The Chloe Chronicles: The Lost Goddess

Nico led Chloe silently through the camp, pointing out other buildings as they passed them.
When they reached a larger area he showed her over to a stone seat, under a dark flag with a skull.
"Does that symbolize your father?" Chloe asked.
"Yes." Nico said, sitting beside her. "Tonight, you will be claimed by a god. When you are claimed, I can take you to their cabin's senior camp counselor. They will show you to your bunk and introduce you to your other siblings."
Chloe gave Nico a grateful smile and looked around the fire pit. Other campers filed in and sat down beside each other. She noticed other flags such as a large red flag with a boar and spear, and another with a crescent moon and deer.
Other campers came around and handed people sitting on the front row a plate of s'mores to pass around to their cabin.
A camper walked up to her and gave her a smile.
"Welcome to camp." They said.
Chloe looked down. "Thank you." She replied, quietly.
As more campers finished filing in, Nico pointed out specific cabins to her.
"The flag with the dove is the Aphrodite, and the one over there is the Hermes cabin. I doubt that you will be claimed into that cabin though. You don't really have a Hermes camper personality."
Chloe was about to respond when she heard her name. "Hey Chloe!"
Chloe recognized the voice and knew Nico might not be happy about her pursuer.
Nico frowned as Andrew walked toward her. His shirt was covered with a breastplate and his hair glistened with sweat. He brushed it back quickly with his hand, his hair wildly sticking up in places.
Chloe smiled and he sat beside her.
"Hello Andrew." Nico said softly.
Chloe glanced at him, worried she had upset him.
"Yeah whatever, death breath. Why don't you find a zombie to play with while I talk with a goddess."
"I'm not moving!" Nico spat. "Chloe wants me here, so I am not going anywhere."
Andrew grinned at Chloe, not even paying Nico any attention. Chloe frowned, she didn't think Andrew would act this way. He seemed so nice....
"Andrew, I would uh..like Nico here, if that's okay. He was showing me around earlier and we were just talking about the different things to do here. I would appreciate it if both of you would act..mature around each other. Please? I am tired of hearing nothing but angry voices."
Andrew frowned and bowed his head, embarassed. "Gee, I'm sorry Chloe..I didn't mean to offend you. I guess I can act punctual around Nico if he can do the same. Then again...I wouldn't count on him very much."
Nico glared at him, and Chloe winced. His eyes looked like cold pieces of ice.
"You can go to the pits of Tartarus you as-"
"Hey I have an important question!" Chloe said, trying to draw Nico's attention away from Andrew. "Does it hurt, to be claimed?"
Andrew shook his head. "Of course not! You just get a floating symbol over your head, or your godly parent might speak in a different way. For example, when I was claimed, my mother already told Chiron who I was."
Chloe nodded and looked down at her hands. "What cabin do you think I will be claimed into? Nico said that I have a mixed personality so it's hard to tell."
Andrew glanced back over at Nico, and then turned away from him, his own eyes reflecting his displeasure.
"My guess would have to be, Apollo or Hermes. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if you were an Aphrodite camper."
Chloe raised an eyebrow. Was that supposed to be a compliment?
Nico chuckled behind her, as if he read her thoughts.
Andrew paid no attention to him. He stood up and brushed off his hands.
"I'll see you later Chloe. I have to go sit with my siblings."
Chloe smiled and waved goodbye to her new friend. If she was going to get along with Andrew, she would have to make sure he would be able to act cordially around Nico.
Chloe turned back to Nico, ashamed that she had caused him to become upset. Nico frowned and sat back in his seat, eating a s'more.
"Did I upset you somehow?" Chloe asked.
Nico shook his head, refusing to look at her.
"Nico, I'm really sorry if you didn't want Andrew over here. It's just that he was nice to me earlier today, do you know how rare that is for me?"
"Don't apologize Chloe." Nico snapped. "You didn't even do anything wrong! I just-I'm not very comfortable around Andrew."
Chloe frowned and Nico sat up, locking his eyes with hers.
"Why?" Chloe asked.
Nico looked at the ground. "I-"
Suddenly, the rest of the campers around them shushed. Chiron the centaur, stood by the fire pit, stamping his hoof on the stone to silence the crowd.
"Good Evening heroes!" He shouted. "What a day we have had here, at Camp Half-Blood! Now I know that some of you have plans tonight, so we shall keep campfire short. We received one, new camper today and I would like to introduce her to all of you."
The crowd around Chloe murmured. It all seemed like a blur when a male voice spoke again.
"My daughter, don't be frightened. Bravery is inside of you, my little warrior."
Chloe turned her head around wildly. Her father, was speaking to her again.
"Where are you?" Chloe asked out loud.
The campers around her snickered.
"Oh my gods, are you blind?!"
"He's right in front of you dummy!" A girl shouted from the owl section.
Chiron frowned in their direction and the area went silent again.
"Chloe?" He asked, stepping towards her.
Chloe payed him no attention, she was so focused on the voice in her head.
"Chloe?" Nico said, shaking her arm.
She glanced back at him, realizing people were watching her.
"What?" She asked, confused.
A few laughs rang out around her and Chloe slouched down in her seat. This was turning out to not be such a fun evening.
Chiron smiled at her and lead her to the front of the fire pit, touching her shoulder, giving her an encouraging glance.
"This here, is Chloe. She is fifteen years old, and she is from Long Island. Now Chloe, here at Camp Half-Blood, we find it very important that every hero, even though they may not want to, tell us a little something about themselves."
Some campers in the audience muttered protests about how stupid that was and also how they wanted to get candy from large neighborhoods.
Chloe's eyes darted around her. She nervously shifted her feet and her eyes met Nico's. He gave her an encouraging half-smile, and Chloe bit her lip.
"Um..I like..to draw."
"She's totally an Athena kid!" A boy shouted from the Hermes cabin section.
"Yeah, she's already blonde, it's so obvious!" Another boy shouted.
Chiron frowned at them. "Well then we shall let the goddess speak. If Chloe is truly, a daughter of Athena, let it be proven-"
Chiron was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a large crack of thunder. Campers gasped and pointed in the sky. Chloe squinted her eyes, she couldn't see anything. Nico ran over to her, and drew his sword.
"Stay behind me." He said, shoving her behind his back.
"Nico what's going on?" Chloe asked, frantically. "I swear, I didn;t say anything bad this time!" The thunder and lightning kept booming in the sky, making it hard for Chloe to hear him speak.
When a lightning strike boomed once again a shadowed figure touched the ground in front of the crowd. The thunder faded out and the lightning halted, still flashing occasionally.
The figure turned towards the fire pit, many campers standing up in their seats.
Chloe noticed Percy was nearing the figure, with his sword drawn.
"Percy!" Annabeth called out from the crowd.
Percy peered through the darkness of the night, and then, stopped and stared at the figure in front of him.
Chloe tried to see what was happening behind Nico, but he would not let her move.
"Stay behind me." He said again.
Chloe frowned and put both hands on his shoulder. "What's happening?" She asked again.
"I don't know."
Percy suddenly started to laugh and the figure walked closer, stepping into Chloe's view.
The man looked like he was an ordinary, business man from the city. He had on a button up blue shirt with a navy trench coat and dark slacks with matching loafers. His hair was combed back neatly and he wore a grin on his face.
The man threw an arm around Percy, ruffling his hair. "How's it going Jackson? It's been a while!"
Chiron relaxed, along with some of the campers, putting their weapons away. Nico still kept his weapon out, giving everyone around them a protective glare.
"Nico, who is that?" Chloe said, whispering in his ear.
"That, would be Hermes, messenger of the gods. This...might not be good Chloe."



Chloe frowned as the god approached several other people around the fire pit, greeting them and smiling. Chloe had never seen a god before, nor had she met one.
Chloe expected gods to be high and mighty; that's how they were described to be in the myths. She thought that they were perfect images of human beings; what people strove to be in their lives. The problem was this man didn't look perfect. He had dark circles under his blue eyes and patches of hair decorated his chin.
"Lord Hermes," Chiron spoke. "Might I ask, what you are doing here?"
"It's Halloween!" The god said, approaching the centaur. "One of my busiest nights of the year! Geez, I am telling you, Hera has never given me more tasks to do in one night! She expects me to hand out all of her party invitations and bring her punch and still be able to do my job!"
Thunder rumbled distantly in the sky and the god rolled his eyes as if it meant nothing. Chloe pursed her lips and gazed out from behind Nico's broad shoulders.
"My lord Hermes," Chiron addressed the god. "If you wouldn't mind telling us why you have been sent here?"
"Ah, yes! I am here, because of two things. One, being that Zeus, Ares, Poseidon, Demeter, Aphrodite and Athena are currently in a screaming match for no reason!"
Thunder boomed once again in the sky, Chloe was sure it was symbolizing displeasure.
"Oh you know it's true!" The god Hermes shouted. "Secondly, I am here to deliver a package, per request of the father. Who here is named, Nicolette Wayland?"
Chloe froze. He said her name. Everyone's eyes were on her. Gods, she didn't like it. They must have realized that it had to be her, being as she was the new girl.
She raised her hand slowly, still standing behind Nico, peering out from behind him. "That's me..sir."
The god smiled and approached her. More mummers emitted through the crowd, making Chloe even more nervous.
Hermes stopped in front of Nico and frowned. "Could you call your body guard off for me sweetie, I need you to sign a paper."
A few laughs rang out and Chloe blushed.
"Nico, if you wouldn't mind." She whispered, looking down.
Nico stepped aside, and stood beside her, glaring at everyone who looked her way.
Hermes held a clipboard out to her and produced a metal object from the air. The snakes around the center writhed and hissed.
Chloe froze looking at them. "Is that a caduceus?" She asked.
The god smiled. "Yes, it is! You must know your Greek mythology! Ahem. George, a pen please."
"I'm trying, it's stuck in my-" One of the snakes coughed. "Never mind."
"George, your going to scare the poor girl away! I'm sorry dear, he's a real snake."
"Martha, George, be quiet." Hermes scolded. "Sorry, those are my snakes. Just sign on the line please. Make sure it's legible."
Chloe looked around at the crowd, who stared at her intently. Nico gave her a nod, saying it was okay and she scribbled her signature.
The god took the clipboard from her and one of the other snakes coughed up a package. Hermes wiped off the saliva and scowled at his caduceus. The snakes turned to hard rock and he handed the box to her.
"There you are Nicolette." Hermes said. "Don't mind the snake spit."
"Um, I like to be called Chloe..if that's okay sir."
The god smiled and patted her head. "Don't be so uptight kid! I prefer to be called Lord Hermes or Hermes, because sir, makes me feel old."
Chloe smiled and sliced open her package with a dagger Nico had given her.
Campers around them whispered, and Chloe felt her skin crawl. Was she doing something wrong? Nico held the box as she brought out a golden charm bracelet. The light from the fire reflected off the surface and Chloe looked back up at Hermes.
"Your father apologizes for not being able to deliver it himself, he was as I said before, in a heated screaming match with three women...sheesh! Can't you guys cut the man a break!"
"My Dad?"
"Yes." Hermes said. "Your father. Now, you must excuse me. I have some toilet paper to bring to Apollo. He is going to try and t-p Artemis's chariot. Honestly, I don't even know why the dude has a death wish."
The god snapped his fingers and the clipboard, caduceus, disappeared, leaving him standing there in front of Chiron.
"Oh right, before I forget, make sure she learns how to use it properly. I do not want to be partly responsible for a busted head."
Chiron nodded. "Of course, Lord Hermes. Let her father know she is in good hands."
Hermes gave Chloe one last smile and he winked at her.
"Happy Halloween Chloe!" Hermes said, and he disappeared in a flash of light.
Campers around her started talking again. Nico put a hand on her shoulder and lead her to a seat.
"Your first god encounter always shakes you up. Don't worry though, you should be fine. At least he wasn't here delivering bad news."
"Who is my Dad though?" Chloe asked. "I don't know his name."
Chiron smiled. "Look at the charm on your bracelet. You are good with Greek mythology, you should be able to figure it out on your own."
Chloe glanced down at the bracelet in her hands, the charm shining in the moonlight.
"It's a trident." She said.
The campers around her gasped as an emblem appeared above her head, glowing brightly.
"This is my child." A voice said, out loud. "I am proud of her."
Nico stepped back from Chloe and got on one knee. She looked at him confused and whirled around, seeing more people doing the same.
"My father's Poseidon..." Chloe said, her voice shaking from being in a state of shock.
Chloe looked though the crowd of campers and saw Andrew, staring down at the ground in front of him. Chloe was confused, why wouldn't he look at her?
The adrenaline pumping inside of her beat against her head, causing it to ache. Chiron approached her, and held up her right hand in triumph.
"All hail, Chloe Wayland, Daughter of Poseidon, earth shaker and lord of the sea!"
Campers cheered and shouted, the quiet night becoming disturbed. Chiron put her hand down and gave her a genuine smile.
"You look much like your father." He said. "I can see that you and Percy, have the same chin."
Percy walked over behind her, and put an arm around her. "I can't believe I have a little sister..." He said. "I mean..I have just always had brothers."
Chiron chuckled. "For now, why don't you show Chloe to your cabin. I'm sure you can answer many questions there where it is quieter."
Percy nodded and Nico jogged over to Chloe. She breathed a sigh of relief. Nico's presence was comforting to her. "I can hang out with her, while you're gone with Annabeth. I don't mind."
Chloe shook her head, her mind becoming disturbed. It was faint at first, but then they started becoming louder. Chloe grimaced, the whispers wouldn't leave her head.
"Great, more sea trash to put up with."
"Is she going to destroy the camp?"
"Barnacle breath!"
"I bet her Dad abandoned her 'cause her Mom did drugs."
"She looks too thin...I hate her already."
"Can I put myself out of my own misery and just, put a bag over her head?"
"I bet she's dumb like her brother."
"I thinks she's crazy..she was talking to her imaginary friend!"
"Ugh, what an ugly maggot, no wonder Diangelo likes her...."
Chloe covered her ears, it wouldn't stop. Percy raised an eyebrow and ushered her away from the campfire. Nico glared at the people behind them, crossing his arms.
"Chloe is everything alright?" Percy asked, his eyes meeting hers.
Chloe nodded her head and shoved her hands in her pockets. "I'm fine..just a little tired."
The whispers started fading slowly in the background and Chloe started to relax.
Finally, some peace this evening.
"I have a date tonight with my girlfriend, so Nico will be staying with you until I get back so you won't be alone. If there are any problems, you can go to the other cabins around you." Percy said.
Chloe nodded. "Would the Athena cabin be okay?"
Percy frowned. "It would be better for you to go to the Artemis, Thalia should be there tonight. Don't go to the Athena cabin because Athena children have a vendetta against children of Poseiodn. It's hard to explain, I can tell you more about it tomorrow if you would like."
Chloe stared at the ground in front of her. That was why Andrew wouldn't look at her.
He was ashamed that he was talking to me.
"Hey," Percy said, picking up her chin, and giving her a smile. "Perk up, it's alright. I'll be back by 3:30, or by early tomorrow morning. You can choose any bed in the cabin except the one closest to the door. That one is mine."
"Percy!" A voice called from the distance. Chloe turned towards it and saw the girl, Annabeth waiting. She looked intently over to where Percy stood, love shining in her eyes.
"You should go." Chloe said. "I think she is worried."
Percy gave Chloe one last smile and then turned to Nico. "Make sure she is comfortable."
Nico nodded silently, facing the ground. He moved over to where Chloe stood and put a hand on her back.
"Let's go...it's late." He said.
Chloe waved goodbye to Percy and walked silently with Nico, into her new home.

Notes