𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝙵𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚗𝚎'𝚜 𝙵𝚊𝚝𝚎

Drew and Piper, Enemies at First Sight|| 7.

Sage had also been hoping to get an answer as the what 'claimed' meant. However, before they got an answer the boy equipped with a bow, Will, spoke again. "Any sign of Percy?" He asked, with hopeful voice.

Sage observed him for a second, noticing the subtle way his mouth pulled to the side when talking. His chiseled features accentuated his bright eyes, which were instantly bogged down by Annabeth's frown.

"No," Annabeth admitted.

The twenty or so campers scattered around broke into a chorus of groans and sighs. Their voices melded into a heap of disappointment, and their eyes were devoured in gloom. Sage couldn't pretend to know who Percy was, but his disappearance seemed detrimental. The girl found herself returning their somber stares, recalling the decaying despair of losing a friend. Even if the circumstances were different.

Sage pressed the towel she'd been handed into her hair, as a new girl stepped forward. She was probably an inch or two taller than Sage, maybe 5'9, and asian. Her dark hair bounced to life in ringlet curls, and wore a perfect layer of makeup. She was beautiful, but the snarky way her lip curled made Sage sure she wasn't as sweet as she looked.

"Well," the girl said in a dry tone, like two twigs rubbing together. "I hope they're worth the trouble," she eyed up the three of them. Her smokey eyeshadow made her dark eyes pop, and accentuated her judging gaze. She observed Jason like he was a precious gem, and Leo like he was a lousy rock. Sage received only the briefest bat of eyelashes, and a phony smirk. Which was nothing compared to the grizzly gaze she sent Piper, with narrowed eyes  and flared nostrils.

Sage was anything but impressed at the way this girl carried herself. Her jewelry jingled with every moment, demanding attention. As did her bright orange shirt, which somehow looked just as glamorous as her makeup.

"Gee, thanks," Leo snorted. "What are we, your new pets?" Sage didn't think the comparison was too far off judging by the way they were being ogled at.

"Maybe you'd like to put a leash on Jason?" Sage suggested sarcastically, catching the girl looking him up and down again. She took a deep breath, maintaining eye contact for a moment. The other girl all but stared at her with flames protruding from her eyes. In fact, they only broke the connection when Jason piped up.

"No kidding," he scoffed. "How about some answers before you start judging us- like what is this place, why are we here, and how long do we have to stay?" Sage wasn't sure what this place was, but the aroma of strawberry filled the air familiarly. The fresh scent seemed so out of place for the dreary cold months, but then again, so did the warm weather.

"Jason," Annabeth sighed, while rubbing her hand across her forehead. "I promise we'll answer you questions. And Drew," she aimed her frown at the asian girl. "All demi-gods are worth saving. But, I'll admit, the trip didn't accomplish what I had hoped."

Sage had to stop herself from laughing without humor at what Annabeth said. It isn't like they'd begged to be attacked by crazy storm spirits, or flown into a lake via a fiery chariot. Not like they wished to be at this camp, or promised they knew where this Percy fellow was. She could see that Annabeth was frustrated with her boyfriend going missing, which she was sympathetic for. Still though, so far this camp wasn't the most warm.

"Hey!" Piper said. "We didn't ask to be brought here!" She voiced what Sage was thinking with vexation.

Drew dragged her lip up, scrunching her nose and looking at Piper like an out of season bag. "And nobody wants you, hun." The condescending in Drew's nasally voice was going to make Sage descend into anger. She tilted her head at Piper, with a smirk tugging her perfectly painted lips. "Does your hair always look like a dead badger?"