•as the world caves in•

•home isnt really a safe place anymore•

I would've been able to forget about everything that happened last night had it not been for the burning in my throat and the pounding in my head. When I looked in the mirror, there was a huge purple hand wrapped around my throat.

"Hey," Silena said quietly. "Everyone else is out, Chiron said I could skip on chores to watch over you."

"Per-" I tried, and it hurt to even say half of his name. I winced at the pain that shot through my throat and started to cry. I was probably the most talkative person in camp, how was I supposed to not talk?

Silena quickly grabbed nectar and helped fit the straw in my mouth as I struggled to drink. She rubbed my back. "I know, don't worry, the whole camp is giving Clarisse crap about it."

She set the glass down. "Percy is okay, you remember last night?"

I nodded. How could I forget that Percy was the son of Poseidon, he wasn't supposed to even exist!

"Okay, he's moved to Cabin Three and is supposed to sit alone, but Chiron has given you and Annabeth permission to sit with him." She smiled. "Now, I believe you have a Greek lesson you need to assist in teaching?"

I grinned and hugged her before running to where we always held Percy's lessons, just by the mess hall.

Annabeth grinned when we saw me and Percy turned in confusion before he smiled as well. Annabeth's smile faded as I neared. "Cor... your neck."

I shrugged, before making a talking motion with my hand and then a thumbs down.

"You can't talk?" Percy guessed, to which I nodded eagerly.

"This will be amazing," Annabeth half-joked. "Coriane is like the worst at charades."

I stuck my tongue out at her before sitting down and looking at the book before she went to continue their lesson.

"Oh... before we start," Percy gave me a sad look. "Sword lessons were canceled."

I'm actually going to drown myself in the lake.

•.•.•.•

I have now been banned from the lake until my throat is better.

•.•.•.•

I have since been unbanned from the lake. It'd been a couple of days since the incident, my voice was back, although it was still raspy when I spoke too much or got too excited at something. There was a now gross greenish-yellow hand across my throat, a sign the bruise was almost gone.

However, as I got better, the clouds around camp got worse. Camp was always protected from storms, so even when everywhere else it was pouring rain, we were still having fun outside.

But something told me this was different.

Percy had a meeting or something of the sort at the Big House, so Annabeth and I took our free time to relax in the Athena Cabin, just us.

I tried to read over some old maps of Greece, but often got distracted by the paintings in the corners. Those were so much more interesting than old territories from when Sparta and Athens were in a war.

"Cor?"

"Hm?"

"The clouds aren't parting like they usually do."

I hesitated as I glanced out the window. "I'm sure it's fine." I stopped looking at the maps and grabbed a book about Greek tales, opening right up to when Athens got its name. "I figured out why you and Percy don't get along!"

"Because my mom is Athena and his dad is Poseidon. The people of Athens thought the olive tree was better than his fountain, and then Poseidon was all salty about it." Annabeth snorted. "You think I don't know my own history?"

"That's the last time I try talking to you about Ancient Greece,"

"I was kidding!"

I went to respond with something but I froze when all the sudden I heard a...

Tap.

Tap. Tap.

My eyes widened as my neck whipped to the window and sure enough, rain drops were on the pane.

Annabeth gasped. "This can't be happening..."

We both darted from the desk and out the door, drops hitting our faces as we looked up.

All around camp, people came out from Cabins, stopped picking strawberries or playing volleyball, stopped training and doing chores.

The world stopped.

My home, the one spot where nothing bad was supposed to happen... something had happened.

•.•.•.•

Athena Cabin got overran and I couldn't find Percy, so I was stuck going back to mine. Drew and some others were whining about their hair getting wet, and Silena looked pale as a ghost.

"You know, I think there are worse matters than your hair getting wet," I snapped at Drew.

Drew went to retaliate, but the door opened and Annabeth was there. "Cor, it's serious."

I gave Drew one final look, Silena a smile, before following Annabeth to the Big House. Inside was Chiron, Percy, and Grover, the latter eating cards.

"Who else would be stupid enough to volunteer for a quest like this?" Percy asked.

"I've been waiting for a long time for a quest, Percy," Annabeth said, and he turned his attention to us. "Athena is no fan of Poseidon, but if you're going to save the world, I'm the best person to keep you from messing up."

"What Annabeth means," I tried to smile, "is that we've always wanted a quest. Even though your parents don't get along, she would gladly fight by your side to save the world."

"What about you?" Percy asked. "Chiron said I could bring three people, I have Grover and Annabeth already."

I grinned. "Of course, I'll join you, Seaweed Brain. Wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun, would I?"

"If you say so," Percy smiled. "I supposed you have a plan, Lover Girl?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Do you want our help or no?"

"A group of four," Percy said and turned to Chiron. "That'll work."

"Excellent," Chiron said. "This afternoon, we can take you as far as the bus terminal in Manhattan. After that, you are on your own."

Lightning flashed and the rain poured down.

Someone wasn't happy.

"No time to waste," Chiron said quickly. "I think you should all get packing."