TARAS POV
With Nico's help, I got moved into my new cabin.
I walked into cabin three to be greeted by a salty sea breeze. I sat down on the bed. My leg still ached from the poisoned sword cut. Nico went over to the saltwater spring in the back of the cabin and scooped up some of the water in his hand. Quickly, he came back over to me and poured the water over the bubbly, green wound. My leg instantly felt better. The green swelling went down. I went over to the spring and poured more water on my leg. The wound closed up completely, leaving a small white scar that was disappearing more every second.
"Thanks for showing me that, Nico," I said quietly.
"No problem," he said in reply.
Then, curse you ADHD, I did something I would never do in my right mind. I kissed him. Well, technically, I only kissed him on the cheek, but I kissed him none the less. I blushed wildly. His pale skin was just as rosy as mine felt. A smile crept up onto his face.
"Good night, Tara," Nico said sweetly.
"Good night, Nico," I replied.
On that note, he walked out of the cabin, leaving me alone, at least until Percy came in a few minutes later.
"Hey Tara! If you don't already know, I'm Percy," he said, holding out his hand for me to shake. I shook it, hard.
"Quite a grip you've got there," Percy said, massaging his hand, "Well, make yourself at home because, well, this is your home. Sorry for not introducing myself better, but it's getting late. Lights out."
I laid down on my bunk and instantly fell asleep, but dreams followed.
I was six. I went up to my mom and asked, "Why is Daddy gone?" That was my mistake. My mom went on her raging lunatic mode and started to burn me with the iron she was using at the time. "Don't you dare speak of your father in this household," she commanded. She pressed the iron deeper into my skin. "Ow, Mommy! Stop it! Ow! That hurts, Mommy! Stop! AHHHHHHH!" I screamed pleadingly. Even though it was only a dream-flashback, I could feel the pain in my forearm from all those years ago.
Someone was shaking me. It was Percy.
"Tara? What's wrong? Why were you screaming? Tara! Answer me!" Percy pleaded worriedly.
A tear rolled down my cheek. I rubbed my forearm where there was still a scar, even after seven years.
"Tara? Please, Tara, tell me what's wrong. What's wrong?" Percy pleaded again.
I ran out of the cabin and though the woods and to the beach. The ocean always calmed me down. A few more tears rolled down my cheek and fell into the white sand. Percy sat down beside me.
"Tara, please tell me what happened. You're my sister. Well, half-sister, anyway. But that's not the point. Please, tell me. I want to help you," Percy pleaded.
After a few moments, I got up the courage to tell him about my dream-flashback.
"When I was five, Dad came to visit my mom and me for a couple days. But anyway, he said that that was the last time he would be able to come and visit us. My mom was devastated. So, from then on down, my mom went crazy whenever I mentioned him. So one day, when I was six, I was stupid enough to ask her directly why dad had gone. She went crazier than ever, and s-she burned me. With the iron. It was about a five degree burn, maybe more. I still have a scar from it," I explained, showing Percy the scar, "Luckily, the neighbors heard me screaming and came over to help. They got my mom away from me before she could melt my bone. One of the neighbors took me to the emergency room where they fixed it, but they had to leave my scar."
"Where's your mom now?" Percy asked.
"In a prison cell down in Texas," I replied much more coolly than I felt.
Percy gave me a hug to make me feel better. "At least you're safe now, right? And even if you aren't, you can fight it now. You're stronger, smarter, faster, and more experienced. She can't hurt you," he consoled. I got up and walked back to my cabin and went to sleep.
NICOS POV
During the beach scene from the last chapter
I woke up to the sound of crying and running foot steps outside my cabin. I knew at once that it was Tara. I got dressed and secretly followed her, almost folding into the shadows of the trees as I soundlessly tiptoed through the forest. I saw Tara on the beach… with another guy. I didn't know who it was, but it was a guy, I could tell that much. They were talking to each other. I couldn't hear their hushed tones, but Tara was upset about something. Then, the mysterious guy crossed the line. He hugged her. The Weird part was that I was mad at him for it. No, I don't like her. She's just a friend. Oh, who am I kidding! Of course I like her. How could someone not like her? I noticed them getting up, so I got up too. They were walking back to the cabins. Once I got to mine, I ducked inside and went to sleep.
