Chapter Ten: Kian

I saw my mother. She was smiling fondly at me. I felt so warm. So complete with her. Her golden brown hair glowed in the dying rays of the sun. And then it happened.

A roar errupted from the woods to the right of our small cabin. My mothers calm composure stiffened. She jumped up from the wooden stool she was sitting on. Her eyes were frantic. I wanted to make it stop. This memory was too painfull. It kept on plaing. The roars turned into howls. I looked out afraid of what I would see.

Wolves with dark thick fur and red eyes rushed toward us. My mother shreiked and ran. Grabbing my wrists she yanked me to my feet.

"Mom! What are those?" She pulled me inside and locked the door.

"Honey, whatever happens remember I love you. You are the light of my life." Her eyes brimmed with tears. I felt hot tears stram down my own face. She pulled off a leather neclace. It had over ten beaads on it. All of intricate designs. I grasped my mom's hands.

"Mom? What are you saying? What are those things outside?"

She put a finger to my lips. "Go to camp Half Blood. It's in Manhatten off the coast of Long Island. I love you."

She pushed me into a closet and I heard the lock click from the outside. I banged on the door. I had to help her. Had to... The wolves howling got unbearably loud. I heard loud scratching. And then a crash as large paws stampeded through our small house.

Please stop, please stop. I heard my mothers scream.

"STOP!"

I bolted upright in a bed. A young girl was watching me. Fear evident in her eyes. My head spun. I layed back down into a soft pillow. My headache almost unbearable. A cold cup pressed to my lips and I drank thirstily. The medicine tasted horrible. I tried to spit it out but a firm hand covered my mouth.

"You've got to swallow it. I know its awful. But I promise It'll help." The girl was stronger then she looked. I didn't have the energy to fight her. The memory was a sensory overload. I hadn't thought about my mother for a couple months. It was too painful. I swallowed. The hands relaesed my mouth and I gagged.

The girl sat in a chair next to me. She hummed a happy and somehow melancholy tune. Then she looked at me. She pulled my arm out and grabbed a wipe from a table nearby. She rubbed the place where my wound had been. It felt much better now. She sighed and wiped gently.

"How are you feeling?"

"I feel ok..."

"You were yelling."

I looked at her. She stared at the wipe in her hands. Her brown hair falling around her face. What had I said?

"You kept on saying, make it stop... That medicine we used to put you to sleep. It's known for bringing back memories. What memory was it?"

I swallowed hard. "My mom..." My voice broke. The girl nodded. "My mom died too. I know how empty it is." She put her hand on mine. There was nothing romantic in the gueasture. It was just reassuring. I looked out the window. Noticing the sun had gone down.

"Where is everyone?" She stood and started organizing medicine bottles.

"They're at a capture the flag game. Usually those games last for hours. We should be alone for a long time."

Suddenly a face flashed into my mind. Camilla! Her dark hair and brown eyes looking mischeveous.

"Camilla, the girl who saved me. Where is she?"

The girl giggled. "She's playing with our team. But boy...She left an impression. She picked up all three of our medicine cabinets at once with shadows! I have no idea how she did it but when she set the cabinets down she didnt even seem the least bit tired."

I smiled. That girl was a mystery.

I tried to sit up and this time I felt alright. I sat straight up and looked around the small room. It was filled with medicine cabinets and four small cots. Everything was very orderly. But through a door I saw what was probably the sleeping quarters of the kids who stayed here. It made me claustrophobic to think about so many kids in such a small space.

On one wall hung a banner.

Camp Half Blood Infirmary.

Since two days ago.

I sighed and laid back down. Then whispered as quietly as possible.

"I did it mom. I made it."

I fingered the leather necklace. The last gift from my mother. I was finally safe.