips in it. Ariana was nervous about the taste. She was hoping that it wasn’t bubblegum. She took a tiny bite, by her surprise, she ate the whole thing after the first bite.

Percy stopped walking and Ariana accidentally bumped into him. He asked her while she was getting another cookie from the pack, “Do you like it? My mom made it.” He smiled when he said that last phrase.

Ariana nodded and didn’t want to talk. She could tell that the guy was living in a paradise with his family and friends supporting him. It envy her, she didn’t have a lot of friends to talk to or things to gossip random things about. Plus, her family was barely there for her.

They stopped walking. It was a dead end. Ariana thought that Percy was tired and forgot where they were going. But no, there was something in front of her that made her happy – like how a little kid saw Santa Claus.

“Oh my god, that’s so cool!”

Percy pat the head of the Pegasus. Its wings were flapping. Ariana slowly pat its forehead. Thank the god that it didn’t kick to the wall. “Thank gods, he likes you.”

The Pegasus was black, Ariana could say that it was beautiful and all, but she had a feeling that it’s a guy. Ariana asked with excitement, “We’re riding him, right?”

“Right.”

Percy climbed on its back and gave Ariana a hand, “Ready?”

Ariana accidentally hit the back of his head after she climbed on the back. Percy chuckled and rubbed it, “I’ll take that as a yes.” She was blushing and wanted to apologize. But she forgot those, she was surprised by her visions. The Pegasus wasn’t touching the ground. The Pegasus was literally flying. Flying. She got to see the view of Manhattan from above. Ariana should thank after what he’s done for her for the afternoon.

“Blackjack, to Camp Half-Blood we shall go.” Percy weirdly pointed to an isolated forest. Ariana wanted to laugh, but she was afraid she’d fall if she didn’t hold on to Blackjack.

Ariana asked Percy, just to clear things, “Half-Blood? So you’re like a vampire or an alpha? Also, wouldn’t you get anemia if you lack blood?”

Percy coughed, “Chiron will, uh, explain things to you. Just keep this in mind, we’re not vampires or wolves. Never ask them if they’re one in camp, something bad really happens.”

She regretted asking those questions, she could’ve kept it in her mind. Ariana held on the Minotaur’s horn and had the thought about what happened to her mom. “Did you have that moment when a voice says that you’re to going to die any minute now?” Ariana pretty much trusted Percy, because he risked his life attacking a Minotaur that was trying to kill her.

“When did that happen?” His voice became cold, so did the air.

Ariana thought that he could’ve understood, but now, she was scared, “While I was stabbing the Minotaur on the face.” Her voice was so quiet, she wasn’t even sure if he heard it.

The guy turned and looked at her with a scared and concerned look, “What did it say?” She tried to recall her memories, “Something about falling with a son of Hephaesgus from a cliff to save my mom.”

She didn’t want to look at him, her face was pale and her body felt weak. “We have to go to camp as soon as possible.” Ariana nodded and wanted to sleep.



***

A woman was curled up crying inside a huge cage.

“Mom!” Ariana ran toward her. The lady didn’t seem to know she was there. She tried touching her, but her fingers when through the body. Ariana was crying, she was helpless. She wanted to hug her mom, but she can’t.

It was like as if she was a ghost. Ariana looked at her arm, it wasn’t see through, it looked very normal. Why couldn’t she touch her mom even though she’s not a spirit? Her mom didn’t even see or knew that her daughter was with her.

“Mom! Why can’t you hear me?!” Ariana gave her all to shout so loud. She knelt down next to her mom and started crying too.

A voice was laughing and Ariana knew it was nothing like her mom’s, “I’m sorry, child. You’re part of my plan to destroy your father.” ‘Yeah, destroy him alright. As if I care about him’. Ariana’s thoughts were so full of anger.

Ariana didn’t realize until now, that she doesn’t know who her dad was. Her mom doesn’t even talk about him. She remembered that her grandma said that her mom never came back. Ariana stood and ready to who was threatening her family, “Who are you? And what have you done to my mom?” She was yelled her lungs out.

No answer.

“I bet you’re just scared to face me!”

Still no answer from the voice. Suddenly, Ariana’s mom started screaming so loud, like something was hurting her badly inside. Ariana was trying to calm her mom down. But it was no use.

“Whoever you are – face me, not my mom!” She stopped crying and rubbed her eyes.

“Ah! It hurts! Please stop!” Ariana’s mom tightly held her stomach. Her face was red and she was sweating so much. Ariana didn’t even know why her mom didn’t remove her brown leather jacket when she was in the cage. The place felt like they were in front of the sun. “Mom, please calm down. I can’t see you being like this.”

Suddenly, the floor was gone. Ariana fell from the ground and didn’t know where it led to. It was better that way instead of facing the real world. Everything went pitch black.


***


Ariana could smell the ocean.

“What—“Ariana didn’t continue her question. Her head was hurting so much, she didn’t have the strength to stand up. “You passed out.” Percy approached her.

She realized that she forgot to introduce herself to him, “My name is Ariana.” Ariana wanted to say, I’m the daughter of a famous singer and living in paradise that everyone would like to have, but she held back.

“Uh, hey, Ariana. My name is Percy. Are you feeling any better?”

‘Of course, I’m okay.’ The best part was that I saw my mom crying and desperately needs help – in the end, everything is going according to plan. Ariana’s sarcastic side started taking over her. “Just tell me if you're ready to go. I don’t want to get stupid rumors and let Annabeth hear it from them.” He was cringing at first and after saying the name Annabeth, he was smiling.

Ariana wiggled her eyebrows and tried herself to smile so wide, “Hm. . . Who’s this Annabeth you’re talking about?” She can’t help but to ask that question. Percy was so tired and his expression after saying a girl’s name gave him a smile, why wouldn’t Ariana be curious about it?

“My girlfriend – you know she’s one scary girl, just warning.”

“What do you mean, ‘She’s one scary girl.’?” Ariana did an air quote sign. She liked where this conversation was going, it didn’t give her any problems, just two people talking casually, nothing to be scared about. “You’ll see in camp. I gotta say, you haven’t encountered monsters, didn’t you?”

She sighed and looked at the sea, “I haven’t. In fact, the Minotaur said I was the daughter of some guy.”

Percy looked like he was into their talk, “Do you remember this guy’s name?”

“Er, not really. It sounded like a tongue twister.”

“Maybe you’ll know in camp.”

She laughed and tugged her feet into the sand, “You know, this camp does sound interesting. Everything I need to know is in camp.” He laughed too and crossed arms, “I am telling the truth. If there’s no camp, do me a favor,”

“Uh, forget that. It’s going to be unfair for you. If you don’t believe me, you have to explain your story to Annabeth all by yourself.”

“You must really scared of her.” Ariana observed.

Percy rolled his eyes, “Everyone is. I think you’ll be too.”

She was offended, but then shrugged, “She sounds pretty cool, if you ask me.” Percy bended and offered his hand to let Ariana stand. “I think you’re fine, after all the conversations we had.”

“You’re right, I’m better than okay, I feel fabulous.” Ariana joked and flipped her hair. All mattered to her was that she makes new friends and spend time with her family. In other words, saving her mom inside a bird cage. It sounded ridiculous to hear a person trapped inside a cage, but it terrified that crap out of Ariana. Percy and her rode Blackjack and they flew to nirvana.

Not really, in less than a minute they landed by the stables. There were a lot of Pegasus that was like Blackjack also horses, but with different colors. This can’t be the camp, Ariana thought. It felt like a dream. Percy got off Blackjack and talked to a blond guy. “Will – Ariana, Ariana – Will.” He introduced for them.

Ariana got off of Blackjack and stood next to Percy. Will is one really good looking guy. She smiled when she thought of that. “Hi Ariana.” Will offered his hand for a handshake. Ariana was so red, like she got a sunburn. “H-Hi, there.” She was trying to act cool, but she was shaking so much when their hands touched. Thank goodness that Percy sent me here. It feels like a paradise. Ariana’s consciousness said in her head.

“Are you okay? Do you want to go to the infirmary?” Will put his hand on her forehead. ‘Oh my god, he’s touching my forehead!’ She was fangirling so hard in the inside. That was the best day of her life. She wished that she had a diary, so she could write down her reaction when she met Will.

“Hey, hey – Will. You’re scaring the girl.”

Will rolled his eyes and gave a tiny smile, “Wanna call Annabeth?” Percy had a scowl on his face and quickly put Blackjack inside the stable. “Oh, you didn’t just say that to a son of an awesome god,” He turned his head to the ocean, which was at the bottom of the hill they’re at. “Well, dad. Except for the part when you scared me about drowning and stuffs, you know.”

“What’s that chattering about and I heard my name.” A cold voice entered the atmosphere. A girl, older than Ariana, was reading while walking straight, almost hit the walls of the stable. Gladly, Percy caught her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “What do you want, Seaweed Brain? Did you bring the cookies?” She lifted her head from darting her eyes to her book.

Ariana was imagining her and the blond girl with curly hair (maybe she was the famous Annabeth) having a boxing match if she’ll realize that Ariana ate most of the cookies that Percy offered. Annabeth was already giving her chills. She wanted to grab Will’s arm and yell to the world, ‘Will and I are going to the infirmary. Yay!’

Too bad she didn’t get to do it. Annabeth saw her and glared into her eyes. It was like as if she was getting Ariana’s soul and dump it in wasteland. One thing for sure, Annabeth really did scare her. She felt like she deserves a laughing Percy saying, ‘I told you so.’

“This Minotaur ate all of it. Sorry, Wise Girl.” Percy pointed to the horn that Ariana was holding. He was smiling, that it made her wanting to pin him to the wall saying, ‘You better shut your mouth.’

Annabeth was looking at him, like she was trying to read his troublesome expression. “Who are you?” Her stormy-gray eyes were staring at Ariana’s hazel eyes. Her mouth felt so dry inside, she couldn’t reply. “Uh – Hey, Annabeth. I found her fighting with the Minotaur.” Percy told her.

“Okay. Will, send her to Chiron,” Annabeth turned her head to Percy, “You and me – We’ve got a lot of things to talk about.”

Percy looked confused, “I just stayed in my apartment for a week—“ Annabeth hit him with her encyclopedia book, “And a lot has happened during that week.”

He nodded and looked down. Ariana wanted to say goodbye at least. But the both of them were gone. It was just Will and her alone. She wasn’t sure if she can stay in this camp. First out of all the other things, it was too extreme for her. Seeing kids fighting with swords while they were walking, just scared her.

The situation with her mom, kept pushing her down. “The cycle shall repeat itself.” The voice came back to her head. It had that ugly and venomous laugh.

“Shut up.” Ariana grumbled and her hands was clutching into a fist.

“Excuse me?” Will’s blue eyes looked sad. Ariana quickly told him, “I didn’t mean to say that to you! There’s nothing to be worried about!” Yeah, except for that ugly voice that was threatening her life, Ariana wanted to shout to everyone, but forced herself to hold back.

Will smiled at her and patted her back, “You need anything just call me, okay?”

There was an awkward silence. She doesn’t know how to answer his offer. So what if Will gives her anything and he was really kind? Ariana doesn’t even know how she could pay him back, especially to Percy. Nobody cares about me, they’re just using me, Ariana got anxious. “You sure you don’t want to go to the infirmary? The injuries are kind of bad.”

Ariana laughed, “What about Percy?”

“Oh, Annabeth will take care of him.” Will smiled. It made her heart do a little dance. She wished she could talk more to him about random topics that would pop out of her head. But then a guy bumped into her. Seriously, she could’ve died if his screwdriver stabbed her. “Oh, hey sorry about that.”

That was the best apologize Ariana got in her life. Before she could stop the guy, he ran away.

She really wanted to faint when she saw a man with his bottom half of a body of a horse.

Notes