So this next chapter, I switched points of view. I will do this a lot more often. This story might be a little predictable, so if that's not your thing, that's sorry. But if you do, please enjoy ;)
Simons point of View
I felt a jab in my side. "What-"
"Get off Charlie," Eric whispered. "It's your turn for watch."
I groaned, "What's your issue?" I stretched, looking from Charlie to Eric. In my sleep, I had cuddled up close to her. I guess Eric didn't like that. He was worse than an older brother. I chuckled, pulling out my bow and quiver, while Eric took my spot.
I glanced back as Eric tucked himself in right next to Charlie. I smiled at her sleeping form. To be honest I had been excited when she asked me on this mission. I hadn't talked to her much before, but I had always admired her skills making weapons. She was turning into something of a legend, but everyone was afraid to ask her for weapons. Mostly because they were afraid Samantha would find them later and punish them for bothering her best friend.
I sighed. Not only was she smart and talented, but she was kind of cute. I had thought she was cute before today's little run in with the love goddess.
I guess what I am trying to say is I have a crush on her. Then I get to go on a mission with her, get a specially made weapon, and heal her hands. I felt special being close to her on this mission. I smiled to myself sending a silent prayer to the love goddess. Maybe she would consider a date after this quest. I could tell Eric and she were close, but there was something between them. I had noticed they'd grown distant this summer and to be honest I wasn't entirely upset about it.
I turned my thoughts back to watching the fields around us. There was no point in thinking about Charlie if we were dead by morning.
I started humming to myself.
"You keep a melody pretty well."
I jumped, practically wetting myself. I turned to Charlie, "Uh, thanks."
She smiled, "Sorry if I startled you."
"No, it's fine. I should apologize for waking you."
She shook her head. "I never sleep for more than a few hours at a time. I like to get up and work on blueprints."
"Oh, so is that why I always hear Corey complaining about you falling asleep in weird places."
"He does what now?" She looked embarrassed.
I smiled, "He likes to compare you to a cat."
She placed her head in her hands and started grumbling.
I just smiled and chuckled.
She sighed then popped her head up. "Hey, I wanted to thank you for fixing up my hands," she held them up and wiggled her fingers.
I shook my head, "It was no problem. I was really scared when you threw yourself at the fire. At least it would have been a top-notch sacrifice."
She socked me in the arm, but not very hard. It seemed to be a way to show her affection to friends.
"That was a compliment!" I protested.
She rolled her eyes at me.
"Oh, and another thanks. For the jacket," she added sheepishly.
"What?"
"Last night?" She looked at me hesitantly and then glanced at Eric.
I shook, my head. "No, Eric had my jacket last night."
"Oh, well thanks anyways. Eric kind of let me borrow it after him."
I nodded, I wished I had thought of that first. Maybe they were still a thing, I thought dejectedly.
"Is something wrong?" She asked.
"Nope," totally fine I said standing up and stretching. "Should we get going soon?" I was watching the first bits of sunlight as they peeked over the horizon.
Charlie stood up, pulling on her combat boots. "I'll hitch up the horses and then we can get Eric up. Or we can just let him sleep and see how long it takes for him to fall out." She was giggling.
"I heard that," Eric grumbled.
Charlie leaned over and poked him in the face, "how long have you been awake?"
"Ungh," is the only sound he made as he buried his head in covers.
Eric's point of View
I didn't want Charlie or Simon to know I had been up for the entire conversation. I hadn't slept much. I had weird dreams like any other demigod and once I was awake all I thought about was whether Charlie still hated me or not. Maybe that was a little over dramatic.
Listening to Simon talk to Charlie I was starting to realize he did have a crush on her like I had suspected. I didn't know how I felt about this. I guess I was just too protective over her. I had started to teach her how to fight and after that it was like instinct just took over. I wasn't just her friend because she cut a nice sword, but because I genuinely liked her. It was like we were a little family the three of us. Samantha's words came barging into my head and I pushed them out. My sister could be real annoying sometime. 'Ugh, nope, you are so wrong Samantha.'
I finally got up to help Charlie hitch the horses. I had a feeling we were close. Not only was it a gut feeling, but I was having dreams. I looked at Simon and Charlie wondering if I should ask them. I shook my head, I'm sure we would be fine.
"You ok?" Charlie looked really concerned for a moment.
"Just thinking about today. Have you had any…"
"Dreams? Yeah, a lot. Especially after my little chit chat with Aphrodite. I wish that women could forget things." Charlie froze realizing she had revealed more than what she said yesterday. She took a furtive glance at me. I decided to let it go. Charlie wouldn't do anything to hurt me. Well at least nothing to betray me and Simon. She wasn't like that. She relaxed after the moment passed, climbing into the chariot.
"Alright boys," she said knocking her knuckles against the enchanted metal. "Let's get this party started."
We followed the bird, Simon and I with our weapons at the ready. Simon had three arrows notched and ready. While I had my sword, and shield out. Charlie kept placing her hand on the hammer in her pocket, almost like she was afraid she had lost it. I was starting to wonder if there was something special about that hammer. Maybe it had been Beckondorf's. I knew she had been close to him. I saw how it crushed her when he died. That's when I decided his position needed filled, even before Corey took his spot. I mean they were siblings, unlike me.
I shook my head. Not the time to withdraw into my thoughts. I did that sometimes. Especially after the battle of Manhatten. Samantha says it's bad for soldiers who have seen battle. So pretty much anyone who came back from the fight? She had told me some people are just affected worse. Like the Ares kids who were pretty munch born of war.
I focused on the dove flapping ahead of us. The fields stretched around us and we seemed to be bearing towards the south.
It wasn't long before the bird stopped. Then Aγάπη was gone.
I froze jumping from the chariot. "I think we're on our own guys." Looking at the large farmhouse the dove had brought us too. It looked recently deserted. There was a barn and a stable, but I didn't hear any animals.
Charlie jumped over the front of the chariot to take care of the horses. Simon climbed out, surveying the area.
Perhaps I'm being a little over dramatic... oh well. I will post the next chapter hopefully in the next day or so. Thanks again for reading.
