Disclaimer: I do not own the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I do own Jade, Grant, and any other characters that you don't recognize from the series, as well as the story plot.

Note: This chapter has been edited slightly from its original version as I felt it was necessary. The same goes for chapter four. A writer is their own worst critic, and perhaps - if I have the time - I may edit this whole story. Should that happen, I will leave a note in my profile. But until then, enjoy the story!

When Opportunity Strikes – 01 – Into the Fire

You know those times when your mind tells you to do one thing and your mom tells you to do something else? I was having one of those moments. Of course, when you get in that position, there really is only one safe option to go with: mom. So instead of going to the haunted house up at Waverly Hills, I was stuck at work. It was Halloween for crying out loud!

So, here I was, waiting for the customers I knew would never come. At least I had Penny to talk to.

"Jade, do you think you could cover me while I'm gone?" Whoops! Scratch that.

"Sure, just get back soon, I don't want to be left with Top Hat all night." Who's Top Hat? He's my boss. You see, we all call him that because of his collection of said head-wear on the back shelf of the restaurant. Personally, I think that's the reason we don't have any customers. But that isn't the point – the point is that he's a complete idiot who never stops talking, thinks he's always right, and constantly orders people around.

"Don't worry! I'll be back before you know it!" Penny is a good person, and her heart is always in the right place, but she has absolutely no sense of time.

So, here I was, waiting for the customers I knew would never –

DING!

"Hello, sir! I'm Jade and I'll be your waitress for this evening. Would you like a table or a booth?"

"Sorry, but I'm not here to eat. I'm here to see Taylor MacLeod." Dammit.

"Sure! Top – Taylor is in the back." As I watched the guy walk toward the back, my ADHD kicked in. Top Hat would be busy. He wouldn't be able to watch my every move.

I could just walk out and still make it to the Haunted House, I thought. He wouldn't notice until it was too late!Course, Voice-of-Reason justhad to butt in. But if I go, I could lose my job, not to mention mom would kill me. There was only one problem with Voice-of-Reason…she was too damn quiet. Naturally, my impulsiveness took advantage of that and out the door I went.

XxXxX

I just had to leave didn't I? My thoughts were filled with what I would see at the old building and who I would run into. Kids were just returning home from trick-or-treating so I didn't notice until it was too late that I was being followed. So I was scared to death when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey, J.!" Out of the frying pan…. "You're not heading to the party at Nicole's place are you?" It was him, Aaron Michelson.

"Go away, Aaron!" He laughed.

"I just wanted to know where you were going! I was heading to the party, and since you were walking down this street, I thought you were on your way to the mad house." I found it funny that he couldn't tell a Sanitarium from an Asylum, but I guess I should explain this. Four years ago, when I was just getting ready for bed, I saw a weird glowing symbol above my head. It was orange with the sharp end of a sword in it. I don't know what it was or what it meant, but I made the mistake of telling a few people. And they now thought I was crazy.

"Go away, Aaron." I repeated. Thankfully he did – still laughing I might add. I wish I could've said that I went to the Haunted House, got scared a bit, went home, and repeated my normal routine the next day, but it never happened.

Not long after Aaron left, I was being followed again. But this time I knew it.

"J.!" they said. Strange, they sounded just like Aaron. I turned around, thinking someone was trying to prank me or something. But instead of a prankster, I was face-to-face with some kind of large dog or wolf thing. It was red in color and instead of teeth it had a sort of rigid jawbone. Most people would be completely stunned by now, but at the first thought of Run! I was gone in a flash.

Anyone could guess it could keep up with me. But I was well known in school for track-and-field. I could hold my own for a little while. But I was more of a sprinter, not an endurance runner. I had to find a way to get rid of the thing before I ran out of energy. Up ahead was a turn I knew all too well from my numerous bike rides – a sharp turn onto a narrow road with a steep ditch going off the side. I went for it without a second thought. I strained my muscles to go faster toward the ditch and at the last second I took hold of a nearby telephone pole and swung myself ninety degrees onto the next road, skinning the palms of my hands. I slowed to a halt and turned around.

Unfortunately, I didn't lose the monster. I stared it down, still out of breath, and set myself up to run again, but before I could, it lunged at me, pinning me to the ground under its paw. My ribcage strained and I struggled to breathe. It leaned down to me, sniffing. The red…thing was taking its time, knowing I couldn't escape.

My vision was starting to become blurry, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw three people appear. The monster stopped to growl threateningly at the newcomers, but they didn't seem frightened. Instead, they pointed something at it and the monster charged them. But before it got near them, they unleashed what looked like a volley of arrows at it. The monster disintegrated in front of my eyes – golden dust flew toward the group harmlessly. I wanted to thank my rescuers, but the adrenaline that had kept me aware had faded, leaving me exhausted and in pain. There was nothing I could do to keep from blacking out.