Entry 016

(Written in 10.2013)

Percy Jackson and the Olympian Fanfiction – PJO Word Challenge 13: Wonder

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Percy never was a fan of supernatural stuff, or ghost stories. They were silly and ridiculous, but he wasn’t so sure after what just happened.

It was as normal a day in Camp Half-Blood as there ever was. Normal, as in demigod-normal, meaning satyrs – half man, half goat – were seen blowing their pipes in the strawberry field, kids were practicing swordfight with the usual “clinks-clanks” of connecting metal and naiads were trading beauty tips with giggling girls by the lake.

As normal, Cabin Eleven was the information and trickster center in camp. What with people rushing in and all. Percy didn’t like involving himself in any of these. His whole life was a busy enough mess. He didn’t need any more unwanted attention, but trouble seemed to have a habit of knocking on his door. Needless to say, he was surrounded by the Stolls, again.

“Hey, Perce,” Travis put an arm around Percy’s shoulder like an old friend. Technically, he was. But technically, when a son of Hermes did such thing, it was either “I’m robbing you” or “I’m up to something”, even if they didn’t necessarily wear any extra sly grins or mischievous glint in their eyes.

“We know you’re in for some excitement.” Connor rounded another arm across the back of Percy’s neck.

“No. Not again. I know where you’re going and the answer is an absolute ‘NO’. No, you are not dragging me into another of your ridiculous adventure!” Percy gritted his teeth. “And don’t call me Perce.”

“I thought we are close enough to enter the nickname phase.” Connor joked casually.

Percy was wracking his brain for anything useful (which was none) to get rid of the two sometimes-annoying sons of Hermes when he heard the sound of someone clearing her throat behind them, and felt the arms on his shoulders tensed. They turned around and before them was none other than the appointed architect of the Mount Olympus reconstruction project.

Annabeth had come to the rescue of the great Percy Jackson. The look on the Stolls’ faces were simply priceless. He was grateful that his girlfriend was such a strong one, though he would have liked it more if she didn’t beat him in the arena that often.

“So, what are you guys planning this time?” She probed, raising her right eyebrow.

“Something that I’m not going to be a part of.” Percy wriggled out under the arms of the mischievous twins.

“Oh, come on. It’s gonna be so much fun!”

“At least come to have a look.” Travis flashed a wicked grin to the couple before starting towards cabin eleven with his brother.

People was pushing and slipping through others for a precious space on the stone cold floor. The noise was almost unbearable, like a certain singer with the initials JB was near to performing at one of his fan-girl-crowded concert. Being the Stolls, though, they had no problem treading on their home turf. It seemed only seconds before they were in the front and rang the ear-piercing bell, silencing the excited crowd.

“Hello, and thank you for coming, demigods.”

“We are here for some exploring in the camp of our home. Let’s brief them a little, brother, shall we?”

“Seven is not a lucky number. Of course, three ‘7’s equal a jackpot. And again, the famous best-selling series Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter were both published with seven books.” Travis explained to the crowd.

“And there’s no denying that the kids in the Apollo cabin do know how to notch an arrow.” Connor added as an afterthought. “Though they don’t know the first thing about fights.”

“Or girls.” Travis chimed in.

“Or girls.” Connor repeated and the room shook with laughter.

“But hey, don’t forget those gruesome stories about the seventh son of the seventh son, the seven black cats and the infamous ‘7’ murder.”

The audience cringed at the tales.

“I’m just kidding.” “Well, at least the last two are our imaginary tales. I’m quite sure though, that the legend of the seventh son of the seventh son is pretty true.”

“Nah, we don’t have any prove.” He waved dismissively. “But that is, in all ways, none of our concern.”

“The reason we are all gathered here is…” He went for a dramatic pause, and everyone (but Percy and Annabeth) held their breaths for the big revelation.

“…the SEVEN WONDERS of CAMP HALF-BLOOD.”

(To be Continued)