Lura, Daughter of Wisdom Chapter 1
Dinner was great but I had my mom’s words stuck on repeat throughout the
night. I tried to enjoy myself and it was nice to catch up with Astraea and Cole.
After dinner, I was tempted to tell Astraea about my Mom’s words but she
looked really tired. I decided it could wait. It was almost time to got to Camp
Half-Blood again. My mind wandered to a happier place. I shook my head and
told myself I still had a full two weeks till I was going back. I said goodnight
and went back to my room. I pulled my IPod out and sent a quick text to Devin.
I waited for him to respond and drew some more in my journal. The DING nally
came and I opened the message. He said he was busy but could FaceTime me in
half an hour. I sent ok and then set my iPod done and waited. It felt like one of
the longest 30 minutes of my life. I scribbled furiously in my journal. Finally,
the FaceTime ring popped up and I opened it. Devin was smiling at me. I couldnt
help but smile at him. So, what is this important thing you need to talk about?
He asks with a smile. I loss my smile. Well, so earlier today… I start to tell him
and his smile fades as well. When I nish telling the story, he looks at me and
sighs. Wow, and this all happened today? He asks me. Yeah. I tell him softly.
Well, just hang in there till the next term ok? Then we can talk and prepare
together. He says. I nod. I hear a shout in the background. COMING DAD! Devin
yells back and looks at me tiredly. I’ve got to go, but if anything happens, don’t
hesitate to call. I’m just a dial away. He says and ashes me one of his
signature smiles. I smile and give him a thumbs up. Love you. He says. Love you
too. I tell him back and he hangs up. I stare at my black screen, trying to
process what just happened. I put my iPod in my nightstand and turn out the
light. Brent was already asleep and was curled up under his blankets. I grab his
stuffed dinosaur, Rex, and set it next to him. I slide into bed and stare up at the
ceiling. I toss and turn for a while but eventually fall asleep. I had that dream
again, the one with the owl and the storm and the words booming in my head. A
week goes by and I get ever more tense, knowing that the present day could be
the one. I try to decipher the words. They felt important and personal. Like a
prophecy. I stopped dead in my tracks at that thought. But I’m not a Apollo kid,
how can I have a prophecy? I asked myself. I was convinced I needed Astraea’s
help. I sat on the end of the line and it went to voicemail. Hey Astraea. Its Lura.
Look, I really need your advice on something. Call me back when you get the
chance. Tell Cole I said hi. Love you! I ended the call. I looked at the diagram I
Had made in my journal. I had written down the words in my journal and made
lines and bubbles on my thoughts. I reread over them. I added a few more
thoughts before closing it. LURA! TIME FOR BREAKFAST! Mom yells. I gently
wake Brent up and we both head into the kitchen. The sound of sizzling and
something baking in the oven made my mouth water. I sat down at a chair next
to the island and watched my Mom fry bacon on a pan. Yum. I say. She smiles
and hands me a piece for me and Brent to share. It was hot but not too hot to
eat. I broke it in half and handed it to Brent who was eyeing it hungrily. He
immediately gobbled it up and signed for more and I laughed. Mom laughed too.
I signed to him that he could have more when its ready. He pouted but didnt
argue. I got him a glass and lled it with orange juice. I handed it to him and he
went and sat down at the table with contempt. I chuckle and help Mom nish
making breakfast. Micah and Bexter open the door with big smiles. We all smile
when they bring in some groceries. Micah and me put the food away while Dad
and Mom work together to set the table. We all sat down and enjoyed bacon,
monkey bread that was drizzled in a glaze(yum!!!), and sausages. I was so full
by the end, I thought I was going to burst. I helped clean up and then walked
back to my room. I had a new message from Devin and I opened it, curious. It
said, ‘meet me at the train station, we need to talk’’. Odd. but it must be
important if he can’t wait till we get back to camp. I throw on some comfy
clothes and grab my backpack. I put on my glasses and walk out of my room.
Mom looks at me curiously. Where are you going? She asks. Devin wants to meet
up, I’ll be back in a little bit. I tell her and smiles one of those mom smiles. Have
fun. She says. Dont forget to call me if something happens. I hold up my iPod
and walk out the door. I was a senior in high school at 15. I passed my high
school and popped in my AirPods. I walked through the crowds and waited at a
crosswalk just a block from the station. I had this feeling that I was being
followed. I start to feel uneasy. I nger my glasses, but I’m next to hundreds of
mortals. not a great time to get attacked. I think. I walk to where Devin told me
to meet. I lean up against a steel pole and survey the area for Devin. The longer
I didnt see him, the longer I started to worry. Maybe he’s just late. I tell myself
but I don’t believe it. I’m about to call Bexter to pick me up but I see familiar
blonde hair walk toward me. I breath a sigh of relief. Hey Devin. What’s wrong? I
say. My heart stops. It wasn’t Devin. Gleaming fangs and a snake body come out
Of the crowd and a jagged sword is in its head. It was a Dracaenae, half snake
half woman monster. Of course, just when I was having a good morning. I think
to myself. I pull off my glasses and my gleaming sword appears in a ash of
light. The crowd was ignoring us for the most part. I was thankful for the Mist
and circled the monster. It hisses. Daughter of Athena…. Come to die. She says
in a slithery voice. Shivers gone down my spine as I hold up my sword. The thing
laughs and charges me. It was fast and I narrowly dodged. I went in for a blow
like Annabeth had taught me and scored a tiny hit. Over the past few months, I
had been taking gymnastics to be more exible and because Annabeth had been
trying to teach me how to ip and slash at the same time. I was glad for it this
time. I went through the motion in my head and used it when the monster
attacked next. I ran and bounced off the pole and ipped over the monster’s
head. It looked at me in disbelief and I slashed its head off, sending golden dust
everywhere. I smiled and panted. I looked around and saw more mysterious
things moving toward me. I saw an opening in the crowd and ran for the train. I
hopped aboard the train as the doors were sliding shut. Everyone looked at me
and I tried to act casual. I sat down and grabbed my iPod. I called Bexter and
he picked up. Hey Dad, can you come pick me up? I just met the nicest person
ever. I tell him our code words. Im on my way, where are you? He asks seriously.
I look around for a indication to where I was. I’m on a train heading north, I
think we stop at the Bronx station. Can you meet me there? I ask him. Yep, be
right there kiddo. He says and hangs up. I try to relax but my body was still
coursing with adrenaline. Why would Devin set me up? I ask myself. I was about
to call him and make him explain when I remember something Nika told me.
Monster’s can track phones. Mine wasn’t a phone but was close enough. They
must have sabotaged it and set me up. I think and it makes sense. I shut off my
phone and don’t turn it back on till I get close to the station. The train comes to
a stop and I merge with crowd. I shoot Bexter a text and he says he’s parking
the by my exit. I see his car pull up. I hop in and lay back in the seat, suddenly
tired from everything. What happened? He asks me as we pull out. I tell him
about how I had come to the station and Devin not being there then being
attacked then coming to my conclusion about my iPod. H listens and agrees that
I should just use his for the time being. It’s probably time we get you to camp.
It’ll be ne that your a little early. He says as we pull up back to the
Apartment. He puts a hand on my shoulder. Good job today, I’ve had plenty of
times I’ve encountered one of those and gotten a new scratch everytime. He
says and shows me a thin white line on his wrist. I shrug. I got lucky. I tell him
and smile. He smiles and rufes my hair and we go inside. Mom was in the living
room, watching TV. She jumps up when she sees us. Are you alright? Did you get
hurt? What happened? She asks me, looking me over. I’m ne Mom. I juts ran
into some trouble at the station. I tell her. She handled it great. Bexter tells
Mom with a smile. Mom calms down but still looks skeptical. Where was Devin?
She asks. I explain my theory and her brows knit together. That was smart of
you to turn off your phone but I fear its only temporary. She says. I’m gonna
take her to Camp early. Bexter says. Mom looks said but nods. Its for the best.
She says. I give her a big hug and enjoy the feel of her arms around mine. I’ll
be back Mom, I promise. This will give you a chance to play with Brent more. I
tell her, knowing I kind of hog him. She smiles. That sounds good. I’ll still miss
you though. She says. Dont worry, I’ll be back before you know it. I tell her
with a wink and another hug. I’m gonna grab my bag and tell Brent goodbye. Be
right back. I tell them and run to my room. I throw all my shirts and stuff into
my bag and carefully put Hooty, my journal, and my books into my bag. I zip it
shut and look at Brent. He looks at me confused and signs ‘where are you
going’? I look at him sadly, knowing I wont see him for a bit. I’ll be back, I just
have to go to this camp for a bit.’ I sign to him. He looks sad and wraps me in a
hug. I lift him into my arms and hug him. it was a long hug, but when your a
demigod you take every hug you get. I set him down and kiss his forehead. I’ll
be back, can you be a big boy and help Mom around the house for me’? I ask
him. He salutes me and smiles. I laugh and rufe his hair. I grab my bag and
walk out. I hear Mom and Dad talking urgently. Their coming soon, you’ll have to
hurry. I know, but she needs the protection of the camp now. I’ll be back soon.
Bexter says and grabs his keys. Are the twins coming early? I ask them. They
share a look. Yes, but that’s normal. We are heading there after Bexter drops
you off. Mom says. I curse my luck. Ok. I say. I wanted to be there for Astraea
but I also knew that I needed the camp. Let’s go. I say and we get in the car.
Bexter is rigid the whole ride. I understand. I send a silent prayer up to the
gods that everything goes well. We pull up to camp and I get out and look at
Bexter. Call me when they come. No matter what time I will pick up. I tell him.
He nods and drives off. I walk into camp and admire it. I wave to
familiar faces and head to cabin 6. I walk in and instantly relax. I
head up to my room where Annabeth and Nika are chatting. They
both look at me. Lura?! Your early! How’s it going? Nika asks and
gives me a big hug. Good, I got attacked at the train station today
so Bexter thought it was better if I came early. Also, the twins
are coming. I tell them and they tense. Now?! That’s early but not
surprising. Nika says. yeah, that’s what Bexter was saying. I’m
going to the stables to clear my head. Is Devin here yet? I ask
them. No, he said he’ll get here tommorrow. Nika tells me and
smiles. I know that smile. What are you plotting? I ask her. She
looks at Annabeth who seemed to know. Its a surprise, go have
fun. She says and I don’t argue. I quickly change into my camp
shirt and head to the stables. I had a foreboding feeling as I
started ying but dismissed it. Big mistake.