"You're kidding…"
Marcus looked back and forth between Chiron and Chastity, both of whom were sitting on opposite ends of the table in the meeting room of the Big House. I knew I was going to be punished when I got called here but this…?
"Chiron please tell me you're kidding." Marcus said again.
"No matter how many times you ask Marcus, the answer will remain the same. I'm tired of you slipping the collar and disappearing. Especially since you've shown that you're now willing to bring others along. So, you will be watched." Chiron's voice was amused, yet stern.
"Alright, but did it have to be her…?" Marcus sighed.
"Hey, I'm right here you know. Besides, it's not like I want to be forced to watch you all day and all night. I do have a boyfriend you know." Chastity responded, tossing her hair haughtily.
"Right… The boyfriend that I haven't seen you spend much time with at all?" Marcus asked too innocently.
"Well maybe if you had stayed in camp instead of playing at being a rebel and sneaking out all the time you would!" Chastity shot back.
"Half-bloods please!" Chiron said, attempting to keep the peace.
"You know, maybe it would help you if you snuck out of camp a little more." Marcus said, fighting to keep his voice level and standing. "Maybe then-"
"Well maybe I would have snuck out of Camp with you, but I guess you never even thought I was worth asking! " Chastity also stood, her voice starting to grow in volume.
" Enough! " Chiron shouted, cutting them both off. For a moment, Marcus and Chastity just stood, staring at each other angrily before sitting and refusing to look at each other. Chiron sighed. "This may be trickier than I thought..." he mumbled to himself before speaking loud enough for them both to hear him. "Marcus, since you are determined to leave Camp no matter how hard I try to keep you here, there is a situation that I believe could use your… particular skills."
Marcus turned his gaze back to Chiron. My skills huh? "What's going on Chiron?"
Chiron knocked three times on the table, and Joey burst through one of the doors that led further into the Big House. For once, he didn't have an arm full of papers, merely clutching what looked like a single letter in his hand. He rushed to the table and put the paper on the table. "T-t-this came in while you were gone!"
Marcus picked up the note, but to him it looked like a jumble of letters and symbols. "Okay… and what is this?"
"O-o-oh crap! Sorry, I f-f-forgot to write the t-t-translation! It's in s-s-scout code. It's a report about r-r-red shirted half-bloods!" Joey said quickly.
This caught Marcus' attention. "Red shirts? Where?!"
"Boston." Chiron replied. "I'm sure you understand why I thought sending you might be our best bet. You're the one who's dealt with these… red shirts more than anyone else. Of course, that means sending the rest of the last group you had with you as well."
"You're kidding? Marcus I get. Me too, I guess, since for whatever reason you think I'm the best to watch him. Maybe Maddie because she's good in a fight, but the newbies?" Chastity said.
"They have experience with these red shirts. Besides, while we're unsure of what we're dealing with, I would rather be safe than sorry." Chiron said calmly.
Something isn't right… "Chiron what aren't you telling us about this group?"
"Marcus, this is your chance to find out more about the red shirts you've been so damn determined to track down. Do you want to take it or not? I asked you because you're the best suited but I have others who would be willing to step up. Thomas, perhaps…"
Marcus shot to his feet. "Don't even think about it Chiron. This is my gig."
Chiron suppressed a smile. "Glad to hear it. Now, for this 'gig', I'm sending Joey along with you."
"Seriously? More people?" Chastity whined. I can kind of agree with that one… Joey hasn't been in the field in years.
"Can you read the notes that the scouts would leave behind Chastity? What about you Marcus? Do you know where they would be hidden, or what to look for?"
"No…" Chastity pouted, while Marcus just shook his head. Why was I dragged into that? I didn't say anything…
"Are you sure you're up to this Joey?" Marcus asked.
"I-i-i'm worried about my scouts. What k-k-kind of leader would I be if they d-d-disappeared and I didn't try to f-f-find them?" Joey's voice betrayed his nervousness, but his eyes were determined.
Chiron nodded. "Well spoken. Now, all of you should get some rest. You leave in the morning."
Joey quickly scurried out of the room, with Chiron following shortly after. Marcus and Chastity sat for a moment, each refusing to speak to the other, when finally Marcus broke the silence.
"So. You're supposed to be the one to 'keep me in line' huh?"
"Guess so. So don't get out of line Marcus. I won't hesitate to punish you." Chastity replied, not looking at Marcus, though he could see the small smile on her lips.
"Careful how you phrase things Chastity. Don't want your boyfriend to get the wrong idea." Marcus couldn't help but let some teasing come into his voice. If he was going to have to be stuck with her anyway, he might as well enjoy it. Besides, for all the years they've known each other, they've never stayed mad for long.
"Oh don't worry. I'll make sure he knows exactly where we stand." Chastity finally looked at Marcus, the usual glint back in her eye. "Although, maybe standing isn't where we'll be. Just have to wait and see." With that, she stood and brushed past him, allowing her hand to trail on his shoulder as she passed. "Looking forward to our time together…"
Before Marcus could respond, she was already out the door. With a sigh, Marcus stood, picking up the letter Joey had left behind. Why do I get the feeling my life is about to become a lot more complicated… As if I needed that.