Back a couple of months, from this June to a firm September just a year ago. The two had spent the first three quarters of their eighth-grade year, hoping to get away from each other when they go to high school. Around this time, Nikolai was kind of a jerk, not saying he still wasn't, but he mainly tried to annoy Rosalie. 

in retrospect, if he knew what would happen the first day of 4th quarter, he wouldn't have ever said such as a snarky remark to anyone again. That day, Nikolai brought back his usual habits. He walked past Rosalie, who had a dark outfit and an expression to go with it. "Oh jeez, who died? Oh wait, did your dad finally stop working for a day and held a funeral for your mom? tell him he's a couple of years late." Nikolai had said. 

Rosalie looked up at him. Before spring break, she'd probably burst into tears, but now instead, she just rolled her eyes. "at least my dad bothered to stick around." she shot back.  "Hm, someone's mad." he said.  someone walked over to the two. 

"guys, stop. you need to follow me.." she said in a low whisper. it was Annie, a kid who was often quiet and a heavy neutral when it came to fights. Both of them had called her a friend though, so there were occasional spats that led to her running away, overwhelmed by the feeling of having to choose.

"I'm serious. Your lives depend on it!" Annie whisper-shouted, but the two argued more still, which brought the attention of a teacher over. "o-oh hi, Ms. Ward." Annie stammered. "you three, come with me. Now." the teacher said, a firm frown on her face. 

the four were in an empty hall. "Ms. Ward, we really have to head to class." Annie insisted. Nikolai was lost on why Annie wanted to leave that badly. Getting chewed out by a teacher was annoying, but it wasn't the end of the world. Ms. Ward suddenly didn't look like her stereotypical English teacher self. He could have sworn she had fangs. 

the teacher scolded them, but suddenly she licked her lips. "you kids need to learn a lesson." she said. she ran towards them, attacking. Nikolai may have died right then and there had it not been for a tomato patch that suddenly grew between him and this demonic teacher.  "Blasted child of Demeter.." Ms. Ward muttered. Alright, so maybe it was possibly the end of the world.

"GET OUT! NOW!" She shouted, handing Rosalie an address on a slip of paper. "I-I-" Rosalie stammered. "GO NOW!" She demanded. The two ran.  they finally make it out of the school.  Annie eventually caught up, scarred and bruised. "Ohnoohnoohno. how do we help?" he asked. "...I'm fine... we.. we were short of satyrs so I took the opportunity to help..." she said, almost out of breath. "What was that?!" Rosalie asked. "Empousa. She was after you two. You're demigods after all." She said. "this is some elaborate prank.." He said. "i wish it was, but its not. You're a child of Athena, Rose, and Nikolai is a son of Dionysus.." Annie said in a rush and fell to the ground. 

"Annie wait- what's happening? how do we help?" Rosalie begged. "Go to Camp Halfblood. it's on the address... I'm sorry I couldn't help more..." Annie said, closing her eyes a final time. The grass grew long and wrapped around her, being a makeshift coffin. Nikolai blinked, trying not to cry. "w-well, we should head to this... camp.. I guess.." Rosalie's voice quivered as she talked, hinting she was also holding back from crying.

"..Lead the way..." Nikolai said.