Half Blood Revenge

Camp Delos

After performing the act needed to open the entrance to Camp Delos, Alex and I find ourselves thrown into a beautiful field. The moon is shining down onto the field to light our path up to what looks like a large Parthenon looking building.

We make our way down the path, thank goodness for our headlamps! As we approach the building we are surrounded by creatures that looks like half eagle and half lion. The one at the front starts to speak to us. My mouth drops open.

“Welcome Alex and Melody, we have been expecting you. My name is Griff, I am head of training and security at Camp Delos.”

Alex and I nod, not knowing exactly what to say.

“I know this is probably all new to you, so please know your reactions are typical that people don’t know what to say when they meet a Griffin.” Griff says to us.

“What is a Griffin exactly?” Alex asks.

I actually respond first as Greek history was one of my favorite subjects. “He’s part lion, part eagle. Griffins are said to be very wise and strong. They were also said to pull the chariot of Apollo.”

“Ahhh, yes. Melody, you are correct. I am not surprised you would know this, being the daughter of Apollo.” Griff says as he winks at me. “You both will be setup in your apartments, as your rooms are ready and waiting for you.”

“How did you know we were coming?” Alex asks.

“You aren’t the only ones with powers around here, ya know?” Griff chuckles to us. “Please, follow me.”

We follow Griff into the large building. To say it is beautiful would be an understatement. It looks like the exact replica of the Parthenon we studied in school. My mom loves this building, so I have seen many documentaries on it.

We continue up the stairs and enter a beautiful foyer. We pause in the center and Griff says to us, “Boys up on the left and girls will be up on the right. Alex your room is 3202 and Melody your room is 3116.”

“How do we get into the rooms? Won’t they be locked?” I ask.

“Yes, they are locked, but the door handle will know it is you upon your touch. You carry a genetic code from your mother and father that we can link to and allow access.” Griff tells us.

“Each apartment is furnished with a bed, dresser, closet, sitting area and bathroom. You will find your rooms already filled with the supplies you need. I suggest you take a shower and get some rest. We will answer a lot of your questions tomorrow.”

Alex and I nod and wave goodnight to each other. We head up our respective set of stairs and look for the room numbers assigned to us.

I finally reach room 3116 and just as Griff said, when I touch the golden handle, it recognizes my touch and opens. I step inside the room and am surprised how homey it feels. I was dreading the thought that one day I might have to decorate a college dorm room, which is one of the reasons I was going to stay at home at first for college. But, this is what I would have dreamed a room to be like.

I toss my backpack onto the chair in my room and take a look around. It is a studio style room, but it is pretty large. There is a mini kitchen area with a microwave and fridge. The fridge already has some water in it and there are some snacks stashed in the cabinet. The bed is a full bed with a white duvet cover and it has golden notes stitched into it. There is a chair and couch along with a tv. The closet also has some clothes in it, and in my size. How did they do that? The bathroom has a sink, shower and toilet. Modest, but wonderful! I can’t believe this is all mine!

I do as Griff recommended and hit a hot shower. It has been a weird day. After my shower, I grab a snack and lay in bed. I don’t even bother turning on the tv. I fall straight asleep.

No dreams tonight, at least not ones that I can remember. I didn’t set an alarm last night, but it doesn’t seem like I need to because I am woken to a loud gong sound.  I dress quickly, brush my hair and teeth, and step out of my room.

As I am exiting the room, someone trips over my foot as it was exiting the door. “Oh my gosh, I am so sorry” I say to the girl.

“No worries, I am okay.” She replies. She looks to be about the same age as me, maybe a little bit older. As she stands up, she reaches out her hand. “I’m Halle, Daughter of Poseidon. You must be new here.”

“Yea, just arrived last night. I’m Melody. Daughter of Apollo.” I respond back.

Halle brushes off her clothes, fixes her curly red hair and looks at me with her bright blue eyes. “Awesome, welcome. Want to follow me down to the cafeteria for breakfast?” She says.

“That would be great, I have no idea what I am doing or where I am going.” I say with a chuckle.

Halle grabs my hand and pulls me along with her. “Hurry, if the boys beat us down, they will get all the good food!” She laughs.

We hurry down the stairs into the foyer area and make our way out to the back of the building. Since we arrived at night in the dark, I couldn’t tell what else there was except for the large building we arrived at. As we exit the back doors I pause at the top of the steps and gasp. There are several smaller buildings scattered around the area. There looks to be an arena with people already riding around in what look like chariots.

“Melody, let’s keep going, the cafeteria is just that building over there.” She says to me. I continue to follow her down while also keeping my head on swivel at how amazing this place is.

When we arrive at the cafeteria it is filled with people and creatures. The back door to the cafeteria is like a large barn door that has unicorns, centaurs and other creatures going in and out. Next thing I know I duck down and a phoenix flies over my head.

Halle must have noticed the shock on my face. “I know it’s a lot to take in on day one. But, yes, all those creatures you’ve likely learned about in school, do actually exist here at Camp Delos.” She puts her arm around me and leads me towards the line where the humans are getting their food. “Come on, I know you are probably starving.”

We walk into the line and find a buffet of breakfast foods available. Everything from fruit and yogurt to waffles, French toast and eggs. My stomach starts to growl at all the smells.

I stock up my plate with a helping of eggs and waffles. I grab some orange juice from the drink area and we head to find a seat.

As we are walking through the tables, I see Alex. “Hey!” He calls out.

“Hi Alex,” I greet him.

“Can you believe all this Mel?” He says. I like it when he calls me Mel.

“It’s incredible. I can’t believe this is all real. I feel like I should be waking up from my dream any moment now.” I respond back.

“Right! I thought the same thing. Hey, as I was heading down to breakfast this morning and I met Ethan. Ethan, this is the girl I was telling you about, this is Mel.” I was kind of shocked he was already talking with people about me.

Ethan stands up to greet me and reaches out his hand. I set my tray down and shake his hand a reply, “It is great to meet you as well, Ethan.”

Ethan asks Halle and I to join him and Alex for breakfast. I looked at the amount of food on their plates and whisper to Halle, “You weren’t kidding that the guys pile up on food.” We both chuckle.

“So, have you guys met anyone else?” Ethan asks.

I reply, “No, when we arrived last night we were met by Griff who escorted us in and took us to our rooms. It was pretty late, so we both went straight up to the room.”

Alex added, “Ya I took a second to take in the foyer area, but otherwise I went straight to bed too. After being attacked by a cyclops last night, I was ready to relax.”

“Wait, you were attacked by a cyclops last night?” Askes Halle. “That’s strange. My Dad has a pretty good relationship with the cyclops, and they haven’t attacked half bloods in years.”

“What is a half blood?” I ask.

“That’s what you are… Half blood of a god, half blood of a mortal human.” She replies.

I nod my head and realize that there is still a lot to learn. “Well, Alex and I were on our way here and were pretty close to reaching the monument to enter. It was dark, so we couldn’t see that great. I was looking in my backpack when Alex came running at me, telling me to run. As we started towards the monument, my Dad, Apollo, appeared and shot an arrow at the Cyclops. I am not sure what happened next, but my Dad was gone and the cyclops was gone in a puff of smoke.”

Halle and Ethan look at each other with a worried look. “We need to take them to Eric.” Ethan says.

“I agree,” say Halle.

Alex asks the question I was wondering all along. “Who’s Eric?”