(A/N) Heating up, isn't it!? :D

Disclaimer: I DO NOT I repeat DO NOT own PJO

Travis POV

I opened the door of the Hermes cabin and it opened with a slight creak. I tensed all over and looked back at the bunks, where my sleeping half-brothers and sisters lay dormant. There were also a few unclaimed campers, but they had only been here for a few days; it wasn't hectically crowded like before Percy defeated Kronos. I breathed deeply in order to calm my racing heart. Blood roared in my ears and my skin tingled with the sensation of sneaking out at night.

I scanned the area for cleaning harpies that were keeping watch, but the camp was as silent as a grave. I pulled my ski mask over my face and made sure that my brand-new knife was strapped to my belt. The thrill of discovery was causing adrenaline to rush through my body and make me even more hyperactive than I already was. I was going to find out what Percy was hiding, whether he liked it or not.

I silently padded around the back of the Hermes cabin and began picking my way towards the Poseidon cabin. Cabin three was only four cabins down and I slunk past the Hephaestus, Ares, and Apollo cabins without a sound. The cabin came into view and I chewed on my lip nervously. It seemed so sinister in the night, along with the fact that I knew some freaky stuff was going on in there, it was far from welcoming. When Percy was acting normally, it would've seemed hospitable at any time of any day.

I crept towards the son of the sea god's quarters, being aware of any stray twigs that would snap or leaves that would crackle. I reached the windows and flattened myself against the side, making myself invisible to whoever could be looking out. I collected myself. My heart was beating a mile a minute and my breaths were short and shallow. What is Percy just so happened to be looking out the window at the moment? He'd undoubtedly see me and then I'd be screwed, doomed to drown one way or another. The old Percy would have just made urinals blow up while I was using it or have the ocean swallow me up for a moment or two, but this new Percy was cold and ruthless; I didn't doubt that he would kill me if I was caught.

I closed my eyes and braced myself to run, just in case it was needed. Heck, it would totally be needed; after I spied on Percy, whether I got caught or not, I would still have to run like hell and get to my cabin before my cabin-mates noticed I was gone. Then, of course, there was the cleaning harpies. While I peeked through the window, I would have to keep one eye on the skies just in case one of them came into range.

With an unsteady breath, I peeked through the window. The lights were off and I didn't see any movement. I nearly sighed with relief. Percy was sleeping; just doing normal teenager stuff rather than being freaky-freaky evil dude. That's when I saw the sheets on Percy's bunk shift. The black-haired boy slipped out of bed and looked around. He didn't turn towards me, which I was thankful for. I quickly shrank back so only my left eye was peeking through the window.

Why is he up during this time of night? I thought in bewilderment. I knew that some people got restless during the night and had to take a few laps around the cabin before going back to bed, but Percy seemed to have no intention of sleeping again. That meant that I would have to take even more of a precaution. The slightest movement could alert him of my presence. He stretched and scratched the back of his neck. Normal dude stuff. He rolled his shoulders and stretched his legs, unaware of my presence.

That's when things began to get creepy. He took off his shirt, revealing a chiseled, tan back that was riddled with white scars from previous battles. His muscles were thick and corded, but they were hidden under soft skin. Percy still had his back to me and he slipped his pants off. I knew I was going red all over. He didn't think he was being spied on and he thought he could do whatever he wanted. Would he strip down and I'd have to see a demigodly groin this early in the morning? I sure hope not.

He stood there in black boxers for a little while and that's when I noticed something. I suppressed a gasp, looking at the huge gaping hole in his lower right leg. Percy didn't seem to be in any sort of pain at all and he moved swiftly and easily to go check the calendar that was hanging on the wall. What could he possibly be going to that would be scheduled for three a.m.? The gash was crusted with dried blood and I was pretty sure I saw the white gleam of his fibula in the light of the moon. My dinner threatened to spew up all over the place, but I choked it down. Then there was the oversized lump on the back of his neck. It moved and shifted as if it were something alive; a parasite of some sort.

Then it dawned on me; the parasitic worm monsters from Camp Jupiter. Percy had been playing capture the flag two days ago, and Reyna had said that people who had always been attacked had gotten quick treatment. They had never figured out what the long-term effects were if you left the creature inside your body. Apparently, the consequence was body-control. Oh God, if it was anything like the Shadow's Song, the Percy would be scarred too! Would he begin cackling manically or biting off his own fingers?

Percy, on the other hand, seemed to be level-headed and not at all crazy like Jason had been. He did seem aggressive, though, and that was the problem; he was even more aggressive than Jason had been in the later stages of the Shadow's Song. I had to alert the others before it was too late. Percy's soul could be dying inside…

That's when I looked up. Percy was standing at the window, staring at me. His were a deep read and glowed brightly in the dark. He regarded me for a moment and his pupils slit like a snake's. His face was slack, which only added to the effect, but the corners of his mouth eventually tilted up in a cold smile. Shivers raced up and down my spine and my heart slammed against my chest as if it wanted to break out and run away.

"I'm afraid, Travis," his voice was cold and not at all Percy-like, "that you already know too much. The secret will die along with you."

"Wha-?" All I could process was the gleam of metal and the sound of a gunshot before everything went black.