eclipse [j.grace 1]

xxx. where's my fucking teenage dream?

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over Camp Jupiter as it settled into a restless night. The camp had grown eerily quiet in the days following Jason's disappearance. 

What was once a bustling hub of activity was now marked by a pervasive sense of unease. The camp's usual vibrancy was dimmed by the absence of its hero, and every face bore the weight of uncertainty.

Eira sat alone on a stone bench by the edge of the camp, her gaze fixed on the flickering lights of New Rome in the distance. The weight of recent events pressed heavily on her shoulders. The aftermath of the battle, Jason's disappearance, and the crushing sense of unresolved tension had left her feeling adrift.

She reached into her pocket, pulling out a small, crumpled note that Jason had given her after their first date. The note was filled with awkward but earnest words, a testament to the burgeoning relationship they had shared. It was a reminder of the fleeting moments of happiness they had found amid the chaos. Eira's fingers traced the edges of the paper, her heart aching with a mixture of longing and frustration.

The camp had been a whirlwind of activity since Jason's disappearance. Search parties continued their efforts, but as days turned into weeks, hope began to wane. 

The once-familiar faces of her friends now bore expressions of fatigue and concern. Even Reyna, who had tried to maintain a facade of strength, showed signs of struggling beneath the surface.

Eira's thoughts drifted to Reyna, who had become a close friend over the past month. Their shared experiences had forged a bond, but the current situation had placed them at a distance. Reyna, too, was grappling with her own unresolved feelings—both for Jason and for the leadership role she had taken on in the wake of Marcus's death. The burden of leadership, combined with personal loss, had strained her, and Eira could sense the tension between them.

In the quiet of the night, Eira's thoughts turned inward. She reflected on her own role in the camp's recent struggles, the power she had wielded, and the responsibilities she had taken on. 

Her relationship with Jason had been a source of strength, but with him gone, she felt a profound sense of loss. The connection they had shared was now a void that she struggled to fill.

As she sat there, the sound of footsteps approached. Eira looked up to see Nico walking toward her, his expression contemplative. He had become a source of quiet support, understanding the weight of loss and the struggles of feeling out of place. His own experiences with loss and isolation made him an unexpected confidant.

Nico sat down beside her, his presence a comforting reminder that she was not alone in her grief. "Still no word?" he asked softly, his voice a gentle balm to Eira's troubled thoughts.

Eira shook her head, her eyes lingering on the distant lights. "No. Nothing. It's like he vanished into thin air."

Nico was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the same distant lights. "You know, it's hard to accept when someone you care about just... disappears. It leaves a void that's hard to fill."

Eira nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "I don't know what to do. Everything seems so... uncertain. I thought I was ready to face whatever came next, but this—this is different."

Nico's gaze softened, and he turned to her. "Sometimes, all you can do is hold onto the memories and keep moving forward. It's okay to feel lost, but don't let that stop you from finding your way again."

As Eira absorbed his words, she felt a flicker of hope. It was a small comfort, but it was enough to push her forward. She glanced at Nico, who was now watching her with a knowing look.