{Percy Jackson Fanfic} Water Lily and the Ocean's Blessing

Chapter Seven: A Quest Begins

I don't sleep. I can't sleep.

I just sit there, on my bed, trying to calm my nerves. I'm terrified. Every now and then, I think back to the ingredients we had to collect, and I wonder, how are we going to get this stuff?

I'm all alone in the Poseidon cabin. Percy had persuaded me to go to bed early.

Becoming Jo is deserted on my bed. I've tried to read already, but I can't. The words seem all mixed up, and I can't focus at all.

All I can think about is the quest. Doom. Death. Whatever I want to call it.

But what about camp? Apollo had chosen me for this duty. I couldn't let them down.

'Lily?' says Percy. 'Are you still awake?'

The lights flicker on.

'I- uh- I was just getting ready to go to bed,' I say, guiltily.

'You don't even have pyjamas on,' says Percy. 'It's almost midnight, what've you been up to?'

'Nothing much.'

Percy studies my face. All of a sudden, the floor looks very nice.

'Are you,' he begins, 'worried?'

I shake my head. 'Worried?' I laugh. 'Nah. I'm ready for anything!'

Percy sits on my bed. 'Really now?'

I nod, not smiling anymore. 'Mhm.'

A tear falls down my cheek.

'Hey, hey!' says Percy. 'Oh gods, don't cry!'

'I'm sorry,' I say, quickly wiping the tear away. 'I'm ready though, I swear. No matter what you say, I'm going.'

Percy can tell I'm holding myself back. 'Let it out, Lily. Forget what I just said.'

And I do let it out. Percy hugs me tight.

'I want to go, Percy,' I mumble. 'I want to save camp.'

'Who wouldn't?' says Percy. 'But it's still a lot of pressure.'

We sit for a few more minutes. My crying is replaced by yawning.

'C'mon, you go wash up and change. I think it's time for bed. For real now,' says Percy. I smile.

Ψ

The day is cloudy, yet somewhat pleasurable. We're up before anyone else, so it's nice and quiet. I inhale the cool summer breeze, my eyes closed, imagining that I'm back home. It doesn't work that well. I'm still on the quest. We're going to save Camp Half-Blood.

'We need to go to the Cave of the Oracle,' says Annabeth. 'And by we, I mean you.'

'Oh, that cave over there?' I say, pointing towards a small hole by the side of the hill. 'It kinda creeps me out, to be honest.'

'Don't worry,' says Percy. 'Our friend lives there in the summer.'

'She'll give you a prophecy for the quest,' says Annabeth. 'Don't forget it. We'll meet you on the hill once you're done.'

I nod. 'No pressure at all.'

I walk towards the cave. There are torches near the entrance, and the ground is littered with bones and rusty swords.

The entrance is covered with a velvet curtain. I hesitantly draw it, and step in.

There's a girl with red hair. She isn't facing me, but apparently knows I'm there. She turns.