I just love adding random things to my fanfics. in the one I'm working on right now, the OCs name is Ken, short for Kendall and she compared Grace to Noah from the Notebook
In the crowd of parents, a mother sobs out, instantly causing a swarm of Peacekeepers to crowd her, carrying her away from the Reaping.
I barely process the sound of a wooden crutch going past me before I bolt from my spot in line, pushing past Morgan.
"I volunteer!" I yell out, look Octavia in the eye, Peacekeepers already running towards me. "I volunteer as-"
My body hits the ground with a loud thump, a grown man on top of me.
I look to my left, seeing Morgan looking at me, his eyes wide and leg starting to give out. To my right, Marina is getting out of her place, being grabbed by some of the other girls her age, telling her to stay in place.
"Let the boy talk." Octavia says from the stage.
The Peacekeeper gets up with s grunt, allowing me to slowly get up as well.
"What did you say, young man?" The woman asks from the stage.
"I said I volunteer as tribute instead of Morgan." I say, dusting myself off, strutting up to the stage, hoping no one realizes how much I am already regretting this.
When I finally make it there, I feel all eyes on me, including the female tribute's.
"What is your name, sir?" Octavia asks, tilting the microphone towards me.
"Caspian Delmar." I respond, spotting my parents, my mother sobbing into my father's shoulder.
"Well, it looks like someone wants all the glory." Octavia says with a small laugh, positioning the mic back towards her. "Don't you all think our tributes deserve a round of applause?" She says, already clapping her hands, making others follow along.
My eyes lock with Morgan's mother's, mouthing a 'thank you' to me.
My life for her son's.
I feel a pressure in my hand and when I look down, it is connected to Cordelia's, her tan skin contrasting my own pale skin.
The anthem of Panem booms over the speakers, drowning out anyone left clapping or cheering.
As soon as the final note rings out, Cordelia and I are ushered into the District 4 Justice building and separated.
I am put in a small room, the door locking before I could even ask a question.
The walls are light wooden boards, like you would see on a ship, with paintings of dangerous oceans and sea monsters littering the walls. On the other wall is a bookcase, filled from ceiling to floor with a wide assortment of books.
I get up and walk over to the bookcase, running my fingers over the spines of the book.
The door crashes open, my family rushing in.
I spin around, looking at the like I was caught doing something bad.
My mother pulls me into a tight hug, her tears dampening my shirt. I look over her shoulder at my father, comforting my sister.
"Come back." Is all he says.
He lost his brother in the games, and now he is going to lose his son as well.
My sister comes over to me, pulling me into a hug as well before slipping off her locket. On the front is a tiny seahorse. She gently pushes down on my shoulders and I crouch a bit, letting her clip it around my neck.
"It'll come back. Don't worry." I say quietly to her, burying my face in her hair.
After they are forced out, Morgan comes in, practically hyperventilating as he tries to talk. "Why- You are so stupid... I can't- Why?"
He finally spits out and all I can think of is, "Your leg." I say quietly. He would never survive in there with it messed up like that.
"My leg?" He asks, looking down at it like he forgot it is all messed up. He looks back up at me, tears welling in her eyes. "What can I do to repay you?"
I hesitate for a second. What can he do? I won't be back. I have no experience in fighting. "Just make sure everyone stays sane. And walk Marina to school. I don't want her getting lost."
My response make Morgan chuckle as he uses his free arm to pull me into a hug.
After he is gone, I have no one else to visit me.
It is a short ride from the Justice building to the train station, a white tube looking vehicle waiting for us.
Looking through the windows I see 6 other kids in it. They are from the first three districts. We still need the rest of them.
On the inside of the train, it is probably worth more them my whole neighborhood is. Each district has it's own carriage and each tribute has their own chambers consisting of a dressing room, bedroom, and bathroom.
The drawers are filled with fine clothing, each piece containing minuscule details on them. Octavia informs me to get ready for a nice lunch in our common area.
I shuffle through all the options, eventually pulling out a thin, blue button up shirt and some khakis. I drag them into the bathroom with me, turning on the water, testing them temperature. At home, we have no running water, much less hot water, so it stings a bit as I get in, but after a while, it becomes soothing.
I watch as the suds and water drip from my hair before pushing it back out of my face, focusing on getting the rest of the sand and dirt off of my body.
I wipe the completely fogged-up mirror with my hand, looking at my clean hair and new clothes. I look almost presentable to the public. A small knock on my door pulls me out of my daze. I quickly cut through my bedroom, pulling open the door to reveal Cordelia.
"They want us for lunch." She says, turning away from me as she hurries down the hall, her dress flowing behind her. I am right on her heels.
When we get to the common area, Octavia is sitting at the table with an older looking woman, our mentor, Mags.
"Welcome, you two." She says softly, looking at us with a smile.
Cordelia and I sit down next to each other, looking down at the arrangement of food. There is bread rolls, fresh fruit, actual butter, freshly cooked lamb, and some kind of cheese that look like it should be moldy, but Octavia explains that it is a delicacy to the Capital.
I reach over the table, going to grab some food, but Cordelia kicks me under the table, passing the food around the table in a circle, letting others take from the tray.
The meal is relatively quiet besides the sound of chewing and some small grunts of happiness.
I try to properly peel one of the fruits, almost cutting my finger before Cordelia snatches it from me, peeling it with practiced ease. Of course, it's part of her family's job. Fruit.
On the wall in our common room, a screen shows all the Reapings as they happen, making both Cordelia and I stay in the room for the rest of the day.
In district one, a boy named Jasper is reaped as well as a girl named Emerald. Both of them are on the older side, fitting the stereotype for the typical Career.
District two is basically the same. The two tributes, Flint and Hest are both built like killing machine, ready to tear anyone apart.
Three is where it changes up a bit. The boy, Issac seems to be about 16, while the girl, Niki looks no older then 15.
Next is Cordelia and I, showing how I volunteered for Morgan.
After us in five is a 12 year boy names Dyson and a girl a few years older, Serge.
Both of district six's tribute, Jett and Nova are 18, just about to get out of the games for good.
In seven, a 12 year old girl, Chip and an 18 year old boy, Axel are reaped, leaving the younger girl's family sobbing.
District eight, the best dressed district lived up to their name again this year, sending a older boy named Vert and a girl the same age named Jean.
Nine is a similar situation to seven with a younger girl, Sage, and an older guy, Emmett.
District ten is the real tragedy, sending in a brother and younger sister, Buck and Fawn.
Both tributes from eleven are extremely thin and look like they could be blown over by a strong gust of wind. Their names or Reed and Olive.
Lastly is twelve. A district that has only ever had two victors. One from the tenth game and one from the fiftieth. The one where my uncle died. Their two tributes are Onyx and Diana Honey.
I glance over at Cordelia, silently saying to her, "We are fucked."
What they could only think of the be a bad game of D&D quickly turns into the twin's worst nightmare. One of their friends went missing. Margot and James must work with the rest of the Party to find out when did Will Byers vanish.
The flickering of the lab lights and blaring of alarms deafens an older man as he sprints down the sterile hallways. As his feet pound the hallway, all he can hear is his own breathing as his lungs fight to expand and release.
As he skids towards the elevator, he smashes the button, hoping and praying that today will be his lucky day where the damn thing works for once.
The elevator doors slowly glide open as the man ducks into the, pounding on the next set of buttons so hard, imprints of the button are dented into his hand.
Flickering of lights down the hallway in front of him and an animalistic growl causes his body to tense up. As he slowly raises his head, he is met face to face with a disgusting, slimy monster.
All that was left from the man was his screams trapped in time as the creature tears him apart.
“Something’s coming. Something hungry for blood.” A small boy with black hair says, looking over his book at his friends gathered around the table. “A shadow grows on the wall behind you, swallowing you in darkness.”
Two of the kids, a boy and girl that look so much alike, they would have to be twins, huddle together, staring at the black haired boy.
“It is almost here.” Says the black haired boy, Mike.
“What is it?” Asks one of the brunette boys, Will.
“What if it is the Demogorgon?” Asks the other brunette boy and the girl, Dustin and Margot.
The twin boy of Margot, James huffs back in his chair, done with his sister’s assumptions. “We are screwed if it is the Demogorgon.”
“It’s not the Demogorgon.” Hisses the last of the kids, Lucas.
“An army of Troglodytes charge into the chamber!” Mike announces, slamming a miniature figurine of a six winged beast onto the drawn out map. “Their tails drum the floor. Boom! Boom! Boom!”
“Troglodytes?! What the hell?” Margot spits out.
“Told ya.” Responds Lucas with a small scoff.
Dustin loses it, doubling over with laughter before Mike looks at him, leaning forward a bit. “Wait... do you hear that? Boom! Boom! BOOM! That sound... it didn't come from the Troglodytes. No. It came from something else...“ Mike slams down a two headed monster figurine. “THE DEMOGORGON!”
All five of the other kids stare at him before Dustin breaks the silence. “We are in deep shit.”
“Will, your action!” Mike urges, kicking the boy across from him under the table.
“I-I don’t know.” Will stutters out trying to think of anything to do.
“Fireball him!” Lucas yells.
“He’d have to roll a thirteen or higher.” James says back, groaning.
“It’s too risky. Use a protection spell." Margot urges Will.
“Don’t be a pussy. Fireball the freak.!” Lucas says, leaning into Will’s space a bit.
“Cast protection dude!” Margot says, leaning over Dustin to get closer to Will.
Mike slams his hands on the table, pulling them out of their argument. “The Demogorgon is tired of your silly human bickering. It stomps toward you. BOOM!”
“Fireball him Will!” Lucas screeches.
“Another step. BOOM!”
“Cast protection!” Margot screeches back.
“It roars in anger!” Mike yells over the two right as they yell at the same time “Fireball!” and “Protection!”
“And!” Mike drags the word out.
“FIREBALL!” Will yells, throwing the dice onto the table. Too hard. They all scatter off to the other side of the basement.
“Where did it go?” Lucas asks, jumping up from his seat.
“I don’t know.” Will says, following his lead.
“Is it a thirteen?” Margot asks as all the boys jump up from their seats, looking for the dice.
“I don’t know!” Will yells at her.
The boys scramble around, looking for the dice when suddenly the basement door wipes open, revealing a woman in her late 30s. It is Karen Wheeler, Mike’s mom.
“Mom, we're in the middle of a campaign.” Mike complains, looking up at his mother from the bottom of the stairs.
“You mean the end. It’s fifteen after.” Karen says, tapping her watch to prove her point.
All the kids let out groans and sighs in dismay as Mike scrambles up the stairs.
“Just twenty more minutes.” Mike begs.
“It's a school night, Michael, and I just put Holly to bed. You can finish next weekend” Karen responds, finishing up on cleaning the leftovers from dinner up.
“That'll ruin the flow.” Mike whines.
“Michael-” Karen starts to say.
“I'm serious, Mom! It took two weeks to plan. How was I supposed to know it'd take ten hours?” Mike tries to explain, but all Karen could focus on was the amount of time spent playing.
“Ten hours?” She huffs in response, trying to keep her cool.
In the living room, Mike’s father, Ted is watching tv, or trying to at least. The screen fills with static as he smacks the top of the tv.
Mike grunts and turns to his dad. “Dad, don't you think-”
Ted is too busy smacking the top of the tv to pay attention to his son. “I think you should listen to your mother. DAG DUMB PIECE OF JUNK!”
In the basement, the rest of the kids are packing up their backpacks
“Does a seven count?” Will asks.
“Like I said, too risky.” Margot huffs, pushing the last of her binders into her backpack.
“Seriously?” Lucas asks and Will nods.
“Did Mike see it?”
Will shakes his head.
“Then it doesn’t count.” James says.
The kids finish packing up their things, racing up the stairs, shoving each other out of the way.
Right as Margot is able to go up as well, Dustin grabs her arm and shows her the last piece of pizza. “Are you gonna eat it?” He asks and she lets out a small laugh.
“No. Have it if you want.” She says, pulling out of his grip and running up the stairs, Dustin on her heels.
He looks down at the pizza box in his hands then looks over at a bedroom, the door slightly cracked open. Inside the room is Nancy, Mike’s older sister. She is laying on her bed, feet kicking as she talks on the phone.
“I know, I know, but– I don't think so– yeah, he's cute, but – Barb –- BARB! – listen to me –” She says into the phone and Dustin waves his hand at her, trying to get her attention.
“Hey Nancy, there's a slice left if you want. Pepperoni and sausage!” He says, opening up the box so she can see the slice inside.
“Hold on.” She says, putting the phone down on her bed before getting up and walking towards the door.
Dustin smiles at her right before the door gets shut in his face, leaving him looking like a fool.
Dustin stomps into the garage, where the twins are arguing over who house their house key and the other two boys are getting their bikes ready.
“Something's wrong with your sister.” Dustin says, his mouth full of pizza.
“What are you talking about?” Mike questions him.
“She's got a stick up her butt.” He grumbles.
“Yeah, Steve Harrington. Our brother is friends with him.” Margot whines.
“Yeah, she is turning into a jerk because of him.” Dustin agrees.
“She’s always been a jerk.” Mike responds, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Nu-uh. She used to be cool. Like that time she dressed up as an elf for our Eldertree campaign –” Dustin says, stuffing the last bite of pizza into his mouth.
“That was four years ago!” Mike exclaims.
“Just saying.” Dustin says with a shrug as he, Lucas, Margot, and James all speed off, leaving only Will and Mike behind.
“...It was a seven.” Will says, climbing onto his bike.
“What?” Mike asks with a sigh, looking over at Will.
“The roll. It was a seven. The Demogorgon – it got me.” Will explains with a shrug. “See you tomorrow.”
Will gives Mike a small smile before kicking off as well, speeding to catch up with his friends.
I finally got around to watching the film Riff Raff (2024) and I have thoughts about Rocco.
Yeah he's there with his slicked back hair, ties to organized crime, and brutally beats a man to death.
But his apartment is filled with his own paintings/art. He takes home an injured turtle and nurses it back to health. He respects when Marina makes him wait, and every time he looks at her, you can practically see the hearts in his eyes.
The seagulls are screaming as Marina and I approach our parents, untangling fish from our net.
Dad has been a fisher since him and my uncle were little kids, generation after generation of men falling into the same profession.
Mum on the other hand is a seamstress, working to fix the men’s clothes without the help of the capital.
When Mum catches my eyes, I can see the sadness in them. She has always been overly worried about the games, losing a close friend in them the same year Dad lost his brother, making both my parents devastated.
“Don’t you look lovely.” Dad says, picking Marina up like she weighs nothing, her arms wrapping around his neck.
“Gotta swat the boys away with the broom later.” I laugh back, putting on a smile.
Dad laughs along, the same forced laugh as me. “I guess we will.”
Mum clears her throat, looking over at me before pulling me into a rib crushing hug.
“We will both be okay.” I say to her quietly, even though it will do nothing to console her.
“I know, I just wanted to hug my baby boy.” She responds, pulling back with tears in her eyes. Her hands don’t leave my shoulders.
“Morgan was looking for you. Said he wanted to see you before the…” Dad’s voice trails off, but I know what he is referring to.
I nod, a bit before looking down the beach. About 100 yards away is a brown haired boy. My best friend and loyal schoolmate, Morgan.
I jog over to him.
He is sitting with his back to one of the few trees on the beach, one of his legs stretched out in front of him, while the other is tucked under him, his crutch to his left.
A few years back, he was working with his dad on his boot, but he fell off, his leg getting caught in the propeller, leaving him permanently crippled.
As I sit down next to him, his arm loops around my shoulder, his shit eating grin plastered on his face. I never understood how he could be so happy at times like these.
“Mornin’ Cassie, don’t you love the smell of Capital scum and salty wind in the morning.” Morgan says, pushing my combed back hair into my face, drawing a real laugh out of me.
“They’re already set up?” I ask, reaching over Morgan, grabbing the bag he always carries around with him, seeing if he packed anything to eat for us.
“Yep. New escort and all. She was dressed in some navy blue dress with fish nets on it. Mockery.” Morgan scoffs, looking at me digging through his bag.
I pull out some dried fish and bread coloured green with seaweed. “Didthign think they would ever replace… What's her name? Clornilia?”
“Claudia.” Morgan corrects me, looking out into the ocean.
“Claudia!” I exclaim, lifting my bread in the air as a small chunk flies out of my mouth, making both Morgan and I burst into laughter, almost choking on what is left in my mouth. “‘Bout time she retired. The Capitol can make her look younger, but not that much younger.”
“New one’s young. Looks a few years older than us.” Morgan says, snatching the bread from me, pulling me with him as we roll around in the sand.
“Caspian Delmar!” A stern voices yells from behind us.
When I look over my shoulder, I see Mum standing there, hands on her hip.
“Go clean yourself up, we are leaving soon.” She commands, pulling me to my feet.
“Sorry Mum.” I say, sulking away. I look over my shoulder at Morgan as Mum and I go back to our shed, the corner of my lips raising a bit.
“This afternoon.” I mouth to him.
Just before the clock in the middle of the town sticks two, Marina and I are getting signed in for the Reaping.
As the needle pricks my finger, my eyes shut from the sting. They need to take a small sample of our blood to prove we are there and present, or it could put us and our families in danger. I look over at Marina as she winces from the prick.
After we get into our groups, boys on the left, girls on the right, and the youngest in the front, oldest in the back, the mayor walks up to the podium. He reads us all the history of Panem and what it was like before us. When they called the country North America. He tells us about the wars, the disasters, the plagues and famines. Then he moved onto the Dark Ages. The period where the district rebelled and how they got defeated by the Capitol, leading to the creation of the Hunger Games. Our debt to the Capitol for what our ancestors did.
“It’s time for reparation and forgiveness.” Announce our mayor.
He then goes through our list of victors. There have been many over the years, but the only one that mentors tributes as an older lady, Mags who was the victor of the 11th Hunger Games, a year after all records of the first games got lost.
After his long winged speech about our victors, he invites our new escort and advisor onto the stay, a young woman named Octavia Moneta.
Her blue lipstick is smeared on her teeth as she smiles at the crowd. “Happy Hunger Games everyone, and may the odds be in your favour.”
She does a small speech about honor and how it is the ‘bravest thing we can do’. It’s a bunch of bull shit in my opinion.
I look down the row of boys and Morgan, leaning on his crutch as he stretches his bad leg out. He had to put in almost 30 slips to help feed his family. After the booting incident, his father died from grief, leaving him to care for his mom and three younger siblings.
It’s time for the names to be drawn. One boy and one girl. Two families pulled apart as their children are dragged from home.
Octavia walks over to the two huge glass bowls of paper, reaching into the first one. “Ladies first.” She says with excitement, making a show out of grabbing the slip of paper. When she pulls it out, she slowly unfolds it and reads out the name. “Cordelia Nelson!” She announces as we all look around.
A girl with tan skin and kinky black hair emerges from the crowd. I have seen her before, around town. Her parents grow and sell fruits that grow around her. She always has a sweet smell to her as she passes you.
She walks up onto the stage, her face stern, like she was trying not to let anyone know how terrified she is.
No one volunteers for her. Many don’t like her anyway. They want her gone.
Octavia then moves over to the other bowl, pulling out a slip of paper with the same amount of dramatics as she did with Cordelia’s paper.
She smooths it out as she struts over to the microphone, clearing her voice.
-With the upcoming 62nd Hunger Games, Caspian Delmar must deal with the trials and tribulations of being a young victor.
WC:~900
As life has been for the past sixty-two years, July fourth has always been a day of fear and ambition.
As I sit up this morning, the salt wind from the ocean comes through the cracks in our small seaside hut. Mum and Dad are already out, leaving me to fend for Marina and I to look our bests for today.
Every kid in Panem knows that Reaping Day is the day that families get torn apart and 23 kids will never be seen again.
I finally make my stiff joints move as I cross over the hut and gently shake the body under the pile of sacks that the Capitol uses to give us food.
A small grunt comes from the pile, followed by a small squeal of a preteen girl. "Cas, stop!"
I stick my freezing cold hands under the 'blanket', landing on the cold sides of my little sister, drawing another squeal from her. "Cas! I'll tell Mum!"
"Okay, okay." I say with a small laugh, almost tripping on a loose board as I step away from her before she starts to flail her arms as well. It is strange, laughing on a day like this, but this may be the last time I see my family, so I have to make it count.
Marina sits up, stretching her freckled arms up, over her head as her blonde beach waves falling over her shoulders as she grins at me. When she is fully awake, her smile drops a bit, reminded of what today is.
"They are out already." I say, moving towards the small basin in our hut, trying to wash the tiredness out of my eyes. The cracked mirror over the metal basin reflects a boy that should be playing on the beach with his friends, not a boy that is helping to keep his family afloat.
My light blue eyes stare me down, like they have never seen themselves before. Mum always says I seem scared of my own shadow, but Dad has the same eyes, so it must be a family thing.
Marina gets up, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and kisses my cheek. "We will all be okay. It's my first year, so I won't be reaped, and you only have your name in ten times. I know boys in my school that have twenty."
That I one thing I will always love about my sister: how she can always make our situation better, with just a few words.
I look over my shoulder, smiling down at her. "I know that, but you still have to worry sometimes."
The two of us separate, grabbing our own clothes to get dressed. Even though it doesn't seem like much, I love when I get to wear my 'nice' clothes. It is a plain shirt with fished embordered on by Mum. A gift from my first Reaping. I tuck the bottom of the fabric into my normal work pants, the knees worn down to a thin layer of fabric and patches over holes. I comb out my hair, pulling it back out of my face with an odd piece of thread.
Ever since I was a little kid, I wore my hair long, never cutting it short. Mum used to try and cut it when I was sleeping, but I would end up crying when I woke up and no one would be happy then, so she let my grow it out.
I glance over at Marina, pulling on her leather school shoes. She is wearing a simple blue dress and waiting for me to braid her hair.
I sit on the edge of the bed as she pulls a small stool over, sitting between my legs, facing away from me.
I lace her hair together into a delicate pattern, her hair like stringy gold in my hands. One thing that comes from making nets for the fishermen in our area is you get good at braiding.
When I am done, I pat her shoulder, but she doesn't get up like she normally does, I lean over a bit to see her expression and she looks like she is about to start crying.
I grab her under the arms and hoist her up into my lap, her arms around my neck as she sobs into my chest.
I remember my first year. One of the tributes was a boy that worked with Dad. Almost 18, a few weeks shy. My uncle also died in one of the games when I was really young. Went with three others and they all died before they could lift a finger.
When I stood with the other boys my age that first year, my heart was in my stomach, and I was ready to throw it up. When we got home, I hugged Mum for half an hour, scared that I was going to be taken away as well. And here I am, doing the same for my sister.
"Nina, you know we are both safe, right?" I ask quietly, gently rubbing her back, not even daring to touch her hair like I normally do.
"I know. I'm just scared." Her voice breaks as she cries, her arms tightening around my neck, cutting off by oxygen supply.
"It's alright to be scared, you just can't let them know you are scared. Deal?" I ask and she pulls away from me a bit, tears rolling down her face.
"Deal." She says quietly, giving me one last hug before composing herself enough to wash her face and fix her clothes before we leave our small hut, on the hunt for our parents.
The Hermes cabin is packed with kids, all of the bunks full, meaning some kids need to make beds on the floor, using sleeping bags to not sleep directly on the wood.
I'm laying on my 'bed', still pouting when Luke comes over, sitting down next to me. Luke sighs, trying to comfort me, "Come on, it's not like he's gonna change anything here. You're still gonna be my little brother."
I look over at Luke, about to say something before Annabeth brings Percy into the cabin, Chiron standing just outside the door. We notice them, and I sit up, bowing my head a bit like everyone else. Chiron looks at Percy, saying something I can not hear before turning away and galloping away.
Everyone in the cabin is sizing him up, trying to see if he can be trusted before Annabeth nudges him to go in. I start to stand up, whispering to Luke, "I'm going to find Silena, I'll find you at the camp-" I'm stopped when I see Annabeth and Percy coming over.
"And Percy, this is Luke. He's your counselor for now." Annabeth says as she looks over at him, a bit of pink on her cheeks. I never understood why she was like that with him, sure he was handsome, but he was like our brother, he took care of us. He has sandy hair that was cut short and a thick scar that went up the right side of his face.
I looked over at Luke as well, unpleased with the fact that Percy would be staying in cabin eleven, much less sleeping next to me. "He's unclaimed."
Luke nods and looks over at Percy. "They don't know where to put you, so you will be here in cabin eleven. We take any newcomers, visitors, and anyone that doesn't have anywhere else to be," he glances at me. It almost felt like a personal attack. "Naturally, we would. Hermes, our Patron, is the god traveler."
I glance around the cabin, most of the kids looking ready to pounce on Percy to rob him. Percy is holding the Minotaur horn in his hands, and I have to admit, if I had the chance, I would take it too and claim I was the one to kill the Minotaur.
Percy looks at Luke after noticing the looks from the others in the cabin, "How long will I be here?"
Luke smirks, "Good question. It depends on when you get claimed."
"How long will that take?"
This causes almost everyone in the cabin to break out in giggles, everyone but a stern looking Annabeth and a confused Percy. At this point, Annabeth is dragging Percy out of the cabin, saying something about the volleyball court.
A few minutes later, I hear yelling from outside, so I follow the noise and see Annabeth and Clarrise, a girl from the Ares cabin, arguing with Percy, standing off to the side
"We will pulverize you!" Clarrise yells, looking at Annabeth like she was already close to actually doing it. This causes me to run over to them as Clarrise turns to Percy, "Who's this little runt?"
As I get there, I hold a hand out, "It's just the new kid, don't worry about him, let's get back to the pulverizing talk. It sounds like fun." Clarrise shoots me a glare, silently threatening me. "His name's Percy. Um... Percy, this is Clarrise, Daughter of Ares. Real sweetheart."
Clarrise looks ready to charge, "Shut up, Ferret!'
Percy looks at me confused, "Ares? Like the war god?"
Clarrise sneered at him, "Got a problem with it, runt?"
Percy fires back, "Not at all. It just explains the smell." I have to admit, the kid has guts. Most of us had learned not to be sassy with Clarrise after we got a temporary boot mark on our faces.
Clarrise growls back at him and lowers her head, almost like a bull or boar, "We got an initiation ceremony for newbies, Prissy."
"Percy."
"Whatever! Come on, let me show you."
"Clarrise, give him -" Annabeth tries to interject.
"Stay out of it, Wise Girl!"
Percy hands Annabeth the horn, but before he can do anything else, he is being dragged by the neck towards a cement building, the bathrooms by Clarrise, and her gang of Ares kids. I decide to follow along, wanting to see how this plays out. Clarrise pushes him onto the floor next to a toilet,snickering, "Like he's 'Big Three' material. Yeah, right, the Minotaur probably fell over laughing."
I notice Annabeth slowly enters the bathroom as well, watching this play out with her hands over her eyes, peeking through her fingers. I chuckle a bit, leaning against a sink, having a good view of Clarisse as she starts to push Percy's head into the toilet bowl.
Then suddenly something happens and I don't know how to explain. One moment, the bathroom is dry, and the next me, Clarrise and the other two Ares girls are covered in toilet water. It comes out of the toilet that Percy's head is in, and it's weird since he is still fully dry. The three girls run out of the bathroom, Annabeth following after them.
I look over at Percy as he is moving his head away from the toilet, "How the hell do you just - I don't know what to say - are you okay?" The last part clearly shocks Percy, but his face hardens a bit.
"I don't know how I did that."
Clarrise pokes her head back into the bathroom, wet hair falling into her face, "You are dead, new boy. Totally dead!"
"You want to gargle with toilet water again, Clarrise? Close your mouth."
This finally makes her fully leave. I offer a hand to Percy helping him up. He almost slips a few times, making me laugh a bit. "I think I want you on my team for Capture the Flag."
Annabeth is spoon feeding the mysterious, black haired boy some mashed up ambrosia, mumbling under her breath about how he's the one and he is the one that is going to take her out of camp. Over the past few hours he had woken up multiple times then had fallen back asleep before anyone could ask him anything.
I sigh and lean back against the wall in the infirmary. "Annie, it could also not be him. We don't know who HE is. This kid could just be some random kid Grover found and brought back with him."
Annabeth shoots me a glare, clearly believing she is 100% correct. "I know this is him. It has to be. Just believe me this once Davey, that's all I ask. If it is him it could be my-"
Before Annabeth can finish her sentence the black haired boy starts to wake up again, Annabeth instantly jumping on the chance to ask questions. "What will happen at the summer solstice?"
"Annie, give him a second to-" I try to interject, only to get cut off by her.
"What's going on? What was stolen? We've only got a few weeks!" Annabeth pushes even further in a rushed voice, like someone is going to walk in at any moment.
The black haired boy looks at her confused, "I'm sorry, I don't..."
Just as he was going to finish what he was saying there is a knock on the door and Annabeth shoves a mouthful of the ambrosia into the boy's mouth. A moment later he is out again. I look over at her before going and opening the door, Chiron standing there looking unimpressed. "Do you really think this is a two person job?"
He quickly dismissed me and Annabeth, both of us needing to busy ourselves for the rest of the day.
It's a few days later and me and Annabeth are both on the porch of the big house, waiting for the new kid to finally be out of the infirmary. I'm just standing in the corner of the porch, watching Mr D, our camp director and Chiron play a game of pinochle. I never really liked the game, so I'm mostly just there for moral support. I'm instantly snapped out of my thoughts when I hear Mr. D snapping at me. "Daniel Ferret, get me another drink."
I shoot him a glare, but remember that if he wanted to he could turn me into an actual ferret when he is done at camp, so I comply and go to grab him a Diet Coke. As I'm coming back I see Grover walking the new kid over to Chiron. I hear Grover say something about Annabeth, but then the conversation turns to me. "Then the brunette, the one with the stern looking face is Davey Barret, he arrived with Annabeth. And you already know Chiron..."
The kid has a confused look on his face, looking at Chiron who is still in his wheelchair. "Mr. Brunner!" This confuses me, why is this kid calling him Mr. Brunner? I thought he was looking for a child of the big three, not some dweeb.
Chiron gives the new kid a proud smile, " Ah, good, Percy. Now we have four for pinochle."
I watch the new kid- Percy- take a seat next to Mr. D, much to his dislike, but then again, Mr. D doesn't really like anyone. He lets out a heavy sigh. "Oh, I suppose I must say, welcome to Camp Half-Blood. There. Now, don't expect me to be happy to see you."
"Oh, thanks." Percy says at he scoots a bit further away from Mr. D, not that I blame him, the man can be very overwhelming at first, and its not just his BO that does it.
"Annabeth? David?" Chiron says, making the two of us step forward. Chiron then looks back at Percy, introducing us. "This young lady nursed you back to health, Percy. Annabeth, my dear, why don't you go check on Percy's bunk. We'll be putting him in cabin eleven with David for now."
In typical Annabeth fashion she gives a simple answer by not answering Chiron at all, instead she looks at Percy, saying, "You drool in your sleep." I try to hold back a laugh as she runs off, the blonde princess curls flying behind her.
Chiron then gestures to me. "This is Mr Barret, one of your bunk mates. I'm sure the two of you will get along quite well." I tentatively reach out my hand, offering it to Percy. The black haired boy shakes it, very limply though, like he is analyzing me to see if I'm a threat.
"So, you work here Mr Brunner?" Percy asks anxiously, like he doesn't even want to be in this situation.
"Not Mr. Brunner. I'm afraid it was a pseudonym. You may call me Chiron."
The boy looks more confused than before. "Okay. And Mr. D... does that stand for something." I cringe at the boy's question, knowing a long lecture is about to come from the camp director.
Mr. D stops shuffling the cards he had in his hand, looking over at Percy like he said that he looked like an oversized eggplant. "Young man, names are powerful things. You don't go around using them for no reason."
Chiron finally found it a good time to butt in, "I must say Percy, I'm glad to see you alive. It's been a long time since I've made a house call to a potential camper. I'd hate to think I've wasted my time.”
It finally dawns on me that this is actually the kid that Chiron was looking for. I look between the two of them, mouth hanging open, trying to find something to say. Before I can say anything Chiron continues on with what he was previously saying. "My year at Yancy Academy was to instruct you. We have satyrs at most schools, of course, keeping a lookout. But Grover alerted me as soon as he met you. He sensed you were something... special, so I decided to come upstate. I had some help from Mr. Barret to convince the other Latin teacher to... take a leave of absence."
I finally speak up, "That was for this kid! Really?"
Chiron looks over at me, with a stern expression. "Son, if you can't handle being here quietly, then you can leave." He then looks back at Percy, ignoring you once again. "Honestly, I wasn;t so sure about you at first. We contacted your mother, letting her know we will be keeping an eye on you in case you are ready for Camp Half-Blood. But you still had so much to learn. Nevertheless, you made it here alive."
I walk over to where Grover, Percy, Chiron, and Mr. D are all playing cards. "Chiron, instead of this lengthy conversation, why doesn't he just watch the orientation film? I mean, its how most kids learn."
Chiron sighs, looking at me. "I'm afraid that the orientation film will be insufficient. Percy, you know your friend Grover is a satyr. And you know you have killed the Minotaur, which is not a small feat. What you may not know is that great powers are at play in your life. God -the forces you call the Greek gods- are very much alive."
Percy's eyes are practically bulging out of his head. "Wait, you're telling me there is such a thing as God?"
I groan and look at Percy. "Not God with a capital G, gods as in plural. The ones that live in Olympus."
"Zeus. Hera. Apollo. You mean them?" As Percy starts to name gods, a distant rumble of thunder is heard.
"Young man, I would really be less casual about throwing those names around, if I was you." Mr. D mumbles out, clearly sick and tired of dealing with kids and its barely non yet.
"But they're stories- myths to explain lightning and seasons and stuff. They're what people believed before there was science." Percy spits out almost trying to convince himself more than anyone.
I groan, fully pissed off now. "Can't you get it through your thick skull, the gods are really and science is complete BS. And if you as me, I think it needs to be-"
"Mr. Barret!" Chiron exclaims, looking ready to give me three weeks of bathroom cleaning duties. He looks back at Percy, " You may choose not to believe, but you need to understand that immortal means immortal. Can you imagine never dying, never fading? Existing just as you are for all time?"
"Percy, if you believe in the gods they will stick around, and since a lot of people here in the West believe that's why they are here." I try to explain calmly, still wanting to just beat it into the kid. "Imagine if one day people believe you are a myth, used to help children be scared of losing their mothers. How would you like it?"
Percy looks like he is about to burst into tears. "I wouldn't like that, but I still don't believe in gods."
"Oh you better, before one incinerates you."
Chiron looks angry now. "That's enough David, you are dismissed."
I roll my eyes as I stomp away, going back to cabin eleven.
~Percy's perspective~
I watch as Davey stomps away, towards a bunch of buildings, each one different then the last. He is running his fingers through his black hair, almost like he was stressed about something. I'm pulled out of my thoughts at the sound of Mr. Brunner- no, Chiron's voice. "I'm so sorry about him, he has quite the temper."
Mr. D mumbles "You can say that again." He waves a hand and a goblet appears on the table filled with red wine. "The kid never learnt respect, must have come from living on the-"
Chiron cuts him off "Mr. D, your restrictions"
Mr. D feigns innocence, "Oh dear. Old habits. Sorry!" This causes another rumble of thunder. At the sound Mr. D waves his hand again, the wine turning to diet Coke, like some knock off Jesus. This makes him sigh unhappily and turns back to his card game.
I look over at Chiron for an explanation. He quickly explains, "Mr. D offended his father a while back, took a fancy to a wood nymph who was off-limits."
I was about to say something but Mr. D cut me off. "Yes! Father loves to punish me. First time was Prohibition. Ghastly! Absolutely horrid ten years. The next time -well she was really pretty, and I couldn't stay away- the second time he sent me here. Now I have to run a summer camp for a bunch of needy half-bloods!"
I look over at him, wide eyed, "Your father is..."
"Di immortales Chrion, I'm starting to agree with Mr. Hot-head this kid should know the basics already. Yes, my father is Zeus."
"You're Dionysus, the god of wine." I say as if the tiger print everything, the wine, and the satyrs didn't give it away already.
"Grover, what do the kids say now, 'well duh'?" He looks over at me and I can see that he is in fact a god, he has the look in his eyes the scream, 'respect me and worship me' and I decided from that moment on that I was not going to do that. "I'm tired. I believe I'll take a nap before the sing-along tonight. But first Grover, we need to talk about your less-than-perfect performance with this assignment." He states to walk away but turns around again. "Cabin eleven Percy Jackson. And mind your manners, Anger Issues sleeps with a knife under his pillow."
I watch as Grover follows Mr. D into the farmhouse before looking over at Chiron, "Will he be okay?"
Chiron nods, thinking of what to say, "Old Dionysus isn't really mad, he just hates his job. He is... grounded here and can't stand to be here for another century."
I think for a moment, "Who are you? Who am I?"
Chiron chuckles, "Who are you? That's a question we all want answered. But for now we should get you a bunk in cabin eleven. There will be new friends to meet. And plenty of time for lessons tomorrow. Besides, there will be s'mores at the campfire tonight, and I do adore chocolate."
Chiron stands up from his wheelchair, which I thought was impossible since he was paralyzed from the waist down, but for what feels like the hundredth time today, I am wrong. What came out of the chair was the body of a white stallion, but from where the neck would be in my Latin teacher. "What a relief, I've been cooped up in there for too long, my fetlocks have fallen asleep. Now come Percy Jackson, let's meet the other campers."
-David "Davey" Barret is a normal 12 year old if you look at him, but he has a secret. He is a demigod son of Eros and lives at a special camp for them. When a new boy shows up at camp and is said to be the son of Poseidon, Davey is taken away from his comfortable life at camp and is taken on crazy adventures. Testing his patience and how much he is will to risk for his friends and family.
I know what you want me to say, I didn't want to be a half blood, but everyone thinks that at least once in their life. I'm not different then them. To be honest my life was fine. I lived at camp, my best friend is Annabeth fricking Chase, and I'm in one of the fullest cabins at camp. My life was basically perfect.
I'm a son of Eros, the god of physical love and lust. Fun, I know. Sadly he doesn't get the love he deserves and he doesn't have a cabin at camp so I'm just stuck with the unclaimed and kids of Hermes. I know what you're thinking "Why weren't you just thrown in with the Aphrodite kids, blah, blah, blah..." Trust me, I've asked and begged to be with them, I just cant seem to weasel my way in, I just can't.
That leads us to now, its a cool night in May and I'm trying to sleep in the Hermes cabin in a very uncomfortable bed on the floor, I'm listening the distant sound of the canoe lake, the sound of my cabin mates sleeping, the sound of a horse outside, and the sound of- a horse outside? I slowly sit up, seeing if anyone else is hearing this or if I've finally lost it, but then I hear a hushed voice outside. "Its not going to be him, Go back to bed Annabeth."
As soon as I hear Annabeth's name, I'm up, pulling on some shoes and practically tripping over other kids to get outside. I peak outside the cabin to see her and Chiron running toward the border of the camp.
About 5 years ago when Annabeth and I arrived at camp with our friend, scratch that, brother, Luke Castellan, we were travelling with our protector, Grover Underwood and another friend of ours, Thalia. We got attacked right before we got to camp and Thalia didn't make it. As she was dying her father, Zeus turned her into a pine tree and a magical border was formed around the camp that only let half-bloods in. Luckily for me it is really blurry, but Annabeth had nightmares for almost a year after it happened. But because of Thalia's sacrifice, we are all safe at camp.
I hurriedly follow them, hearing a bunch of commotion coming from just beyond the border. As I run after them everything goes silently, like the world stopped for a moment, then a flash of golden light is seen coming from the trees. That pushes me to finally catch up to Annabeth and Chiron, and as we reach the edge of the camp we see a boy that is around my age with get black hair and a torn shirt. He looked like he was about to pass out and had a tear running down his face.
When he was just about to pass out, Annabeth says the one thing she has been focused on for weeks, "He's the one. He must be." I glanced over at her, giving her a 'this isn't the time' look, one that would normally be directed at me, but I guess there is a first time for everything.
Chiron seemed more annoyed with the question, "Silence, Annabeth. He's still conscious. Have David help you bring him inside."
God, Canada sucksssss!!! I went and got five books and a cd second hand, and it cost the same amount as a brand new book would. I know I shouldn't complain about the price of books, but it still sucks.
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