A.N: So another chapter, a bit late but still once a month! I was really not sure where to cut it off but I am pretty satisfied with how it ended. I am so happy that the last chapter was so well received TT. I really wanted a fem Percy that was not like the rest and I am glad that I manage it. In this chapter Alex lets her feelings a bit more out so that she doesn't appear like a robot. Now that would be scary... Either way, I am glad that the Apollo/ Alex paring is liked and their interaction is 'interesting'. Hopefully he stays in character, but I dread the Haikus. But since he is bad at this I should do fine since I myself am dreadfully at them. .Stil, Alecta one said is a horrible name but Perseus in these days isn't as well,so I will call her Alex like he is called Percy. But please even if you hate the name, the story doesn't suffer from that. So one last sentence, I LOVE reviews and they motivate me to write, so please just write a 'good'or a 'bad' and it will be more than enough for me.

Diclaimer: If PJTO belonged to me, I would not sit here at my computer desk and fanatsize about all the different things that I would have preferred in the originial story. Though there isn't much...

Calm Sea

Chapter 6

Lies broken, the Cowman and a Camp

Alex was more or less surprised by what Mr. Brunner told her. He looked her right in the eyes, worry obvious in his deep brown ones, and then he nodded gravely before looking at her with an expression that spoke of affirmation.

Affirmation of what exactly, Alex was not exactly able to tell. Her first thought was that he had to know now that she indeed knew more than she just let on or he suspected at least. But that wasn't entirely fitting…

So maybe it was a part of it. But it could be that he could have guessed about Mrs. Dodds rather batty self. She meant it in both ways. The way she always called Alecta sweetie was just wrong and her detentions were a strong indicator for her hellish heritage. The only people who were allowed to call her sweetie or honey without Alex mentally shuddering were her mother and Casanova.

The reason for that were obvious. Her mother since she was her mother and Casanova because for one he called every girl something like that so it was normal and secondly, he disliked her nickname for him so it was only fair if she was alright with him calling her that.

Finally, he looked her straight in the eyes without any trace of doubt in them, mumbling a soft "I see, I thought that that could be the case…" Before turning his chair around, leaving through the very same door he came in through. Grover looked unsure of what he had to do now. How should he behave?

It was clearly written across his face as well in his regular body language he showed every time he became nervous or anxious. Sighing softly, Alex decided to help him out of his dilemma.

Her posture was relaxed as usual when she was around people that posed no threat to her. Or rather weren't about to attack her in a fatal way…

Breathing in, she opened her mouth hence calling him "Hey Giver, see I told you to not worry. She only gave me some unnecessary trouble. Let's go back to the others. I think the cleaning personal will be more than capable of taking care of that sand."

Quickly she hurried over to him, then she took him by the shoulders turning him around and ushering him through the door. The poor boy could only nod so confused he was. With one last glance to the pile of sand that now was being blown away from the wind to the upper window, she closed the door behind her.

Outside the class had this faraway look for a few seconds before the all blinked. Alex lips formed a displeased line. Unnecessary to mention, she had something against this kind of manipulation, thus she didn't enjoy it in the least.

Arriving with Grover at the bottom of the stairs, she was approached by Nancy. It was obvious that she wanted to brag, sneering she began "I hope Mrs. Kerr gave you hell for what you did to me, Alex!" Huffing she turned again.

Confused with the name Alex decided to be silent and observe quietly what that unpleasant power did this time to cover up the supernatural…

After exactly one minute she found out that now Mrs. Dodds never existed, her being replaced by Mrs. Kerr. Grover denied the existence of the fury as well, even asking if she felt well. Her disappointed look made him flinch and cover.

Mr. Brunner, she didn't even try to ask if he would be honest with her and admit it. She knew that he thought that all his decisions were to her best. In his eyes, she was only a kid that maybe knew too much. Considering the fact that he had to know now that she was already trained in fighting the special beings and even had a weapon, only showed how much he thought himself to be wise.

Oh, how she wanted to show him the opposite. He really was a fool if he thought that ignorance in such dangerous situations was a bliss. No wonder she liked Mr. Sunshine so much it would be the eight world wonder if he ever censored something in her presence. He knew and accepted her mature mind.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out again she watched her teacher in his wheel chair from the corner of her eyes. Maybe her case would be a lecture to him…perhaps.

Time passed and her exams stood before the door. She knew that she was rather good in math but everything else wasn't going to be pretty…If she scraped a D in nearly all her exams she would get mostly B's and C's on her report card. Good enough for her.

Turning to her Latin book, a familiar voice brook through her head. Last year when she had Latin she got a C- on her report card. Casanova saw this and couldn't stop laughing for nearly three minutes straight. He ridiculed her after this for nearly two weeks, showing off his perfect Latin skills. Greeting her in Latin or mixing Latin sentences in his speech. After finally two weeks Alex became desperate and asked him what she would have to do for him to stop speaking in Latin to her.

He got this mischievous, devilish look, pretending to be thoughtful and Alex knew in that moment she was tricked. In the end, he demanded for her to get a B on her next report card of an entire school year in Latin or she would have to wear a 'cute' Lolita dress of his choice for an entire day and he could choose her clothes for an entire week. She wasn't a too big fan of these things since they restricted her movements quite a bit. And made people look at her like they have nothing better to do.

Oh gods. This was gonna be hard she would have to get at least a C+ to manage a B on her report card since her performance in the lessons wasn't very well. Furthermore, all the names in Latin sounded nearly the same, to add salt into an open wound they were nearly all written the same! She would be lucky if she got even one of these names correctly spelled and matched.

Shame that her nicknames weren't allowed or else she would get a better mark. If she asked Synergon to help her, he would know and would laugh even more.

She could already see her Latin filled holidays… Maybe she could ask Grover if he had an idea to get around the names.

Finding this the best of her opinions she stood up and activated her vision. It was easier to see in the dark when all the auras gave off light. Finally, she found his aura, unfortunately the aura of Mr. Brunner accompanied his.

Well no wonder, they were in his office. She began to go back already not wanting to deal with Mr. Brunner at the moment when she heard her name.

It was spoken by Grover "But sir! I'm pretty sure Alex knows already about our side of the world. I mean… she didn't need our help with the Kindly One at all which means that she saw it… She even has that sword! … Don't you think it would be better if we tell her what we know, sir?" She smiled softly at that. Grover finally found his brave side, huh?

Softly she leaned against the wall by the left side of the door, so she could not be seen. Next, she heard the sound of hooves and an irritated (maybe nervous?) swishing sound. That was followed by the deep voice of Mr. Brunner, he sounded agitated "No, we can't. Even if she is already involved that doesn't mean that she knows what she is! We don't know how much she knows exactly and that is dangerous. We have to keep silent about everything until we can say for sure how much she knows or can't avoid it any longer. Furthermore, that sword she could also have found by accident and decided to keep it. Then she activated it instinctively since she was in danger and her lessons in Kenjutsu took care of the rest. That could be the case! You have to understand Grover. We can't tell her that could only worsen the situation! We have to wait until she is more mature."

Unbelieving she raised an eyebrow. Did he really say that she had to be more mature and that her sword she activated and found by accident? Oh please don't make her laugh, she had to be silent. Still she had to admit… she did have this playful streak…not her fault. She just hung too much around Casanova, his negative influence. But it was typical for Mr. Wiselyold to keep everything to himself until he deemed it safe to tell or he had no other choice.

How many people had to suffer because of that trait? Alex really didn't want toknow or she might get sick.

Grover obviously wasn't in agreement with Mr. Brunner's decision, he voiced his displeasure with a rather desperate tone, making Alex turn her head in the direction of his forest green aura with brown specks "Sir! A Kindley One was in the school and got defeated! No matter how good Alex's scent is hidden, they know for sure now of her heritage as we do! She is in danger! I don't have the intention to let my protector duties become neglected again. Not just for what that would mean for me but for Alex as well! What if we don't have the time anymore to let her mature? The deadline is nearing, sir!"

A sigh was heard, before Mr. Brunner expressed his thoughts in a calm but reassuring friendly voice "We will just have to decide without her. It's better if she isn't too involved with our world until later. Furthermore, you didn't neglect your duties by not reacting against the Kindley One in time. I should have noticed what Mrs. Dodds was before you. But enough with this talk. We have to think over how we can keep Alex away from our side of the world and let her stay alive until next fall. With her well-hidden scent, it should not be that much of a hassle I suppose..."

She shook her head as if he could control her. Grover must have thought the same, because he let out a snort and mumbled softly "Sir, with all due respect, I think you don't know Alex well if you think it will be easy to control her and stir her away from something that she wants… I speak from experience."

Silently she pushed herself away from the wall. Then she glanced at the aura's behind the door. One she easily recognized as Grover's friendly but still a bit timid flowing one. It flowed like a soft wind around him, reminding her of the leaves of a tree in the wind. The other was very strong nearly making her eyes hurt if it weren't for her new insensitiveness so that it caused just a little irritation in her eyes that was easily ignored.

The aura was mainly white with a few golden and brown streaks here and there. But what was weird was that the aura moved really slowly. Nearly like it was frozen in time… but not entirely like some of it still moved with time. It confused her. Still the aura gave her roughly the form of her teacher. A human upper body and the lower had four legs. Now what could that be?

Having enough for a night, she turned on her heels walking away without a sound. No one would ever know that she was there… Synergon around her neck made annoyed chiming sounds. Pretty sure not pleased at all with what Grover and Mr. Brunner discussed about her behind closed doors.

She chuckled softly at his protective self.

Her prophecy about 666 being a bad number turned out right. Apparently, most teachers disliked her nicknames and honesty for what they did to her and some students that she was thrown out of the school again. Great.

Her sensei was going to be so disappointed, Mr. Sunshine would laugh, Grandy would look at her with that exasperated fond look and Casanova would throw a party. And her mother…

She didn't want to even think about it.

At least her report would be acceptable. Only C's and B's with one D in English so far and one A in music. After finally completing a three hours long Latin exam she felt pretty exhausted. Her head hurt from all the names that were just too similar to separate. Hopefully she got a B… She just wanted to play on her violin and go to bed, but alas Mr. Brunner called her to him.

She approached him with her hands in her khaki shorts, her black t-shirt with the picture of the polar lights fitted her for once. Her hair was tied together with Synergon in his ribbon form, where he already began to heal her from her headache. Arriving in front of him she questioningly raised an eyebrow, before she yawned for a moment.

He looked at her with his worried brown eyes then he spoke "Alex", he began "You should not be sad about having to leave Yancy… It is…. It's better this way." Even though he spoke softly the whole class heard him. Some laughed or snorted softly and Nancy ridiculed her with her weird expression but that left her cold.

She raised her other eyebrow now as well and looked at Mr. Brunner, feeling a bit shocked. He looked unsure of what to say and rolled his wheelchair in a way so that he could face her better. Finally, he looked up at her again "I mean this is not the right school or even place for you. It was just a matter of time until this point. I mean you're just not normal like the rest of them."

Alright, she could not take it anymore. She laughed. She laughed so loud and so hard that she needed to hold her stomach. Tears gathered in her eyes. Her laugh was pretty, it showed how amused she was. The boys in the class blushed from her laughing face and her pretty laugh while the girls glared.

Mr. Brunner looked completely out of his depth. He didn't know what he did to make her laugh like that. Finally, she stopped thinking that she let her amusement of the entire year over Mr. Brunner's stupid actions out for now.

She looked him right into the face but then her amused smile turned to a dark, cruel but weirdly sad smirk. Then she opened her mouth, her voice carried her dark amusement, making people shiver "Oh I see now as well. The thing is I know that I'm not like the others and I know that the other students are not like me. But could you explain to me why that is so? I don't want to change and they don't have to as well. So, is it wrong to be unique? Is it wrong to stand out? To go your own way? To ignore what others think of you and live?

Furthermore, why Mr. Brunner, tell me was it only a matter of time? How often has it been a matter of time for you before anything sad or tragic happened? Did you count the amount of misery people felt because they were told something that concerned them too late? How many could have been saved by just a moment of honesty, Mr. Brunner, before it was too late?... How many could have been truly happy if people just let them live and decide for themselves?"

Her eyes were wide alert not missing even one millisecond of his face. Her feelings drumming in the back of her head, tightly controlled not allowed to be involved in this right now. She saw it the moment it appeared. Guilt. Sadness. Denial…

Her smirk turned even sadder, losing some of its edge. Her eyes turned down for a mere second, her eyelids sliding close. Denying was no longer an option, she has seen it. Breathing out once again more deeply than before, she opened her eye just a fraction. Her sea-green eyes glowed as softly as a firefly.

Neither the killer glare nor the disappointed feeling was emitted from them. Just a sad acceptance, that was overshadowed by cold understanding of what happened. Once again, she muttered but way more softly "I see…"

Finally, she looked up again completely, her face filled with a bitter smile, her voice neutral but carried a barely there chagrin.

"Congratulation Mr. Brunner or whatever your real name is, I officially have a great dislike for you. Let's hope for the sake of both of us that you will never be my teacher again. Even if by some unfortunate circumstances, we meet as teacher and student again, I will not accept you as teacher with your 'never-ending wisdom'."

Her eyes were cold, Mr. Brunner's hurt, he even flinched at some of her words. But she said what was needed to be said. After yesterday night and some research she had quite the suspicion who could stand right in front of her. It would also explain his reaction to the stele. Hopefully she could avoid that destiny because of ignorance and the lack of training.

With one last nod of acknowledgement, she disappeared from the classroom before Mr. Brunner could gather himself. Had she been cruel? Yes. Was it necessary? Sadly, yes. The older people get, the more they experience, the more they think that they were wise enough and decided always for the right thing. As if. Sometimes someone needed to remind them that they were still living beings and so were likely to make mistakes. To be reminded of these mistakes…no matter how painful they were…

Sighing she turned the corner, heading to her room for her violin case. A bit playing would do her well after being so carelessly treated and getting these horrible but nonetheless true words of her chest. Ray told her to stay who she was. Besides that, she knew a lot of special beings and would never ask them to change.

The last Sunday, she packed her bags in record speed and accuracy. She packed bags to often for her liking. Not listening to the blabbering of her roommates she approached the gate. For once she was on time. The reason was that she wanted to say goodbye to Grover since she didn't know when she would see him again.

But it wasn't necessary since he decided to use the same bus as her to return to Manhattan. The entire trip he stared at her with that worried look. Finally, she returned his gaze startling him a bit. She smiled softly at him.

"Don't be such a nervous wreck, Giver. It attracts bad luck in the form of maybe kindly Ones?"

The way all color drained of Grover's face and sweat literally formed waterfalls down his face just proved how nervous Grover was about this conversation. His little scream combined with his widened eyes were quite the indicator as well to how much he actually disliked this conversation. The added effect of the weird hand gesture he did over his heart was quite telling too.

Nearly in tears, he asked her "How do you know about that? Had Mr. Brunner decided to tell you?"

Alex scoffed softly and muttered back, looking a bit bored "No, he didn't. As if he would ever go against that wisdom of his. The reason I know about it is that I listened to your conversation after my incident with Mrs. Dodds. How many accidents Mr. Brunner can think of just to make the situation fit with what he needs is astounding."

Grover looked hurt into his lap, he began chewing on his bottom lip. A habit of his when he could not decide if he wanted to say what was on his mind or not.

Bending a bit over she gazed into his eyes from her new position. Then she lifted her right hand and snipped Grover's forehead with her finger. The action brought him out of his worried state. Now having his full attention with his eyes that shown with fear of having disappointed him, she encouraged him with a nod in his direction.

Understanding the simple action, he gathered himself before stuttering "He means just well. I know that for an independent person as you it can feel like a cage, maybe even insulting, but that is not his intention! Really, he is a nice person and good role-model normally… The way he tries to make up all these accidents is just to reassure me and for a cover… Wait made-up accidents? Alecta, what do you mean with made-up accident? And how much exactly did you hear?"

To the end, he became nearly frantic. Obviously, he was so out of his depth that he didn't comprehend, as soon as she uttered those words, their meaning. Facing him without even hesitating for one second she spoke in a matter of fact voice "Well, with made-up accident I mean exactly what it indicates. I provoked Mrs. Dodds on purpose with the water from the fountain since I wanted to get it done with her. She was glaring at me for nearly the entire year, leaking bloodlust as if she got stabbed and I wanted to know why. Besides that, that wasn't the first time I saw one of her kind and with Elpis help it was rather easy to take care of her. And I think I nearly heard the entire conversation. What exactly is that deadline?"

Her nonchalance way of speaking made Grover a mess. Fearfully he asked, not really wanting an answer, while ignoring her last question completely "Who is Elpis? How wasn't that the first time? Alecta, please tell me how much you know, I need to know!"

The way he desperately clung to her, made her uncomfortable. She could tell him but would he learn if she told him so easily? Turning her head to the front, she answered "Sorry, Giver. Can't do that. I know a lot, but surely not everything. Elpis is the sword you have seen when I took care of Mrs. Dodds. Grover, if you really want to know how much I exactly know then you will have to be honest to me first."

The way he flinched back from her, made her sad. His eyes really showed how wounded he was by her words. They nearly let tears fall. He whispered in a nearly cut-off voice "I can't Alex, I can't. Not when I could possibly endanger you! I am your protector, it's my duty to protect you from dangers you aren't even aware of. And I don't know how much I can tell you without it resulting in your premature death! Please understand, Alex…"

He avoided eye-contact, desperately closing his eyes while facing her, not wanting to spill his tears. Suddenly he felt a familiar warm hand on his head, softly rubbing it. Carefully he looked up. Greeting his eyes was the soft smile and understanding eyes of Alex.

She pulled him close, hugging him, her left hand caressing his back as if he was a child. He could hear soft bells, they rang calmly in the background. The warmth of Alex, the caring gestures and the relaxing bells made him feel utterly safe, as if nothing could harm him. He could feel the power flowing serenely through Alex's body, her scent left his mind in a tranquil state. His roughed-up emotions slowed down, calmed, ordered themselves in a way that he could finally see clearly again.

Slowly as if not to startle him, Alex withdrew herself from him but not letting go completely. "Hey, no reason to become so distressed. I understand you. You want to protect me, right? That is what I want to do as well, not as my duty as your protector but as my friend. So, I want you to trust me as my friend that I will tell you if something dangerous is coming after me or you. I want your trust that if you need to know something really important about me that I will tell you that. The trust of yours that I can keep my secrets until I want to tell you them is what I want. The trust to keep your secrets safe under pressure from yourself or others. As long as I have that trust of yours, I will be alright. I will be alright if you trust my decisions in the times of need but criticizes them as well.

So, I won't force you to tell me anything but don't expect me to just give up my secrets like that as well. The reason why I even asked before was to know if you considered me your friend. That you suffer for me is enough proof for me. These rules of trust are now officially established between us. I will keep them even if I die. So, trust me Grover when I say, that even though I know probably more than you want me to, I will be perfectly fine."

Alex shushed him, her voice filled with affection. So soft like waves on the shore luring you into sleep. Grover nodded silently, understanding that all she wanted was to be trusted as a friend of his. Still he had the right to protect her as a friend as she did, so he gave her his card.

Raising an eyebrow, she took it, before staring at the script for nearly one full minute before turning to him. "Could you please tell me what exactly stands here? My dyslexia are acting up like a drama queen at the script…"

Her blasé face and blank voice at the script made him laugh. That was so typical Alex turning back to her usual self in less than one second as if they never had a deep conversation a moment ago. Now even more confused Alex blinked. Had she said something funny?

Grover only shook his head, grateful that Alex was like she was. He told her so as well. "Alex, thank you for being the unique self that you are. Thank you for being my friend and trusting me as much as you do!" Alex reaction to that made everyone in the bus who saw it blush beside Grover who thought more along the lines of how many boys were added to his list. She smiled, not a soft one like usual. No, it was a real happy smile with glowing eyes that showed her glee and her cheeks lifting from her wide smile. A slight rosy color spread on her cheeks as well.

She looked a bit touched as well. Finally, she nodded and answered "Thank you, for being my friend." This was one of the few times someone said these words to her. Grandy, Sunshine, Ray and Casanova were the only ones so far. Her sensei often asked her to get a more serious air around her and her mother while she loved Alex wanted her to fit more into the general masses.

Accepting the card, marking the number and the address with another color so she would find them easier, she put it into her purse in her backpack.

Half an hour later the bus made a stop because of a defect part of the bus. Grover ran to the toilet asking her to wait for him. In the other part of the roadhouse was a fruit stand. Normally nothing unusual if it weren't for the three grandmas' knitting a giant sock or maybe a pullover. Now you could put them of as a bit crazy maybe nearly blind old grandmothers but the problem was Alex saw their aura without her vision!

That only happened with Casanova. These old ladies had to be incredible powerful since their aura shown brighter and more colorful than Casanova's. Still she observed how they went about their work, knowing that the ladies knew of her staring before finally approaching them.

She stood about one meter in front of them, just watching not interfering at all. The blue thread they used for their socks gave her the feeling of energy of life. She knew with a sureness that wasn't normal that if she activated her vision that thread would have an aura of a living being.

She knew right then and there who was sitting in front of her. The age of the ladies seemed only fitting now. Looking up from their work she gazed them right in the eyes before nodding with acknowledgement. The ladies nodded back with a miniscule movement of their heads. Slowly Alex made herself comfortable by sitting on the ground in front of them just watching their rhythmically work.

Thousands and thousands of years creating these life threads and spinning paid off in their excellent work. Still Alecta paid an incredible amount of attention to that life thread right in front of her. She was so focused on it that Synergon activated the shield for his unprotected mistress. Her eyes glowed softly but in no way activating her vision.

Somehow, she got this odd feeling that the life in front of her would become incredible important in the later history. By no means, it was her life she could feel that. Her aura was not the same as the one before her. It was older than hers in age, had a more complicated structure, a playful attitude, the wish to protect, the desire to prove itself, a hate that was easily exploited and an even deeper sadness and desperation. The life in front of her felt…broken. Like it accepted its death while still being alive, not caring so much about anything anymore while still caring so much about somethings. It was an inner fight.

It made her sad. This inner chaos. What could have done something so horrible to a life that it didn't know who it was anymore at all? What were its feelings and what just imagined?

The ladies knitted further nearing the end. And what happened at the end? Did the trick win or the truth? Alex could not answer this, it was too blurred and before she could make a sense of it the ladies cut it off. The sound of the cut echoed into her vey being, bringing her with a cold splash out of her meditation like state.

So at the end it died? Without a true chance of becoming or rather living without any influence again? Without being overshadowed by that hate and the sadness? Looking hopefully up, silently asking if they were really serious about that, she was answered with three simultaneously nodding heads.

She lowered her head, closing her eyes and muttered "I hope that life has in the next one a way happier ending. It deserves it for all that suffering."

The ladies, aka the Moiren, only tilted their head a bit, before they disappeared, leaving nothing of their presence. Well somehow that didn't surprise her. The timing was good as well as she could see Grover coming from the toilet.

Hearing the hurried steps stop a few meters behind her, she looked over her shoulder. The worried and confused look on his face was slowly becoming his usual face. So, she smirked softly tilting her head a bit to the side. Then she teased him "Grover, I think you should cease with that permanent worried face of yours or you may get a lot of wrinkles when you're very young. Or worse your face will get stuck like this."

Grover looked a bit shocked at that before he shouted a huffy "Hey!". She chuckled a bit before raising from her position on the ground. Her movements so graceful you could think that she floated to her feat.

She strode over to him, patting him once on the shoulder before continuing in the direction of the bus.

"Alex, why were you sitting there?", Grover asked when he caught up to her step, walking alongside her.

She didn't halt, didn't flatter but she looked thoughtful for a moment even reminiscent. Softly, so much that even Grover had to strain his ears to hear her reply, she spoke "I observed life, destiny and fate. It appears to me that somethings are just done because someone finds it funny…"

Her eyes were in that moment so foggy, Grover was of the opinion that in that one moment they weren't even human anymore. They looked as if they saw something his would never ever even catch a glimpse of.

This was something Grover always feared about Alex. Sometimes she appeared as if nothing could bound or affect her. As if she was cut off from their reality but that was also what attracted people. They wanted to have these eyes focus on them, make them see them.

But that was the problem. Alex did see them, probably more than what they wanted. Still what she saw wasn't their bodies but their personalities. To make Alex want to get to know someone, it took something special or rare.

Grover still didn't understand what she saw in him to make him be really seen by her. Perhaps it had to do with the nickname she gave him…

The ride back went mostly normally after that besides the fact that the bus had an accident which resulted in him to be not able to drive any further.

Alex sighed from where took place outside. Eyes closed she leaned relaxed against the guardrail, it was now a bit after noon. Grover visited the toilet again. Whenever he was nervous he had a stronger urge to go to the toilet. Normally she would not want to get home as much as she did now, but it was summer and that meant Montauk with her mother.

So, she decided to leave Grover there after asking one of the other passengers that were still there to pass along the message that she went ahead.

Quickly and quietly she took the next taxi. Staring out of the window she observed how the landscape changed from trees to skyscrapers. Not a change she appreciated too much but not one she abhorred either.

Paying the driver, she went up the stairs to their apartment. Violin case in one hand and the luggage in the other one she prepared herself mentally for the landfill and the terrible smell that came along with it. The grp she had on her violin case tightened considerably. It was precious to her as was the chess board Mr. Sunshine gave to her. The only reason she even took it with her was that she hoped that as soon as her mother got home, she could depart again.

Normally she would have given the money she earned with her illegal sweet shop to Grandy but alas she had to hide from the trash since she wanted to buy a souvenir or the like from Montauk for Grover. The idea she got on the way while she sat in the taxi. Now that she knew his address she could sent something to him as a sort of apology.

In the moment, her money was safely hidden away in her violin case. Elpis was snug around her right wrist and Synergon was a necklace around her throat. Taking one last deep breath she activated her vision and as not surprised that the sight that greeted her was the same as when she came home at the winter break.

Putting her luggage down she grabbed her keys from her trousers and opened the door. Hopefully the trash didn't hear the door open. With these thoughts, she grabbed her luggage again and entered as swiftly as she could manage.

Her stepfather, she learned and now knew it for sure, had something akin to a sixth sense when it came to money. Because as soon as she took three dead silent steps into the corridor, his rough voice called out "Girl, you're back. Just in time for the next round. Give me your money."

Walking to the poker desk, she observed the people who sat there. All of them looked as filthy as Gabe, smelled of booze and greasy. They weren't a pretty sight to say the least. Ignoring his question, she asked one of her own "Where is my mother?"

Gabe grumbled irritated "At work, now give me your money!".

As usual she only shook her head a bit before giving him exactly five dollars. He took them and then looked up at her with that furious glance of his. That she only starred back blankly enraged him even further.

"All of your money, child." He pressed out of his thick throat. Alecta only raised one eyebrow questioningly. Gabe continued "You took a taxi at the bus station, paid with a twenty and got six or seven buckets back. There are two or one dollar missing."

It amazed Alex how this man knew these things but wasn't able to safe money. Knowing that when she didn't give the requested money to him now, she would endanger her mom's and her trip to Montauk, she gave him the requested money.

Eddie, the janitor, only looked ashamed in his glass while the rest didn't care. She glanced at the cards in Gabe's hands before muttering "You're gonna lose this round anyway. What a lost for money."

Now, Alex was no expert for poker but she understood the basics and she was a real champion in chess, so she could see when someone had a bad hand. Furthermore, she knew that Gabe's skills were low.

She turned then to return to her 'room', but Gabe called after her "Your report card is here, your smartass."

Now curious, since she knew what fate awaited her if she got a C in Latin, she demanded "Where is it?"

Surprised at her tone, he shrugged "In the kitchen." Nodding, she moved there, finding it hidden under some empty boxes, she slowly pulled it out. With anticipation, she looked for Latin and found it…

She was done for. A nice big C greeted her. Could she attempt to hide this from Casanova? No, that was futile and would only worsen the situation. He probably knew anyway already. Sighing she took her report card with her and returned to her room, where she started to clean.

The smell of cigarettes and beer was as strong as ever in her room. She scrunched her nose up not liking the vomiting sight and smell at all. Gathering her courage, she started to tidy it up as much as possible. While she cleaned, a voice called out "Alecta?".

A voice she knew only too well, a voice that once made her feel incredible warm which now only filled her with sadness. Her mother.

Sally entered through the door and smiled immediately when she saw the form of her daughter. Quickly she pulled Alex in a hug, before taking one step back. Alex smelled the sweets which surrounded her mother at work and saw the bags under her mother's eyes.

It contradicted that such a reassuring, happy smell hung on such an exhausted human. Alex made it feel guilty. How much she wanted to help but her hands were bound. Her strength and experience was nothing in these kinds of situation. To be unable to help because of some rules, some circumstances that her mother didn't tell her hurt.

The reason why Alex was such a sweet tooth was probably that sweets reminded her of her mother and the good times she had when her mother and she told each other of the year while eating the gratis examples of the sweet shop her mother brought with her. But so nice these situation were, they also had a bitter taste since Alex knew both of them had secrets that neither could tell the other.

So here they were again telling each other of the time they spent apart, sitting on Alex's bed while she ate one blueberry gummi after the next. The only thing her mother really interested was her health, which was as well as always. Weirdly enough could Alex proudly say that since she was seven years old, she never got sick again. It wasn't even through Synergon's influence. Of course, she got headaches but only through exams or reading.

Mentally she was fine as well. Yes, she was a bit worried over that unknown deadline and the fact that a batty one attacked her while searching apparently for Casanova's father's stolen weapon, but honestly, she couldn't influence these situations. So, she could only wait and see what happens.

"So, you found a friend in your age group. That's reassuring to hear, I wish that I could have met him…" drifted the voice of her mother through the room. Alex only made a soft humming sound not really paying attention to her mother. In the moment, her thoughts were filled with all the facts and theories that she had.

This reflection of the year made her also think over a lot of what had happened and their connection with each other.

Fact one: Grover and Mr. Brunner were acquaintances, knowing something that was dangerous and that she was involved with it. Furthermore, they wanted to keep her away from the special world.

Fact two: Casanova's father's incredible powerful weapon was stolen in the winter vacation. A lot of special beings were searching for it and the thief.

Fact three: The old bat appeared about three weeks after winter vacation and took an instant dislike to her.

Fact four: Alex was aware that the old bat had sisters so she could conclude that more special ones thought she was the thief and apparently, the deadline Giver and Mr. Wiselyold spoke about had to do with it.

Fact five: Casanova searched already for the weapon the last time they saw each other, meaning that some knew that she wasn't the thief.

But that still didn't explain why it should have to do with her heritage as Grover mentioned… Her eyes cleared and her memories flowed past her. Her mother's voice became a dull background sound.

The bubbles that flew like fireflies, the voice that made her feel so safe, loved, accepted. The big hand, that could have easily crushed her skull but instead gently stroked her hair. The warning and explanation that was spoken that day.

Her father.

Alex remembered something else as well now. Once Casanova mentioned that he had only two uncles and that they were not exactly getting along with his father. The way Casanova never said anything to disagree when someone called her his cousin.

What did her mother always tell her? Her father was lost at the sea. Furthermore, she met her father at a beach and Alex felt in the sea completely protected at peace and watched over.

In a fashion her mother didn't notice she snorted a bit. Now a lot made sense. For example, her ability to breath underwater and see so clearly in the dark waters. Her father was somehow strongly connected to the water and the sea which would explain her abilities, her strength and stamina. If her father was a brother to Casanova's father it would make lot of sense.

Now if Alex knew one thing about Casanova and from what he told her when he spoke, as rarely as it happened, about his family then was it that they're all terrible stubborn, arrogant and paranoid. If something was stolen, then you would of course suspect the one person you had some conflict with. But why did they think she stole it for her father, that still didn't make sense.

The missing information made this unnecessary difficult. Still something would happen when the day of the deadline was there and since they would decide something it could be something like a judgment… Her father was probably really powerful as was the rest of the family, what would happen in this kind of disagreement, Alex would rather not find out.

Honestly, she felt quite accomplished, because now she could explain the bad weather as well. When her father was associated with the sea then the bad storms on the sea could be explained by his mood as could the sky for his brother as a counterpart.

Her mother' voice pulled her out of her analysis. "Now are you already excited for this weekend? We're staying at the same house as always." Her mother's smiling face appeared in her vision with a hopeful edge to it.

Her mother always wanted to see Alex express her emotions to a for her unholy degree. Either way Alex smiled as big as she could at this good news and nodded eagerly "I am really happy to go there again."

This was the one tradition that Alex would make happen even if she would have to murder. Every year in the summer they visited Montauk beach and stayed in the same house which was dusty and spider infested. They would have to clean for a while before they sat together at a campfire at the shore. Her mother would tell her of Alex's father and Alex could relax completely at the sound of the waves hitting the sand.

Sometimes she played her violin for her mother at the campfire to express her mood in a better way. Two years ago, the trash tried to make them stay because they supposedly didn't have enough money.

That was one of the few times in her life Alex lost control of her rage, her bloodlust. Certainly, not in the she went-wild-way but more like it was clear-as-day-that-one-wrong-word-and-your-head-would-have-been-severed-way. After that, the smelly Gabe couldn't look her into her eyes for her entire stay that summer and only forgot about his terrified pray moment through beer.

Still his subconscious still remembered which was the reason that he let them go to Montauk now every year with only some complains and conditions that Alex still wanted to eradicate.

After her mom gave the trash his food and bean sauce, they took his oh so precious car that could not be harmed or even scratched in any way. Totally forgetting her and her mom's health.

Her violin case was on her lap while her luggage with Sunshine's chess set was in the trunk. Humming softly along while her mother sang along with the lyrics of the music, Alex observed the passing surroundings noticing the stormy weather and sea.

Now that she at least had an idea what that bad weather indicated she felt bit more cautious. Furthermore, it was likely that she was being followed if not by her scent than by her name. Alex found out about four years ago that special beings gave off an unique smell that only some supernatural creatures could follow. But even though she said some it was a lot of living beings that could do that.

She glanced at her mother from the corner of her eye. If her mom got dragged into this than the world better get some safety helmets because Alecta would let hell rain down on them. All the secrets she kept for herself would be for nothing if that happened and her mother was weak. If she got attacked, then her life would be in fatal danger.

Hopefully, Alex would be able to stop it in time but she knew that she could not be always there for her mom. Additionally, she didn't know what type of character these special beings were and if they would involve her normal mother…

Well, they would obviously go to any lengths to achieve their goal. Her eyes narrowed slightly at that thought and the meaning of it. But her soft humming never stopped or paused.

The old, shabby beach house still looked exactly the same as last year. It was as dusty and spider infested as ever while smelling a bit foul. It was perfect.

Her mother and her began to clean the rooms. It didn't escape Alex that her mother seemed to regenerate here. That was why it was so important for Alex to come here each year, it reminded her of her old mother that was strong and full of energy.

Throwing the windows of her room open she breathed in the fresh ocean wind that blew quite strongly. Looking up dark grey clouds greeted her, making a light frown cover her face. Synergon gave a soft warning chime from his place around her neck and she had to agree. There was danger brewing in the vicinity.

"Alecta, dear, could you please help me here with lifting the couch, so that I can clean the floor?" called her mom from the living room next door.

Casting once last glance at the storming sea and approaching storm, she went to her mom with a loud "Coming.".

Later this evening, Sally and Alex sat on the shore of the beach around a campfire. Alex was really relaxed, enjoying the ocean wind that lifted her hair from her back to fly around her. Soft, peaceful humming flowed softly through the ocean wind, being carried farther until it reached the depth of the ocean or the ceiling of the sky.

The sunset, a mixture of bright yellow, burning orange and passionate red barely seen through the great amount of clouds, made her recall the memory of Casanova and when he first visited her.

She needed to suppress a smirk at that memory. Shaking her head at her past bluntness, calling him downright an " untrustworthy, suspicious powerful playboy who liked to hang around hot babes to do adult things later with". The blank face and voice of hers apparently didn't help, fortunately Casanova was too amused for him to be angry with her.

He was on his way home and Alex was in the central park trying to control the water of the river. The sun was already beginning to set and Alex was in a really secluded part that people rarely found or visited. Since his aura was so large he was quite easy to notice when he appeared behind her but she chose to ignore him, continuing with her training. After a while he broke the silence "The amazing me had a bit of free time to inspect a weird little child who doesn't listen to rules and yet you ignore me. This is quite rude, sweetie.".

That was the beginning of their first real conversation, not exactly a good one.

Pulling herself out of these memories, she glanced at the relaxed form of her mother. A nostalgic expression was on her face, so Alex knew that she likely remembered her father right now. Once more she would ask Sally after her father and how they met and her mother would tell her the same as the year before and the year before that.

Alex knew that her mother would grow a bit tearful at these memories, but she knew that these good memories would help her mother as well. Remembering a time when she was young, proud, determined and loved.

The eyes of her mother would stare into the flames, losing focus on what was before and looking into a past that solely belonged to her and him. A past that no one could steal from her.

A voice, so soft and caring in nature, would speak from afar way place that Alex couldn't reach "Your father was such a gentle person. Powerful, but gentle, having quite a mischievous streak as well that you seem to have inherited, as well as his good looks apparently, my little sea rose. You possess his dark black hair and his enchanting green eyes…"

Closing her eyes and recalling the night, in which she first met her father was eased by the description of her mother. Alex had no eidetic memory, hers only stated way earlier making her able to recall her days as a baby. But it was like an eighteen-year-old recalling his days as a six-year-old.

Able to remember the gist of somedays and even the details of a very special event but no more than that. Of course, Alex had a better than average memory because her calm mind sorted these things and she didn't easily forget the things she saw, but her memory was far away from eidetic or impressive well. She still forgot parts even though she didn't want to.

Like right now, she could not recall the name of the brother of her father that he mentioned only once that night, her inability to learn any names really fast didn't help at all. But when her mother told her of her father that night became clearer in her mind and she feels like she could catch the name, but it never happened.

The only thing she still knows for sure was that her father was a warm comfort, making her feel utterly safe and relaxed through his pure presence alone. His aura she didn't saw back then but she felt like something wrapped her into a soft, toasty blanket. It had to be his power or aura… She also remembered that the reason he couldn't stay with her was that his brother forbad it and could endanger her. He was also the person who warned her of the Secrets of the world.

That night she watched the stormy sea from the safety of her room. She hummed softly a tune that sounded foreboding, sad and strong. Observing how the waves grew seemingly trying to cover the sky, the wind blowing strongly to defend against the gigantic waves, destroying them before they could swallow the sky up.

Mr. Delphi sat reassuringly in her lap, Synergon was for once in his true form, feeling safe in the dark of the night, covering her shoulders and acting as a blanket of sorts. Elpis was still around her wrist, a reassuring weight in the middle of the war she watched.

Her eyebrows furrowed. Why should her father steal from his brother when Casanova told her that his uncles were just as powerful as his father? While she only met him once, he didn't seem to be someone who wanted this kind of drama that could lead to a full out war…

Furthermore, she knew her father didn't steal that secret powerful weapon because everyone said that she should have it and since she didn't that meant he didn't stole it or he sent someone else to get it. A possibility she had to leave sadly open But, who would have an advantage from war? A war between sky and sea… Who or what could profit from this?

Surely not someone who could control the earth or the nature since they would be caught in the crossfire, that would not be fun.

Normally, in war profited the people who sold weapons. So, who sold the weapons here? Who wanted a war to raise his own profit? Alex, honestly, didn't know.

With one last glance, the sky lit up outside, she finally laid down, clutching Mr. Delphi, Synergon covering her whole body, she fell asleep.

She stood on the beach watching a regal looking eagle and a magnificent horse fighting. From his position in the sky, the eagle dived at the horse trying to scratch it with his sharp, giant talons but the horse evaded swiftly.

A dream, Alex realized, though not a normal one. Normally she could control them or didn't dream at all. Here, she was just an observer.

The fight began to become even more savage, more deadly. The golden eagle finally tore with his claws parts from the white horse's snout out which the horse immediately countered with a powerful kick to the eagle's wings which hit dead center. The storm in the background grew stronger, water and wind trying to finish each other of. Alex face twisted into a frown. She didn't like what was insinuated in this dream.

Sighing, she put her hands behind her back. This was only a dream, she had no might here for once but knew that no matter what happened here, it would not change anything in the real world. Her eyes narrowed when she saw the eagle making another deadly dive at the horse. His beak aimed at the widened eyes of the horse which couldn't react anymore. Well, at least not fast enough to evade. Oh she didn't want to watch this at all, so she concentrated her energy in her mind like she rarely had to, since normally nothing broke or could break into her mind. Deciding that whatever made her dream this had had enough fun, she broke out of the dream.

Still feeling a bit groggy, she didn't first register the frantic pounding on the door of the shed. But her mother was shaken awake way faster than her, registering the desperate screaming and hammering for what it was.

In her nightgown, she opened quickly the door, while Alex was finally completely awake recognizing the terror of the voice as well as the voice. Suddenly wide awake, she hastily went over to stand next to her mother dressed in he pajamas.

Standing there was no one else than Grover and - her gaze drifted downwards- he seemed to have a sudden change in mind for him to not hide his rather goatish legs. She felt the shock driven of her mother but she only said calmly "You smell. Come in or the goat smell will become even stronger, besides that you shouldn't stand outside, taking the full force of two bad tempers."

Gripping his bicep, she didn't even let him catch his breath, while closing the door behind him once she pulled him in. Her mother could only watch shell shocked as she was.

Shaking abruptly his head, so as not to get dragged in Alex's pace, rover turned around. His voice was still slightly gasping but he could at least get complete sentences out for now "What do you think are you doing? I searched for you the entire night!".

This made her mother return to the reality as well. Her voice filled with worry, she inquired "Alex, what happened in school this year? What didn't you tell me about?".

Looking in a soft pace between the two worried faces of people dear to her, she sighed massaging her temple with one hand, muttering softly "Just brilliant timing.".

The face of her mother turned furious at that comment. "Alecta!", she thundered "Tell me right now." Alex lifted her gaze, staring blankly at the turmoil filled eyes of Sally. She answered with an expressionless voice "Nothing more than usually happens. Here and there a few attacks from special beings that usually don't happen unless I seek them out. Figuring a few interesting facts out about Mr. Brunner and Grover here. All the while trying to find out what I can do to get rid of that trash at home. Oh, I forgot that I met three incredible old, powerful and very good at knitting ladies.

But seriously mother, that was it. No more than you hide from me anyway." Sally flinched at the cold, bitter smile her daughter sent her.

She made it sound all so normal like she was used to mythic beings dropping in and out trying to kill her. Didn't she protect her daughter at all by sending her to these far off boarding schools? Was everything she endured all these years for the sake of her daughter for nothing? Was it Sally's fault by keeping her maybe still too close?

Grover interrupted Sally's dark thoughts with a demand filled with panic "We have no time anymore to discuss anything! He was directly behind me! We have to hurry and leave!"

Now curious Alex activated her vision and surprisingly about two to three kilometers from here she saw an aura that was a savage red with grey streaks. It waved without any logic or order around a seemingly large form.

Glancing at her mother and Grover out of the corner of her eyes, she decided that there was nothing left to hide in this situation. Quickly she ran to her room packed her back with the chessboard and Mr. Delphi before grabbing her violin case, Synergon already smugly wound around her neck in his true form.

She took about thirty seconds for all of that. The same time her mother needed to grab her handbag purse and Alex's rain jacket.

Grover stared at her in wonderment, having seen how fast she moved when she wanted to. Getting into the car, Alex kept her vision on the entire time.

Her mother could drive like the devil, Alex had to painfully find out. It was scary how fast the landscape was left behind them in this kind of weather… Alex felt a bit queasy but otherwise was very okay with everything else.

In a drawling voice, she finally asked "So where we going?". Her mother's hands surprisingly clenched tighter around the steering wheel and Grover looked a bit more nervous but eventually her mother started "When I was pregnant with you and your father found out, he told me of a place, a camp where you could grow up completely safe from the dangers of this world. But I didn't want to take you there until I had no other choice. I swore that I would protect you as long as possible even with my life if necessary.

I knew that I am rather powerless but I could at least delay the day when you had to go to this camp for a few years. That was also the reason why I married Gabe, you know that he is a rather unpleasant fellow. These circumstances make him stink in a sense, because special people like you are, sweetie, have this certain attractive smell on them that attracts dangerous creature. I thought it would be better to hide you in his smell."

Alex looked down on her lap where her violin case rested and her backpack laid across it with Mr. Delphi's head glimpsing out of the top. Her entire life goal was to be not a brother to her mom and now she did exactly that by keeping the dangerous aspects of her life to herself to not worry her mother with them.

But there it was again 'special'. If you ask her she would answer that she heard that word lately too often for her taste. But it probably had to do with her father.

Looking up she glanced back and noticed that curious enemy of theirs was now no longer as close, though she noticed that Grover's aura was in quite the tumult as well. The grey- blue aura of her mother with the glasses feature was not in the best condition either.

Sighing she mumbled, her eyes lowered in sadness and guilt though that was the only way you would notice that she was sad, "This camp for special people you spoke of, is that where you live as well Grover? And what do you exactly mean with special, I am only aware of the fact that my father is connected with the sea and immensely powerful. No more than that…

Mommy, I apologize for the trouble that I have caused you by keeping silent of my involvement with the Secrets of this world, it was never my intention for you to be hurt or suffer. Especially since I have to admit that Gabe has no use at all then. Do you remember the ribbon at that vendor's shop when I was only a few months old and that I wanted to have no matter what?"

Sally looked confused and disbelieving, Grover was no better. Gulping strongly to get her bearings together again, she answered in a hushed voice "Yes, I do. That ribbon was special as you are so I wanted you to not be involved with it because you were only baby then. You were only a baby then Alex, how can you even remember this?"

Gazing at her daughter from head to toe for the first time since Grover appeared on their doorstep, her eyes immediately zeroed in on that fascinating long sea blue ribbon with flowing green ends and silver bells around her neck. Her eyes widened in recognition and out of shock the car swerved to the left before her mother caught herself and put them back into the right lane again.

No more secrets that Alex decided at that moment. Staring her mother dead serous in the eyes, her clear sea-blue eyes seemed to inflame and become more impressive than they usually were "I can remember quite a bit from that time. You know that I was a really unusual child. The shopkeeper was special as well and put Synergon- "she gestured to him around her neck "into one of your shopping bags. It was then really easy to hide because he can change his form to any kind of accessories.

We met the first time officially in Canada and since then we became partners and friends in a way. Once I have given him enough energy, that was sometime after the snake incident at kindergarten, he made a sort of sphere that keeps my send hidden in that area. It's not exactly large that is why any creature that comes in my vicinity about one meter can smell me. Synergon suggested it in the first place and erected it before I was even aware of the smell thing."

A stutter broke out behind her "B-but the thing that follows us must have smelt you! Otherwise it shouldn't have been able to find you at all!"

Alex let that objection roll over her thoughts. Even though she already suspected what the reason was she didn't exactly want to tell Grover, however it only was fair.

Taking a silent deep breath, she spoke in a monotone voice "Grover since when do you follow me? It is likely that Mrs. Dodds was aware of your position and job and decided to tell her master that where you are there am I. That way they only have to follow your scent." Noticing how Grover flinched at that she hurriedly went on, so that his thoughts couldn't stay at that topic too long.

"But you ignored my first questions, so I feel the need to repeat them. What kind of camp is that, do you live there as well, Grover? Could you please explain what you mean with special?"

Her mother had sweat running down her temple and Grover glanced nervously around before making a few nervous meck-meck sounds.

Suddenly, the dull sound was heard again. With a nonchalant movement, Alex looked back and saw that the aura was nearer. Now she could make out the head which apparently had horns and the legs which had hooves.

Sounding curious she asked "What exactly is after us anyway? I have never seen such a being before..."

Grover answered her sounding a bit stressed and annoyed, with whom? She didn't know. "Oh no one special. Just the lord of the underworld and his loyal, but bloodthirsty disciples."

Alex rose an eyebrow at that explanation, but her mom hissed "Grover!" to which he only apologized not sounding sorry at all and asking her to drive faster.

Leaning her head against the window, she mused "The lord of the underworld? Who exactly is that supposed to be? Lucifer? The devil? Or what was the other one called again? It sounded a bit like satin…"

Grover interrupted her "No one of these. Alex, these old ladies that you met and me, we both belong to the same mythology and now we're driving to that place to keep you safe."

Her mother nodded determined "Yes, you are in danger and we don't exactly have the time to tell you everything right now."

Suddenly Grover gasped "Alex! The old ladies that were knitting, what did they do?! Please it is important!" A bit annoyed at all the orders, she sighed "So you're telling me we are driving to camp for Greek myths and now you want me to tell you what the Moiren did to that thread? They cut it if you want to know so badly, cut it like it was just another thread…" Her eyes darkened a bit when she thought about that.

Shocked Grover mumbled "They cut the thread?... That they only do when you… when someone has to die…" Turning around, Alex snapped out of the blue with her fingers. She had a very satisfied tune when she said "That is why you both are so worried, you both think that I'm soon six feet under! But no worries! I will never be six feet under, because I want to be burned and turned into ash."

Grover's face turned ash colored before he screamed at her, completely flabbergasted "I said you as in someone which I corrected in the very same sentence! You won't die anytime so and how can you just speak so relaxed from your own death?! Are you mad!?"

She smiled amused "Of course, I am mad otherwise I would not be able to pull off most of the things I do, but honestly everyone is a bit mad at least. Besides that, why shouldn't I be relaxed when I speak about death? It's one of the few things that are one hundred percent sure to happen. It be the case that you are immortal but I honestly am not and I have not yet met anybody that can be considered as such, well at least that I know of…"

Grover groaned frustrated "Only you, Alex, only you. I must really be mad to be so good friend with you." Alex smiled mischievous "Birds of a feather flock together."

They laughed. Sally was amazed that her daughter could laugh so freely with somebody in her age. They were really friends since Alex seemed to have no need to control her emotions as tightly as she did usually. Looking into driving mirror, she saw that their follower accelerated and was about to attack them.

She shouted "Kids!" and swiftly swerved out of the way.

Alex saw out of the corner of her right eye the flaring red aura of the mythologic being. Her mother breathed "Nearly there. Just two more kilometers, please." As they left the creature behind in the thunderstorm.

Beginning to feel uneasy Alex looked up into the sky. It boomed and lightning flashed. She knew that something very bad was approaching but not from behind them but from above. Synergon wanted to instinctively activate the shield but she interfered. The problem was that when her mother or Grover would be thrown against it, the shield would repel them with the same ferocity.

So, she hurriedly turned to her mother and Grover, wanting to warn them but alas too late. Her world exploded in white as lightning stroked down on them and an ear-shattering boom was heard.

Alex gritted her together and her hands clenched so tightly into her seat that she was sure that her nails left marks. So not sorry Gabe. For a moment, she felt incredible hot and like she was being pressed in from all sides before Synergon interfered, healing her as fast as he could without going over his set energy limits.

Gathering her beings together, Alex tried to find out where she was exactly in the car. Apparently, the car got quite badly hit but was still in one part meaning that nothing flew out, what a relieve. Still she was rather sure that the car's roof was on the ground, so she shifted around.

A scream pierced through the air "Alex!". Her mom, she called back "I'm fine.". Now trying to find her mom and a way out of the car while looking for Grover could be considered multitasking. Not something Alex was quite apt in.

The car landed on the side road and the doors of the driver's side were stuck in the mud, her mother still sat in her seat and appeared alright for being hit with lightning. The roof was shattered and the rain leaked now down on them. Looking into the back seat she was shocked for a second because it had looked like Grover wasn't breathing. But then she noticed his still very much alive aura and calmed When he grumbled out "Food." she had to suppress a chuckle, but she smiled relieved anyway.

The urgent sounding voice of her mother let her turn around. For once she cursed softly "Oh shit.". The creature stood not far from them, being too tall to miss with his bull horns, head, upper body of a man that trained too much and legs of a bull.

Reacting quickly Alex threw herself with all her might against her door and it opened quite readily not being made to withstand her power. Not wasting one second, she grabbed her mother's right arm and pulled her out of the car, not even letting her mother utter one word. Alex was only thankful that they all didn't put their seatbelts on in their haste.

Running to the back of the car, she pulled the door nearly of trying to get it to open up. Fortunately, his door was not demolished like theirs and opened voluntarily. Quickly she took hold of his arms, swung them around her neck to Synergon's utter dismay and took off with him to her mother.

Thankfully, she still had her vision on and could so clearly make the barrier out that was painfully strong and strained her eyes quite a bit. Knowing that if she stared at it any longer than absolutely necessary it would make her blind for a few days even with Synergon's healing.

But at the moment she had no choice. Grover was unconscious and with that defenseless and her mom was no better. That was the reason why she preferred sole missions, she didn't have to worry and plan so much because of others. It made her feel uneasy knowing that lives depended on her. Her non-existing sense of direction made it absolutely necessary that she didn't activate her vision.

Out of a sudden her mother seemed to have recovered "Alex, you have to go alone! Leave Grover and me here. You have to run! Don't worry about us, you are his target. He will not harm us. Now run, you don't have time!"

For the first time in her entire life Alex snapped at her mother, losing for one moment the control of her annoyance over her mother's self-sacrificing side, even though Alex knew that she inherited it. "Shut up! How do you even dare to demand something so impossible of me?! I won't leave neither you nor Grover here, mom! Besides, I have been long enough in this world to know that even though he is after me, he won't have any problems in killing you or him out of fun. Or even kidnapping you or Grover as leverage against me! I may be young but to hell I am NOT naïve!

There only a few people that are really dear to me and now one of them is asking me to abandon them. Really? How mad are you? And now come on, before cowman over there decides to finally use his eyes and ears."

Alex eyes burned a bright sea blue, emitting a light so that even if it were completely dark, you would have seen them. Sally was shocked by her daughter's behavior and the power in her eyes. It didn't help that Synergon stirred at the call of his master's emotions, rising around her neck to show that he is ready to defend and attack as she wished.

Elpis not wanting to be outdone, even though usually silent, began to glow softly as well. Sally was a bit saddened, her daughter looked so much like her father now and even acted the same as him. Not listening to others no matter their rang, but she was touched as well since Alex was for once honestly showing her feelings. Still, the way power emitted from her and she glowed so softly you would have hardly noticed if you weren't looking deeply, made her feel uneasy. Alex held herself in a regal, gracious way and now it made her only look even more powerful, but all added together made her daughter seem not human but ethereal.

Her hands grew sweaty, was she losing her daughter's human side to her father's godly side? Shaking her head to throw these thoughts of, she stalked the few steps to her daughter whose shoulders stiffened in defense, knowing that she was in for trouble.

Smiling sweetly, Sally took her ear in her hand and pulled "How do you speak with you mother? Apologize right this minute."

Having let her feelings run amok for a moment, Alex ad them already tightly under control again and apologized quite readily.

Nodding satisfied while still smiling oh so sweetly, Sally began to run in the direction of the big tree which was the beginning of the propriety of the camp. Her daughter followed her easily while still carrying Grover. Sally saw no need to explain where the entry was, she felt that her daughter knew because she tried to pull her in that direction while she held her little speech.

Alex jogged calmly behind her mom, a bit embarrassed over little moment, she glanced behind her. The cowman was now at their car and with his gigantic head on which shone two really big and sharp horns he bowed down and began to sniff. His enormous thick neck only made of muscle and long dirty fur was too wide so that he could not put his head inside the car. All in all, the cowman was not attractive with his snooty nose on his muzzle that was as long as her arm.

That they still had about one hundred meters up the hill and that Cowman only was fifty meters away and had amazing leg musculature wasn't reassuring.

She knew that creature from her lessons but she forgot the name… again… Was anyone even surprised anymore?

Her mother piped up "He can see and hear nearly nothing but his sense of smell is astounding. He will us notice soon, we have to hurry. Goodness, if I had only known how much they to see you dead to send the son of the Pasiphaë after you…" She shook her head, while her hands clenched in frustration. Alex only looked down feeling disappointed in herself. She didn't want her mother to worry or to bother her and now…

A roar tore through the night's silence. Cowman was seemingly very angry since he packed the Camaro by the shredded roof, lifted it over his head and threw it across the street, where it began to slide over the asphalt for at least over a hundred meters before finally coming to a standstill. Then the car promptly exploded. Alex would give that throw and ending an A. exceptionally because it was the trash's.

Knowing that Cowman would soon attack them, Alex stepped her speed a bit up. Her mother glanced worriedly behind them, before informing Alex that Cowman was fast on straight tracks but was terrible in curves.

Prompted to question her mother over all the knowledge, Alex only shrugged knowing that her mother had a few interesting secrets of her own.

Cowman was really furious judging by the bellow he let out before climbing the hill up, chasing after them. Her mother was still pretty alright, maybe a bit exhausted but not too much to worry about and yet the hill was getting steeper and more slippery.

"Alex, give Grover to me and get away from us."

With one last look back, Alex decided that her mother needed more time, so she quickly handed Grover over and did what her mom told her. Sprinting to the left Alex was purposefully slower than normally because she wanted Cowman to notice where she went and find her quickly. She turned around and faced the bull that came now running to her. Scrunching her nose up at the smell of foul flesh, she stood there calmly and waited for him to come at her.

Synergon bounced excited around her neck and Elpis grew a bit warm around her wrist but she didn't want to use either of them. She was only buying time and that meant she had to enrage and toy with the bull that only sees red. Fortunately she had a red rain jacket on, was it not just fitting?

Pulling her jacket off, she moved into the classic matador position and began to chant "Toro, Toro". This he sadly didn't hear but he could arguably feel that he was being mocked. Blindly he ran at her and Alex pulled in an elegant twirl at the last second out of the way.

Enraged, he stamped with one of his hooves at the ground before he turned around. But he did not go after Alex, like she anticipated. No he turned to her mother and Grover who both sat on the ground or at least it looked like that. She furrowed her eyebrow they both were at the top of the hill, why was her mother stopping there? Then she saw the barrier. She felt like she was hit by lightning…again… her mother could not pass the barrier.

What to do? She could go to the farm that stood over a kilometer away and try to get the person responsible for the barrier to open it up for her mother. But that would take way too much time and that that person would agree was unlikely.

Cowman began to growl and do the movement typical for a bull that was about to attack. He didn't look at anything but her mother who slowly went back the way they came from. Suddenly, the bull raced at her mother and Alex ran as quickly as she could after it, but she was not as heavy as the giant cow and had in this muddy ground not such a good balance and hold. So, she couldn't go as fast as she could without risking stumbling and losing precious time. She couldn't throw Elpis either, she was bad at shooting.

Her mother tried to evade the attack but the beast already learned from Alex's trick and caught her mother around her middle. Alex began to think about using the water abilities of hers, but she didn't want to risk hurting her mother as well. Cursing she ran even faster and was nearly there, she already began to activate Elpis wanting to cut of his hand that held her mother.

Alex called out "Mom!" and Sally threw her a look before throating out "Run!" than Cowman closed his gigantic hand around her throat and her mother was no more. She melted away into light, into a shimmering golden glowing hologram that was only way too familiar for Alex to not recognize. Then there was blinding light where she normally had to look away before and then her mother wasn't there anymore.

Even though, Alex knew that her mother was alive, she wasn't pleased at least that she got transported away to her enemies. When that stupid cow than began to run to Grover to do worse or the same to him, Alex had had enough.

Fortunately for her, they were now on drier and more flat ground, running faster than the cow could comprehend she suddenly stood before him. Successfully cutting his way to Grover of. In a drawling and arrogant voice, that she learned from Casanova, she asked tauntingly "And where do you want to go? Don't you think that after that little trick, I must show you something amazing as well?"

Cowman growled menacing before he stormed at her again. Reacting as fast as a viper, she grabbed the black and white horns of his and made a somersault over his head while not letting go if his horns. She used all her strength and managed to make the gigantic bull fall on his back since he lost his balance.

Letting go when she felt his balance tip off enough she landed in a graceful crouch and stood again and watched him fall. Enraged Cowman stood up again, now looking at her with hateful black eyes.

She only raised a brow mockingly and smirked. Then her dance began, but knowing that she didn't have much time left made her hurry. Aikido was the art of fighting in which you didn't attack but waited for the enemy to attack and use his own movements against himself.

Alex was a master in the art and Cowman made it really easy for her with his one-track mind. Moving gracefully out of the way every time he stormed at her, she let him run into trees and big rocks. Blood already started to drip from his head but he ignored it.

Judging that enough was enough, Alex positioned herself in front of a very sturdy looking tree. Cowman let one enraged roar out before he sprinted at her, his head lowering, aiming his two very pointy and sharp horns at her. Alex didn't move, didn't even blink, she only watched with alert-eyes, not missing anything. In the last possible second, she jumped on the head of the raging bull and pushed herself again off from his head, giving him a bit of extra force to run against the tree.

Flipping and turning in the air, Alex landed so that she faced the back of him. Immediately, she noticed how he braced himself against the tree with all his might but didn't move at all. He was stuck in the tree with his horns, but suddenly in one last frustrated movement he managed to free himself. But at what price?

Alex inwardly flinched at the torn of horn that now rested in the bark of the tree. Self-harm she never liked to see. Why was he so desperate to see her dead? If they really searched only for the weapon of the enemy they wouldn't go so far, or? This was way more desperate like the thing that was stolen was very precious to them.

A horrible twitch suddenly appeared in her head and she knew why. Her time was almost up, she couldn't activate her vision for longer than two hours at once without a break without any consequences. The powerful, glowing barrier and strong aura of her opponent weren't helpful at all.

If it only was Cowman she would still have over one hour left but sadly that was not the case. The bull in front of her roared at her again, stepping on the ground and Alex knew that he would not stop attacking her until either she or he were dead.

In a calm, deadly and still voice, she whispered "Elpis.". Responding immediately at the call of her master, Elpis began to grow in a blue white light until it had the form of her beloved sword. Then she grabbed the still blinding handle, as soon as she did that glow dimed until it was no more.

Synergon grumbled annoyed around her neck that he could not be in action in this fight, but he knew that he was busy enough with healing her eyes.

Seeing that his opponent pulled her weapon, Cowman gave one last growl before attacking. Alex for once didn't wait for him to arrive in her range and ran herself at him. As soon as she could smell his breath, she slid to the ground and used the muddy ground to slip past his legs. Righting herself as quickly as possible she ran at the tree in which his horn was stuck.

Now Alex was a bit revengeful as well and she found it rather poetic to find death through the exact same weapon one killed others with. He only deserved it for making her mother disappear.

Using Elpis, she easily cut the horn out of the bark, then she turned around just in time to see Cowman storming at her again. Dashing at him herself, she dodged his left horn and ducked under his bowling ball big fists, so that she stood now in front of his chest. Pulling back as far as she could, she rammed the horn in his heart with her entire strength. Alex heard him gasp and saw him vomit blood, before he fell to his knees clutching at the wound.

She saw his aura shimmering, but it didn't grow silent in any way it was still as powerful as before. Even though the body in front of her gave his final breath, the aura didn't grow weaker but only more see-through. Normally, she hadn't her vision activated when killing anything, not being able to stand the silence that was sure to befall, so she didn't know if that was a common occurrence to mythical beings.

His body began to turn into the typical golden sand and then it was blown away, leaving only the horn behind. Synergon wanted the horn as a present that if they ever saw another one of these ugly cowmen they could threaten him. Was he not quite the sadist? Sighing in relief that it was over, she grabbed the horn and put it in her backpack which laid in the place where she put it together with her violin case after she had parted with her mom and Grover.

Gathering everything, she rushed over to the fallen body of Grover. Her friend still mumbled something about food and trees. Shaking her head at the obviously very well in health Grover, she heaved him over her shoulders, grabbing him under his furry knees so that he didn't fall of. She looked surely funny now, like a pack mule. Luckily it stopped raining, meaning that the ground could begin to dry now. But the thunder and lightning still flashed menacingly over her.

Turning her eyes to the barrier she flinched when the pain that she had begun to ignore intensified while looking at it. Still as soon as she deactivated her vision the blinding process would begin. She couldn't walk around blind as a mole in an entire foreign place. She was rather bad at walking blind in places she was familiar even.

Alex raced over to the farm that was behind the barrier as quick as the wet ground would allow her. Passing the barrier, she felt a weird tingling running own her back, but she ignored it. She saw the auras of most of the people in bed, judging by the laying in air position they had. Another throbbing blow in her head, centering behind her eyes made her stumble for a bit. Admitting to herself that she has reached her limits, she deactivated her vision and was greeted with absolute mind-blowing agony which centered in her head and eyes.

Gritting her teeth together, Alex tried to make out a health center with her fast blurring vision. A few creatures where outside but she didn't recognize them, they were only blurry globs about one hundred meters away. She dodged any sounds of movements she heard, not trusting this place at the moment. Her mom told her to run to the farm house but Alex first needed a place where Grover would be taken care of.

Her vision grew even worse and the edges began to darken. She cursed softly under her breath "Damn.". Moving even faster, her head protesting at the reckless pace she had set, she began to trust her other senses more and more. Alex needed a place where it smelled like herbs and sanitizer. She ran past the farm house and even other giant blurry buildings?

Her vision darkened even further, leaving her only a little circle in which she only could see colors in different forms or heights but no feature or sharp shapes. Nearly having reached her last limits, Alex was suddenly overwhelmed to smell herbs and oils. Turning to the place where the smell came from, she saw a glob with lights.

Reaching it just in time for her vision to completely turn black, and letting Grover fall on what where probably steps, she turned back. She didn't only rush because of her blindness but because when she was blind Synergon deemed her defenseless and activated his barrier without her set permission. He let nothing stay and in the barrier, that could in anyway harm her. That meant that all living beings were a danger even if they were totally harmless.

This wasn't the first time, Alex had the pleasure of turning blind. The first time she was eight and in some forest in the middle of nowhere, fearing to be attacked and being not quite as experienced as she was now, Alex asked Synergon to do always when she was blind.

Over the past four years Alex trained to be able to at least fight back with her eyes closed and managed to some degree, but Synergon didn't care. In some way, it was even useful since she could now fully relax and let herself heal while being in foreign territorial. Hearing the dangerous screeching behind her, she was even glad that Synergon still did this, because if she asked him enough he would lower the shield, but only if he was completely sure that she was able to stand and fight. At the moment, her headache was the size of the mount Everest and made that impossible.

The sound of wings flapping and the screeches turning louder let her know, that their presence was discovered. Turning around, she spread her arms a little in an opening and welcoming gesture like these people from rich hotels welcomed guests. A smile appeared on her face, and her eyes were closed anyway. Then she called out "Welcome to this little resting spot of us. Would you terrible mind to notify your supervisor of our presence here, if you haven't done so already? It appears that neither my friend Grover here nor I will be up for talking anytime soon, so I would ask of you to take care of him. If he comes to any harm, I think I would go on a diet on which feathery creatures stand." Her smile turned nasty at the end and she heard them take a step back.

And with that she carefully sat down on the ground and leaned against the steps, before falling asleep, finally escaping the bombs which exploded in her head while clutching her back and violin case to her chest.

The next time she woke up, she wasn't surprised in the least to still feel the ground under her back and the wooden steps against her neck and head. Her headache has disappeared and assuming that the warmth of her face radiated from the sun meant that it was daytime.

The last time this happened she slept for twelve hours and then woke up still blind. This time was not different but he could honestly say that she would gain her sight sooner back, now that she was awake and the shield could be lowered.

A smell drifted into her nose, herbs and ointment. Standing slowly up, she could hear the voices of the teens that stood near her sleeping form begin to grow silent. After Alex stretched in every way imaginable and et her bones pop, she took a deep breath and deactivated the shield. Synergon grumbled about that but put his full attention to her eyes now.

Carefully, she lowered herself and tried to reach for her backpack and case but it was imaginable difficult if you couldn't see a thing. Suddenly a very curious sounding voice popped up "What will happen at the summer solstice?". While it was hushed, Alex understood everything perfectly, being blind raised the other senses and having rather good senses before that only made them even better.

Raising her eyebrow at the question, Alex turned only her face to the feminine but still young voice. Shrugging Alex answered in a nonchalant way "Who knows? I surely don't. Furthermore, I have no reason to since I have a bit of a problem of my own." Alex honestly didn't care at the moment if the world would end, she needed to visit the lord of the underworld and ask him what he wanted from her mom and why he was so desperate.

Some pieces still didn't fit.

A.N: Hope you had fun reading and will continue to do so ! I wish you a good day!