Putting Up Walls

by Simple Chaos

When Thalia was turned into a tree, everyone though she was in a sort of coma. But what if she wasn't? What if she'd heard it all? What if she knew what was happening? What if she knew everything, thanks to a friend. A friend she didn't know the name of.

1. The Sounds of Camp

Author's Notes: I promise that I'll get What We Understand updated soon, but I'm having a major case of writer's block. So, to make up for it, I'm posting this little idea that popped into my head. I admit, the idea's a little out there, but I think it just might work.

I'll admit it. Sometimes I miss my time as a tree. I miss the breeze of the night setting over me, putting me to sleep. I miss the feeling of being forever secure. I miss being in one place. I miss the change being so slow that you couldn't tell you were changing at all.

But most of all, I miss listening to him.

When I was a tree, everyone simply assumed that I went into a vegetative state. The idea is laughable, if you ask me. Then again, no one ever did.

No, I wasn't in a vegetative state. I couldn't see, but I could feel things, like the cold winter breezes rushing through my pine needles. I could smell things, like the barbeque that was always served for dinner.

But most of all, I love hearing things.

When I couldn't see anymore, I used my hearing for just about everything. I learned to love the sounds of camp. The chirping birds, the spatting Ares kids, the disputes over volleyball game winners, the upset harpies if demigods escaped before they got their snack, the clopping of Chiron's hooves, the meaningless chatter of the campers. I loved it all.

But most of all, I loved listening to him talk. The smooth sound of his voice, the barely-there, almost-unnoticeable southern drawl that no one but me would be able to detect.

He talked about everything. He told me what was happening, even though he didn't know I could even here. He told me about Luke's quest. About Luke turning evil, about Selina working with him. He told me about Annabeth growing up. He told me of a boy named Percy Jackson. He told me about Luke's murder attempt. About Annabeth's little crush. He told me about anything and everything. How he knew it all, I couldn't contemplate.

At camp, he knew everything that happened. He knew Luke was going to try to kill Percy, but he didn't stop him. He knew Selina was helping Luke, but he never confronted her. And somehow, in some way, he knew that I was still alive. That I was still me. And couldn't thank him enough for that.