"Clarisse, what did you do to Luke?" I asked, looking her dead in the eyes. After all, I'd already kicked her ass once. What makes her think I wouldn't be able to do it again? She glared at me and pulled me up by my shirt. "None of your fucking business, Jackson. That's what." She growled into my ear. I fought her tight grasp and struggled free. "You did something. He didn't seem right." I stuck my hand in my pocket and began to run my fingers across Riptide in case I needed it.
"You know what, Jackson? I'll only give you one hint... You'll find out soon. That's all I have to say." She twiddled her spear in her hands as if it was a baton as she smirked and walked away. Now I knew that something definitely was up. The words "you'll find out" echoed in my head repeatedly. If Clarisse La Rue came up to you and said that, you'd be in hot water.
As much as it was eating me alive, I tried not to be scared of the future. It wasn't the daughter of Ares that scared me herself, it was those three words. That night at dinner, I noticed Annabeth wasn't around which was unusual. Is she sick? Did something happen? I hope Clarisse didn't get to her...
I began to sip my soda and munch on some french fries when someone plopped down right next to me. "Uh... Hi." He smiled and it seemed almost sheepish which was unlike him. "Hi, Luke.." My eyes quickly met his scar and trailed downwards. What is he doing here? He never sits with me.
"Hey, have you seen Annabeth?" I asked. "No, why? Oh, she usually sits with you.." He looked around at the other kids huddled into small groups eating their dinners. At my table, it was just us two.. Something that was hardly ever seen. I felt as though Luke was someone I could trust because we'd known each other since day one.
"Hey, Percy.. I don't mean to interrupt your dinner or anything, but.." His voice trailed off. "Can I have a minute with you?" He ran his finger through his hair. "Sure, Luke.. But are you sure you're okay?" I asked. "Yeah. I'll be fine.." He smiled reassuringly. I could always have a snack later if I got hungry. I took my leftover food and scraped it into the fire for the gods, and that heavenly smell filled the air.
It was dark enough outside for no one to see us slip out of the dining area and into the place where we'd seen each other earlier today. In fact, it was pitch black outside except for the familiar torches that lit the camp. When we started to venture further and further into the dark, I got a weird feeling in my stomach. Like a pit.. Similar to butterflies, but it was a combination of fear and excitement.
The fingernail moon provided a faint glow that reflected off of the lake. When I was directly near the familiar tree that I would often lean up against when I needed time alone, I got another weird feeling.. An uneasy feeling behind the nape of my neck.