Apollo's Bow

Chapter Ten: Camp Half-Blood is a Surprise Camp

Dionysus, god of madness, was definitely testing my patience.

Dionysus wasn't just a god of madness. Whoever in the higher-ups thought of that, should reconsider the idea and add something to his sphere of influence. Dionysus, the god of madness, should be a part-time god of gossips. When he told me to share my story, I was thinking that maybe this god wanted to help me. Boy, I was wrong, very wrong.

Before I could even start my storytelling, he suddenly cut me off and shamelessly announced that he wanted the juicy parts of the story.

"I am not here for the fluff. I want the exciting parts," Mr. D demanded. "And in detail, please, thank you!"

Now, as a twenty-one year old woman with relationship experiences, I would've blush a little, but nonetheless shared a few bits of censored moments. However, when you were having that conversation with two teens, a couple at that, in the table, things would turn absolutely awkward.

Chiron looked uncomfortable. Will and Nico blushed. I also blushed.

The idea of hearing someone's private business probably didn't sit well with Nico as he excused himself. "I'll be leaving first," he said and exited the big house in a hurry. The soles of his bare feet hit against the peebles. I noticed that before and it seemed like Nico was not uncomfortable walking around without any cover on his feet.

Since Will was also a teen, I was also thinking that he would follow after Nico, but he remained in his seat. I guessed he wanted to hear the stuffs.

I stared at Mr. D as I took a sit again on my chair. I cleared my throat. "So. . .do I really need to..."

Mr. D's eyes gleamed in amusement. "From the top, of course. Entertain me, kid."

When a god of madness told you to entertain him, you'd be left with no choice, but to do as he said. After all, a girl with sanity issues---Wait. . .

"I have a question," I started. "Does this mean, me, seeing those monsters are not hallucinations?"

"Yes," Chiron nodded.

I heaved out a sigh of relief. "Good grief. So my hallucinations aren't real! So those monsters are---" I paused, remembering the variety of monsters I saw on a daily basis. Not just Stymphalian birds and Nosoi.

Suddenly, the idea of those monster being real didn't seem so merry. My balloon of happiness immediately deflated.

"Not so happy now, aren't we?" Mr. D mused upon seeing my reaction.

"At least, they're not hallucinations, Daff," Will smiled reassuringly. That still didn't cheer me up.

"Yes, Daffy Samson, you are not crazy. Now, the story," Mr. D's voice was laced with impatience as he looked at me pointedly.

He's a god, and I had this hunch that he could read my memory even if I didn't give my permission.

As to why he was so adamant on knowing my affairs with Lester, I didn't have any idea.

My suspicion was because he wanted to test my mental strength and its capacity to endure frequent emotional stress. He's probably studying how long would it take for me to break and be wrapped into the cocoon of madness. Or maybe he just wanted to hear it from me and see my reaction.