III: Aftermath

-Thalia-

Camp seems, dull. More than usual anyway. When the hunters and I emerged from the forest we noticed a dark storm cloud looming above the camp. Everything had a dark grey tone like someone had just died, though I doubt that happened. Artemis had a puzzled look on her face as she raised one eyebrow.

We shuffled down the hill toward the tables, since it was about lunch. Slosh! Huh? I looked down to see my shoes and pants stained with mud. Everyone else seemed confused too. The camp normally keeps the rain away, other than a few days. I may not spend much time at camp but I know it's not one of those days today.

I mean I've walked through worse. A little mud won't stop the lieutenant of the hunt! I marched forward proudly. Until I slipped down the whole hill anyway.

"Pffttt, Thalia just lost to the ground."

"Haha, it got closer to beating her than most monsters hahahah."

"Quieeettt," I whined. They intelligently shut up but we're still very audibly snickering. I got up and continued walking. I tried to brush the mud off before the whole camp saw me, but I just ended up getting mud on my hands too. Guess that's just not how mud works.

I turned the corner to the dining pavilion and stopped instantly. All eyes landed on me and the other hunters. The back of my head said it was way to quiet, but now being up close. This place is utter silence, something most boys have a hard time achieving. I could feel how tense it was just by looking around. I looked at Annabeth who was looking at me wearily, I wonder why?

Sure enough, she got up and decided to be the first to greet me. I could even see Chiron looking worried and quiet in a corner of the pavilion. "Hey," Annabeth greeted sticking her hand out.

"Yo," I replied happily. I really get to miss Annabeth when I'm with the hunt for months on edge. Same with Percy, Grover, and everyone else.

"I'm getting straight to the point," Annabeth replied slowly. "Percy betrayed us to attempt to steal power over camp. He attacked your brother but was defeated gods know how. We drove him away but couldn't kill him. No contact with the gods has been established in the day since. Not even Dionysus."

I gritted my teeth dropping my smile instantly. I could feel the tension and anger bubbling in the hunters behind me. Yes for the first time in eternity, the hunters seemed to have gotten used to a few boys after lots of convincing. Percy and Jason were the ones I had constantly vouched for. I could feel a small tear trickle down my cheek. Tap! A small drop of rain landed next to me followed by another until it was basically pouring. No one had the courage to respond, no one even knew how to. I knew I was crying, but I wouldn't lose my guard or go in a corner just to do it. I guess I lost a great friend today. I thought they were always here for me, for the better of the demigod world? Well, I guess not. Speechless, the hunters struggled to regain composure, Phoebe particularity opened her mouth to say something, but I beat her to the chase, probably not how she expected though.

"WHYY!" I screamed at Annabeth, not making her even flinch. "HIS FATAL FLAW WAS LOYALTY! HE'D JUST ACCEPT DAM GODHOOD IF HE WANTED POWER. AND DID YOU ALL GO ALONGSIDE WITH THIS!" I yelled turning my attention to camp. Someone I didn't know, wait is he at the Poseidon table? It's like little Percy, wait no! I can't get distracted now. The boy happened to move his fingers toward another group of tables.

I might not always be the brightest, but all was clear now. The tension was between the people that stayed with Percy and the people who betrayed him. From the looks of it, the only people who stayed with him were a small group containing Nico, Hazel, the Poseidon boy, Grover, Will, and Malcolm? Guess he was smart enough to see through whatevers really happening here.

Shifting my gaze, I saw another girl in the group who seemed to be staring at me intently. A longer breath escaped me as I stared into the girls violet pupils, only to see her staring back at me. Something was definitely off with that one. Imperial Gold daggers stayed stealthed in her belt as if expecting to be jumped. Raindrops tapped against her fingers which she lightly pressed together, making me feel uneasy.

Lightning began to radiate from my body. Annabeth's shocked face turned quickly to fear. "Thalia wait!" Artemis shouted running toward me probably knowing what I use lightning for. Speed. Lightning speed. I swung my fist at full speed toward Annabeth, cleanly connecting with her nose sending her flying backward and onto a table. Landing on food and sending people scrambling backward. Glasses, plates, water, burgers, chicken, and more food twirled onto the floor.

I charged forward with so much rage, it seemed for just a second that even Artemis couldn't match me. I readied myself for another blow on that Athena idiot, but both my arms got grabbed and pulled back. I growled but refused to fight my sisters at a time like this. "I THOUGHT YOU WERE SMART!" I yelled. "TURNS OUT YOUR WORSE THAN ANY BOY I'VE EVER MET, AND TRUST ME THE HUNT MEETS A LOT!" That was the last I said before being dragged back towards our cabin. The last image I saw was Annabeth bloody face and Chiron rushing to come between the two 'sides,' who seemed angrier than ever.

Never had I stopped crying. Never had I stopped praying. Could it be a joke? How could she really say it so easily when he was her boyfriend for years. I swear, I'll find you, Percy. I swear it on the river Styx.