Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or The Heroes of Olympus. All rights go to Rick Riordan.
AN: This was written before the release of Blood of Olympus so Reyna's backstory is different.
Chapter 1 – Memories
Eight months.
It has been eight months since my best friend and fellow praetor, Jason Grace, the son of Jupiter, vanished. It seemed like he had vanished into thin air. We could not find a single trace of him on America and there was nothing from the gods that could help us.
Nevertheless, we continued searching. I continued searching. Those eight months have been filled with pain and loneliness (oh and a pesky augur and legacy of Apollo called Octavian who keeps on urging me to hold a praetor election. Does he think I'm stupid? Isn't it obvious that he wants to become praetor himself and forget about Jason?) But now that I think about it, they're not the worse I've experienced before.
Glancing around the principia to make sure that there was no one else here, I put Camp Jupiter's annoying but essential paperwork down on the already clustered wooden table filled with scrolls, notebooks, tablet computer, daggers and a large bowl of jelly beans. Walking to the wall on my right, I lifted the purple velvet back to reveal a board covered with photos. I smirked. No one, and I repeat, no one, knows about this. Not even Lupa who, I suppose, is our godly guardian. The only ones who knows about this is Jason and I (oh and all the past praetors).
When we first became praetors, we wanted somewhere to put our personal things that no one else could see. We had our own praetor house, but we wanted something close to us where we worked. Therefore, we found this. Yes, FOUND. I think that it's like something that the previous praetors wanted to tell us; no matter how tired or pressured you are, there is always something that can comfort you.
I smiled looked at the already over-crowded board. Some of the photos were bright and shiny whereas others were faded, turning yellow and curling at the corners. There wasn't even any space left to squeeze another pin in. There were photos of everything. From our early childhood (for me at least although there weren't a lot) to our years at camp. From celebrations to everyday life.
In the middle of the board was the most recent picture. It showed Jason and I standing with our friends behind the praetor's table in the mess hall at the feast after our victory on Mt Othyrs. We had been praetors for six months then. All of us were still wearing our golden armour and we still had small cuts and scrapes all over us, but none of us cared. It was the most peace we have had in a couple of years. We were laughing and joking like never before. I was the happiest that I had been for a long time.
I stifled a laugh when I saw the next one. It was taken at Jason and I's introductory feast when we were announced praetors. Both of us were wearing our brand-new purple cape over our gold battle armour. We both had smiles on our faces. It had been my wish ever since I first came to camp to be a praetor. I was so inspired by my first praetors. Meanwhile… Jason looked so embarrassed! Even though he is the son of Jupiter and people expected him to lead them, he is uncomfortable with all the attention. Actually, as far as I know, people have expected him to become praetor ever since he set foot in camp (which was when he was three).
My eyes caught another photo. This photo was less recent. It was four years ago when I first came to camp. It showed Jason, Bobby, Dakota, Gwen and I together on the hill in New Rome. We looked very young. They are my closest friends even though we were in different cohorts; they are all from the Fifth and I am from the First. Those were happy times. Times when we didn't have to worry about a war looming over us, only the occasional monsters.
Next to it was a photo that I didn't like but couldn't get rid of it either. It showed Hylla and I at C.C's Spa and Resort at the height of its prime. I was wearing a silky white sleeveless Greek-style dress, with my hair in an intricate braid over my left shoulder and make up. Hylla was wearing her normal attendant uniform; a blue business suit with make-up and hair in a ponytail. We looked so happy with our arms around each other's shoulders. That was before that idiot Percy Jackson and his friend Annabeth Chase came.
Gods. Hylla. I haven't heard from her since… the day when I came to camp. That was four years ago. I hope she is fine and safe. Our relationship with each other had been fine, from our early childhoods in Puerto Rico to our time at C.C's Spa and Resort. However, I will always regret the last conversation with each other. We had an argument over Hylla leaving for the Amazons. Now, I am not even in contact with her.
However, the photo that caught my attention more than any was the oldest one on the board. It was faded and curling at the corners. It is the only family photo that I have. It showed my father, a thirteen-year-old Hylla and a nine-year-old me at our family home in Puerto Rico. But there was one more person in the photo. Bellona. It was the first time that I have seen her. Back then, I did not know who she was. I did not know that she was a Roman goddess and that I was a Roman demigod. I was still a carefree and innocent young girl who could speak both Spanish and English. I don't even remember taking a photo at that time. All I remember is shouting.
I sighed. My past is something that I have never told anyone else. Not even Jason. But these past eight months have given me lots of time to think. I have often found myself in front of this board, thinking about my past.
I thought back to the day when everything changed for me. The day when my childhood vanished.
Review, favourite and follow! – Seahuntress1267
