The Traitors of Camp Jupiter

Plans

I'm a smart kid, but in times of true panic, I tend to lose quite a few brain cells. I kept my cool, and bit my tongue to keep from screaming. Like that would do any good. I need a plan. A plan, even a stupid one would do! 

"We've got you cornered, come out and surrender." 

I was about to respond, but stopped myself. If I did, they would know who I was, from my voice. But, they would attack me any second if I don't respond. I was split, no, I won't talk, I decided. "If you don't come out in 10 seconds, we will attack and kill you. 10."

Assuming I'm surrounded. 

"9." 

They might only cover the top, front, and back. 

"8."

The space flanking the left and right. 

"7." 

It's too small to fit adults. 

"6" 

That's the way I'll escape. 

"5." 

They told me that everyone would attack at the same time. 

"4." 

So when they attack me, once the counting hits 1. 

"3." 

I escape through the small vent on the side. 

"2." 

Vent's on the left, get ready... 

"ONE!" 

I opened the vent and hopped out, and the house crumbled down thanks to the traitors. Smirking, I raced off into the night, "You won't be catching me today you idiots." My god she's smarter than Annabeth

 I need to tell my dad of these people, I squirmed around in my chair at the dinner table. Hadn't the leader guy said that he was a close friend to the praetor? Not good news, so I decided to take a huge risk. "Hey dad?" 

"Hm?" 

"I was wondering, who's close to you at work?" My father tapped his chin, "I don't have a large inner circle. But it mostly consists of the seven." The seven, it was something frequently talked about. The seven from the prophecy. Mom, dad, Percy, Annabeth, Uncle Leo, Hazel, and Frank. 

"I see." I mutter, stabbing at a pea on my plate, which just rolled away. 

My dad chuckled, "With one exception." My ears perked up, and I stopped torturing the food on my plate. "There's this man, he's very kind and open, who usually helps me with my work." 

That must be the leader of the traitors, I thought excitedly. "Is it possible that I could meet him?" 

He glanced at Piper, then back at me. "That's quite the impossible. You see, he lives in the praetor dorm, and is busy all the time." 

"With what?" I ask, leaning forward, suddenly interested. 

Jason gave me a stern glare, "With the work I assign him of course. Now could you tell me why you're so interested in this stuff?" 

I swallowed, of course this would happen. "Well, I've never really considered it before, so I thought I'd bring it up today." My parents gave me a concerned look. 

"You've been acting really strange lately." My mom said, looking up from her vegetable soup. I stared at my feet, debating whether or not I should tell them the plot. Why would my dad plant a plot just to kill himself? It's nearly impossible! Then, my mom's a very loyal fellow, she would never! I took a deep breath, "First, you must promise me you won't tell anyone." 

They both nodded automatically. I stood up, and closed the curtains, then, I peeked outside the door to make sure no one was listening. There was not a single person. I sat back down, and breathed in. 

"I overheard a plan to kill you, dad, and I still haven't figured out who these traitors are. I think there are at least three generals, and one leader who is someone close to dad. The plot is to get you," I flash a quick glance at him then continue, "to leave the camp, and they'll blow up your office. If one gets captured, they'll signal the others by using a device that counts three nods. When you're gone, they'll take their armies and attack in large masses. The key is to do it quickly, before you get back." 

My parents didn't look worried at all, so I decided to go a little bit deeper, "That's not all, they say that they bow to Nero." 

That's when Jason pales. So does Piper. I sit in my chair, and start scarfing down food, attempting to avoid awkwardness. 

"That's very brave of you Ace." My mother says, finally, after a whole 10 minutes of silence. My father nods, gets up, and leaves. I give my mother a final wave, and head off to bed. Tossing and turning, I couldn't sleep. I needed a new plan, and fast. 

One without a single flaw, and would catch those traitors red-handed. Smiling, I drew an image in my head, this would either expose some spies, or hit the jackpot. It was a win-win either way. 

The next day I took my gold coin, flipped it, and sheathed the sword. I quickly looked around, making sure there weren't any suspicious glances my way. Then I hurried into the dark alley. Coming to a stop at the old meeting house, my eyes widened when I noticed that it was back in shape as if nothing had happened. 

I poked my head inside, and looked around. I'm really tired of having to be cautious every time I do something, I thought with a roll of my eyes. It was dark, but there was somebody. He was chuckling to himself as he studied something on the table. "Who do we have here?" 

I hissed in recognition. That was the guy who had come out to find me! I looked closely, and saw his dark blue hair, and gray eyes. Nonetheless, he looked about my age. "What are you doing here?" I said, straightening up. 

"I could ask you the same thing." He said, and opened a small pack of white pills. "Now if you'll excuse me, medicine never tastes good." He tilted his head up, and I slashed the pill container in half. 

They scattered across the floor. He looked up at me, his eyes wide. "I'm gonna die, and it's all your fault!" He lunged at me, full force, with two daggers in hand. I gasped, and quickly deflected his attack with my pre-flipped sword. We clashed, and the grinding sound of metal made me wince. 

With one mighty swing, I knocked him against the wall. He coughed, and blood dripped out of his mouth. Guilt filled my stomach, but I forced it down, if he's gonna die it's for the better. He dropped his daggers and clutched his throat, making gagging noises. As I watched, he began to curl up into a ball, knees up to his chin. 

I closed my eyes and looked away, I couldn't watch this fellow die. Not yet. After a while, curiosity forced me to peek. Opening one eye slowly, I saw that he wasn't indeed dead, but morphing.