Chapter 5:
It was not long before I was far enough from the camp to have a breather; I sat on a stump and sighed deeply. "I do hope you two can forgive me. I can't risk hurting you two again; I can never forgive myself for that." I picked a few nearby berries that were safe to eat and enjoyed the moment I allowed myself. Once I felt I had been too long in this spot, I quickly began to move through the forest, listening and watching for anything that was not supposed to be there. I traveled for a few hours before I had to take another rest, this time taking shelter in a small shed outside a beach.
I used this shelter as my base for the next couple of days, trying to come up with a clue as to what I was going to do. Would I do as Hermes had asked and assist the trio in saving Thalia's tree? I wanted to assist with that, I was there when Annabeth, Grover, Luke and Thalia was on their way. I wasn't the same person I was now, but I could have assisted them and she could have had a chance. Now her tree was dying and soon none of the Half bloods would be protected, they would all be in danger. I needed to do something, I had all this power and kept it to myself, and I was so selfish.
I thought about who would be sent if not Percy. It could be any number of the campers and I was not on good terms with 99% of them. I chewed my lip and thought about whom they may send, with Chiron gone and Tantalus in charge, he would not send Percy or Annabeth. They were the troublemakers in his eyes; he would send someone else for sure. I debated with myself on who he may choose for the quest until I heard a sound coming from outside.
I silenced myself and sank back into the shadows, using my powers to blend myself further into them. I held my breath as I listened, trying to figure where the sounds were coming from and what they were. It was a shuffling sound, almost human sounding. I just assumed it was a hiker or someone lost in the woods, but then I heard the sounds. "Is it this way?" I froze, gripping my jeans in my hands as tight as I could. The brothers were looking for me; and they were getting close.
They were stumbling and cursing to themselves as they came ever closer and I closed my eyes. I needed to get away, needed to escape before they discovered me. They would either force me back to the camp or even worse, force themselves upon me to assist. I waited, hoping to hear their voices begin to fade away, but they only grew louder. "She's going too fast Conner." I heard Travis's voice, it was so clear, they were almost at me. "Slow down girl. Hold up." there was a sound and I realized how they found me.
These two were terrible at stealth and got lost a lot, but there was one other that could find me wherever I went. I sighed, there was no escaping her. I sat at the table and turned to face the door, just waiting for it to open to reveal the boys. "In here? Really?" Conner asked and there was a snort in response. The door creaked open and I saw them breathing heavily and sweating as they stared into the shack, looking for me. "I left to protect you all. And you shouldn't have brought them." I walked over to her and patted her neck, breathing in her scent. "Nightshade, you always find me, but this time you have led the guys into danger."
She blew out at me and nickered at me, telling me I needed them and her. I kissed her nose and she backed up, leaving us alone. I turned to face the guys and they both jerked me into a tight hug. "We were so worried." they spoke in unison and I felt a wave of regret pass over me. I thought I was doing the right thing, but now I can clearly see that they need me as much as I need them. As much as I try to fight it, we were stronger together. However, there were a few things we needed to get straight before our journey began. I pulled back to speak, only to be met with a pair of lips. Travis had moved so fast and kissed me hard.
I felt myself melting into the kiss, when I suddenly felt another set of lips on my shoulder. I gasp and Travis took advantage, slipping his tongue into my mouth. Conner was kissing along my shoulder and neck as Travis was moving to the opposite side. I couldn't stop a small moan from escaping as they continued to ravish me with their sweet kisses. I leaned back, my thoughts forgotten as they wrapped their arms around me, never stopping the kisses. This was entirely different from how they normally were, we were never more than a few kisses here or there and it was never both of them together.