𝕺𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖘𝖎𝖙𝖊𝖘 𝕬𝖙𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖈𝖙 - 𝕱𝖊𝖒𝕺𝕮 𝖃 𝕷𝖊𝖔 𝖁𝖆𝖑𝖉𝖊𝖟

Kiera

I had been at the wilderness school for three months, as it's October twenty-ninth.

I clicked my pen a few times as I thought of what else to write down. It's been some of the most peaceful days if my life. I don't have to worry about dying anymore. Nothing demigod-ish about it. It's a nice contrast to the war. I hope you guys are okay at home, Love you Mom and Percy, talk to you guys later.

I clicked my pen off.

"Kiera!"

"Yes, Leo?" I sighed.

He walked into my dorm, a tray of food in his hands. "You didn't come to eat breakfast."

"Not a morning eater." I folded my letter up and slipped it into an envelope. I wrote everything in Ancient Greek, something Percy could easily read and tell to our mother. "Never have been."

"Well, that changes now." Leo said as he walked over.

I flipped over my sealed envelope. How am I meant to send this. . .Oh, right, Hermes Express Shipping. I fished a golden drachma out of my nightstand and put it on top of my letter, writing on the top once more. To Percy Jackson and Sally Blofis. Hermes Expressway. From, Kiera Jackson.

Leo dropped the tray onto my nightstand, out of my way though. "Brought you food."

"Not hungry." I mumbled, trying to spell 'Expressway.'

Leo tore the envelope out of my hand, my golden coin glimmering in the lights. I jumped up, snatching it out of his hand. "What if Piper saw that!? Are you stupid? That would give away my cover and make my job harder."

The boy stepped closer to me, leaving me nowhere to go. I backed up against my desk, practically sitting on it. Leo's face was only inches away from mine. I could feel my heart rate pick up, my skin burning with warmth. His breath tickled on my face, our noses almost touching.

"Eat." Leo ordered. He backed up and went into the bathroom.

I felt my face burn as he left the room. Gods, we were so close. 

I tucked my envelope in my nightstand, hidden from Piper's view, but where Hermes knew to grab it.

Piper walked in the front door, her Hello Kitty hoodie's pocket was stuffed full of food. "Where's Leo?"

"Bathroom," I muttered.

"What's up with you?" Piper asked. "You haven't been going to breakfast anymore."

"It's nothing," I said. "Just. . .just homesick. I miss my stupid brother."

She nodded and went back to doing something at her desk.

That was only part of the truth. I truly did miss Percy. We had always done everything together, and I could barely stand being without him, as annoying as he is. The only reason I was still surviving at this school was Leo. But after the events a few months ago, at that gas station, I started getting nightmares again. 

The smell of the beer reminded me of my dead stepfather, Gabe. The way he looked at me, those eye scrutinizing me as if I wasn't enough for anything. For anyone. I hated it then, I hated it now. I was lucky Leo was there to take control of the situation, I would've been frozen and had some explanation to do. I knew Leo was able to see through my lies, but he didn't budge me.

As for the nightmares, it consisted of the many things that I had endured in that old apartment. The scent of beer, cigars, and must mixed in the living room carpet was the worst. It lingered there, in the back of my mind. I'd wake up sweating with a tear streaked face. It would always be four in the morning, three hours before breakfast. I'd wash my face off and try to hide the fact I was crying. The nightmares would kill my appetite. It was fine, I'd survive.