Tales of Camp Jupiter: Spawn of Sun

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Tyler dropped to his knees on the cold stone floor, panting as the sweat dripped down his face, plastering his blonde hair to his skin.

Well done. Lupa's smooth growling voice filled his head. You're ready.

Tyler struggled to catch his breath as he looked up to meet his wolfish mentor's gaze. "Are you sure?"

The large canine simply nodded. Go. Find camp. Find your people. She turned and lumbered away, vanishing in the shadows of the ruined walls.

Tyler pushed himself to his feet, staring after the massive wolf as if he expected her to come back... but she didn't. He stood there in the hot summer sun for almost 10 minutes before he finally turned to leave the ruins of the Wolf House. He paused. A backpack leaning against a boulder caught his eye. Kneeling, he unzipped it and examined the contents - food, water, a bunch of ambrosia, an Imperial Gold dagger, and an ample supply of bandages.

Tyler scowled at the coil of clean white fabric. "Not funny, Lupa." He scoffed under his breath before stuffing the bandages back in the bag and slinging it over his shoulder.
                                  •   •   •
Tyler rubbed the back of his arm where the branch had whipped back into place and smacked him. "Merda."

He sat down on a fallen log and pulled the water bottle out of his pack, frustrated. He sucked at navigating. How was he supposed to find this camp, when he couldn't even find his way out of the woods.

He wandered on hopelessly for several hours before he finally stumbled upon a freeway, with cars zipping passed at alarming speeds. The wind from a passing semi almost blew the scrawny little 10-year-old onto his butt. He fell back a few paces, the terror of his near-death experience creeping beneath his tingling skin. He struggled to steady the pounding of his heart as he scanned the freeway for his next attacker.

About a half mile down on the other side of the road, he spotted a small service tunnel with two figures standing on either side of the door. He cocked his head at the odd sight and squinted to try and see better. It didn't help.

Another car rushed passed and he flinched, realizing, if he wanted to know what was over there, he would have to cross the freeway. He looked up and down the road, weighing how curious he actually was. As another three cars all whipped by at once, he turned to leave, but paused, glancing back over his shoulder at the little guarded tunnel. "Merda..." he groaned and faced the freeway again. He finally understood the saying 'Curiosity killed the cat.' Clenching his fists and steeling himself, he locked his jaw and bolted across the lanes of traffic. He felt the wind of a car as it rushed passed behind him, the mirror nicking his backpack. He stumbled forward and fell to his hands and knees, his breath catching in his throat.

He pushed himself up, his arms shaking as he sat back on his feet, kneeling in the trash littered grass. He was alive. He'd made it... barely. Still panting, he stood and walked unsteadily down the side of the road.

"Halt! Who goes there?" The boy was clearly trying to deepen his pre-pubescent voice to sound more intimidating.

It wasn't really working, but Tyler still stopped, not wanting to invite an attack. "My-my name's Tyler. I'm looking for Camp Jupiter." Lupa had warned him not to discuss his destination openly, but this pair of teenagers were outfitted with armor and Imperial Gold weapons. It seemed a pretty safe bet that he could tell them where he was going, or... where he was trying to go.

The boy who had spoken earlier raised his spear threateningly. "What do you know about Camp Jupiter?"

Tyler shied away from the interrogation. "Nothing... I mean, only what Lupa told me - that it's a safe place for people like me."

The boy narrowed his eyes, glaring at Tyler, but the other sentry put out their hand and lowered the spear. "If Lupa sent him, we have to let him through." When they spoke, Tyler realized the soldier was a girl.

The boy looked like he wanted to resist, but eventually gave in and lowered his weapon. "Fine. The others will beat him into shape anyway."

Tyler stared curiously at the boy, who couldn't be older than 14, wondering how someone so young could be so cold.

"This way." The girl opened the door to the service tunnel and gestured through.

Tyler tentatively inched forward, eyeing the sentries suspiciously.

"What you're looking for is through there." The girl assured him.

Tyler took one last look over his shoulder at the terrifying freeway then, seeing no other options, walked cautiously into the tunnel.
                                      •   •   •
He stumbled through the darkness for several minutes before he finally noticed a glimmer of light up ahead. The sight sparked motivation and he picked up the pace, jogging to the end of the tunnel in anticipation. He raced out the other end into the sunlight. Temporarily blinded, he tripped on a hump in the ground and rolled across the grass. He lay there for a bit, soaking in the fresh air and warm light. He breathed in deeply. He made it. He rolled onto his hands and knees to stand up. Now to find out where exactly he'd made it to.