Madeline POV

I lied on my bed, the covers upturned, soaked in sweat. I glanced over at the dimly lit gold watch on my wrist: 2:47 a.m. Deciding that I wouldn't be getting any sleep that night- the nightmares were back, once again- I slowly rose out of bed, remaking the covers as I went. I grimaced as my bare feet hit the cold linoleum of the barracks. My vision darkened for a moment as I remembered. The dizziness was probably from lack of blood, and the pain. My side was wet with crimson and my hair was matted. I remember thinking to myself, tonight's the night. I am leaving this place, and I am doing it tonight. What a fool I had been to think nobody would notice if I slipped out.

I had to use all of my willpower to pull myself out of it. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell myself this one was only a dream. This one was a flashback, of the past. I subconsciously touched my back, where the scars resided. I had really taken a beating for that one. I breathed deeply, then began to slip on some socks and my converse. I tied up the laces then silently eased the door open, slid out, then shut it. The night was dark and the silence undisturbed. With one last glance at the barracks, I did what I always do- run from the past.

I began to race down the eerily quiet streets of New Rome, slowly but surely picking up speed. This had been a habit of mine for a while now. Every time I had nightmares I would run as fast as I could, not caring about appearances or sanity or exhaustion. Running without a care in the world. It made me feel so free, like for once I didn't need to worry about letting my emotions show, and I could just be myself.

Pretty soon I was running as fast as was humanly possible for me, which is faster than what is humanly possible for anyone else. On nights like these I can't help but wonder what life could possibly be like had I not been raised with an abusive stepfather and a mother who went straight to hell when my stepfather killed her. Sometimes I think that if I looked at my string that the Fates created it would be made out of barbwire, not wool. "When I die," I whispered to the night sky and full moon. "I'm going to personally come and see you and give you a piece of my mind." Whether the Fates could hear me or not, I didn't know. But as I stood there underneath the stars, I kind of wished they would.

Reyna POV

[4 hours earlier]

After everyone had left for lights out I turned to face Jason. His white-blond hair glinted in the starlight. Just looking at him I could tell the fight with Madeline had taken a lot out of him, too. He looked exhausted. "Tomorrow?" I questioned. There was no way we'd both be able to concentrate right now, so tired. We could discuss about Madeline in the morning, at breakfast. "Tomorrow." He agreed. I ducked my head. "Good night Jason Grace." He half smiled, and my heart practically skipped a beat. "Good night, Reyna Remirez. Godspeed."

THE NEXT MORNING

I woke up the next morning at exactly 5:00. I was always the first person awake. Nobody else wanted to get up this early, and I enjoyed the quiet in the early morning, before everyone else rose. I slowly got dressed, donning a purple t-shirt that was tight around my biceps, but not restricting my arms, and my favorite dark blue jeans. Today was Friday, so I allowed casual dress rather than our uniform khakis and purple sleeveless t's. When I reached the dining hall to have breakfast at 5:15 I realized that for once, someone had beaten me there.

Madeline was sitting, alone, at the Fifth cohort table, a vacant look in her eyes and an empty plate in front of her. She looked like she had been up for hours- her hair was in a straight braid down her back, not a hair out of place. She had black skinny jeans on that fit into her combat boots she had chosen. I thought I could see the top of a knife hilt coming out of her left boot, but I couldn't be sure. Madeline was also wearing a washed out blue jean jacket over a white longsleeve. In the early morning light, she looked stunning.

I thought she could use some company so I went over to join her. Sitting down at the seat across from her, an aurae came over to me. "Hi Millie." I chatted with Millie every morning, she could be quite pleasurable company. Millie was also one of the younger aurae at the camp, taking the appearance of a ten year old girl with pigtails. She seemed somewhat unsettled by the presence of another person at the table. Millie looked at me timidly. "Hi Reyna. Would you like the usual?" I smiled at her and shook my head no. "Not this time. Could I get some waffles please?" Millie nodded her head and flashed a smile. "Of course. I'll be right back." With my order established, she disappeared in a gentle gust of wind.

I turned toward Madeline and decided that it was finally time to see what was bothering her, because as well as her appearance was perfectly manicured and nothing was out of place- her eyes told a different story. I knew the look she had on her face all too well- it had been on my face way too often when I first came to Camp Jupiter. Madeline was lost in memories.

"Good morning Madeline." Madeline glanced up, broken out of her thoughts. "Did you sleep well?" I inquired. She looked me dead in the eyes and stated firmly, "No. I don't often sleep well." I pursed my lips. "Oh," I said. That was news to me. She looked perfectly alert to me- both today and yesterday. "What time did you get up this morning, then?" Her eyes cleared and she leaned forward as if to tell me a secret. "I didn't sleep last night, Praetor." My mouth formed an O shape. I went to speak then closed my mouth. What was I supposed to say? "Well, you have time for a quick nap before the rest of the camp wakes up." I said uncomfortably. "That way you don't have to strain yourself trying to stay awake during lessons today." Madeline let out a sigh. "Oh, Reyna. If only it were that easy. But nightmares don't go away once day has come. They never go away. I can tell that you've been a victim of nightmares before. You must understand." Her words sent a chill through me and I stiffened. How did she know? I've never told anybody about my nightmares. Not even Hylla. Only when I was little.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was 5:45. Jason's alarm should go off in about 15 minutes, and he should be out here in about 20. Surely I could keep a conversation going for about that long.

I cleared my throat, and lowered my voice, lacing it with a dangerous tone. "I don't believe what I think about while I'm sleeping is any of your business, legionnaire. The one pet peeve I have is intrusions in my privacy. I would ask you not to share your knowledge with any of the other campers, and to tell me how, in Hades, you found out." Madeline didn't even bat an eye. "Of course not, Praetor. But what you just said is exactly what I'm trying to say. Stay out of my business and I'll stay out of yours. I hope this doesn't impede our friendship, or make you think lowly of me. I'm just trying to serve the gods, Praetor. Just like anybody else." She extended a hand to me. "We can put this entire conversation behind us, start anew. What do you say?" I considered. If the legion knew about my past, it'd be a disaster. But it was hard to just let her go free, without any sort of consequence for her actions. Madeline's eyes danced with untold secrets, and I made my decision.

I shook her hand. "Deal." Just then, Millie arrived with my waffles. Madeline took a sip of her apple juice. "Dig in, Reyna. Enjoy the luxuries we have here at Camp Jupiter while it lasts." I said thank you to Millie and quietly got up and returned to my usual table. The clock read 6:10. Jason was 10 minutes late. He was usually very punctual, and never late. I'll see him soon enough, I thought to myself. Maybe he just slept in. With that I dug into my waffles, savoring every bite.

It was 6:30 and the rest of the camp was finally beginning to file in. It was mandatory to be here by 7, or the consequences were severe. Jason still hadn't arrived. I held onto the hope that he accidentally mistook today for Saturday, and didn't set an alarm. I decided to wait until 7:20 to worry.

He never came.

Hii :) ok so I forgot to say Happy Easter to you guys so, HAPPY EASTER. If you don't celebrate Easter then I apologize. I start school again next week so expect updates to stop coming in so fast. Btw I have a poll up on my profile! The poll is for who should be the pairing for Madeline and I really need some help choosing! I don't know who to pick! Gotta help me out here guys. Also, I have officially become a betareader! yay me :)

OMG JASON'S GONE ! Okay so I know the timing between when we saw Percy and when Jason disappeared off but I'm having a major time skip. I SO do not have the patience to wait that long. How's the story going so far? Please give me your opinions! I care! I promise. R&R please :)

Peace out meh homies *two fingers*

~M