They trudged through the crushed foliage, following the large game trail carved into the earth. The freshly broken trees seemed to indicate that they were following whatever had made it.
"Are we sure this is a good idea?" Tyler asked, staring at the hundred-year-old tree that had been snapped like a twig on the side of the trench.
"We don't really have a choice." Eliza pointed out, nodding to the wall of collapsed forest on either side of them. "Unless you want to impale yourself trying to climb one of those monsters."
Tyler eyed the jagged branches guarding the thick tree trunks blocking their way. "I'd rather not be eaten by whatever we're following either."
"Then maybe you should try shutting your mouth." Eliza shot him a mischievous look over her shoulder.
Tyler wanted to snap back, but couldn't think of a clever retort. They walked for about two hours in silence, picking their way across the uneven ground at the bottom of the ditch. The sun was sinking towards the horizon.
"We should find a place to camp." Eliza finally spoke up.
"Where?" Tyler scanned the trail, the massive felled trees blocking them in. Any vegetation or cover had been crushed by whatever they were following. "This isn't exactly peak camping ground."
Taiya stoped walking and faced them. "He's got a point."
Eliza shrugged. "Sleep by the trees for some protection?"
Taiya examined the jagged branches and nodded.
Tyler awkwardly wriggled his way under the barbed sticks and settled into the lumpy dirt. He shifted until the dirt squished and flattened under him.
"Cozy." He grumbled.
"If you don't like it," Eliza pulled a sizable stone from under her back. "Feel free to sleep in the ditch."
• • •
Tyler twisted, making his back crack in about a dozen places. He stretched his neck and pulled his arms out behind him. "Anyone want to shake me out like a rug?"
Eliza gave him a look.
"Oh, you can't tell me you've never thought how good that would feel." He grabbed his elbow and bent his arm behind his head.
Eliza just stared at him. "Sometimes, I question your sanity."
He met her gaze. "My sanity?"
"Let's keep moving." Taiya interrupted before things could escalate.
"Right." Tyler sighed. "Following the giant monster trail through the woods. What could possible go wrong?"
"Maybe try being optimistic for a change." Taiya prompted.
Tyler's eyebrow shot up. "One of us has to be realistic around here."
"And you think it's gonna be you?" Eliza challenged.
Tyler shrugged as he followed Taiya through the trench. They trudged through the uneven ditch for hours, struggling to keep their footing.
After almost twisting his ankle for the tenth time, Tyler asked to take a break. They sat for a bit drinking water and snacking on the granola bars Taiya had picked up while they were in town.
"So, how long do we plan on following this monster trail?" Tyler asked.
Eliza stuffed her empty wrapper into her backpack. "Until it stops following the road. We'll just keep hitting road blocks otherwise."
Tyler sighed. "I was afraid you were gonna say that."
• • •
Tyler heaved a long sigh of relief when the ditch finally curved into the forest, but, instead of turning back to the road, Eliza paused at the bend. She leaned out to see around the corner then glanced back at Taiya with curious eyes.
"No!" Tyler spoke up. "Don't even think about it." He jogged over to Taiya. "You said we'd only follow it until it left the road. It has. Leave it alone."
Eliza met his gaze with a mischievous smirk. "When have I ever left anything alone?" Without another word, she dashed down the path.
Taiya growled next to him and tromped after the daughter of Proserpine.
Tyler stared after them in disbelief. "You've gotta be kidding me." He started after them, dragging his toes in the dirt as if that would ward off their impending doom.
A/N:
Sorry about the wait. I've been busy. I bought a house so I'm adjusting to that and, because Childcare Crisis and the school year starting, it's been a little crazy at work.
Anyway, it's a shorter chapter, but I hope you enjoy. Hopefully, I can get back into writing more now that things are a bit more settled.
-Cheshire
YOU ARE READING
Tales of Camp Jupiter: Spawn of Sun
FanficTyler St. Cyr spent most of his childhood at Camp Jupiter. He thought he had it all figured out... boy was he wrong! It all started about four years ago. As the kid who had turned down being a Praetor, he was already weird, but it got so much worse...
