I'm alive! I'm alive! And, here is the next chapter. Warning, it's pretty short, but I'm on winter break so I might be able to post another. Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Have a happy holiday!

Katie's POV

I woke up the next morning to a pillow in the face.

The clock on the rickety bedside table read nine in the morning, yet the Stolls were already dressed and ready to continue our quest. My nose was still throbbing as I whacked them each upside the head with another pillow.

"Feisty much?" Travis questioned, raising one eyebrow.

I threw another pillow at his head before heading toward the minuscule bathroom to put on my obscene amounts of cover up. When I emerged, Connor was occupying the other small bathroom and Travis and Isabel were working on breakfast. From my perch in the hallway it smelled like pancakes. I was about to walk in and ask when we were heading out, but then I heard Isabel giggle.

"You are too funny, Travis!"

I took a few steps forward so I could peer around the corner and see him smirk.

"Thanks!"

Thanks. I thought in my head. That's the best he could come up with? Whenever he talks to me he comes back with something sarcastic and snidely.

They laughed some more and I felt my blood boil.

Isabel's giggling suddenly got quieter and I breathed a sigh of relief. My victory was short lived, however.

"So Travis. I kinda wanted to ask you something."

"Sure, Izzy, what's up?"

I pretended not to hear his new nickname for her.

"Well," she cleared her throat. "I know you're a demigod and all, and I know you don't have much time for mortals like me, but I really enjoyed our talk last night…"

They talked.

All alone.

While I was stuck sleeping next to a drooling, kicking, sleep talking dork.

"So, anyways, Travis. I was just sorta wondering if-"

I couldn't take it any longer. That beauty queen was not going to take my man – I mean, distract Travis from my quest. Uh uh, no way.

"Hey guys, how's breakfast coming?" I asked, interrupting her in mid-sentence.

Travis shot me a disappointed look, but he seemed to buy that I had no idea what had been going on between the two of them.

Isabel sighed before putting on a fake smile and saying, "Pancakes."

I grinned and walked over to the kitchen table, plopping down on one of the chairs.

Bad idea.

The thing was so old and weak that the chair leg broke off and I fell backwards onto the floor.

"Katie!" I heard someone yell.

"Ouch." I said from the ground, not bothering to try and get up.

Both of the Stolls came over to help, trying their best not to giggle. Isabel was snickering behind her hand. I gave her a glare and she turned around to get a few burnt pancakes of the griddle.

"Are you okay, Katie?" Connor asked, trying not to smile. He still had a little bit of shaving cream on his chin. He noticed me looking at it and blushed.

"I, uhh, heard the thump and came running out of the bathroom." he smiled sheepishly. "Hehe…"

Travis shook his head and laughed. Both of the brothers held their hands up to help me up. If they had been right next to each other, I would've grabbed both of their hands, but they were both on opposite sides of me. They stared at me expectantly, and it suddenly became a contest between them: Who would Katie choose?

I bit my lip, trying to decide what to do. If I took Connor's hand then my dare from Dolos would be done for the day. But then Travis would be hurt and would run right to Isabel. Not that I cared, really. He just… She just… I just… Nevermind.

"Oomph!" joked Connor as he pulled me up.

As soon as I was up, I punched him on the shoulder and walked over to another seat at the table. I was too ashamed to look at Travis.

Travis's POV

It didn't bug me that Katie chose Connor.

I mean, really! Why should it.

It's not like either of us knew her any better than the other.

It was a pure choice of reasoning.

Connor was on her left and she's left handed so it probably felt more natural.

I think she's left handed.

But, whatever, it doesn't matter.

Katie's just a friend; I don't need to worry about it.

I nodded, sort of agreeing with myself, and walked over to the other side of the table. Isabel pulled up another chair from the living room and sat down next to me. Luckily, she seemed to understand how much a group of demigods could eat and had made extra pancakes. We gobbled them up like we hadn't eaten in a year, and soon we were packing up our things to leave.

I was shoving a couple things into my backpack when Isabel entered the room. I heard her footsteps behind me and grimaced, realizing I didn't have time to hide what I was doing.

"Stealing my candy, Travis, really?"

"I uhh…" I begged my mind to come up with something decent. "I needed something to remember you by! Like, a souvenir or something. You understand, right?"

Isabel gave me a disapproving look before finally giving up and laughing.

"Travis, you are insane."

I laughed as well, and she helped me get my things (including the candy – yes!). We met Connor and Katie in the kitchen. Connor was standing by the sink, and Katie was behind him, looking flustered. I recognized Chiron's strong voice and dropped my backpack.

"What's going on?" I asked, walking over to them.

Isabel followed me.

"Hello, Travis." Chiron said from the other side of the IM. "I have some disturbing news."

"Yes?" we all asked in unison.

"Rachel sprouted a prophecy." he told us. And then he looked right at Connor and said, "A real one."

I hope you liked it! I'll try to post again soon. Thanks for all your reviews!