eclipse [j.grace 1]

ix. so ahead of the curve

The morning sun had barely crested the horizon when Eira found herself perched on the edge of her bunk, the weight of recent events pressing heavily on her shoulders. The echoes of the past few days—marked by arguments, uncertain alliances, and the constant buzz of unsettling rumours—seemed to cling to her like a shadow.

Her brief reconciliation with Jason the night before had offered a fleeting sense of relief, but the camp was still abuzz with whispers of an older camper who had defected to the Titans, stoking a fire of unrest among the campers.

Jason knocked gently on her door, his face etched with a blend of concern and determination. "Hey, you alright?"

Eira looked up, forcing a weary smile. "Yeah, just trying to process everything. It feels like the camp's falling apart."

Jason stepped inside, his gaze flicking to the window where a group of campers huddled in tense conversation. "I know. Reyna and I were talking earlier. She's really worried about the situation with the Titans. She thinks we might need to prepare for more than just the usual skirmishes."

Eira sighed, rubbing her temples. "I heard some campers are leaving. It's like no one knows who to trust anymore."

Jason's gaze followed the murmurs of discontent outside. "Yeah. Reyna's not taking it well. She's been pretty vocal about her concerns, especially since she's a centurion of the First Cohort. They're known for their discipline and high standards, and I think she's worried about how this might reflect on them."

As if on cue, Reyna strode into the room with purposeful strides, her face set in a determined expression. She gave Jason a brief nod before her eyes locked onto Eira. "We need to talk."

Eira braced herself, the air between them crackling with tension. "Sure, what's up?"

Reyna crossed her arms, her stance radiating authority. "I'm sure you've heard the rumours about the camper who defected. It's causing a lot of unrest among the cohorts. Some campers are even talking about leaving Camp Jupiter."

Eira shifted uncomfortably, her hands fidgeting. "I've heard. I didn't think it would affect things this much."

Reyna's eyes narrowed slightly, her tone edged with frustration. "It's not just the rumours. The fact that someone from our own ranks would turn against us is causing a lot of distrust. And some of the campers are blaming newcomers like you for stirring up trouble."

Jason interjected, trying to temper the tension. "Reyna, Eira's not responsible for this. She's been trying to fit in and prove herself. We should be focusing on finding out who else might be swayed by this defection."

Reyna's gaze shifted to Jason, her skepticism palpable. "It's not just about finding the traitor. We need to make sure the rest of the camp stays united. The last thing we need is more chaos."

Eira's voice was quiet but firm, revealing the strain she was under. "I get it. I don't want to be a part of any more problems. I just want to help, but it seems like every time I try, things just get worse."

Reyna's expression softened slightly, though her guard remained up. "I know it's not easy. Just be careful who you trust and try to stay out of the way of the rumours."

Jason gave Eira a reassuring smile. "We'll get through this. We just need to stick together."

As Reyna departed, Eira and Jason exchanged a glance that spoke volumes. The growing tension within the camp and their own struggles were taking their toll, but the support they found in each other offered a sliver of hope.

The rest of the day was spent in uneasy anticipation. Reyna and Jason worked tirelessly to address the concerns of the camp, their efforts marked by a sense of urgency. Eira, in turn, did her best to stay out of the spotlight, focusing on her training and avoiding additional conflict. Despite her efforts, the rumours persisted, painting Eira as a potential threat and intensifying the camp's unease.