Dinner was great but I had my mom’s words stuck on repeat throughout thenight. 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 shelooked really tired. I decided it could wait. It was almost time to got to CampHalf-Blood again. My mind wandered to a happier place. I shook my head andtold myself I still had a full two weeks till I was going back. I said goodnightand 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 finallycame and I opened the message. He said he was busy but could FaceTime me inhalf an hour. I sent ok and then set my iPod done and waited. It felt like one ofthe 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 couldnthelp 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 himand his smile fades as well. When I finish telling the story, he looks at me andsighs. 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 preparetogether. He says. I nod. I hear a shout in the background. COMING DAD! Devinyells back and looks at me tiredly. I’ve got to go, but if anything happens, don’thesitate to call. I’m just a dial away. He says and flashes me one of hissignature smiles. I smile and give him a thumbs up. Love you. He says. Love youtoo. I tell him back and he hangs up. I stare at my black screen, trying toprocess what just happened. I put my iPod in my nightstand and turn out thelight. Brent was already asleep and was curled up under his blankets. I grab hisstuffed dinosaur, Rex, and set it next to him. I slide into bed and stare up at theceiling. I toss and turn for a while but eventually fall asleep. I had that dreamagain, the one with the owl and the storm and the words booming in my head. Aweek goes by and I get ever more tense, knowing that the present day could bethe one. I try to decipher the words. They felt important and personal. Like aprophecy. 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’shelp. 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 thechance. 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 madelines and bubbles on my thoughts. I reread over them. I added a few morethoughts before closing it. LURA! TIME FOR BREAKFAST! Mom yells. I gentlywake Brent up and we both head into the kitchen. The sound of sizzling andsomething baking in the oven made my mouth water. I sat down at a chair nextto the island and watched my Mom fry bacon on a pan. Yum. I say. She smilesand hands me a piece for me and Brent to share. It was hot but not too hot toeat. I broke it in half and handed it to Brent who was eyeing it hungrily. Heimmediately 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 didntargue. I got him a glass and filled it with orange juice. I handed it to him and hewent and sat down at the table with contempt. I chuckle and help Mom finishmaking breakfast. Micah and Bexter open the door with big smiles. We all smilewhen they bring in some groceries. Micah and me put the food away while Dadand 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 fullby the end, I thought I was going to burst. I helped clean up and then walkedback to my room. I had a new message from Devin and I opened it, curious. Itsaid, ‘meet me at the train station, we need to talk’’. Odd. but it must beimportant if he can’t wait till we get back to camp. I throw on some comfyclothes 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 meetup, I’ll be back in a little bit. I tell her and smiles one of those mom smiles. Havefun. She says. Dont forget to call me if something happens. I hold up my iPodand walk out the door. I was a senior in high school at 15. I passed my highschool and popped in my AirPods. I walked through the crowds and waited at acrosswalk just a block from the station. I had this feeling that I was beingfollowed. I start to feel uneasy. I finger my glasses, but I’m next to hundreds ofmortals. not a great time to get attacked. I think. I walk to where Devin told meto meet. I lean up against a steel pole and survey the area for Devin. The longerI didnt see him, the longer I started to worry. Maybe he’s just late. I tell myselfbut I don’t believe it. I’m about to call Bexter to pick me up but I see familiarblonde hair walk toward me. I breath a sigh of relief. Hey Devin. What’s wrong? Isay. 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 snakehalf woman monster. Of course, just when I was having a good morning. I thinkto myself. I pull off my glasses and my gleaming sword appears in a flash oflight. The crowd was ignoring us for the most part. I was thankful for the Mistand circled the monster. It hisses. Daughter of Athena…. Come to die. She saysin a slithery voice. Shivers gone down my spine as I hold up my sword. The thinglaughs and charges me. It was fast and I narrowly dodged. I went in for a blowlike Annabeth had taught me and scored a tiny hit. Over the past few months, Ihad been taking gymnastics to be more flexible and because Annabeth had beentrying to teach me how to flip and slash at the same time. I was glad for it thistime. I went through the motion in my head and used it when the monsterattacked next. I ran and bounced off the pole and flipped over the monster’shead. It looked at me in disbelief and I slashed its head off, sending golden dusteverywhere. I smiled and panted. I looked around and saw more mysteriousthings moving toward me. I saw an opening in the crowd and ran for the train. Ihopped aboard the train as the doors were sliding shut. Everyone looked at meand I tried to act casual. I sat down and grabbed my iPod. I called Bexter andhe picked up. Hey Dad, can you come pick me up? I just met the nicest personever. 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, Ithink we stop at the Bronx station. Can you meet me there? I ask him. Yep, beright there kiddo. He says and hangs up. I try to relax but my body was stillcoursing with adrenaline. Why would Devin set me up? I ask myself. I was aboutto 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. Theymust have sabotaged it and set me up. I think and it makes sense. I shut off myphone and don’t turn it back on till I get close to the station. The train comes toa stop and I merge with crowd. I shoot Bexter a text and he says he’s parkingthe by my exit. I see his car pull up. I hop in and lay back in the seat, suddenlytired from everything. What happened? He asks me as we pull out. I tell himabout how I had come to the station and Devin not being there then beingattacked then coming to my conclusion about my iPod. H listens and agrees thatI should just use his for the time being. It’s probably time we get you to camp.It’ll be fine 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 oftimes I’ve encountered one of those and gotten a new scratch everytime. Hesays and shows me a thin white line on his wrist. I shrug. I got lucky. I tell himand smile. He smiles and ruffles my hair and we go inside. Mom was in the livingroom, watching TV. She jumps up when she sees us. Are you alright? Did you gethurt? What happened? She asks me, looking me over. I’m fine Mom. I juts raninto some trouble at the station. I tell her. She handled it great. Bexter tellsMom 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 ofyou to turn off your phone but I fear its only temporary. She says. I’m gonnatake 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’llbe back Mom, I promise. This will give you a chance to play with Brent more. Itell her, knowing I kind of hog him. She smiles. That sounds good. I’ll still missyou though. She says. Dont worry, I’ll be back before you know it. I tell herwith a wink and another hug. I’m gonna grab my bag and tell Brent goodbye. Beright back. I tell them and run to my room. I throw all my shirts and stuff intomy bag and carefully put Hooty, my journal, and my books into my bag. I zip itshut and look at Brent. He looks at me confused and signs ‘where are yougoing’? I look at him sadly, knowing I wont see him for a bit. I’ll be back, I justhave to go to this camp for a bit.’ I sign to him. He looks sad and wraps me in ahug. I lift him into my arms and hug him. it was a long hug, but when your ademigod you take every hug you get. I set him down and kiss his forehead. I’llbe back, can you be a big boy and help Mom around the house for me’? I askhim. He salutes me and smiles. I laugh and ruffle his hair. I grab my bag andwalk out. I hear Mom and Dad talking urgently. Their coming soon, you’ll have tohurry. 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. Theyshare a look. Yes, but that’s normal. We are heading there after Bexter dropsyou off. Mom says. I curse my luck. Ok. I say. I wanted to be there for Astraeabut 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 thegods that everything goes well. We pull up to camp and I get out and look atBexter. 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 tofamiliar faces and head to cabin 6. I walk in and instantly relax. Ihead up to my room where Annabeth and Nika are chatting. Theyboth look at me. Lura?! Your early! How’s it going? Nika asks andgives me a big hug. Good, I got attacked at the train station todayso Bexter thought it was better if I came early. Also, the twinsare coming. I tell them and they tense. Now?! That’s early but notsurprising. Nika says. yeah, that’s what Bexter was saying. I’mgoing to the stables to clear my head. Is Devin here yet? I askthem. No, he said he’ll get here tommorrow. Nika tells me andsmiles. I know that smile. What are you plotting? I ask her. Shelooks at Annabeth who seemed to know. Its a surprise, go havefun. She says and I don’t argue. I quickly change into my campshirt and head to the stables. I had a foreboding feeling as Istarted flying but dismissed it. Big mistake.