Keep quiet. Don't move. Don't even breathe. He can't catch you, not now.

I saw him pass my hiding spot, just inches away. I couldn't let him know where I was. That was all I cared about in that moment. I didn't care that I saw my love die right in front of me, killed by that monster. The same monster that was just inches away from me.

The monster turned his head, wind whipping his hair across his face. I gasped as I saw his face, scars reaching from his temple to his chin. A smile spread across his face, knowing he had found me. He reached out to me, trying to grab me and pull me out of my hiding spot. I screamed as his fingers brushed against my skin…

I awoke, my body covered in sweat. My eyes scanned my room, searching every corner.

"It was just a dream…" I whispered to myself.

I looked at my clock on my bedside table. It was only 4:00 AM. I sighed as I lazily got out of bed and slipped on a pair of shoes. I opened the door of my cabin and quietly walked to the lake. It was very cold and I had on a pair of shorts and an old tank top with holes in it. I shivered but kept walking, needing to get away from my cabin. I reached the lake and sat down, legs crossed. Wind blew my hair across my face and an image of the monster from my dream crossed my mind.

I screamed as a hand grabbed my shoulder gently.

"Oh, shit!" The person who's hand was on my shoulder jumped and fell on his ass.

I quickly turned and saw a dark figure sitting on the ground beside me, rubbing his backside. He had a weak smile on his face, obviously in mild pain.

"Travis?" I asked.

The figure nodded slowly, still rubbing his lower back. I smiled, letting a relieved sigh escape my lips. Travis Stoll is a son of Hermes and my best friend. Ever since I came to Camp Half-Blood, Travis and I had been causing trouble together. I was much happier knowing he was the one who scared me, not the monster from my dream.

"Sorry for scaring you, man," Travis said, a smile spreading across his face.

I shrugged and turned my head back to the lake.

"So why are you up so early?" Travis asked as he came and sat next to me.

"Oh, it's nothing," I said, faking a smile. "I just had a bad…" I stopped as the image of the monster came into my mind.

"Alina?" Travis waved his hand in front of my face, trying to get my attention.

"Sorry," I said, blushing. "I got a little sidetracked."

"Obviously," Travis said, rolling his eyes. I stuck my tongue out at him and he smiled sarcastically, his eyes gleaming. "Anyway, you were saying?"

"Oh yeah," I looked down at my hands and twiddled my thumbs. "I just had a bad dream. No biggie." I grinned and started to get up. Travis grabbed my arm and pulled me back down next to him.

"You aren't leaving me, missy," he joked, his hand still on my arm. I smacked his hand lightly and tried to stand up again. This time, Travis took both of his hands and grabbed my shoulders, pulling me onto my back. I looked up and saw Travis' face smiling back at me. I laughed and pulled him down next to me.

"I guess I'll stay," I said, glancing sideways at Travis. He smiled at me and it was the most beautiful thing. Travis smiled all the time, but this smile was special. It seemed to show a part of him that I hadn't seen.

"There something wrong?" Travis asked me, a concerned look on his face. I realized that I was staring at him and turned my head away.

"I'm fine," I said, lying. I actually didn't feel fine. I wasn't sure if it was the dream I'd had, but I felt odd.

"Alina," Travis said, making me turn my head. His voice still had concern in it, this time more noticeable. He had a frown on his face, which was very unusual for him. "You haven't been yourself lately. What's up?"

I tried to smile, but failed. "I'm fine, okay?" I grabbed Travis' arm lightly to reassure him. "I promise, dude." I knew he was right about me acting weird. Ever since the first dream I had about the monster, I was different. I didn't even know why, but I was.

We sat there in silence for what seemed to be forever. It wasn't until the sun rose that I spoke again.

"Well, I think I'm going to go get dressed," I said as I stood up. I looked back at Travis who was still lying on his back. He waved at me and I began walking back to the Zeus cabin. I reached the door and grabbed the handle, but something in my mind stopped me from turning it. I glanced back at Travis and shook my head.

"Come on, Alina," I said to myself. "Pull yourself together." I twisted the handle and walked into my cabin.