Percy

The sounds of yells, screeches, and screams can be heard over the hill as we eat lunch, driving the entire camp crazy. The younger kids are holding their ears, while the older just stare at their plates, unable to eat. Me and my table of head counselors (including Calypso, even though she sleeps in the Demeter Cabin, where probably the most normal of all demigods are, except for their plant obsession) simply look at the sky, at the dark clouds surrounding the camp. This seriously worries me almost more than the screams, it hasn't looked like it would rain here in years. I say almost because, damn, there are a lot of screams.

And I can't do anything about it.

Chiron instituted a new policy that's saved a lot of pain, but also lost some lives. Campers are not allowed to go beyond the camp borders without permission even when a new demigod/goddess is trying to get into camp. No trying to save them from the monsters. They (and their possible satyr guide) must tough it out on their own. I know it's safer this way, but I personally feel like this policy is total bull-crap. The only exception is if a satyr guide requests for help and the demigod is extremely powerful. Or abnormal.

Like I said, bull-crap.

Most of the other counselors agree with me, but it does keep us and any other campers out of danger. Chiron knows that many (like me) would risk their own lives for the safety demigods, no matter their parents. Unless they're Ares. Then let them take care of their own problem… not really. I just don't their dad. Or them. Well I like Frank, but that's different. He's a son of Mars. And really nice. And my sort-of relative. Every demigod is my sort of relative… but you know what I mean!

Leo, who sits across from me, bounces his leg up and down. It's really great to see him, even though it had been a little over a week since he disappeared. It's been another week since he got back, of course in the middle of the night.

He rode into camp on Festus, both of them spitting fire all over the trees and sending the dryads into a panic, running around with buckets of water and attempting to put out the flames. I rolled out of bed, grabbing my watch and the hoodie at the foot of my bed. I opened my door to find a metal dragon landing on the basketball courts, steam pouring from his joints, his feet covered with sand. And there was Leo, in a white shirt and shorts, less scrawny than when he left. I ran up to him, crushing him in a bear hug strong enough to my Clarisse gasp in pain. I pull away and he smiled, leaning back to show me another person on the dragon. My heart skipped a beat, Calypso. She smiled down at me, hopped off the dragon, and gave me a hug. But when she pulled away, I realized that though she might not be over me, (all the ladies want to be with this hot bod) she was incredibly happy with Leo. And vise-versa. Her eyes were filled with happiness when she looked at me, but sparkled and filled with love when she looked at Leo. Before I could ask them anything, Piper came running out of the Aphrodite cabin, tears streaming down her face. She ran up to Leo and gave him an even bigger hug than I did (somehow) then slapped him. The three of us stared at her in shock, and if the sound of a dragon didn't wake people up, her screaming insults at Leo certainly did. Out of the various cabins came Nico, Jason, Hazel, Frank, and Annabeth (and the rest of the camp). Leo and the others and I laughed and cried (only a little) and Leo and I introduced Calypso to the group. The rest is history.

Leo's leg is bouncing up and down like he ate a package of pure cane sugar. Or if some idiot gave him coffee. Calypso gently puts her hand on his arm, smiling at him with worry in her eyes. Leo smiles back, but it's obviously forced.

Hazel is leaning on Frank, her face buried in his hoodie. Frank is awkwardly patting her shoulder, pretty unsure of what to do. Hazel is both the youngest and oldest of us all, old having been dead for so many years, young because body and mentally she's about 14. She's lucky to have Frank, he cares so much about her and means worlds to her.

Jason and Piper are holding hands, eyes closed. I know how much I sound like a child of Aphrodite when I say they are absolutely adorable together. They always seem to be together, supporting each other. Jason's new glasses get dirty super easily and it drives Piper nuts. He doesn't care that much, but she always complains that is clouds the magnificent color of his eyes (which it does) and cleans them constantly.

Nico is sitting in between Connor and Travis Stoll, sulking as always. They forced into the seat between them, claiming the couldn't let him sit alone. Nico would probably rather be sitting alone than be in between the brothers, who try to pass the awkward silence by picking his pockets.

I rub my temples, the sound of monsters louder than ever. Annabeth grabs my hand, trying to make me feel better and failing at hiding the worry in her own eyes. I smile at her as she leans her head on my shoulder, closing her eyes. Ever since Tartarus, she has practically become a part of me, and it's sometimes hard to function without her right next to me. I know how needy that sounds… and I'm okay with that.

Suddenly the noises stop and silence fills the dining pavilion. No more sounds… I turn to look at Annabeth, plastered horror on her face. Then…

"GOD DAMNIT!"

The sound can be heard all the way from the hill, a scream of rage and pain. A human scream. Then once again, silence. None of us can look at each other as our minds come up with horrifying images that can match the stories we all have been piecing together with the noises from earlier. I stare at my sandwich… grilled cheese has never looked so unappetizing in my whole life. A shame seeing as I actually like grilled cheese.

The only sound is the crackling of the fires that burn between all of the tables. I can't take it anymore… the quiet. It's piercingly loud, ringing in my ears. You could have saved those people, how could they even be alive after more than 30 minutes of fighting? You could have saved them. Wait… no, you couldn't. You're too weak to disobey Chiron and go help them… how could you save them? With a yell, I stand grabbing the closest throwable item (my goblet) and hurl it against the wall. It doesn't shatter like I hoped it would, but it does make a satisfying crack sound when it makes contact with the wall, then the floor. Blue soda endlessly spills across the tile floor, causing many near to lift their feet up away from the strange drink. Everyone stares at me (except Mr. D) and I think I'm going to throw something else.

"Tahhh… Would this not be a good time?"

I turn my head with the rest of the room towards the entrance of the pavilion where my eyes meet two people. One is a white girl with pretty brown hair (Chesnutt, that's the word) who looks about 18 with a light tan, and startling purple eyes. Not blue, not black, purple. Odd. She's wearing jeans, blue converse high-tops, a blue flannel covered in holes and slashes and a substance that looks disturbingly like blood, a backpack, a guitar(?) case, a blue beanie hat (sensing a pattern here), and a smile.

The other is a guy, also about 18. He has a hood up, so I can't see his hair, but he has gray eyes full of intelligence and humor. Not gray exactly… more like silver. Or maybe a light gray. He has a deeper tan and is wearing black converse all-stars, jeans, an inconspicuous dark blue hoodie, a backpack, a… smaller guitar(?) case, and a smirk. He's the one who just spoke, and his hoodie is (like the girl's shirt) covered with burn holes, slashes, and blood.

We all stare at them, shock evident on our faces. Being the "leader" I decided I should answer.

"Uhhhh…" was all I said.