Chapter Five: Metaphors of Distances and Such

Coming out of my meditation was far more peaceful this time around seeing as Pollux wasn't there shaking me awake. Getting up off the floor I took a quick glance at the window and saw the sun was much lower than it had been when I first sat down. I guess there is a time lapse when I retreat inside my own head. Dinner would be starting soon and I told Pollux that I wouldn't skip it this time. My moods are in direct control of my eating habits and lately my depression has lead me to skipping almost every meal with just and apple or muffin in between. Pollux wasn't happy about that. Checking my reflection once in the mirror and deeming myself presentable I headed out the door. I had one task before the horn sounded.

I tried not tot think too much about where my feet were carrying me, but my brain rarely listens to my common sense so it was the only thing I could think of. The big house looked as normal as ever, blue and older. The wrap around porch was empty as it usually was when Chiron and Mr. D weren't playing a game on it. I knew that Chiron would be wrapping up an obstacle course activity by the volleyball courts so the house would only have one occupant right now. Which was a good thing because I really didn't want an audience in case things back fired on me.

Without knocking (which wasn't a rule, but most still did it when they were summoned here) I entered the house to find an empty living room. Walking slowly I passed the living room and the war room (a room with a long table and added on game tables where meetings were held) before finding my target in the medical wing. I personally hadn't had much need to come here the entire time I've been at camp. Any minor injuries I've gotten had been dealt with on the spot by an Apollo kid or I'd swing by their cabin for help. Which is good seeing as I didn't do hospitals, doctor's offices, or anything medical related in general. I just got bad vibes off of them.

Even though no one was in here needing treatment, Mr. D was standing at the far end of the room looking out the window. Judging by where the house was located and the room we were in I knew that the window probably showed a glimpse of the strawberry fields. Maybe he was looking for Pollux?

"If you're here to get something do so and don't just stand in the doorway like an idiot." Mr. D lectured me without looking away from the window. Damn gods. I don't think they can be caught off guard very much.

"Sorry for being an idiot then, but I'm not here to get anything." I said in an attempt to be calm about his tone. It wasn't a complete success.

He still didn't look my way, but his body wasn't as tense as before. "Then you don't need to be here. Shouldn't you be eating with the rest of the juveniles at the Mess hall?"

"Shouldn't you be there too?" I snapped back before I could stop myself. He made a tiny movement that could have been a twitch, but I wasn't sure. Taking a quick second to count to ten in my head I took a deep breath. "I've been meditating lately." I stopped there, waiting for his reaction. He stood perfectly still, but wouldn't turn to look at me. Fine, let him be a three year old for all I care! "Just thought I should tell you." I huffed.

I turned on my heel and walked out of the room. It wasn't until I was halfway across the living room when I heard him behind me.

"Why do you think I need to know?" came his voice, just as sarcastic and bored as it ever was, but at least he was talking.

I turned halfway to see him leaning against the wall, his face even looked bored.

I shrugged. "Pollux said you gave him the idea. Ergo, I thought you would like to know. I'm going to dinner now." My tone was final and he didn't stop me from leaving this time.

As I stepped out onto the porch I realized this was the first time I had left the big house without an argument between myself and Mr. D. Is it so sad that it felt like a major accomplishment? Walking to the Mess hall I didn't realize someone was watching me.

"Hey Sunshine, you look happy." Nick Winters came out of no where and started walking with me. The sixteen year old demigod was tall and tan with a smile that probably broke many hearts. His hair was dark and his hazel eyes looked almost yellow. The son of Thanatos had picked up a habit of finding me when I just wanted to be alone.

I gave him a confused look. "What makes you think I'm happy?"

"The smile on your face." Had I been smiling? "So what gives?"

"Can't I just be happy without a reason?"

"Not after the past three days, you storm around here like you're going to rip someone a new one if they cross you wrong. So what's with the mood swing, your time of the month or something?"

I gave him a small punch to the shoulder that wouldn't leave a bruise, but would hurt for awhile. "Don't bring that up and no. I just had a conversation go my way for once that's all."

"Must have been a big deal." he said as we finally made it to dinner.

I shrugged. "Not huge, but it was a good first step."

We each got a plate and loaded them up. Tonight was roast beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and an assortment of puddings for desert. I piled my plate high as did Nick before we went to sacrifice an offering.

"A first step?"

"Yeah with Mr. D, you know what they say: The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Or some other philosophical crap."

"It's not crap, well, not all of it. But I'm glad you're out of your piss pour mood for the moment. Just be careful, there is another saying." he said as he tossed a buttery roll into the fire. "Give someone an inch and they'll take a mile."

I tossed a roll in too. "Yeah, I'll be careful. But to be honest things can't get any worse than what they've been right?"

"Things tend to get worse when people say that. Throw some salt over your shoulder later or something."

I rolled my eyes and we parted ways to different tables. I felt bad that he had to eat by himself, as did Percy, seeing he was the only on in his cabin. For me, there was only one other person at my table. The curly blond hair was easy enough to spot.

"Sup." I took my usual seat across from him and dug into my sandwich. Not eating something this big in days had me scarfing the whole thing in less than a minute. I reached for my second sandwich.

"Not much but I'm glad to see you eating." Pollux had eaten almost nothing on his plate and had skipped to desert early. "How did meditating go?"

I still hadn't told him about Alice and that wasn't going to change anytime soon. So I went for the half truth.

"Fine, it relaxed me a bit and gave me time to think." I waited until Pollux had gone to take a drink before adding casually "And then I went to see Mr. D before coming here."

He tried to inhale and that caused his fruit punch to choke him a little. Sputtering and coughing loudly caused a few heads turned our way before going back to their own conversations.

"What?" He managed after a minute. His eyes partially wide and dare I say it, hopeful?

I bit into my roll and chewed slowly, I was enjoying this far too much.

"It's no big deal Pollux. I went, he called me an idiot, I told him I was meditating, and we parted without yelling at each other."

"That's great!" his smile was huge like he just won the lottery or something.

"You are reading way too much into this dork."

"Whatever you say."

He continued to smile like a dork through dinner and even when we left to go to the campfire sing along. I managed to spot Sophia with her cabin, our eyes met for a second before she turned away. It happened so fast I couldn't tell if she had been glaring at me or not. Hell, was she mad at me or had she moved on? Trying to put it out of my mind I focused on the music and tried to forget my problems for an hour. Just as the second song started up a boy, who couldn't have been more than seven, screamed. I didn't know his name, but I did know he was new. So no one could blame him when he screamed and bolted away from Rachel Dare as she doubled over clutching her stomach.

She stood straight back up and locked eyes on me.

"Born of he who gave man's first gift,

has the power over the winds that shift.

Beings of old and new will fight and seek,

to claim the one who was born unique.

She who tames madness will play her role,

and bring the balance back in control."

Rachel closed her eyes and looked like she was going to fall over, but caught herself in time. She stood a little shaky as she opened her eyes again, her normal green eyes showed she was confused.

"What's everyone looking at?"

Then I said the only thing I could think of.

"Son of a bitch!"

Crest: And curtain! Yes people, another prophecy has been given. I guess nothing stays calm at Camp Half Blood for long. Review please.