Ashes, Ashes

chapter 11

-ash-

I pulled her up, definitely not sure if she could handle it. But we needed to get to Camp fast, and if we stayed here in the open and rested, well, then, packs of monsters could find us.

She wobbled a little at first and i steadied her. A little shock ran through me where my fingers touched the small of her back. When we started walking, she limped. Not too heavily, but she limped. She glanced at me and i guess i looked extremely worried, because she gave in. Or maybe because she gave a little grunt when she put her foot on a tree root and almost tripped. In any case, i said, "Are you sure you don't need help? Because it seems to me –"

"Okay, okay, fine," she said, giving in. I looped her arm over my shoulder.

"Look out for roots or rocks," i warned, maneuvering her carefully around a stray tree root.

* * *

We finally reached an area where a small cluster of pockets of rock stood. I glanced at Aspen, who was breathing heavily despite her sayings that the nectar had worked the whole way here. I told her i was going to look for a cave where we could stay for the night, so she stumbled over to a rock to sit down.

I peeked into caves. There weren't many, but most were too small to fit two people and there were a lot of sharp rocks poking in between of the caves, some growing inside of them as well. I found a cave that would suit us, though we would have to clean it out. I went to go get Aspen and we carefully climbed around the rocks.

I glanced over at her and her expression was tight: lips pursed, eyebrows drawn together, eyes staring straight ahead. I pulled her into the cave. It was a tight fit, but would be better once we cleaned it out. Aspen sneezed.

"Bless you. Um, Aspen, we need to start cleaning this out a little. Do you think you can push the rocks out and clear away some dust? But keep small rocks, for a fire. I'm going to go look for wood and small rocks outside.

"Oh, and you can organize our supplies, if you're done early," i added as an afterthought. After seeing her face, i quickly reassured, "Don't worry, i won't go far."

I came back to the cave, huffing and puffing covered in sweat. I clambered up the rocks, bringing in wood and rocks in small sections at a time. To outside people, i'm sure it would have looked comical. I guess it did for Aspen too, because she looked like she was trying not to laugh when i finally came in with the last batch of rocks.

"I know you're going to laugh," i grumbled

"What? Uh, no I'm not,' Aspen said trying to keep a straight face but failing. "Okay, fine. But- oh, the sight of you is hilarious! Your cheeks are all puffy and your face is red and your face is shining in sweat. And not to mention you made, like, 50 trips to get all the rocks and wood up here," she said laughing softly. Then her face turned into one of disgust. "Speaking of which, you're not walking with me all stinky. We should find somewhere for us to wash off."

"Fine, but you stay here. I'll be back," I instructed her, rolling my eyes. Then I poked my head back in the cave, "You don't need a refill or anything do you?" I asked. She shook her head.

I walked around until i heard the sound of water rushing nearby i followed the sound best as i could and reached a river going downstream. I walked upstream for a while until i came to a flat-ish rock.

I removed my styrofoam-filled shoes and stripped off my pants to reveal my special furry hindquarters. I jumped in the river, close to the bank, and grabbed the rock to hold onto. I submerged myself twice and pulled up on the rock to sit and dry in the wee hours of the morning. Well, it must've been at least 9:00 - 10:00 in the morning.

Right now at CHB, everyone would be getting breakfast and ready for the day, full of activities. People at Aspen's school would be getting ready for second or third period, excited that it was almost the weekend. And Aspen and I, stuck in the woods full of monsters trying to get to camp. I wish she didn't have to go through this. I don't want such an inexperienced demigod hurt. She may have not gotten claimed at the deadline three years ago, but her powers seem pretty strong. I sighed.

My hooves and legs were dry, so i stuffed them into my shoes and pants and walked back upstream to where i saw the trail of assorted rocks I had arranged earlier leading back to the cave.