I knew two things as I walked around the camp; I was lost, and I was hungry. The conch horn for breakfast hadn't sounded yet, but my stomach was already growling at me. It had barely been an hour since I had left Cabin Three, and already people were bustling around with a purpose of some shape or form. I noticed Aspen and Colin with a bunch of other demigods, and it looked like they were practicing something. They kind of looked like the karate moves... I walked over to them, and grabbed Colin suddenly by the wrist.
"Do you remember how to get out of this hold Colin? Or do I have to walk you through it, like old times?" I asked cheekily. Colin, although surprised, broke out of the hold in the way we had been taught all those years ago in the karate classes we shared.
"A little rusty, but not bad." I said teasingly. Colin rolled his eyes and looked to the group of young demigods.
"That'll be it for today guys. Same time next week, OK?" He announced. The demigods nodded and agreed, before wandering off in different directions. Colin and Aspen then turned and looked at me.
"So what's up?" Aspen asked lightly. I took a deep breath.
"Well. My brother has been kidnapped by Pandora, I am most like being hunted down by Clarrise, I get given a prophecy first thing in the morning and now I have to go on a quest with Annabeth, and will you please come with me?" I explained quickly. Aspen and Colin looked taken aback, but they soon regained their composure.
"Of course I'll come." Aspen assured me. I exhaled in relief.
"Well that's the group! You, me, Annabeth, Grover, and Hazel." I said with a smile. Then I saw Colin's face; he looked crestfallen.
"You're going on a quest?" He asked slowly. I nodded cheerfully.
"Be careful. Please." He said quietly. I assured him that I would, and he had nothing to worry about. Then a conch horn sound filled the air.
"Sweet! It's breakfast time." Aspen exclaimed, before dashing off to the Dining Pavilion. Colin and I laughed at Aspen's enthusiasm, and began walking in the same direction.
"School wasn't the same when you left." I said to Colin as we walked. He smiled, and his cheeks were rosy. I assumed that was just because of the cold.
"I'm sure you were fine." He replied lightly. That's when my smile disappeared. I stopped walking, as the scar on my upper back and arms tingled at the memory of primary school.
"No. I wasn't." I muttered. Colin noticed I wasn't walking and looked at me with concern. I shook my head out of my reverie, and walked up to Colin.
"Some of the girls in our year thought it would be funny to push my into a disabled person's bathroom with an angry feral cat and break the knob off so I couldn't get out. They ended up getting expelled and went to court for vandalism, bullying, and reckless endangerment. But because we were like, eleven and twelve, they got off lightly. I never saw them again after they got expelled, which was good, because they put me into the hospital for three and a half weeks." I explained bitterly. "I have a scar on my back from it. As well as on my arms and left leg. But they aren't as bad." I took off my jacket and pulled up my shirt sleeve, revealing a bunch of pale lines on my skin. Colin looked at them, then back at me. He gingerly took my hand.
"C'mon. Let's go get something to eat." He murmured, pulling me along. I don't know why, but I felt more at ease here at Camp Half-Blood, even though Percy wasn't here. But then again, it wasn't really complete without Percy. Colin and I walked to the Dining Pavilion, where we grabbed our plates, grabbed some food, sacrificed some of it, and went to our separate tables. I sat alone at the Poseidon table, next to the spot Percy would sit at. I ate my breakfast without a word, and left to go prepare for the quest.

*

I had packed everything I thought was necessary: spare clothes—a camp T-shirt, long sleeve shirt and jeans; socks and underwear—because if you don't change those that's just gross; toothbrush and toothpaste—just in case, since I have braces to look after; and some round gold coins I found while cleaning up. I didn't know what exactly they were for, but a deep, kind of manly voice inside my head said they would be useful. And I did all of this before lunch. Wow. I was zipping up my backpack, when I heard a knock at the window. I turned around, and there was a black horse muzzle at the window. I cautiously walked outside the cabin, and sure enough, there was a pure black horse standing next to the cabin. Well, I think it was a horse, but it had wings.
You're not boss. A confused male voice said in my head.
"No... I'm Maddy..." I clarified aloud slowly.
What're you doing in boss' cabin? The male voice asked a bit rudely. And as if on cue the black horse moved one of it's front legs in an agitated manner.
"Um I'm sorry but this is my cabin too." I said to the horse, more confidently this time. The pure black horse stopped its angry movements, and tilted it's head to the side a little.
Oh. Sorry. I'm Blackjack. Do you have any doughnuts? The horse asked, hope in its voice.
"Sorry Blackjack... I don't have any doughnuts..." I replied guiltily. Not that I had ever heard of a doughnut-eating pegasus, but I still felt kinda bad for him.
Aww what a shame. I heard boss was missing, so I went to check for myself. Instead I find you, lil boss. Blackjack said a little glumly. I shuffled closer to him and stroked his mane. I also heard that some people were going on a quest. That wouldn't be you by any chance, would it? Blackjack shook his mane out, clearly enjoying my affection.
"Yeah it would be Blackjack. And you can call me Maddy. No need for 'lil boss,' OK?" I asked, hugging his neck. Blackjack shook his dark head.
No can do lil boss. Do you and your friends need transportation for your quest? 'Cause if you do, just call out for me. I'll come with reinforcements too. He told me kindly.
"Oh Blackjack you really don't have to." I replied quickly. Blackjack shook his head again.
Yes I do. Boss saved my life. And if you can understand me, that means your like him. Therefore, I want to help you. Blackjack explained. I must admit, his analogy wasn't sound, but I was touched.
"Thank you Blackjack. Now I'm pretty sure there's a stall in the stables with your name on it so go on. I might try and find you some doughnuts if you do." I offered sweetly. Blackjack's ears perked up when I said doughnuts, and he trotted off happily to the stables.