Okay. So. I know I just published this, but I'm sorry, I overestimated how much free time I would have. My teachers seem to believe that freshmen have nothing to do to occupy their time and give us multiple assignments each a day and multiple tests in each class every week. I will still work on this story, I promise, but I need to start over. I will post the new version in January 2016 if you wish to know. I just think this isn't yet to its fullest potential, either. I truly am sorry, and here's a bit of what was to be Chapter 2 if I had continued this.

Regretfully yours,

KC

Aley Jackson and the Wind War

By WithAWhisperElliot12

Chapter 2: Camp Half-Blood First Night

My back hurt. That was the first thought in my head when I woke up.

I felt under my fingers. There were unfamiliar bed sheets under me, too soft. At the orphanage, the sheets were thin as paper and not suitable for the usual forty-five degree Fahrenheit Port Angeles weather.

I sighed and tried to strain my ears for any sounds. There was somebody walking in loud, thick- and hard- soled shoes in the room beside mine, to the right. Sliding off the bed, my bare feet hit a cold hardwood floor. I shivered at the feeling. After sitting on the edge of the bed for a while, I decided that, being blind and not knowing where I was, I should probably get help.

"Hello?" I asked loudly.

"There was a thud in the room beyond, to my left. A sharp breath was emitted and my door swung open. A cold draft wafted through the room and I resisted the urge to crawl back under the blankets.

A voice that I recognized spoke up, sounding rushed and sheepish. "Oh my gods," Annabeth said. "I am so sorry! I just went out for a drink, I swear! Please don't tell Chiron I wasn't here when you woke up? I was supposed to stay with you! Please don't tell!"

I reeled back a bit at the sudden loud speech after straining for the slightest noises. I cleared my throat. "It's okay. I won't tell. Where am I?"

"The Big House," Annabeth said matter-of-factly.

I inwardly shook my head. Yes, that was helpful. I tried a different question. "What time is it?"

"It's around ten, I think. In the evening," she replied. "You should get some more sleep, and I'll be in the room beside yours on the left. It should be easy to find." I heard a thud and the draft was cut off. She was gone.

I sighed again. So much for help.

With my feet still on the floor, I attempted to stand. This was so much harder without my goggles. I had a sudden idea. "Hermes, son of Zeus, wing-footed messenger, I beckon thee, come," I said under my breath.

A hand landed softly on my shoulder and I jumped a bit. "Hey Aley, what did you need?" Hermes asked in a kind voice.

"I just wanted to ask if you could grab those goggles I left in Port Angeles...?" I said, trailing off the sentence. Was that a trivial thing to ask a god?

I could tell he smiled. "Sure. Did you need anything else?"

I smiled back in his general direction. I tried to recall if I needed anything else. "The goggles are plugged up to a tool box-looking contraption. If you could get that too, that would be great."

Five minutes later, the bed I was sitting on shifted. "I brought them. They're about a foot to your left," Hermes said.

"Thank you so much," I said quietly.

I plugged the goggles to my socket and unplugged them from the power box. I saw Hermes' faint outline slowly become visible as he turned to leave.

He hesitated then turned. "You do know you don't have to be so formal when you call, right? You just have to say, 'Hey Hermes' or something like that and I'll come."

I nodded. "Okay."

"He flashed away.

If you didn't, please read the bold at the top. It's important :(.