Nika was born to a loving father in the suburbs of Chicago. Her father, a formerMarine, worked with scientists at the nearby bio lab. He had done well in theMarines before settling down. 6’3 and built like a tight end, Kyle Burns was anintimating man. Not only was he strong and fast, he was crazy smart. Top of hisclass, he had a bright future ahead of him. He had Served 7 years beforemoving to Chicago. He had worked at the lab when he met Nika’s mom. She wasworking at the lab with him for a short time and somehow they had fallen inlove. A year later, Nika came along. But what Kyle didnt know until after Nikawas born was at Nika’s mom wasn’t just anybody. She was the Greek goddessAthena. She had explained that she couldnt stay and that he would have to lookafter their infant daughter. No matter how hard he pleaded, she wouldnt stay.So, he raised Nika by himself. Nika grew up thinking her mom had died after shewas born. Nika’s father tried his best to raise the rambunctious girl who wassuper smart. She was also not afraid of anything. She would come home fromschool with bruises and sometimes a bloody nose from fights she would get in.She wouldn’t let anyone belittle her. Her dad admired that in her but he tried toshow her that she needed to keep her cool. She tried her best, for her dad. Thedays she would come home battered and bruised became less and less. At thistime, her dad met a woman through mutual friends. She was nice enough and,like Nika’s dad, had lost her spouse. Except hers had really died. Nika was 8when her dad married the woman, Shannon. Shannon had moved in with them.Nika liked her but preferred her dad. Shannon also had a kid. A boy who wasthirteen, Walter. The first time he and Nika had met, they kept their distance.But gradually, they became best friends. Nika loved having someone to hang outwith who would play games she liked. They would spend hours together. It wasunusual for a thirteen year old to spend that much time with a 8 year old. Butnevertheless, Walter always made time for Nika. They would play catch,poker(not for real money obviously), and even watch sports together. Nika grewup with a built in best friend. But, life people must learn that all good thingscome to an end. Nika’s stepmom fell ill with cancer when she was ten and passedaway. Walter took this hard. Nika still had her dad but Walter may as well havebeen a orphan. He slumped into a depression and started to be morE distant.Nika took this hard. But her dad took this especially hard. He had lost twospouses. He too sunk into depression but unlike Walter, he turned to acholol Instead of isolation. He would be out a lot, leaving ten year old Nika alone athome with Walter who would shut himself in his room. Nika got into more fightsbut started to keep to herself more. A year passed and things only worsened.Her dad would come home drunk and angry. She would have to wait till morningto talk to her dad, the one person who had been with her the whole time. Theone she could always talk to and trust. The one that would take her in hisstrong arms and hold her close and whisper to her that it would be ok. Shesoon learned that she had to rely on her smarts, quick thinking, and smartmouth to survive. She developed a system over the next half year. She would goto school and use her quick mouth to avoid bullies and fights, then use hersmarts to make it through school, then run home and convince Walter to helpher with her homework to slowly work him out of his shell. Then she would hidein her room and wait for her dad to calm down then help him. Little Nika soongrew up. As her 12th birthday approached, things were slightly better. Her dadhad eased off the drinking a bit but he still did. Walter had started to come outof his shell and even agreed to play catch with Nika again after school eventhough he was more reserved. She was waLking home one day, her 12thbirthday that day. She looked forward to her dad having a she ready andwaiting for her and Walter with his goofy smile ready to sing happy birthday.Nika smiled at the thought and walked up to her house. She hesitated.Something felt… off. The house seemed to be deserted. She walked in. Thehouse was pitch black. Walter should be back by now. She thinks. Walter? Dad?Are you guys home? She asks into the empty house. She heard a faint shufflingand froze. We didnt have a dog. She thought. She looked around for a weaponof some sort and grabbed a nearby pen. Out of the darkness came, her dad?Dad? She asked as he shuffled toward her. She backed up, fearing he was in oneof his moods. But he looked fine, in fact, more alive. He pulled her into a hug.Hey a baby. Happy Birthday. He says. Nika was shocked. She hugged her dadback. Thanks Dad. Where’s Walter? She asked with hope growing in her. Hesighed. Walter… he.. he got into decieded that he wanted to be alone. He says.Ok, but its my birthday so Ill go get him. She says but her dad doesnt let hergo. No baby, he’s not here. Nobody can find him. He’s just…gone. He says. Herheart stopped. W-what do you mean goNe? I ask him. He shakes his head. He…had to go somewhere to clear his head. He hasn’t been himself since Shannon… He stopped. His voice hitching. Dad. Dad look at me. She says and he looks herin her eyes. Where. Is. Walter? She asks. I dont know. He disappeared with anote that didnt give me any details. He sighed and handed me the note. Ialready filed a missing persons report And some of my Marine friends arelooking for him but theres been no sign of him. He says. Tears were streamingdown her face. Her best friend, gone. Can I see the note? She asks. He nods andhands it to her. She opens the crumpled piece of printer paper. She reads thescribbled note, concentrating on every letter.Dear Dad and Nika,Im sorry that I have to leave. I just need to get away and think. I dont knowwhen Ill be back. Thanks for looking after me. And happy birthday Nika sorry Iwasn’t there for you. Love,WalterShe crumpled the note up and tears ran down her face. Her dad reached forher to give her another hug but she punched him away. No. He can’t be gone. HEJUST CANT BE! She said, her voice rising. Nik- wait! Her dad yelled as she ranout of the house and to the garage. She grabbed her helmet and bike andpedaled away as fast as she could. Her dad yelled after her for her to comeback but she ignored him and kept going. She rode and rode until she couldntanymore. She stopped under a bridge and cried. Not only for her brother, butfor Her best friend. She guessed they were the same thing but… it was justtoo painful. Even to breathe. She sobbed until she couldnt anymore. She just satthere as The cars went over the bridge causing the bridge to rumble. Nikadidn’t know what time it was but it was dark by the time something movednearby causing her to jump. She looked around and grabbed a nearby branch.It’ll have to do. She thinks and faces the unknown foe. It walks out of thebushes and Nika attacks with her stick. It grunts as she attacked. Nika stop! Thevoice says. She stopped. Walter?! He said as her brother brushed splinters offhis sweatshirt. He grimaced at the new bruises. Yep its me. He says. Nika ranand wrapped in a hug. Woah woah. Easy there. He said and hugged her back. Imissed you. Nika says. Me too sis. He says. She pushes him and punches him inthe gut. He doubles over. What was that for?! He asks. You left me! Alone!Without anyway to talk to you! And on my birthday! Jerk! Nika yelled at him.Fair enough but I had to. He says and stumbles to his feet. Why? She asks, Anger taking over. He hesitated. Why Walter?! She yells. Because monsters areafter me ok?! I was trying to protect you! He yells finally. Monsters?! You got tobe joking. That’s the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard. She tells him with mad grin.He looks at her. Its true! I swear on my Babe Ruth rookie card. He says andNika pauseS. He loved that card more than anything, maybe even more thenNika. Ok. She says and looks at him with her arms folded. Why are theremonsters after you? Nika asks. I know this sounds weird but I’m a demigod. AGreek one. And monsters love to hunt me down and Try to kill me! He sayS. Ademigod?! I know it should’ve sounded absurd but somewhere, deep inside of me,it made sense. I hated that. So wait, like you mean to tell me that you arerelated to a Greek god? And their real? she asks. He nods. She laughedhysterically. Your kidding right? This is all some joke that you made up to prankme on my birthday? Very funny Walter. She says. It’s not a joke Nika, especiallyyou. Your a halfblood like me. That’s why I needed to find you. He says. Themonsters Are after you too. Youve come of age. They’re going to come for youand there’s only one place you can go to be safe. That’s where I was going. Hesays trying to convince me. That same cord of seeing that as truth deep in mecame up and I tried to squash it. Nika, there is oNly one place where we canboth be safe. And that’s camp halfblood. He says and looks me in the eye. wait,your telling me that a Greek goddesses is my mother?! I ask him. Yes. He saysbluntly. All the new information in my head ran through over and over. Butpieces of the puzzle were starting to fit together. My dad had always told methat my real mother had died when I was born which in theory was the perfectcover up. But one thing still puzzled me. Why wouldnt he tell me? If its thatdangerous then why keep it from me and not send me to this supposed safeplace? She askS. He shrugs. I dont know. But you were too young to go so maybethat’s why. He said. Ok….. so, where is this camp? She asks. Long Island NewYork. He says. I gaped at him. That’s like 789 miles away! I tell him. He sighed infrustration. I know! Why do you think I’ve been saving up? I have more thanenough to get me to New York by train. He says. I do have enough to get bothof us to New York but we’ll have to walk or hitch hike to camp from there. hesays and thinks. Ok, then lets go. She tell him. Really? Your taking thissurprisingly well. He said. Yeah, I mean it does and doesnt make logical sense atthe same time but if you swear on your Babe Ruth card than I have to take Your word for it. She tells him. He smiles. Thanks sis. Now, lets get going beforesomething finds us. He says. We both run to the Chicago train station and boughtthe tickets. The ticket master was suspicious of us but after we explained ourclever well thought out lie he let us through. we boarded the train and set off.It was pretty uneventful on the train ride. We hardly talked. Though he did tellme that he had figured out that he was a halfblood right before Shannon died.She had told him on her death bed and he had researched all he could on it. Hewas lucky no monsters had gotten him which was unusual apparently. He didntknow who was his dad but he had some theories. I think Apollo or Hermes butim not sure. He says. (I changed pov to Nika’s head so it doesnt get confusing). Ikinda zoned out a bit, still trying to figure everything out. I too wondered whomy godly parent was. It was obliviously a goddess since I was 100% sure my dadwas my real dad. It was still dark outside when we got to New York. The citywas busy even though it was like 1 in the morning. We avoiding people as muchas we could and kept going. I was so tired. We kept walking though. Walter hadhis phone that gave us directions. It took us about an hour to just Get out ofthe city. We still had like a three hour walk/run to the forest near the camp.We took a break after getting out of the city and I instantly collapsed. Maybewe should stay here for a bit. Walter says and looks around. Okay, sounds good.I say and I pass out. I was shaken awake by Walter, the sun was setting and Istarted up. Why did you let me sleep for so long?! I ask him, angry at him andmyself. He holds a hand over my mouth and I was tempted to bite him. He put a
finger to his mouth signaling for silence. He points to massive figures about amile away. Huge mishappen shapes. Cyclops, how’d they find us? Walter askshimslef. Wait those are cyclops? I ask him and try to get a better look at thethings. They were each 10-12 feet tall and had either dreads or no hair. Theyhad arms and legs as think as trees and had one massive ugly eye. Two hadhorns on their head. We need to move, we can try to hitch hike soon. He saysand we start off at a jog. We run as far as we could before I needed to catchmy breath. Walter was a lot more athletic than I was so he could go farther. Imean, if you call being the best baseball player on the team and a track starsuper athletic then that was Walter. I tried to breath. When I had caught mybreath enough we continued on. We ran until Walter explained that we could finda car once we got to the next rode. We ran until we came upon the road and Waited for a car to pass by. It took almost an hour for a car to finally stop andask if we needed a ride. It was a man in his late 40s with a kind face. Yes thatwould be wonderful! Walter tells him and we hop in the back of his truck. Sowhere are yall of to? He asks in a southern accent. I guessed he was from outof state. Can you drop us off near here? Its near our camp we’re staying at forthe summer. Walter says with a smile and shows him the GPS location. The mannods. Sure, that’s on the way to where I’m going. Buckle up! He says and wesmile at our luck and buckle. The mans name was Jack and he was on his way tomeet his sister who lived up here. He asked where we were from and I almostblew our cover. We’re from downstate, we are going to this camp but ourgrandparents dropped us off at the wrong place and had already left when werealized it. Walter says. Huh, then why didnt you just call them? He asks. Walterpaused, not knowing what to say. Our grandparents leave their phones at theirhouse sometimes and we figrured that was why they weren’t answering. I sayand Walter sighs in relief. Jack nodded. Well, im glad I found yall then. We drivefor the next 20 minutes engaged in a friendly conversation with Jack. He hadcountry music on in the background and I started to like it. Jack was fromMississppi and was visiting his sister who was having her third child. We’ll this isyour stop. He says and pulls over. Thank you Jack, we would’ve been in bigtrouble without you. Walter says. No problem, thank you for keeping this tripexciting. He says and pulls out with a smile and a wave. Once he was out ofsight we head the last mile to camp. We should be close now. Walter says andwe both start to get excited to have finally made it. We crest a small hill and Ipoint out tiny pinpricks of light in the forest. That’s it! We did it Nika! Waltersays and we start down the hill. We were halfway down when the groundrumbled. What’s happening? I ask Walter. he turns around and turns ghost white.I look back to see the cyclops from earlier running toward us with clubs raisedand bellowing for our blood. RUN!!! Walter yells at me and force my tired legsinto a dead sprint. The beasts were right behind us. Run for the camp! We’ll besafe there! He yells and we sprint through the forest toward the light. Everysecond seemed to bring the brutes closer. I did the calculations in my head. Weweren’t gonna make it. The monsters were too fast. WE HAVE TO LOSE THEM INTHE TREES THEN CIRCLE BACK! Walter yells and we weave in and out of trees.The cyclops seemed to get farther away and we felt we could circle back. We Ran toward the light again but crashed into something. It was a cyclops. Itsbeady eye locked on me and Walter and it raised it club to kill us. I was frozenin place. I tried to move but my brain didnt work. In slow motion, the club camedown. Just before it hit me, I felt something ram me out of the way. blackdotted my vision as I hit a tree. I groaned and looked to see Walter with a sadsmile on his face in the place I was not a millisecond ago. NO! I yelled as theclub smashed into him and he fell to the ground, limp and lifeless. WALTER!!! Iyelled in greif and sobbed. The cyclops yelled in triumph and turned to me. Justwhen it was going to charge me, a spear blurred past me and buried itself inthe things beefy shoulder. It roared in angry and pain and crumpled to goldendust. Over here! I heard someone yell and a group of people in armor rushedover with swords and spear glinting in torch light. Someone pointed at me butthe grief and exhaustion kicked in and I passed out. I don’t remember anythingtill the next morning. I woke up in a white tent where a blonde haired girl anda guy in a white doctors robe stood. She’s awake! The guy said and they bothwalked over. I didnt want people. My only friend in the whole world was gone,really gone this time. The girl, who had striking grey eyes looked at me. She puta hand on my arm. Hey, that was very brave of you last night. She says. I felttears brim my eyes. Hey hey its ok. Everything will be ok. Your here now ok? Shesays and sits down on the cot next to me. Annabeth, they need you over at theBig House for a meeting. The guy said. She rolled her eyes. can you tell themthat im in the middle of something. She asks. He nods and runs off. What’s yourname kid? She asks. Nika. I croak out. Nika, i like that name. She says. ImAnnabeth, daughter of Athena. She says. Annabeth. The daughter of Athena partstruck that deep cord in me again and an owl screeched out of nowhere. A greyglow shone above and an owl hovered over me. Annabeth gasped and mutteredunder her breath. What is that? I ask. She laughes. That means your my littlesister. She says. Me? A daughter of Athena? I mean it made sense now and allbut still. Come on, its time to show you around camp. She says and helps me up.Two weeks laterI had adjusted to camp life and learned who Annabeth really was. Apparentlyshe was different to me than the rest of the camp besides her boyfriend Percy.Being an Athena kid was nice. They had a service for Walter. It was one of thehardest things ever. After that I really settled in. I thought it was going to be A nice uneventful summer. Boy was I wrong. Sure it was fun and awesomebut… crazy and heart wrenching. And it all started with a girl like me whostumbled into campe just like me. She was quiet and traumatized butAnnabeth treated her like she did me. Her name was Lura. Hey! I told herand wrapped her in a hug as she climbed the stair to our cabin. She
flinched but then retuned my hug. I’m Nika and I just know we’re gonna bebest friends! I tell her and she smiled. I bet this is the start of something.I think as I show her our roomThe end! U all know the rest! Sorry its so ling but yk me! Dedicated to@cabin3!