Sparks in the Flame

"Why should I trust you? You're talking nonsense and have weapons." She spat, wrestling out of Nathans 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.
"We didn't have dinner. Why must he torture us like this?" Percy grumbled as they walked off. Annabeth grinned and shoved him playfully.
"I think you'll survive for tonight. Besides, if you'd had dinner, you wouldn't have room for s'mores." She pointed to where at least three dozen campers were huddled around the fire, roasting marshmallows. Percy laughed and held out his hand and she took it as she sat down next to him at the biggest bench in the front of the campfire.
Thick, gray smoke rose from the fire as the flames crackled and popped, sending ashes in different directions.
People passed marshmallows and graham crackers and put them on sticks collected from the woods. Everybody was laughing and talking like a close family and singing campfire songs. Chiron trotted into view and cleared his throat, hushing the campers.
"This will but only take a few moments of your time, demigods. We have had a few new arrivals today." He pointed at the three teens and motioned for them to stand up. Grace glanced at Percy questioningly and he nodded. She stood. "This is Nathan Lehman, Reed McCallic, and Grace Everson. They are new to this camp, and I hope you will all make them feel welcome here until and after they get claimed and find a cabin. Thank you and good night." Chiron bowed to the new demigods and trotted away, his hooves sending dust spraying backwards. The campers returned to their s'mores making. Grace turned to Percy and raised an eyebrow.
"What's this about claiming?" She whispered to him. "What does that mean?"
He sighed and put his head in his hands. "Gods, you're forgetful. I explained all of this not more than two hours ago on the way here. Weren't you listening?" He asked. She shook her head.
"I only pay attention to things I care about." She grinned, then stopped. "But seriously, just give me the short version, what's this about?"
"Okay, when you're thirteen, you're supposed to get claimed by your godly parent and led here by a glowing symbol above your head or something. Then, you get put into a cabin with all of your other siblings. Most demigods just stay here for the summer, but some stay year-round if they're important enough that the monsters can't leave them alone." He paused and snatched a handful of marshmallows from the tray being passed around, then continued between bites. "Most demigods also have powers inherited from their parents."
Annabeth leaned into their conversation. "Except me. I don't." She said and leaned back out.
Percy pulled her in again. "You have your incredible wisdom, looks, and ability to put up with me."
Annabeth laughed and he started again. "I have the ability to control water, breathe underwater, see map lines, and talk to horses, among other things. Jason over there," Percy said, pointing to where Jason was sitting with Piper near them. "he can control winds, fly, and control those crazy storm spirits. There's a lot more, but then this would turn into the long version and you wanted the short one." He finished. Grace nodded, mumbled something illegible, and went back to roasting marshmallows.
"Hey babe, want to be a part of Team Leo?" Leo said, walking up to them, sliding in next to Grace, and setting her marshmallow on fire with a flick of his wrist. Calypso followed close behind him and smacked him lightly across the shoulder."I'm right here you know," she threatened playfully. "I'm Calypso and this is Leo. Nice to meet you." Don't mind him, she mouthed at Grace and Percy.
Percy rolled his eyes. Of course Leo would hit on the first new girl he saw. But she was pretty. Her red hair matched the deepest flames of the campfire, and her green eyes sparkled, even at night. Percy stopped himself. Annabeth was his girlfriend and he loved her
"How about no." Grace scowled and blew out her marshmallow, giving Leo a glare that would've set even the son of Hephaestus on fire if possible. The expression "if looks could kill" crossed Percy's mind. Hurt crossed Leo's face and Grace softened. "Friends, okay? What's your name?" She asked. So she could be nice. Percy wasn't expecting that to happen, especially when she was being hit on.
"Name's Leo Valdez. Nice to meet you." He gave a cocky smile and held out his hand. Grace smiled and took it in hers. "You look too much like Water Boy over there anyway. It's disturbing." He pointed to Percy and cringed dramatically. Percy studied her face. Her jawline and complexion matched his as well as her eyes, which sparkled the same shade of sea-green.
"But anyways, what's your name, babe—uh, I meanfriend?" Calypso smacked him. He shook his head and grinned that crooked smile of his again.
"My name's Grace. Grace Everson. Nice to meet you too, Leo. So fire is your thing huh? That's cool." She smiled and her teeth gleamed in the light cast by the campfire.
"Thanks! Well, I've got to go. I'll see you later, Grace. If you need me, it's Cabin 9." Leo waved and walked away, Calypso at his side teasing him for being such a ladies man, leaving Grace and Percy alone.
She turned to him, smiling. He raised an eyebrow and her smile turned to a scowl. She turned the other way and started talking with Piper. Percy got up and walked over to the Big House, where Chiron was sitting on the porch back in his wheelchair form.
Percy sat in the chair next to him. "That girl is different. It's like she has multiple personalities that can change in the blink of the eye. I wonder who her parent is. I'm thinking Nemesis, Hecate, or maybe Hephaestus. What do you think, Chiron?"
Chiron exhaled and turned to him, the porch sagging under the weight and the wheels of his chair squeaking. "No Percy. This girl is more than minor. I can tell she is something special and we have to keep a close eye on her. After the campfire, take her to see Rachel." He sighed and turned back around to face the campfire.
Rachel Dare was the camp Oracle, Spirit of Delphi. Whenever a prophecy came to her, she blanked out like a zombie and green mist came out of her mouth. Percy had been on the receiving end of more than a couple of the prophecies himself and knew that they were pretty intense.
Percy inhaled and left the porch, the darkness surrounding him without the warm glow of the flickering lights of the Big House. He started over to Grace, who was gawking at Hazel as she pulled diamonds from the ground. He brushed the ashes off of the spot next to her and sat down.
"Hey Percy! Isn't it amazing what Hazel can do? She just pulls jewels and gold from the ground! And Frank can change into animals! Your friends are so cool!" Grace beamed. "I can't wait to meet more of them!" She was giddy with excitement. Going to the Oracle was scary, and Percy couldn't bring himself to tell her. He would wait until after the fire to tell her and then bring her in the morning.
"I can't wait for her to get claimed! I hope she's the daughter of Hades!" Hazel exclaimed. She put her arm around Grace and they walked off, both laughing. Percy turned around and ran into Chiron.
"Demigods, time to head back to your cabins." He announced. "The three new arrivals, you will stay in the Hermes cabin until your parent claims you. Don't worry, it is all in good time. Goodnight children, don't let the harpies bite." He wheeled away as all the campers grumbled and stuffed last minute s' mores into their mouths.
Percy grabbed his sweatshirt and started walking to his cabin but saw Grace trudging in the opposite direction of the Hermes cabin. He jogged up to her.
"Hey, the Hermes cabin is the other way, you know." He steered her shoulder until it was pointing at the cabin. It didn't look very welcoming, with the dim lights, fistfights at the entrance and people spilling out of the doors.
"I'm sleeping on the beach tonight. It seems the calmest place here." She squirmed out of his hand and continued to her sandy bed. That girl was pretty crazy for all Percy knew. He shrugged, yawned, and walked to his cabin, hopefully to get a good night's sleep.

Notes