I want Thissss and Thatttt and OOOOOH, THAT(Beanieeee)

Hayden needed to get out of camp. It was really large, but sometimes Hayden felt like she was in a perfect little bubble. Nothing ever happened in camp. No monsters, no mist, no nothing. Although technically she was wayy to young to be out and about on her own, the girl didn't mind. Hayden was good at navigating her way around. She had stolen enough money to be able to take a bus from the nearest bus stop (about half a mile away) and back. Hayden walked the half-mile there, ignoring the hot sun that was made even hotter by her black shirt. She needed new clothing, but Hayden didn't have enough money for it, and instead she was just going to go exploring and eat samples. Maybe she'd have a few extra dollars in her pocket and could buy some food. Hayden couldn't stand the camp food, and it was often worth the long walk to New Rome to get food from the cafes. While Hayden might have been poor in cash, she was not lacking in drachmas.

Once safely on the bus, Hayden held tightly onto her leather jacket, which had a knife strapped into it. She would not go anywhere beyond without the safety measures of a weapon. It would not hurt mortals but Hayden felt better having it with her. It took around 20 minutes to get to the mall. Hayden also had a mini-sketchbook with her and was scribbling in it. Just doodling, Hayden occupied herself for the remainder of the bus ride.

Hayden strolled around the mall, keeping her head down and looking for interesting things. Strangely, she felt comfortable here, as if no monster would want to attack the lowly girl. Hayden's luck drained out quickly though, as she was not looking where she was going and rammed into someone. Great. She signed to herself, rolling her eyes. She mouthed a silent sorry to the boy before looking up. He was a little older than herself and looked familiar. Hayden wondered if he was a half blood, but she didn't say anything, in case he spoke sign language.

Hayden looked at the boy like a deer caught in headlights. Her eyes were wider than usual. She was not used to having random people come up to her in the mall and start up a conversation. Hayden was used to covering herself when she was outside of camp, and letting herself blend into the crowd. Not being able to talk could come in handy sometimes, as Hayden could pretend she was a tourist and get away quickly. But it didn’t take a genius to tell that this boy also vaguely recognised her from something or other.

Then the boy’s ring lit up and Hayden was genuinely scared. She had heard of people who were kidnapped in malls before, and although Hayden was definitely more capable than a mortal girl, her hand still reached inside her jacket to clutch the hilt of her knife. Hayden signed quickly with one hand, as if muttering to herself. You’re a half-blood aren’t you... She signed. Realizing that the boy meant her no harm, Hayden reached into her pocket. There was a little card, written entirely in latin, in case she was searched by anyone. It read the same thing that Hayden had signed moments earlier. Dimidium Dei es? Hayden looked at the boy, expecting an answer. If not, then yet another mortal would think she was crazy, but that was alright. Most Roman half-bloods could read Latin, despite the fact that the language was long dead.