the confusion and shock swirled his mind. it felt like a tornado was spinning in his head, throwing things around and sucking things up. destroying whatever was in its path. the words his mother told him made his ears ring.

"go find her," the woman, eliza sterling, had whispered to her boy, "go find lilly," a cold and shaky hand clutching her sons bicep as she barely clung onto her life. her other hand slipped a slip of paper into his jacket pocket.

the world was cruel, he learned. the boy, just barely fourteen, had watched eliza's life drain from her eyes and he felt her soul slipping through her body, through his fingers as he tried desperately to save her. nothing worked. "mama, mami!" he pleaded, holding her body close as he screamed and begged. he shook her lifeless body.

tears streamed down his face, which was caked in blood and dust. he didn't care that their car was completely destroyed next to him, flipped upside down with its windows shattered. he didn't even care that just a few feet away, a monster stalked him. ready to attack, and to kill.

all ambrose cared about was his mother, and how he felt like he now had nothing to live for. what was life without her? she took care of him. she raised him alone, worked three jobs to make ends meet, and this is what she got? a brutal end to her life?

ambrose hugged her body, ignoring the chill that ran down his spine when the creature stalked closer. "mama, i can't do it alone." he whispered, pulling back and looking at her face. it was void of life. his mother was a lively person, no matter how tired she always was.

she always held a smile, her eyes always looked so bright. she had deep smile lines, wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, and on her forehead. it was proof of her living. ambrose thought his mother was the most beautiful woman in the world.

his mother was his best friend, the only friend he ever really had. it was only ever them as he grew up. his father was a deadbeat and his papa died when he was a baby. eliza didn't like bringing men around, as she was never interested in dating.

he slowly lifted his hand to clutch the necklace around his mothers neck, "please protect me, mami." he whispered, moving his hands to unclip the chain and shove it into the pocket of his jeans and kissed his mother's forehead. he took a deep breath for courage.

ambrose didn't bother turning around as in a split second, he was on his feet and taking off. he had never run faster, he could probably beat his schools and his own personal track record in that moment. he heard thumping behind him, but he ignored it.

the one eyed, big ass monster (as eliza had called it) chased after him. it's breathing was heavy and loud. "it has one eye," he noted as he panted to himself. he ran into woods, his lungs burning. he might have been his schools track star, but this was too much for him.

he was tired, in pain, and grieving his mother; running was the last thing he wanted to do in that moment, but he had to. his mother had told him to find lilly. he didn't have time to rack his memories to figure out who lilly was, but he remembered his mother mentioning her many times throughout his life.

he remembered seeing a picture of her once, years ago when he was six. lilly had to be in her twenties by now, right? surely. he remembers now.

"one eye." he repeated as he reached down to grab a stone, slowing his running for a moment. the cyclops was slow-ish, due to its big size. the multi-talented boy turned on his heel, reeled his arm back, before throwing it forward with such force he felt like nolan ryan.

the stone went flying into the cyclops' eye, making the monster fall to the ground with a yell. "take that, bitch." ambrose flipped the monster off before turning on his heel and running away again.

it was too much running. him and his mother were in the middle of a road trip, she wanted to visit new york she had said. ambrose didn't know where she had gotten the money for a trip to the big city, but he didn't question it.

i mean, they were driving from new mexico to new york... that would've been a lot of money, wouldn't it? but, now he understands why. it was day one and they'd already made it to oklahoma city. they'd been on the road for twelve and a half hours.

she was in a rush and he had been questioning for the last twelve hours; now he knows why. but, he didn't want to know why. he wanted to have a fun road trip to new york city with his mother, but of course he can't get what he wants.

"please, let me find you, lilly." he mumbled, stumbling out of the woods and onto the main road again. suddenly, the adrenaline rush was gone as the boys knees have out and he collapsed to the ground.

he was on his hands and knees, trying not to pass out as his shaky arms held him up. but, it was no use. ambrose's face slammed against the concrete as he lost consciousness. but, that was two hours ago.

now, ambrose was sat on a full-size mattress in some semi-truck drivers semi. he didn't even know they made semi's like this. it was like a tiny room behind the seats, he thought it was dope. "ah, you're awake." the man in the front seat sighed in relief as she climbed into his truck.

"what time is it? who are you?" ambrose mumbles, wiping the sleep and exhaustion from his eyes. "names joel," the man held his hand out, "found you on the side 'o the road," joel was clearly southern with the way he spoke.

"oh..." ambrose's demeanor changed. his eyes unfocused as he became distant in his thoughts, "i, uh... i was on my way to take you to the hospital, but i had to stop for the bathroom," the man looked just a bit ashamed in his words, "what's your name, kid?"

"ambrose,"

"alright, ambrose. hospital time, yeah?" joel turned forward in the drivers see as ambrose moved to sit next to him. panic arose in his chest, "no, no, i can't." he shook his head rapidly. joel looked confused.

"no? kid, you need to see a doctor." joel looked worriedly, "is everything okay, son?"

"i can't go to the hospital! sir, i— i'm trying to find someone. lilly, her name is lilly." ambrose's hands shook as he pulled the piece of paper from his pocket, the one his mother gave him before she...

joel took the paper, unfolding it. it was a folded picture, "her, huh?" he flashed ambrose the photo before turning it around. he read the words scribbled on the back. it was an address.

"missouri?" joel let out a hard breath, "shit, i can get you to missouri." he looked over to ambrose who's face lit up.

"really? thank you, thank you!" the boy was almost ecstatic. this is what his mother wanted him to do, so why wouldn't he do this? besides, he knew lilly. he remembered her, he just didn't remember a whole lot about her.

ambrose remembered her voice the most. she was soft spoken, comforting. he didn't know why thats all he remembered. "i'll see you soon, ambrose," the words started echoing in his mind.

soon.

"strap in, kid. we're only a couple hours away from missori. you'll be there soon enough," joel started the semi-truck, the rumbling loud and making the cab shiver slightly from the large engine.

ambrose's fingers, still stained with crimson blood, grabbed the seatbelt and clicked it in. he'd be to missouri soon.

"see you soon, ambrose,"

the words swirled in his mind.

⁎⁺˳✧༚

ambrose waved goodbye to the man. almost five hours later and he was springfield, missouri. "see ya, kid! good luck!" joel yelled out of the window of the semi's cab. "thanks again!" ambrose lifted his hand and waved goodbye to joel. they were just outside of springfield, and the boy would have to walk the rest of the way.

he didn't mind, it was only around fifteen minutes before he walked into the city. the blood that was previously caked on his hands and face had been washed away by joel, after ambrose made him stop at a gas station after the blood had made him so uncomfortable and itchy.

ambrose walked down the sidewalks with a confused expression. he looked at every street sign, eyebrows furrowed and a deep frown on his face. his head was pounding, and he didn't know why.

maybe it was still the shock of it all, and the lack of good sleep. joel told him he was only passed out for a good ten minutes before waking up at the rest stop five hours ago.

his wiped his (still blood stained) hand across his forehead, ridding his skin of the sweat that began to drip. he refused to wash his mothers blood away.

"are you lost?" a sudden voice spoke from behind him.

he whipped around quickly, eyes widening as he hadn't expected someone to talk to him. it was late, specifically ten at night.

"no, i'm fine." ambrose spoke sternly. he was afraid.

the woman was old, seemingly harmless, but something about her set every alarm off in the young boys mind. "are you sure you're not lost?"

ambrose nodded stiffly, "i said i'm fine, ma'am. just on a walk." he stepped back. "oh, but a boy like you shouldn't be wandering alone." he had to blink harshly. he knew she wasn't normal.

he didn't understand what was going on.

boy like me? he had thought.

he didn't know what was happening. ambrose didn't know why monsters were actively hunting him. it scared him. he hoped he was dead, or dreaming.

definitely dreaming, more than anything.

ambrose turned on his heel and sped walk away. he ignored the alarms blaring in his head, ignoring the itching feeling to turn around and look at her.

but he couldn't.

he started running the moment he heard her screeching. "shit!" ambrose cursed, turning the corner with speed that made him stumble. that didn't stop him.

nobody on the roads truly batted an eye at the scene, almost as if they couldn't see what he could.

what was happening?

he ran up on a crosswalk, the cars were zooming passed. if he ran across the street, he could risk getting hit by a car. but if he didn't, he could be killed by a bird-woman.

he would rather be hit by a car.

with hesitation, ambrose ran into the road. he dodged cars, just barely, as the bird woman screeched after him. she was gaining and fast.

she could probably beat his track record.

"forbidden child!" she screamed.

forbidden?

the headlights of a truck shone bright in the corner of his eye as the bird-woman reached a taloned hand to grab him. at the last moment he dove out of the street, rolling on the sidewalk. the car slammed into the monster.

with one last screech, she had disintegrated into ashes that blew in the breeze. sat on his ass, ambrose panted. he was in shock.

"what the fuck," he mumbled, "like, what the hell?!" ambrose fell back onto the concrete, catching his breath. he panted, eyes closed.

he sat in silence, listening to cars pass by him. maybe god was on his side, because it was only when he was being chased that the streets were busy.

or maybe god was praying on his downfall with the amount of times he almost got hit. either one was fine.

"excuse me?" a soft spoken voice sounded from above him. ambrose shot up with a gasp, scrambling away from her. standing above him was a young woman wearing an ankle length, olive green dress.

"are you okay, my love?" she questioned. no alarm bells went off in her head, as she kneeled down to his level, "you poor boy, i can tell how exhausted you are." she sighed, looking at him with sad eyes.

he nodded slowly.

so tired.

"what are you doing out here so late?"

"i'm looking for someone," his voice was meek, sinking into himself as he shakily held out the folded picture. she took it and as soon as her eyes landed on the picture, she smiled widely, "ambrose..."

his name slipped off her tongue easily, "i know where you can find lilly." the woman stood with a hand held out for the boy. ambrose didn't want to take it. what if she hurt him?

what if she was like the bird-woman?

its almost like she read his mind, because she spoke assuredly, "i'm not like that harpy that was trying to kill you, sweetheart. take my hand, i'll take you to lilly." she wiggled her fingers, "if it makes you feel any better, my name is cora. i knew your mother, eliza, and i know lilly."

ambrose nodded curtly, reluctantly taking her hand and allowing her to pull him from the ground. "i'm parked just around the corner." she led him down the sidewalk, an arm comfortingly placed around his shoulders, and they turned the corner.

⁎⁺˳✧༚

ambrose was immediately tackled into a hug, "oh, amby!" the girl spoke, hugging him tightly. lillemor felt tears sting her eyes. it had been eight long years since she last seen him, but she still looked the same. ambrose was uncomfortable within the embrace, his arms still at his sides.

"uh, hi?" he cleared his throat awkwardly as she pulled away. immediately, lilly gasped in realization. "sorry, sorry! i'm lillemor, i'm... family. from your fathers side. cora is my mother." she introduced.

"your mother told me you were coming... where is eliza?" lillemor questioned, "she wasn't with you when you arrived?"

"my mother died. we were attacked by... shit, a one eyed monster." ambrose ran his hands down his face, wincing slightly as he rubbed one of his wounds.

"a cyclops. eliza hasn't told you anything, has she?" lillemor looked to her mother for guidance. the woman shook her head.

"get him inside, lillemor." cora told her daughter who nodded, taking ambrose's hand and leading him up the porch of the house. lilly and cora lived on the outskirts of the city, pretty isolated from everyone else.

cora didn't follow them inside, leaving ambrose a little confused as he was led into the living room. lillemor wordlessly stood in front of the couch, where she forced him to sit, halfway across the room.

she was awkward and anxious, "do you want water, or tea? maybe coffee? i used to make really good chamomile tea for you when you were little," she grinned.

"we're practically the same age," ambrose scoffed, "it's been, like... eight years. why haven't you aged? why do you look the same? who even are you?" his words were fast as he questioned her.

"i had to explain it to your mother and she was bringing you to me so i could explain it to you," lillemor sighed deeply, "did your mother ever talk to you about greek mythology?"

ambrose stared at her, the look on his face stupid as he started to grow more confused. "what does that have to do with anything? my mother just died because we were attacked!"

"attacked by what, ambrose?"

"a cyclops, i told you this! well, you told me— that's besides the point," he scoffed loudly, leaning into the couch cushions.

lillemor sat in an arm chair, "this has everything to do with greek mythology, amby."

thirty minutes later, ambrose was staring off as he processed everything.

his father is a greek god, he is a demi-god, monsters are hunting him to kill him, lillemor is the daughter of a god and a goddess, her mothers a goddess. he just met a goddess and cora wasn't her real name.

"this is unbelievable. i'm dead. i'm dead, or this is some sick joke." he pushed the heels of his palms into his eyes, seeing flashes of color from the pressure. "i'm not lying, ambrose." she sighed deeply.

lillemor wanted to protect him from the truth, but eliza had told her it was getting harder. it was getting harder to lie to the smart boy.

"so, this camp half-blood is supposed to protect me? how does that work?" he questioned.

"a forbidden child, thalia, she recently died and her godly father transformed her into a pine tree, and the tree became infused with her life force. it created a powerful barrier that repels monsters."

"forbidden child? that's what that bird lady called me. am i a forbidden child?"

lillemor shook her head, "we wont know until your father claims you as his son." her explanation was contradicting her previous statement from earlier.

"but you said we're related through my father," ambrose was quick to remind, but lillemor ignored him. "you must be starving! i'll make you food," the girl rushed out of the living room, leaving the boy on the couch.

ambrose looked confused as he stared at her retreating figure, until she was out of sights in the kitchen. she inhaled and exhaled deeply. if he was claimed, then it could come true. everything she was warned of. she had to make sure this boy made it to camp.

she had to make sure he made it to camp and she made it to the underworld in time to stop their father from making the decision of claiming him. lillemor grabbed an apple, so ruby red, as she left back to the living room.

"here's something to hold you over while i get started with dinner," she held it out to him, but ambrose made no move to take it. his eyes were narrowed to slits as he glared up at her.

"i want answers. not just this story that you told me, i want answers to my questions." he demanded.

lillemore grinned down at him, "just as demanding as ever, huh, little brother?"

⁎⁺˳✧༚

AUTHORS NOTE
AMBY AND HIS MOMMA HAVE
ME CRYING REAL TEARS AUGH.

so excited to get into their flashbacks
and stuff but thats not for a while!!

ambrose and lilly are the siblings ever
and i adore them so deeply.

short as fuck but i hope u like this. word
count is 3k.