Chapter 4

        I followed Percy back to the Big House. Somehow, Chiron and Mr. D had beat us as they were sitting out on the porch. Percy walked up the steps and I followed, lingering slightly behind him as he stopped in front of the two.

        "Hello, Ashley," Chiron greeted. "It seems you're doing better."

        "Yeah, thanks to the drink of miracles," I smiled.

        "Ah, yes. Nectar is quite useful like that," he replied.

        "These pleasantries are all very nice, but can we pleases skip them for once," Dionysus cut in. "I'm already bored. I want to know how she knew Chiron was a centaur if she claims to remember nothing."

        "Well, you see..." I was stumbling over my words. "It's because, um. The thing is, uh, well, I haven't the slightest idea. It just sort of popped out of my mouth. After I said it, it just kind of felt right. I immediately knew that what I said was true. I'm not sure how else to explain it. I just knew that Chiron was a centaur."

        Okay, that wasn't completely a lie. That is how it happened the first time. The thing is, I now kind of knew how I knew it. There's still so much I don't know, though. How in the world did a girl who could read at inhuman speeds get in my head, and how did she get a hold of books about the past. If what was in the books was true, Percy sure didn't seem the type to write a book, or any type of writing for that matter. If that was true, how did a book from his point of view end up in my head?

        "Um hm." I could hear the disbelief in Dionysus's voice.

        I wasn't ready to tell them how much I knew. I was having a hard time getting myself to believe everything that I knew. It was a lot to take in, especially when I knew more about everyone here then I knew about myself.

        "Do you by any chance know who I am?" Dionysus asked. I could hear by his tone that he didn't believe I would be able to tell him anything.

        Oh yeah, time to turn on the flattery. Maybe if I tell him enough good things that I know about him, he'll be a little more willing to accept my mostly truth.

        "Of course, I know who you are," I gushed. "You're Dionysus, the god of wine, drama, joy, and revelry. You're also the only god to have a mortal parent."

        "Oh, so you do have some useful information after all, Audrey," Dionysus mused.

        "Um, it's Ashley."

        "Whatever. We will have to look further into your mysterious lost memory. Until then, Peter Johnson will give you a tour around the camp. He'll explain everything to you. Welcome, blah, blah, enjoy your stay here."

        "Okay, uh, thanks." My thanks almost came out a question. I then turned around to face Percy.

        "So, where do you want to see first?" he asked me.

        I haven't the slightest idea why this was the first thought to come to my mind, but I asked, "Is there anywhere with a mirror?"

        Percy smiled. "First thing you think about is your looks? Maybe you’re an Aphrodite kid."

        Why was that the first thing to pop out of my mouth, you're probably asking. Well, the things is I don't remember anything. That includes what I look like.

        "Not really, it's just that I don't know what I look like at all. I also lost my own image with the rest of my memories," I told him, almost sheepishly.

        "Oh, I'm sorry," Percy quickly apologized. His expression dropped as soon as he saw his mistake. "I forgot about the whole not remembering absolutely anything."

        "It's fine," I assured him. "Besides, forgetting about amnesia? That's kind of funny." I gave a little giggle at the thought.

        That got a smile out of Percy. "It is, isn't it?" he said. "Well, this way to discover what you look like."

        He started walking towards the bathrooms. I quickly followed behind him. I looked around as I followed. I saw people sparring, climbing the infamous rock wall, and some people practicing archery. This was super, way cool.

        We finally reached the bathrooms. He opened the door and waited for me to go in. I'm not going to lie, I was the tiniest bit nervous. I mean, I was going to find out what I look like. I had absolutely no idea what I looked like, and I was going to see myself as if for the first time. This was going to be weird.

        As I walked in, Percy said, "I'll wait out here for you."

        I nodded, and quickly peered into the mirror. I gasped and stepped back quickly. That wasn't possible. How could it be? Staring back at me in the mirror was the girl from my dream. The same grown hair, green eyes, and perfectly colored lips. I moved my face closer to the mirror, and girl looking back at me did the same. I stuck my tongue out, so did she. I raised my right hand, so did she. I gently laid my hand against the mirror. Now I was even more confused than before.

        "You about done?" Percy called in.

        I quickly removed my hand from the mirror. Could my life be any more confusing? "Put on a smile, and act as if nothing strange is going on," I whispered to myself. "Just act as if you're a normal amnesiac without weird dreams and knowledge.”

        I put on a smile and walked out of the bathroom. "Yep," I told Percy. "I am most definitely done."

        "You took a while," Percy smirked. "Are you sure you're not an Aphrodite kid?"

        "The goddess of love?" I asked. "As if."

        "Well then," Percy started. "Let the tour begin.

                          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        This camp was even cooler in person then it was from the book, mind, email thing. Percy showed me everything, and it was awesome. I was ready to start training, but something was weighing on the back of my mind.

         The quest with Zoe to rescue Artemis. I knew it was coming. The thing that made me frustrated was that I didn't know how it was going to end. I didn't even know if Percy was accepted into the quest eventually. Percy finished his tour with a flourish.

        "You don't mind if I go, do you? I mean, I have something I really need to tell Grover," Percy said, starting to slowly move backwards.

        I rolled my eyes. "I'll be fine Percy," I made a little shooing motion with my hands. "Go off and play,"

        He smiled and ran off to tell Grover about his dream. I didn't really know what I was supposed to do know. I went to go look for something to do. I didn't have a schedule or know where my cabin was, so I headed for the javelin-throwing class. To be completely honest, the only reason I chose this class was because I knew Percy was going to be joining this class.

        I picked up a javelin and hefted it in my hands. It was a little off balance. I picked up another one that was a bit smaller. This one felt a bit more balanced. I decided it was good enough. I watched other people throwing and imitated their position. I put all my force into my throw and hurled it at the target. I was surprised that it actually hit the target. It didn't hit anywhere near the middle, mind you, but I did hit the left side of the outer ring.

        I did a little victory dance. I got a couple of strange looks, but I ignored them. I picked up another javelin about the size of the one I had just thrown. I concentrated a little harder this time. I tried to aim a little bit more to the right this time. I also aimed a little higher. I stuck my tongue out a little in concentration. I brought my arm back, and threw it at the target. This time I hit the second ring closest to the middle. I smiled a little and did a fist pump.

        About a half hour later, Percy arrived. I glanced over him, and lost my concentration for a moment. I threw and missed the target completely. I felt a blush starting to come, and I quickly ducked my head. I grabbed another javelin and aimed carefully. Maybe this time, I could make a bull’s eye. Unlikely, I know, but possible. I aimed as carefully as I ever had. I had my tongue stuck out and was biting it in concentration. I steadied my hand and threw the javelin with all the force I could muster.

        I closed my eyes and slowly opened them. Darn it! I was so close. I had hit just barely outside the red dot in the middle. I was literally about an inch off.

        I threw a few more javelins, none getting as close as the one I'd just thrown. I was about to pick up another when I heard a peal of laughter coming from the people around me. I looked up and a smile grew on my face. Percy had lost his concentration and hit the Ares kid in charge. I joined in with the laughter.

        I decided that I didn't really feel like doing javelin throwing after Percy got sent away. I decided archery might be fun. I'd never tried it before, and I had been pretty good at aiming when it came to javelin throwing.

        I carefully observed everyone around me as they shot arrows. I picked up a bow and a quiver of arrows. I carefully set the arrow and pulled back the string. I aimed the best I could, and shot. I missed the target.

        I practiced for approximately an hour and a half. By the end of my session, I had successfully hit the second to the farthest ring from the middle. That was the closest I got, but nobody is perfect their first time.

        For the rest of the day, I went and sat in the empty chariot stands. I just pondered my dream, and also took a short nap. The good thing was is that I didn't have any dreams in my nap. The last thing I needed was another weird demigod dream to figure out.

         The dinner conch woke me up from my nap and called me to dinner. I sat down in between Nico and Travis. I ate dinner quickly, and didn't really talk. I did reply when Nico asked a question, but I didn't elaborate to keep the conversation going. I finished dinner and followed everyone to get start getting ready for capture the flag.

        As everyone geared up for capture the flag, I realized I hadn't practiced sword fighting at all. Well, guess I'll just have wing it. As I tried to put on my armor, Thalia came over and helped me put on my armor correctly.

        I thanked her, trying to push my blue-feathered bronze helmet out of my eyes. It was too big, and was annoying me.

        "No problem," she said as she walked over to talk strategy with Percy.

        I weighed my sword in my right hand. It was a little too heavy, so it was off balance in my hand. My gripped it tightly and turned to see Nico running up to Percy. I strolled over to join them.

        "-we were killed, so we could keep fighting, and-" I heard Nico say excitedly.

        "Nico, this is serious. Real swords. These can hurt," I heard Percy chastise Nico. I knew that he soon realized that we was sounding like Nico's mother.

        "Ooo, Percy. You're starting to sound like his mother."

        Percy rolled his eyes and then said to Nico, "It's cool. Just follow the team. Stay out of Zoe's way. We'll have a blast."

        "Yeah, if I don't skewer myself on my sword," I added.

        Percy smiled just as Chiron's hoof thundered on the pavilion floor.

        "Heroes!" he called. "You know the rules! The creek is the boundary line. Blue team--Camp Half-Blood--shall take the east woods. Hunters of Artemis--red team--shall take the east woods. I will serve as referee and battlefield medic. No intentional maiming, please! All magic items are allowed. To your positions!"

        I heard Nico whisper something to Percy, but I was paying attention to Thalia. She said, "Blue team! Follow me!"

        I was about to follow with everyone, but I looked behind and saw Percy stumble on somebody's shield. I ran back and give him a hand up.

        "Thanks," he muttered, clearly embarrassed.

        "No problem," I said and then followed everyone else to Zeus's Fist.

           It looked exactly like it had been described in my mind book. Percy put me on guard duty with Nico, Beckendorf, and the Stoll brothers. He wanted to keep me and Nico out of the way, which I understood. We were the newbies. Even so, I was slightly offended. I wanted to help do something.

        Thalia put out the rest of the game plan, but I was only half listening. I already knew it, so I was thinking of a way that I could help. Let's see, I knew where Zoe would cross the creek. I couldn't exactly tell them that I just magically knew where she was going to cross, though. I realized that everyone around me was nodding, so I nodded with them.

        Percy and Thalia got into their little argument that ended with an electric shock to Percy. I smirked a little. Suddenly, I snapped back to reality and heard Thalia say, "Now, is everybody clear?"

        We all nodded and broke in tour smaller groups. The horn sounded, and the game began. The two groups darted off while us guards stayed behind. I leaned against a boulder. I still didn't know what I was going to do. I couldn't sneak off, somebody would notice. Nico was trying to climb the boulders, and was making it hard to concentrate.

        "What's happening?" Nico demanded.

        Percy glanced at Beckendorf. "Can you guys hold the fort?"

        Beckendorf snorted. "Of course."

        "I'm going in." Percy announced.

        The Stoll's and Nico cheered as he raced toward the boundary line. I called, "Good luck," and then he was gone. It wasn't very long when Zoe came zooming into view, and I still didn't have a plan. We all tried to get her, but she dodged us effortlessly. She climbed the boulders, grabbed the flag, and raced back towards the boundary line faster than I thought humanly possible. On her way back, she wacked both the Stoll brothers on the head for good measure. Beckendorf, Nico, and I all ran after Zoe.

         We weren't any match for her speed. We weren't gaining any ground on her. She was about six feet from the creek when I screamed. I couldn't help it, I wasn't going to let her win. While still running, I dropped by sword and raised my hand. I wasn't sure what I was doing, but suddenly the whole creek rose with my hand. There was a big tug in my gut, but I focused on the water. Zoe faltered only for a moment with surprise, but then kept running. I swiped my hand sideways, and the water came down on Zoe like a tidal wave. It washed her away from the boundary line and gave Percy enough time to run across the boundary.

        Everyone cheered, probably assuming Percy had been the cause of the creek rising. That is, except Beckendorf, Nico, and Percy. They knew that it wasn't Percy who had caused the water to rise, but me. I stood stock still, stunned. My hand was still outstretched and I realized that it was now shaking slightly.

        Chiron came out of the woods. He had a look of satisfaction on his face.

        "The Campers win!" Chiron announced. The campers gave another cheer, but was snuffed out when suddenly I was surrounded by a blue light. I was still staring at my shaking hand that was now glowing blue. I slowly looked up and saw a trident glowing green over my head. I was feeling really sick, and probably was becoming pale.

        Chiron's satisfaction had left his expression, and now was wearing a solemn expression. He slowly knelt, as did everyone else.

        "All hail, Ashley, Daughter of Poseidon."

Thank you for reading!! Remember, please comment. I would also appreciate any constructive criticism. :)