Half Blood Revenge

The Journey

I am still in a state of shock after Dad revealed who my escort would be to Camp Delos. I wonder if Alex knew and that is why he has been acting differently towards me the last few days.

As Dad requested, I waited until he left to unwrap his present. Inside was a beautiful backpack with his Lyre symbol on it and I could feel it had items inside. I feel like I have seen this backpack before. I then remember my dream. When I opened the backpack, I started to panic.

“MOM!” I yell. I start hyperventilating as she comes in and tries to get me to calm down.

“Honey, what’s wrong? You need to calm down and breath.” She tells me.

After a minute of reassurance from my mom and her calming me down, I explain it to her. “Mom, this backpack is the one that I saw in my dream that I told you about. This is the instrument I saw in my dreams.” I said as I pulled out the small wooden flute. There was also a map and a note from Dad.

“What if what I saw in my dream was a premonition? What if what I saw is going to happen on our way to Camp Delos?”

“Well, my thought is that maybe premonition is one of your powers, so it is quite possible. But, I also know we have the ability to change our fate. So, maybe we can still make sure that you don’t meet the cyclops you saw in your dreams.” She assures me with a hug.

“How many powers can I have?” I ask Mom. She shrugged as she doesn’t know either. “Are we able to contact Dad at all after this?” I ask.

“I am afraid not,” she says. “That is how we remain protected. Gods are powerful beings and the more contact we have, the likelihood of us getting caught will be high.”

I frown, but I understand.

“Well, I better get packing, Alex will be here soon for us to get on our way.” I let mom know. She kisses me on the forehead once more and heads downstairs.

I throw some clothes and other essentials into the bag. I pack a few outfits an extra pair of shoes and my toiletries. I take a look around my room and sit on my bed to read Dad’s note.

My dearest, Melody,

How I wish I could have been more involved in your life over the past 18 years. I am so proud of the smart, young woman you are today. I can see much of me in you, and that makes me radiate with honor that you are my daughter. I know you will go on to do many amazing things in your life. I am sorry that I will have to cut some of those dream short to keep you safe. My hope is that one day you can live a carefree, worry-free life.

I have enjoyed watching your love of music blossom since childhood. You have amazing ability and I that is why I wanted to present you with this flute. It was mine once and I know you will do well to take care of it. Please use it and think of me.

I know we will once again meet and be able to spend more time together. I send my love to you until that time and know I will do what I can to protect you.

Forever and always,

Your Father

I wipe away a tear from my eye and pack the note in my bag. As it was hand-written, it is the closest thing I have of my father.

I head down stairs where Aunt Shelly is hugging Mom. Her eyes are red and swollen. I can tell she has been crying.

“Melody, dear, we have packed you some snacks for your journey.” Aunt Shelly hands me the bag of food and I stick it into my bookbag.

I look at the clock and realize it is 4:50, I only have 10 more minutes before we have to depart. Mom hands me a couple pictures to take with me, that I also put into my bag. I grab a jacket and put my boots by the door.

I walk back into the kitchen and get engulfed in more hugs. We cry for a little while longer and there is a knock on the door. We already know who it is. Mom walks over to open the door and I can hear her welcome someone in. Mom escorts Alex into the kitchen, she is walking behind him and she has a big smile on her face, uses her hand to fan her face and mouths “he is hot” under her breath so he can’t see or hear. Aunt Shelly chuckles and reaches her hand out to welcome Alex.

“Hey Melody,” Alex says to me.

“Hey Alex,” I reply back. “So how long have you known about this mission we are going on?”

“Well, I found out who I was on my 18th birthday from my Dad. He told me all about my mom and how I would eventually have to go to this place called Camp Delos to keep me safe from the deranged Hera. But, I could stay home, finish school and train as long as I didn’t pick up on any weird feelings that I was being watched or followed. I knew once graduation was over I would head to Camp Delos. About 4 days ago, I was told that I was going to be escorting another person to go with me and that is when I was told your name. I was not allowed to say anything to you though. And, as fate would have it, I literally got pushed in your direction.” We both laughed remembering the situation where he almost ran me over.

“Well, at least there will be a familiar face when we get there.” I say trying to ease the tension and sadness I can feel around the room. I say my goodbyes to Mom and Aunt Shelly and say I will call or text, if that even works, when I arrive. After several more hugs and kisses, Alex and I escape out the door.

“Hop in,” He says as he opens his car door. I smile and climb inside his jeep wrangler.

We make small chat while we drive up to Mt. Washington State Forest. The ride is about 90 minutes from where we live.

“So, what powers have started for you, Melody?” Alex asks.

“Well, so far we have realized that I have power in music. When I play, it puts everyone into a sort of trance.”

“I knew yours would have something to do with music, you are such a talented musician,” Alex tells me. I am shocked that he even knew I played music. “I have seen you on stage during the band concerts, you always look so into it and you always have a solo every performance.”

As I am blushing, I also tell him I have some sort of promotion power too, which we both think is pretty cool. I then ask, “What are your powers? With being the son of the God of the hunt, I assume you are good with weapons.”

This makes Alex laugh. Wow, does he have a nice laugh. Wait, I guess I shouldn’t think of him like that because I guess in a way, we are cousins? He talks and starts to break my thoughts.

Alex starts to reply, “Yes, I am like a regular day Hawk Eye,” he says with a chuckle. “My mom sent me a bow and arrow for my birthday that I was able to pick up and shoot like I was born with it in my hand. I also have an ability to talk to and control the animals.”

“Wow, that is super cool!” I say excitedly. “Have you tried using them?”

“I try to practice when I can. We have cat at home and let’s just say he is a lay, fat cat.” We both laugh. “But… I have talked to a raccoon that was going to our trash and a stray dogs. I am hoping to learn more at Camp Delos.”

Alex turns toward me and asks, “ Are you nervous?”

“Yes,” I admit.  “Alex, there is something I need to tell you. Remember when I mentioned about having promotion powers.”

“Yes,” he replies.

“Well, on the night before my 18th birthday, I had a dream. I saw you, me, this bookbag and us in the woods.”

“Okay,” he replies still waiting for more.

“Well, in the dream we end up getting chased by a Cyclops.”

“What?” Alex says in surprise. “Is there anything we can do to change what happens in your dream?”

“I am not sure,” I tell him. “Mom said something about possibly being able to change our fate, but we have no idea how all of it would work. We would have to change something to alter the fate.”

We both sit in silence as we pull into the parking lot area. We have to leave Alex’s car and go the rest of the way on foot up a trail. We unload and I grab my backpack and make sure I have all my belongings.

Alex also gets out of the car, grabs his items and I am surprised to see wrap a bow around his back. He walks over and hands me a knife. My eyes open wide with shock.

“What am I supposed to do with this thing?” I ask.

“You may need it after that dream you told me about. It comes with a holster, so wrap it around your waist, and let’s go.” He says sternly. I can tell he is getting into battle mode.

I follow Alex onto the path and we start our ascent to Tri-Point destination. Neither of us know what to expect when we get there.  The sun is starting to set, so we grab our headlamps and put them on.

“How much further?” I ask Alex. We were told the trail was only about a mile long, so it shouldn’t take us long to get there. It was getting dark, so I wanted to make sure we knew where we were.

“I am not sure,” he replies. “Didn’t you mention having a map in your bag?”

We stop, take a sip of water and I kneel down to open my bag. Next thing I know I have that feeling of deja vu. Within a second I turn my head and see my dream in real life. Alex is running at me and I see panic on his face.

I grab my bag as Alex comes by grabbing my arm telling me to run. We continue to head up the trail as fast as my legs will take me. I look back to see a real-life cyclops coming at me. WHAT THE HECK! I can’t believe this is really happening. Suddenly, Alex gets me out of my thoughts.

“Melody, hurry- I see the monument! It’s right up ahead!”

As we make our way up, my Dad appears out of thin air and send an arrow flying between Alex and me. Just as fast as Apollo appears, he disappears. I watch the arrow hit the cyclops and he poofed into thin air.  When I turned around, he was gone. Alex and I stop to stare at each other.

“Woah, that part also happened in a second dream.” I say outloud.

“Well, it seems we are safe now and here is the monument. My mom said we have to touch it and say our parents names.” Alex tells me.

“Then what?” I ask.

“I don’t know. You ready for your life to change?” he asks.

“Let’s go,” I say with confidence.