Mystic Memory (Percy Jackson fanfic)

Chapter I: Percy

I woke suddenly, gasping for air. My head was spinning, my breathing a mix of gasps and wheezes. I clench my eyes shut and place my arm on top of them. The dream I had woken up from was now something I could not remember. 'What happened?' I thought, 'and why had it frightened me so much?'

I sat up, gazing around the room for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing seemed out of place; my bronze armor hung from its leather straps in an armor case. The large gold trident I had recieved four years ago - the day I had first arrived at Camp Half-Blood - was propped up against the wood wall of my cabin. My pen, (or sword or whatever) Riptide, was on my desk. It usually would have ended up in the pocket of my pajama shorts, but it was hot during the night. Not even going to finish explaining.

I sighed heavily. Dreams like the one I had had were common to me, but most of them had meaning to them, and I could remember them. This dream was one broken into pieces I couldn't put together. I racked my brain for a few minutes to try and receive an answer. Nothing. I let out my breath again, and began to get changed.

I slowly slipped off my night shirt, and replaced it with an orange t-shirt with the word "Camp Half-Blood" emblazoned onto it. Below the words was a black pegasus. I then slid on some denim shorts, which I had made from cutting the long parts off of some old jeans. The thought of grabbing Riptide didn't cross my mind; it would end up in my pocket eventually. I pulled on some shoes - I believe mortals called them converse. Whatever that means. After brushing my teeth and quickly fixing my incredibly messy bed-head, I grabbed my backpack from my desk. I checked the contents. Inside was some drachma, a small amount of ambrosia, and my bronze shield. I then walked over to the cabin door, opened it, and walked out into the morning sun.

I took a deep dreath. The scent of honeysuckle and dew filled my nostrils. Yes, dew has a smell. It's like, you know, that morning smell. You know? No? Well, whatever. At least it didn't smell like death and decay. Anyways.

I walked along a path that connected to the other cabins; Aphrodite, Hermes, Athena, etc. The people who lived there I had known since I was twelve (most of them). Quite a few of them had been KIA. Not a happy thought.

I continued walking. I passed a field, archery ranges, and stables. My pet hellhound, Mrs. O'Leary, lived in the coloseum not far ahead. I made a note-to-self to bring her back some food from breakfast.

Not wanting to be late, I broke into a jog. The path was bustling with other campers, chatting away about who was the best what and whom was dating who and why and what and the like. Two guys walking closely in front of me were shoving each other around playfully and laughing. I recognized them as Connor and Travis Stoll. Good guys. Professional pranksters. A group of girls up ahead burst into a fury of giggles. Further ahead of them, the path continued on into a grove of large trees. Birds chirped from the branches, and naiads waved shyly from behind bushes as we passed. I loved it here. This place was my home away from home. It was the only safe place for me - or anyone here, for that matter.

My thoughts were interupted by someone jumping onto my back and shouting, "Perrrrrcyyyyy!"

I turned my head around slightly to see who my sudden transportee was. My eyes beheld a beautiful girl, with a flawless face and intense gray eyes. Her honey-colored hair was done in a braid that fell loosely over her shoulder. She smiled so wide, her teeth seemed to catch the sunlight. Annabeth Chase.

With a sudden change of mood, she climbed off me, and got into a pose which she called "the cool guy." She hooked her thumbs into her pockets and tilted her chin up toward the trees.

"I mean.... 'sup?" she said. I couldn't help but laugh. Just seeing her made my heart move faster than the wheels of a train. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, with her thumbs still in her pockets. I felt her shift below me, and move her hands to my back, just above my waist.