Review Responses: Sorry for such a late update! Hope it's up to par with the rest, anyhow I decided against the Truth or Dare as that would have been, too interesting. But I might do it as a bonus chapter for all scenes I don't plan to incorporate.

AN: Nearly 3000 views! That's insane! Nearly 30 Reviews. I say this is quite the success, Thank-you to all who supports this story.

Chapter #10 – Burden of the Cold

POV Omniscient

Not only had a day after the party and the storm disappeared. In fact, as if to mock the members of the camp the sun decided to beam down heavily. There wasn't even a single cloud in the blue sky.

The campers didn't feel as if cheated as they were all too eager to leave their designated cabins and move around. Camp Half-Blood was booming back to life. Chatter and bird chirps enveloped the area along with the occasional clanking of blades in the forge.

The trails may have been muddy, but hardly enough to force those determined enough to work to stop. For example, just as the sun peaked over the horizon Katie was out already picking the delicate red berries.

Mr. D himself was somewhat pleased with the downpours outcome. Not only were his plants enriched, if not drowned, but his campers gained a new perspective on the outdoors.

Of course, he'd never admit to the latter, as any signs of compassion would ruin the perfectly built up facade.

Now, one may be wondering, where does Travis come in? Well, like stated before the sun just so happen to appear in a mocking manner, especially for one boy particular.

That's right, Travis Stoll saw the happiness and joy the sun provided as untouchable. Anyone who managed to pick up a cold from the events of one storm would have agreed.

Frustrated, the boy reluctantly stayed in bed. As if deserted, he was the only one in the Cabin. It was quite the scary atmosphere given the filth and creaking wooden floorboards. Regardless, Travis paid it little attention as he stayed cocooned under a multitude of blankets. He even had an ice pack over top his forehead. It was quite the serious cold, strong enough too bedridden the boy but too weak for ambrosia to cure it without any permanent damage on him. He was stuck in the odd middle and forced to wait it out.

The sounds of giggles and laughter seeped through the windows, further infuriating him. If he weren't so stubborn and prideful he would have never been in this mess.

He was almost certain what, or more accurately, who caused him this cold. None other than Katie Gardner.

After all, she did dare him to go into the torrential weather and swim in the lake.

By the time he came back, he was completely soaked. But more importantly, he was shivering, chattering his teeth and felt numb around his limbs and face. Tell tale signs of an inevitable cold.

A scowl forced its way onto his face, but only temporarily as he just couldn't seem to keep himself completely mad. Which not only further enraged him, but also confused him. As of lately, the boy was becoming more and more confused. The person he enjoyed teasing was now transforming into one of his main source of thoughts.

The boy snapped to reality after the rusty hinges screamed out. Gingerly, Travis turned his head towards his now open door. His heart did a double beat as he saw the last person he wanted to see.

Katie, who looked as if she were taken out of fruit picking duty, was now standing at his entrance way with a bowl of sorts in her open palms. Steam floated up into the air before dissipating. The Demeter born walked to his bedside and placed the bowl onto the night stand. Afterwards she took a seat onto his office chair he stationed at his study section.

During all of this, Travis dared not to speak. He was so desperately hoping this was a dream, or a nightmare given the people involved. That's what he kept telling himself, the increase in his fever and nervous bile at his throat disagreed.

The boy gulped then weakly spoke, "What are you doing?"

Katie paid him little attention as she fiddled with the paper contents on top of his desk, her back to him. Only after completely organizing and neatly placing the pile of crumbled papers onto the far ride corner did she turn to face him.

"Since I got you sick, Chiron told me to help you with your healing process." The girl deadpanned, a stoic expression plastered onto her face. Her green eyes glossed over in boredom and her facial muscles lacked in movement.

Travis on the other hand zoned out the rest of her explanation after 'sick'. He was right, and that was really all that mattered.

"I knew it was you!" The boy childishly exclaimed, pointing a finger at his seated counterpart.

Despite his all immature conduct, Katie did not reveal any signs of distraught. Instead she tilted her head and smiled sweetly which in return unnerved Travis beyond no ends.

"I'm sorry, please don't kill me." The boy mumbled, gulping for a second time.

Katie rolled her eyes as she thrust the bowl of soup into Travis' open hands.

Yep, she's trying to kill me he thought.

In an clumsy manner the boy prevented any of the steaming contents falling onto his mattress, which in result burnt his hands.

Katie then tossed a spoon his way and was quickly making her way towards the door. She didn't want to be around him after all.

Travis cleared his throat which prompted her to stop. Her knuckles were going white as she clenched the bronze doorknob. She shifted her head slightly to the side as she spotted a mischievous glint in the boy's blue eyes.

"Aren't you going to feed me?" He smirked.

Where Travis gained the confidence he doesn't know. All that he can confirm is that he was feeling extremely embarrassed the more he pondered it. Katie on the other hand, she kept an unwavering face as she proceeded to take a seat on his bed.

The Hermes born squirmed as she sat on the soft surface. His cheeks were burning up, why was she playing along? Of all times, she decides to humour him now? Travis couldn't compose himself as the spoonful of the yellow liquid was being guided towards his mouth.

Horror flashed in his eyes as they quivered at the sight. His heart was beating ferociously. What is going on? Why is she doing this? The teen lost all will to speak as his throat dried up like a desert. The only thing he focused on was the suspended spoon that slowly made its way towards his clenched mouth.

"What's the matter?" Katie asked, her voice laced with worry.

This in result only worried him more. She must have poisoned the soup. She was torturing him. She was going to commit mass murder on the Hermes Cabin and he was the start. More and more of these dreadfully irrational thoughts kept popping into his head. She, being so uncharacteristic was by far the most terrifying the he ever witnessed. Moreover, the fear induced boy couldn't stop running his mind a million miles an hour.

"I'm...not... I'm not hungry!" The boy screamed, pinching his eyes shut as the spoon was mere inches from his lips.

After an eerie silence, Travis pried his eyes open. There was Katie casually dumping the spoon's contents back into the bowl and placing said item beside it. She then lifted herself up from the bed and advanced on the exit.

Door fully open and in her hand, she turned back, "Glad that was settled then."

Afterwards she finally made her way out the cabin, engulfed by the sunlight.

Travis sat there, his heart still beating as if he finished his usual everyday jog. He was at the brink of panting. It took him a good minute or two before recuperating.

But when he did, all he could think of is the incident that just occurred, why did he react the way he did? Quirking an eyebrow the boy replayed the events in his head as embarrassing as they may be.

His eyes widen in shock realization. Normally Travis was quite shameless with whatever he did, but now, just now he felt embarrassed. What more, he felt embarrassed at what she was possibly thinking. Why was he caring what she might think of him?

Gulping for a third time his gaze snapped onto the soup.

And why was she so darn eccentric?

Clingy Author Note: I feel as if this may have been a step back or such... Not sure, I just hope it was enjoyable and not a glaringly obvious plot contradiction. I don't really think it is... but I'm blind when it comes to my own work.