Dr Thomas Carraway worked as a psychiatrist. All types of problems came through his door, kids with depression, anxiety, eating disorders etc. Yet, even he couldn't have prepared himself for a patient with the problems faced by a demi-god. One of his patients was a son of Hebe, suffering from PTSD. The guy claimed to be the victim of vicious monsters who attacked him in the dead of night. However, the child exhibited none of the common triggers which would suggest that he was delusional. He was a mystery. How could a kid struggle with ADHD, PTSD and dyslexia yet seem so rational and well adjusted? Restricted by the law of direct interference, Hebe was forced to watch her son waste away, without receiving the help he needed.
Soon, a new patient arrived at the small town clinic. She was articulate, smart and looked extremely young for her apparent age. As she spoke, Thomas got the impression that she wasn't being truthful. Eventually, the goddess broke down and confessed her worries for her son. She proved that she was telling the truth. Moved by her compassion, he agreed to help. The two eventually began to date. A baby was born several months later. Hebe had informed his father about what to expect, and he raised the child as his own. He named the child Benjamin, after the protagonist of his favourite TV series, M*A*S*H. He was a caring father, however he was offered a well paid position in Atlanta, and had to commute often. This meant Ben was left with an array of local babysitters, trusted neighbours or stayed at home with his toys for most of his early childhood.
As Benny started to grow up, his powers began to manifest. He seemed younger and more innocent than the other children, wilting flowers and fruit would often take on new life and he knew how to create ambrosia from thin air. His father subsequently decided to establish a shelter for local demigods in Atlanta, whether they lived in the area or passed through on the way to camp. Hebe spread the word, and it was a temporary safe haven for many young demigods. However, Benny saw Thomas even less and less, as he treated the other demigods at all times of the day. He realised he wasn't the only kid with special abilities, which made him feel insecure.
Thomas grew concerned, that his son wouldn't be ready for his first monster attack. So, he enlisted the services of Alex, a demigod son of Hecate, who after leaving camp, had lived by himself, got a wife and then had a divorce. In return for counselling on his emotional issues, he agreed to train Benny for a couple of hours a week. This happened for a couple of years, and he gained an understanding of swordplay and began to actively use his powers. Alex became an older brother to Benny, and the two became increasingly close. He taught Benny how to survive on his own, so he was prepared for the journey to camp.
At the age of twelve, a hellhound saw the two demigods training and attacked them. Taking this as an exercise, Alex helped Ben kill the monster, showing him how to ensure a clean and quick kill. Benny gained a few cuts and bruises but he did his best and the monster was promptly defeated.
Alex was satisfied Benny could handle himself for a couple more years before going to Camp Half Blood. Life went on as normal. For his fourteenth birthday, they decided to go on a camping trip as a lesson in survival on the way to the camp. However, they were attacked by a manticore. The two struggled to fight it off and the son of Hecate was mortally wounded. While they fought, Lazarus Gein was watching and saved Benny’s life. Alex seemed to be poisoned and Laz sent him away to grab a satellite phone to call for help. Lazarus took his chance and killed the older demigod, wanting to train up the younger kid.
Mortified at Alex's death, Benny tried to resuscitate him. But Alex was already gone. Lazarus convinced Benny that he should go straight to Camp Half-Blood with him, before the manticore returned. The two arrived a couple of weeks later, and Benny was officially claimed as a son of Hebe.
