The Lightning Thief - My Way

Coming Home

When we got on the airplane I was sweating so bad that I might've dehydrated myself. But we made it safely to the airport. We were bombarded by news people. Percy got his name cleared after what happened in LA. All four of us just acted happy, tearful and relieved. Percy said that he had to go to Olympus alone.

"Say hi to Dad for me okay?" I asked. He smiled and nodded. Annabeth Grover and I packed into a taxi and drove off to camp. Percy was also there by the time the long drive ended. We entered with a heroes welcome. By tradition we were going to have a feast then lead the procession to the bonfire where we would burn the shrouds that our cabin mates made in our honor. The Ares kids made both me and my brother's. Mine was a mixture of blue and sea green silk with a trident in the middle. I thanked the Ares kids. They only nodded. But Percy's I had to laugh at. An old bedsheet with the word LOSER in the middle. Then we had the feast. Percy and I happily moved back into cabin 3. When I looked in the mirror I was only half shocked. My hair was a rat's nest, my clothes tattered and shredded. All that remained in good shape were of course my shoes. I showered, changed, brushed my hair and reapplied my silver that some girls have been following but with different colors. Chiron actually gave me a job to do in my spare time: use my Demeter magic on the forest and plants and such in camp. I took the job right away. On the Fourth of July we all gathered on the beach to watch a firework show designed by cabin nine. Being Hephaestus kids they made the show spectacular. And Grover did have to say goodbye. He was on his search for Pan. I admit I would miss him. He was an awesome satyr. Three days after the Fourth I woke up twelve. Yes July seventh is my birthday. I just got myself ready if Percy even remembered my birthday. But he wasn't in his bunk when I checked. Odd. He was never first to wake up. I took a shower and kept my hair loose this time. I wore a white cami and blue and red plaid this time. I pulled on blue flares and my converse then walked outside. It was awfully quiet. I smiled to myself. They totally planned a surprise party. When I reached the dining pavilion there was a huge crack! and a very loud,'Happy Birthday Claira!'. I smiled even wider. The whole camp gathered there just for me. Annabeth ran up to me very angry.

"How could you not tell me when your birthday was?!" she yelled.

"Because I never really had a huge party. I just had my mom and Percy. Percy's mom was always working in the morning so we could only have a quick party at night then bedtime," I explained. Then Percy walked up. He was actually a little formal for once. His hair was slicked back and he was wearing a simple blue tee with jeans. Okay. Nevermind the formal. He was just normal. I walked up to him. He held out his arms for a hug. But I stopped barely in front of him with a serious face and crossed arms.

"Oh gods. What did I do now?" he asked.

"Mess up your hair," I said. I called on the wind. I dried up the gel in his hair which left it dry and standing up. I walked forward ruffled his hair a little and straightened some strands. I stepped back and admired my work. His hair looked the way it was supposed to. "Perfect," I smiled and finally accepted his hug. Everyone laughed and cheered. I kissed his cheek. "Thanks... big brother," I said.

"You really thought I was going to forget your birthday?" he asked. I nodded.

"That would be a typical Percy," I said. After the whole party life went on. Then before we knew it summer was over. And when we got our camp necklaces I looked at the bead. It was black with a green trident in the middle. I saw two tiny dots on the trident: blue and pink. Boy and girl. Percy and me. I smiled. Then the next morning there was a note from Mr. D. It said that we had to go to the Big House and announce wether or not we were staying for the summer. We had until noon. I just started packing right away while Percy went to the sword arena to clear his head. I just read after that. After about a half hour or so I went out and took a walk around camp for the last time. But when I was close to the woods I heard rustling. Two nymphs were dragging an unconscious body. I walked quickly to them. Then the horror struck. It was Percy.

"Percy! Help! Somebody please!" I yelled. Chiron came galloping. I saw Annabeth run over. I turned to the nymphs. "Thank you. Thank you," I said.

"You're welcome. And we must thank you for walking and helping us remain tall and strong each day daughter of Poseidon," one of them spoke. I smiled and nodded. With Chiron and Annabeth already halfway to the infirmary I ran to them and helped them lug Percy. Once he was on a cot I immediately started to use all the healing magic I studied over the last few weeks. I placed my hand on his burning forehead and began to speak Ancient Greek. After all I could do I just sat there sobbing. We even force fed him nectar. After an hour and a half he finally opened his eyes. Annabeth and I were sitting at either side of him.

"You idiot," we recited. Chiron came into the room.

"Now Percy. If you feel well enough tell us all that happened," Chiron said. He told us about Luke and how he fell under the spell of Kronos. The moment he ended the story I yelled.

"I knew it! After I had those glimpses of what happened that night when he found..." I shut my mouth before I could mention anything else.

"What? About what?" Percy asked.

"Uh..." I started to become uneasy. I glanced at Annabeth.

"It's ok Claira dear. If you don't want to say it yet. And besides. It is not your position yet. This is only your first year here. Give it time," Chiron said.

"I'm going to the lake one more time," I got up and started walking. But before I jumped in I saw a family at the hill: a woman, two kids and a man that looked kind of familiar. Although we never met. I caught his eye.

"Excuse me! Do you know where my daughter is? She's Annabeth daughter of Athena," he smiled. That's why he looked familiar. He was the man I had in that scene I had on the train to St. Louis.

"Uh. Hello Mr. Chase. She'll be out shortly," I said politely. "I'm a friend of hers. Claira Vega," I held out my hand. He took it without hesitation. Although the woman didn't look at me at all with kind eyes anyway. I didn't care. I didn't even try to be nice to her. Then Annabeth came running up. She stopped in her tracks.

"Oh. Um..."

"I'll leave ya to it. No worries," I started to walk to the lake.

"Clair wait!" I turned and got tackled by a hug. I smiled and returned it.

"Be careful Annabeth. I'll see you next year," I said when we pulled away.

"You too. And keep an eye on your brother for me and you ok?" she said.

"Can do Annie," I answered. We shared a smile one last time. Then we went our separate ways. I dove into the lake. After a few minutes of floating along I finally broke the surface. Percy was at the cabin with Argus.

"Thanks for keeping an eye on him Argus. Or rather several eyes," I smiled. He closed all his eyes and bowed.