Petals on The Moon || Reyna Ramirez-Arellano x Fem!OC

XXIII

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Dear Diary,

The four of us decided to have a sleepover in Sebastian and Suki's room, since Michael was in the living room. I suggested the basement, since it's not much worse than the barracks, but for some reason, Suki and Sebastian decided it was entirely off-limits.

Suki gave me her bed, insisting it was alright. She said it was good manners to offer me her bed, while she laid on the floor with a small blanket. Sebastian didn't believe in manners. Jason slept on the floor and Sebastian slept in his own bed. Jason started shivering and covered himself with what looked to be an old science project poster.

Suki and I were far from asleep. Luckily, her side of the room was separated with a small sheet that hid Sebastian's bunk from us. So, even though we weren't alone, we weren't fully accompanied either.

She folded her hands over her stomach and stared at the ceiling. "I can put you to sleep if you want."

I stared at the bunk above mine, where Sebastian slept. "I'll be okay."

Truth be told, I was terrified of this quest. I may have survived the Labyrinth once, but now, it's more dangerous. The Titans now know we're a threat to them, and they're actively searching for us. Better yet, we know Saturn's forces have entered the Labyrinth, which makes it extra dangerous. And we're breaking the Ancient laws; Suki's leading the quest, despite not being a Centurion, and we're bringing a fourth person along despite the rule of Threes.

"You're scared," Suki said. Her black eyes were still on the ceiling.

"I'm fine." She didn't need to know I was uncertain. She had her own problems.

My mind seemed to be stuck on one line of the prophecy; Children of war reduced to their roots. I had no idea what it meant. What was going to happen to me and Sebastian? What did that mean? I didn't want to think about my life in Puerto Rico, but what if it didn't mean that? Golden eyes came burning into my vision, and I could smell the guinea pig cages. The room was as dark as that pirate ship and I could hear various men laughing at me own weakness.

Sometimes I miss it, strangely enough. Not exactly the men, obviously. I miss the island, though. I miss feeling free and beautiful and without any regard for my waking life. I remember being surrounded by other girls like me, and not feeling so out of place.

More than anything, I miss my sister. I miss the way she'd hold me when I remembered the bad things. Her skin smelled sweet, something completely distinguishable in a crowd of thousands. She was the one person my entire life that had protected me at every turn.

And then she left.

I know I shouldn't be angry about it. I know I need to let it go and understand that at some point, Hylla was going to start her own life. I always knew it. I knew she was older than me, and would one day be an adult that needed to move on. I just thought I'd have more time to prepare myself for it. I thought I had a few more years with her, at least. Maybe some at Camp Jupiter before she joined the wild band of warrior women known as the Amazons. Instead, as soon as we got the mainland, she was gone. It was like she'd rocketed out of my life faster than a comet, unaware that she was my sole lifeline.

Suddenly, Suki put her hand on mine. I couldn't even say anything to her before heaviness came over me. I could smell poppies in a warm breeze, something comforting, and I slipped into a dream.