Chapter 14

The sun was rising through the trees, and I was still awake in my bed, lost in thought. It had been nearly two hours since Leo had yawned, wished her goodnight and went off to bed, but I couldn't seem to get back to sleep. My dream had frightened me. The girl had said Leo would die by his own hand because he felt alone in every way. He couldn't be suicidal, could he? He was always so happy and sarcastic and funny. The ones who have the biggest smiles hide the greatest pain, I remembered. There had been a way to save him though. If there was a girl, a child of Apollo with fire in her veins and a mind hardwired to create. She was the one who would bear his children, one of which the world would be doomed without. If Leo was dead, that child couldn't be born. He wouldn't die though, because the girl that would save him was here, and I knew it was me.

That was why I had been given these strange powers: I had to keep Leo from taking his own life. The way the girl had said 'the boy did not die, and neither did she' made me think: was Leo here to save me too? I found the idea plausible. After all, I was never alone with Leo around. He could cheer me up and make me feel butterflies in my stomach. Speaking of butterflies, the number of them fluttering around in me when Leo had come to talk was unbelievable. I had a hunch it was the 'she will bear his children' part. I was nowhere near ready to have a child. Of course, it could mean years from now, or it could mean next year, but I wasn't sure if I would ever be ready. In short, it wasn't very comfortable knowing that your supposed 'just friend' was going to get you pregnant.

I decided to take an early shower since I hadn't gotten one the night before. Plus, there was nothing like hot water to clear your mind. I grabbed my clothes for the day and headed down to the camp shower house for a bit more privacy than the cabin bathroom could offer. I found that no one was down there. The showers were surprisingly clean, and I chose the one farthest from the door. I turned the water on hot and stepped in.

The water felt like a rush of clarity. Seriously, I swear I could have been a child of Poseidon the way it opened up my eyes. I hung my head down and watched the water run down over my body. It wasn't much, so I didn't see how I could ever end up with anyone, let alone someone as fantastic as Leo. My last few ribs shown through my skin and you could see my spine when I bent over. It wasn't because I didn't eat. No, it was just because I didn't have a very large appetite, and I guess a fast metabolism helped too. Thin, ghostly scars decorated the surface of my thighs, stomach and wrists. My skin was red and blotchy. I hated my body. I looked weak and ugly.

My hands drifted down to my stomach. It was hard to believe that one day it would hold a child. I treasured the thought of cradling a little baby in my arms. I imagined it with Leo's curly black hair and his elfish features; maybe it'd have my eyes. I realized Leo didn't know about any of this, and the fact made me feel a little odd. I decided not to tell him. As I was beginning to learn, knowing the future ahead of time was not always comfortable. I would just let things happen and push the idea from my mind. Whatever the Fates had planned, I would let it take its course. I may not have been important in my old life, but I was now. My job was to make sure Leo didn't feel the need to end his life ever again, and I was up to the task.

The water was getting cold now, so I shut it off and dabbed at my myself with my towel. I put on my clothes and walked out into the light. Campers were just coming from their cabins. I saw Will and Austin shooting baskets. Kate and Kayla headed down to the lake. Jason, Piper, Percy and Annabeth walked down to the arena for early practice. I assumed Leo was still asleep. There was a crisp breeze coming off the ocean. In the distance, sailboats drifted by, unaware of the world of magic that lay on the shore. It was peaceful. I decided to take a walk.

I arrived in the empty cabin and dropped off my pajamas. I would need to wash my clothes soon. There was a washer and dryer in the bathroom, so I could take my laundry down there tonight. Feeling so refreshed made me notice something I hadn't before: there were other beds in the cabin, but no one slept in them. There were still suitcases and belongings on their desks and at the ends of their beds, but no one ever slept in them. Percy had mentioned a war at sword practice yesterday. The empty beds must have belonged to the campers that had died. I let it sink in. Kids my age with entire lives ahead of them had died in combat. That wasn't the way to go. I sent a silent prayer to the gods that their souls would rest easy in the underworld, and then I walked out the door.

I thought about my dead half-siblings as I walked around the edge of the woods towards the beach. I also thought about my future with Leo. Both thoughts confused and frightened me. I didn't want to think about it anymore, but my mind wouldn't let me forget them, so I sat on the beach and gazed out at the waves. I thought about how much my mom loved the ocean. I prayed to Hades to get her a good spot in the afterlife. I hoped he heard.

This was such a small, beautiful place in a big, scary world, and I was a part of it. It may have been only a small part, but it was important. Everyone here was. I belonged here, despite the hardships, this was my home. I may not have fit in, but I was happy. I was at peace. Just when I thought the moment couldn't get any more perfect, Leo came and sat next to me in the sand. He rested his hand on mine and we sat in silence and watched the time go by.

Whew, I actually posted two chapters today! Sorry about the short chapter earlier, the power was out so I didn't have much battery left .-. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. I'm sad to say there won't be many more :( Don't worry though, I think I may write a sequel with Leo and Lucy's world-saving child!