Stretching and feeling the morning sun on my face, I slowly opened my eyes and stretched. " What a miserable dream." I mumbled while sitting up. Looking around, I noticed that I wasn't in my bedroom but in what appeared to be an infirmary resembled a big horse barn that was filled with other kids that had bandages on their arms and face who seemed to be asleep. Panicking, I quickly glanced at my surroundings to see that my brother and his two friends were sleeping in cots not to far from me. Seeing no one else around, I decided to get up and sneak over to Ben so he can help sneak out of here. Creeping closer, freezing as I caught some movement in the corner of my eye causing me to turn to see what it was. Sitting in front of the exit was a man with the look and body of a surfer with blond hair. But unlike any I've seen in magazines he had eyes covering his body with each one focused on me and some on my brother and his friends. 'No way that's real' I thought pleadingly 'I must be going crazy. No way can a man have that many eyes..it must be a joke.' Standing up straight, I looked over at the surfer and made sure that I wasn't going to be freaked out over some stupid joke he wants to play.

Reaching out, I shoved Ben until he woke up. "What?" He moaned tiredly. "Let's go, we're getting out of here." As I said this the surfer got up and walked out of sight, more then likely telling who ever brought us that they're little prank and kidnapping scheme isn't working to well. "Where are we?!" He alarmingly asked. "I don't know but we need to get out of here while we have the chance." "Okay, let me get Archy and Avery." "Just hurry up!" I seethed as I began planning on what we should do. Getting them up took longer then Ben realized but eventually they both woke up. As I watched them get up, Avery reached out towards a goblet that was resting on a stand near the cot he was in and drank it's contents. "What are you doing!?" I hissed at him. He replied with a look of astonishment "this stuff taste like strawberry cheesecake with pomegranate" he said excitedly as he looked at the others and ignoring me completely. Slapping the rest of it's contents out of his hand, I turned towards my brother and gave him my best murder face to warn him to better control his friend. But unfortunately both he and Archy were tasting and smelling some of the liquid that was in their goblets as well. 'I'm surrounded by idiots!!' I mentally screamed as I knocked the goblets and it's contents out of their hands.

"The three of you could be poisoned now." I seethed as I felt frustrated with my efforts in dealing with them. 'We've been kidnapped and could be anywhere so poisoning doesn't seem that bad, especially if it taste that good." Avery said with a smile causing me to ignore him for fear of trying to strangle him. "What's the game plan?" Ben asked as he tried to change the subject "Quickly run out and find somewhere to hide or a place with a phone." I stated simply. " Brilliant idea." Avery said tiredly. "Do you have a better idea?" I snapped at him. "Not really, let's just get this over with." For once, I agreed with him so after counting to three we all took off towards the barns exit, but after taking a few steps out of the barn I was hit with a sudden wave of exhaustion.

Falling to my knees, the edge of my vision began to blur as I felt as if I were going to pass out. Recalling the strange liquid, I wondered if they've been injecting it into my veins. As I fell back I saw as Ben, Archy, and Avery knelt down beside me with concerned and panicked expressions on their face. I could see archy stand up and shout as everything began to fade in and out of focus. Feeling weak, my eyes closed despite my will to keep them open. Feeling that this was where it all would end for me, I started to get the slightest taste of devil's food cake before the it began to become stronger with a surge of energy and warmth following behind it.

Opening my eyes I saw what I would describe as an angel leaning over me and mere inches from my face. He had deep blue eyes with green specks in them and golden blond hair pulled back into a messy bun. "You ok?" He asked me causing me to feel self conscious about my appearance as well as being on the ground. Feeling my face heat up, I quickly got up and brushed myself off, before nodding. Looking around I could see what appeared to be cabins with each one have a different look and decoration to them. Besides the cabins I could see a huge lake an archery field, and a rock climbing wall. With the woods surrounding the perimeter of the campsite​, I turned to see what I originally thought was just a horse barn was connected to the back of a three story house that looked over the whole area.

Looking back at the blond beauty, he was wearing a loose fitting shirt and ripped pants that would make any other guy look terrible but he made it look amazing and for a moment I forgot what I was planning to ask him. But thank goodness Archy was here, he may be a big pain but he seemed to be able to grasp the situation.

"Where are we"? Archy asked snapping me out of my embarrassing state. The blond guy seemed to be looking off in the distance causing Avery to repeat the question in a louder tone which snapped him out of his daze. "Oh sorry, this is camp half blood." He said casually which caused all of us to just stare at him. Shaking his head, he motioned us to follow him up to the front of the big house. Turning the corner, the reality I was trying so hard to cling on to was shattered as I saw Mr. Brummel who's lower half was that of a goat with goat horns to boot, but that he was playing chess with a man who's lower half was a body of a horse on the porch. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to scream, cry, or run away so I stood there with my hands covering my mouth in shock. As I stood there, an average man walked out of the house with his greasy curly black hair partially covering his eyes.

Pushing his hair back, he sat on a chair next to Mr. Brummel that was facing out towards the cabins and glanced at us. He had the look of a grown man who stayed and lived in the basement or his parents house. He wore a t-shirt with designs on it that resembled vines with a pair of ripped shorts, and an irritated look on his face. "So they woke up, just great." The curly haired man said irritably. " Your awake!" Mr. Brummel said excitedly noticing us as we approached which lead him to practically lept off the porch to greet us " I was hoping that you would and thank you Adrien for bringing them." As he said that, the blond haired boy called Adrien gave him a thumbs up before heading over towards the cabins where other kids were starting to exit from. "Where are we?" I asked. "Your in Long Island New York." The horse man said with a smile "This is a safe haven for children with unique abilities from all of which would try to do you harm."
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As he was saying this, I caught sight of several guys with their lower half being of a goat running around which made this whole place seem more like a fantasy then reality. "So who exactly are you?" I asked glancing at the centaur "I'm Chiron, a trainer for hero's as well as one of the overseers of camp activities." He said proudly. I glanced over towards Ben who was standing by Avery to see that he was beaming with joy unlike the rest of us who were a little cautious. "So who is he then?" I gestured towards the guy sitting and drinking a diet Coke that he didn't have before. "He's the camp's lead advisor. You can call him Mr.D" Mr.Brummel said. Upon saying this, Mr. D looked over at us annoyed "your still here?"

"Let's get you all into your cabin and we'll discuss everything after you've settled in." Mr. Brummel said as he gently nudged us towards the cabins. "Do you know what happened to the book I had?" Avery asked him "And where's Ash?" I asked as well. " Ash is around here helping with camp activities but he will be informed that you've all awaken." He replied "As for your book, Mr. D has put it in a safe place to keep it from going....missing. But you may ask for it back after you've settled in." Visibly unhappy with the answer he gave him, Avery decided to stay quiet so I just decided to change up my question. "So which cabin our we going..." Before I could finish my sentence, four deafening booms echoed over head causing all of us to look up at the sky which held four glowing symbols with each one brighter then the next one. The symbol above and closest to me was that of a scythe which seemed to be fading the quickest and next to that one was the symbol over Eve's head which resembled an apple. The symbol next to hers and above Avery's was what appeared to be a a dog with two extra heads and glowing the brightest and the last one to pop up there was a symbol that looked like a necklace.

"So this is how you guys welcome new campers, with fireworks?" Avery stated flatly starring at the sky as the symbols faded. Glancing back at Mr. Brummel, I could see that he was barely able to contain his excitement which bugged me. Looking back out towards the cabins I saw that majority of the campers left their cabins to see what was going on and now where looking our way and whispering to one another. Not knowing what to do, I tried to ignore them until I heard someone shout out my name from the crowd. Glancing back, I could barely make out the figure that was quickly charging this way until they got close enough for me to realize that it was Ash, or at least what I remembered about him.

Besides being shirtless and his lower half resembling that of a goat with two nubs of horns poking out from the top of his messy hair, he still looked like the same Ash we all knew. "No way, your a satyr too!?" Ben said excitedly. "A what?" Eve said as she stared at Ash with horror before looking back at Mr. Brummel and glancing at his legs. "Satyr, you know...goat men" her brother explained. "Something like that." Ash said looking uneasy " But anyway, I saw that you've been claimed so congratulations!" He screamed hugging all of us besides Eve who pushed him away. "Claimed....you mean those flashes in the sky?" I asked. "Yeah, they were from your parents." He said casually. "Your the children of gods!" He said dramatically as he posed causing me to debate whether I should laugh or not.

Glancing at the others, it was obviously clear the only one who was buying into this was Ben. But then again, from what I seen so far its not that hard to believe. "Oh good," I heard someone say off to my right. Glancing over I saw a boy with shaggy black hair with olive skin wearing a black Letterman's jacket and dark grey shorts with a black sword strapped to his side. Beside him was a tall slender girl with bright green eyes, autumn brown hair and tan skin wearing blue jeans and a green T-shirt. "Thought we were going to miss being the first to welcome them." Nico said panting. "This is perfect!" Mr. Brummel said with Joy. "Avery, Nico would show you to your cabin and around the camp while Arch will go with Miranda, Ben with Ash, and I with Eve." As he said that I glanced back at Mr. Brummel before looking at Miranda. "Umm, okay?"
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Watching Arch nervously walk off with Miranda, I shifted my focus to Nico who looked a bit nervous as he smiled awkwardly and stood there. "So are you ready to go?" He asked me, as he glanced off towards the cabins. Offering him a smile I gestured for him to lead the way which he did. "I'm Nico by the way." He said in a burst as if he had to hurry and get it out which made me think of him as a goof ball. "Avery." I said simply "So where are are you from?" He asked as we started walking towards the cabins. "Originally from Florida, but I moved to Michigan at a young age. What about you?" "Born in Italy but came here." He said quickly as if he didn't really want to talk about it. Nearing the cabins I could see that they weren't just uniquely decorated but some were built in a special way. As we entered the main court yard for the cabins, I could fully see all of the special features of each cabin which looked amazing.

In front of me stood two huge cabins that reminded me of expensive banks made from marble. With the one on the right having heavy duty columns, with bronze double doors that looked like there was lightning coursing through it. But unlike that one, the other bank like cabin was smaller and slimmer with flowers and a pomegranates wrapped around the columns as well as peacocks engravings on both the walls and doors. Off towards the right of the biggest one was a long, low building made out of rough Stone with pieces of coral and seashells embedded into the walls, and a Trident with a bronze three on the door. As Nico took me pass the cabin I began hearing the loud thrumming of rock music coming from the cabin next to it.

With it having a terrible coat of red paint, barbed wire roof and a disturbing boars Head over the door, there were kids hanging out on the cabins deck with some jamming out with the music while other giving death stares to everyone who walked by. Making sure not to make eye contact to prevent any trouble on my first day here, I was momentarily blinded as my eyes swept over the next cabin. With it having the appearance of being made out of solid gold, it seemed to not just absorb the suns Ray's but bounce it back with the same intesity causing it to look as if it was glowing. "My eyes." I moaned "yeah, that's Apollo's cabin, but you'll get use it it. I'll tell you everything once we're inside our cabin" 'Did he just say 'our cabin?" I thought as I continued to follow him as I made sure to prepare myself for future blinding.

Following behind him I see what doesn't even look like a cabin but a small factory made out of bricks with smokestacks and gears pittering the front entrance. With the door wide open I could see multiple kids working on several pieces of tech and armor as they floor was littered with designs and parts and the workers were covered in grease and soot.
Deciding not to linger and stare at the cabin I decide to move on to the next one which seemed to be the closest one to an actual cabin I've seen in books with it's peeling brown paint. Besides it looking a bit crowded and a caduceus over the door, it seemed to be the closest thing to an actual cabin for a camp ground.

"And here we are." I hear Nico say proudly causing me to look ahead to see where I was staying. Seeing my cabin left me speechless and shocked by how close it looked to a tomb you'll find in a graveyard. The whole cabin looked to be made from solid black stone with heavy columns and torches that hung from the walls and on either side of the door that burned a toxic light green, with a skull over the door. Nico opened the door and gestured for me to to walk inside, and against my better judgement I did only to slightly regret it. For the beds where coffin shaped and looked to be made out of mahogany with brass frames, blood red pillows and sheets with a small shrine made out of bones and jewels decorated the center of the cabin. Looking around to notice that there was only one bed that was taken off on the left side of the cabin. Feeling a bit off by everything, I decided to go take a seat on the bad in what I perceive to be the darkest career on the right side of the cabin.

Glancing at Nico, I can feel his nervousness but he looked excited at the same time so I had to break the tension. "What is it?" I asked him causing him to smile. "I never had a brother before." He whispered looking down causing me to believe I misheard him. "Did you say brother?" "Yeah?" He said slowly walking over "We have the same father who is kind of a big deal." He finished as he stood by my bed. Offering him a seat, I motioned for him to continue. "Everyone here are children of God's, with some from the minor to major to the big three which is where we come in. Our father is the God of the underworld and he's one of the big three who are extremely powerful." "If our dad is as powerful as you say then where has he been and what happened to my mom?" As I asked this Nico looked saddened "You don't know what happened to her?" "Arch and I lived in an orphanage for some years and I haven't seen her for 10. The only thing I had of hers was a bracelet that broke and got lost." As I said this I became a bit bitter that I had lost the only connection I had with her.

"I know how you feel, I lost my mom at a young age too." Nico said sadly which oddly enough made me feel a bit better knowing that he knew what I was feeling. "So what's the point of this place?" I asked trying to change the subject. "Well we come here to help learn how to use and control our powers and defend ourselves from anything that might try to harm or attack us. It's also a safe haven. I'm surprised you guys lasted this long out there." Why is that?" I questioned "because after puberty, that's when the monsters come to usually attack you. And you seem fine...how did you guys do it?" I shrugged my shoulders due to not knowing how either. "So are we the only two kids of Hades?" I asked reluctant as I stood up. "Well we have a half sister but she's not here." As he said that he began making his way towards the door. "Let's go, there's still plenty to see!" he said with an excited smile.
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Throughout the whole day Nico showed me around towards the horse stables which were filled with pegasi, the camp store, amphitheater, the Cave of the Oracle where I met Rachel, the camp's boarders as well as the dragon they're using to guard what he calls the Golden Fleece. Afterwards he leads me past Athena's Parthenos towards the training grounds where he showed me the inside of the armory which was filled with some armor and weapons, the climbing wall, archery range, and volleyball court and combat arena. Finishing off my tour, he showed me the camp's forge, Art's and Craft's center, a warehouse known as bunker 9, the geysers, the strawberry fields, the beach and ending it off in front of the big house where both Mr. D and Chiron were both playing a game of sorts. "Oh, just a heads up," Nico whispered to me "Mr. D is the God Dionysus so be careful."

He can't be serious, that lazy bum a god....as much as I would like to do something that would disproves it, I wouldn't want to risk it. So instead I told nico I would see him later as I tried to wrap my head around everything that I was exposed to. Not seeing Arch, Ben, Ash, or even Eve anywhere, I thought about heading back to my cabin to help wrap my head around everything before remembering the book. For some reason, it felt like it had something in it that made me feel complete. Looking towards the big house, I began jogging towards the porch where Chiron smiled upon seeing my approach. "Everything ok?" He asked with concern in his voice. " I would like my book back please." I asked politely "I own nothing and have nothing from my old life but that book so I would like it back?" "You hero's, always thinking things should be handed to you." Mr. D said "Does that mean your not going to give it to me I said as I put some base into my voice to show my frustration. Unfortunately Mr. D seemed unfazed by this and Chiron looked alarmed.

"Enough of that." Chiron scolded "Give the​ boy back his book, it was given to him and belongs to him till other wise informed." With an annoyed expression, Mr.D seemingly pulled the book out of thin air as if there was an invisible book shelf of to the side of him. Tossing it to me, the book felt a lot heavier and thicker then the last time I held it. "Hope it does you some good for capture the flag." Mr. D said sarcastically as I walked off towards the cabins. Walking into my cabin, I saw two big satchels that looked as if they were threaded from silver itself and a 6ft scythe with a black blade laying on my bed. Opening the satchel I saw several different outfits made from either silk, cotton, or both with some having black scales on it ranging from lizard like to pangolin size. Taking out the clothing, there were two pairs of sneakers with one resembling black cleats and the other being high top black and grey vans with a helmet symbol on them.

Wondering who gave me this stuff, I looked to see if there was a note to no avail. Opening up the other satchel, it was filled with armor, daggers, a bag of coins and gems, and an envelope that was sealed with a key symbol with the words 'To Avernus Angelus Mortem' on the front. Sitting on my bed, I opened up the letter -

'Dear Avernus,
I know that as a mother, all I could ever do is wish for you to be happy and live a good life with a family. Unfortunately, I have let my greed for power get the best of me and my actions may cause you future harm. If your reading this, it means that the charm was broken and that your now in a safe haven which is the best thing for you. I'm sorry for having to leave you at that awful place, and I'm sorry that I wasn't strong enough to keep you with me. I've arranged for you to receive something at midnight on friday at the location known as Zues's fist. Hope you take care of them as well as they will you. For you to always keep them close by, read the phrase on the back.
-forever in your heart, Marie/ your mom'

Reading this, I felt as if someone had hit me in the gut as I held the letter up. Feeling my tears roll down my face, I allowed myself this moment of weakness and sorrow. To let myself fall into despair and mourning for the unknowing lost of my mother. For years, she's been the only one who knew and called me by my actual first name with my last name all but forgotten. Having my back towards the door, I heard it open "Hey Avery you ok?" Nico asked. Whipping my face, I cleared my throat before speaking "yeah, why do you ask?" "Because there's a thick layer of frost on the floor leading from your bed...and its kind of cold in here." Turning around I saw that there was ice on the floor causing me to panic.

"I'm so sorry!" I apologized."I didn't even know I was doing that or could do it." "No worries." He said with a smile "come on, its almost time for dinner and I really don't want to sit at the table alone." Smiling I got up and walked towards him as Mr. D's words rung in my head. "Hey Nico, when's capture the flag?" "Friday," he said simply "which is tomorrow."

So tell me what you guys think of the chapter. The image of the chapter is of the demon from chapter 3 so I hope your enjoying it.