^above is the photo I took visiting the Sahara desert.

Tina's POV:

I was at the roller skating rink. I love the lights and colors. It takes away from the stress of the real world. Ever since it was revealed that the Greek Gods exist, the world has been in turmoil.

Conspiracy theorists had become like mosquitoes - everywhere and sucking information from people instead of blood.

My father was one of the biggest. He had a lot of followers, believing that the Greek Gods were an elite group from another country, trying to corrupt and destabilize our economy.

He was always trying to get me to go to his meetings, or rallies, as I called them - basically just him and a couple other guys getting together and ranting about how "unjust this is that the government is doing nothing".

After skating for a while, I returned to my seat. While waiting for the pizza I ordered to arrive, I let my eyes wander. A mom was helping her kid off the hard tiled floor - yep, I definitely knew what that felt like. Minus the caring parent there to help you up.

Then, a couple walked in. Everything seemed to stop for a second as everyone looked their way. Then everything started moving again.

I blinked in surprise as the couple began to make their way towards me.

It was a tall blond guy with small wire glasses and a tiny scar on his lip. Must have been a accident with a knife or something.... He looked on edge, glancing around nervously, yet unaware of the skating bimbos in practically nothing checking him out.

His companion, who I assumed to be his girlfriend, did notice however, and frowned at them. Their expressions immediately became disinterested and they looked away. That's weird. Normally they are like piranhas, not backing off until they get what they want.

The girl was pretty, with dark brown hair that twisted into little braids at some parts, with feathers attached to the ends. Something about her was strangely alluring, just in the way she held her self, like she knew she was beautiful and owned it, but graciously.

They slid into the seat across from me.

"Um, hello." I said awkwardly. I've never been really good at talking with people.

"Hello." The pretty girl said. "Are you Tina Matthews?"

"Yes..." I said, trailing of, not knowing what to say next.

"I'm Piper, and this is Jason." She said, smiling brightly.

"Nice to meet you." I replied, trying not to sound snide or stiff, I was genuinely curious as to why they were talking to me.

"Is your father Hans Matthews?" Jason said in a steady, even voice. Wow, straight to the point then.

"Yes...." I said uneasily. If this has anything to do with my father's politics, I want nothing to do with it.

Before Jason could speak, Piper jumped in.
"We were hoping you could help us." She said, smiling gently.

"How could I help you guys?" I asked, by now positively bewildered.

"Tell me Tina, do you know what a demigod is?" Jason said quietly.

I had heard my dad rant about demigods for a long time, the answer was practically imprinted into my brain.
"They are the trouble-making children of humans and the so called 'Gods'."

I decided to leave out the part about how dad told me that they are actually spies and informers, sent to poison the minds of the youth.

Jason narrowed his eyes, but Piper placed a hand on his arm and he calmed down.

"Listen, we have reason to believe that your father is planning to-" Jason starts, but I slam my hands down on the table.

"Look." I say calmly. "I want nothing to do with my father, or anything he has to say. I came here to enjoy myself, and I really don't need this right now."

Standing up, I walked away from the table confidently.

Then I went into the girls bathroom, waited for them to leave, and came back. My pizza had arrived by then.

I sat down, but right as I was about to take a bite, I noticed a note on the table.

It read "Call us if you change your mind and decide you want answers."
Below it was a phone number.

But when I reached for the note, I jumped back in my seat, holding my finger to my chest. The note had SHOCKED me.

Thinking over the events, I realize who those people were.

Demigods.

I debated in my mind. Should I call the number? Call my dad? Leave the note where it is and get out of there? Finally, I gingerly reached out to the note again.

It didn't shock me this time. Sighing in relief, I put the note in my purse, and left the rink, getting in my car and heading over to my friend's house, Clarisse. She would know what to do.

I texted my dad on the way, letting him know I would be spending a couple days at a friend's house. He sent me back the usual, lecture, complaining, family, morals, safety, no boys or alcohol or drugs, and finally giving in.

Smiling, I drove off down the highway. I had the strangest feeling that what just happened was very important, and I intended to find out why.

*trumpet blares*
I MADE A CHAPTER WITH WRITER'S BLOCK.

I feel like a mother who had a successful C-section. Like I've accomplished the impossible, even though I'm sure someone has done this before. The next chapter will be better, I promise. This didn't really focus on the Jiper at all, did it?

Until next time, my little ghosties 👻 🕷 ~ Ari