Heir of a Titan - Book 2 PJO

Chapter 55: Good Bye Isn't Forever.

It was the last night of camp- the bead ceremony. The Hephaestus cabin had designed the bead this year. It showed the Empire State Building, and etched in tiny Greek letters, spiraling around the image, were the names of all the heroes who had died defending Olympus. There were too many names, but I was proud to wear the bead. I put it on my camp bracelet. (Everyone else wore the necklaces.) It say next to my labyrinth bead from last year, my Pheonix feather, the charm of my arrow, and the few charms Raph a.s Beckendorf had made for me for my birthday. Just above that bracket sat my shield bracelet.

I felt like an old-timer. Sitting there, even though this was only my second year, so much had happened, I had changed so much. I sat between Raph and Will. Nico sat infront of me, leaning on my knees.

"Never forget this summer!" Chiron told us. He had healed remarkably well, but he still trotted in front of the fire with a slight limp. "We have discovered bravery and friendship and courage this summer. We have upheld the honor of the camp."

As I looked at the fire, I saw a little girl in a brown dress tending the flames. She winked at me with red glowing eyes. I smiled, feeling warm and happy and content. No one else seemed to notice her, but I realized maybe she preferred it that way.

"And now," Chiron said, "early to bed! Remember, you must vacate your cabins by noon tomorrow unless you've made arrangements to stay the year with us. The cleaning harpies will eat any stragglers, and I'd hate to end the summer on a sour note!"

🔆

I stood at the top of Half-Blood Hill, with Percy and Annabeth. Raph was helping Nico with something. We watched the buses and vans pull away, taking most of the campers back to the real world. A few other old-timers would be staying behind, and a few of the newcomers. Percy was heading back to Goode High School for his sophomore year- the first time in his life he'd ever done two years at the same school.

"Good-bye," Rachel said to us as she shouldered her bag. She looked pretty nervous, but she was keeping a promise to her father and attending Clarion Academy in New Hampshire. It would be next summer before we got our Oracle back.

"You'll do great." Annabeth hugged her. Funny, she seemed to get along fine with Rachel these days.

Rachel bit her lip. "I hope you're right. I'm a little worried. What if somebody asks what's on the next math test and I start spouting a prophecy in the middle of geometry class? The Pythagorean theorem shall be problem two. . . . Gods, that would be embarrassing."

"Helpful though for those that didn't study." I shrugged.

"Thanks Nora. Well bye. Stay out of trouble."

"Haha. Where's the fun in that?" I chuckled, just as Raph came striding up the hill.

"Nah, I'll keep her out of trouble."

I turned and raised an eyebrow. "Good luck, buddy."

"I like a challenge." He smirked down at me.

I heard a few snickers behind me. I turned back with a small smile and Raph pulled me into his chest, his arms around me. He rested his chin on the top of my head

Annabeth, would be staying in New York as well. She'd gotten permission from her parents to attend a boarding school in the city so she could be close to Olympus and oversee the rebuilding efforts.

"And close to me?" Percy asked.

"Well, someone's got a big sense of his own importance." But she laced her fingers through his. I chuckled at them.

The guard dragon Peleus curled contentedly around the pine tree underneath the Golden Fleece and began to snore, blowing steam with every breath. The four of us stood quietly watching the others wave good by. When Percy spoke again.

"You two been thinking about Rachel's prophecy?"

She frowned. "How did you know?"

"Because I know you."

She bumped him with her shoulder. "Okay, so I have. Nora and I have been trying to see how the two fit together. Seven half-bloods shall answer the call. I wonder who they'll be. We're going to have so many new faces next summer."

"Yep," Percy agreed.

"Seven journey home while light walks alone." I added, "it must be the same seven, but then who's the light? Our cabin is exploding with new brothers."

"And all that stuff about the world falling in storm or fire."

She pursed her lips. "And foes at the Doors of Death. And Nora's part of, The ancient rival rises in the west. I don't know, guys, but I don't like it. I thought... well, maybe we'd get some peace for a change."

"Wouldn't be Camp Half-Blood if it was peaceful," Percy said.

"Ya, what's leave when your a demigod?" I rolled my eyes.

"I guess you're right... Or maybe the prophecy won't happen for years." Raph finally added.

"Could be a problem for another generation of demigods," Percy agreed. "Then we can kick back and enjoy."

"That would be nice." I agreed.

She nodded, though she still seemed uneasy. I didn't blame her, but it was hard to feel too upset on a nice day, with Raph around me, my brother beside me and his girlfriend finally acting civil towards me knowing that I wasn't really saying good-bye. We had lots of time. It would be fine.

"Race you to the road?" Percy said.

"You are so going to lose." She took off down Half-Blood Hill and he sprinted after her.

Raph and I both chuckled. He turned one last time and I waved to them.

"See you soon!"

"Later Nora!"

Raph slipped his hand into mine and we slowly walked back down the hill. Camp was suddenly quiet and empty. Not many of us were staying. I tipped my head back with my eyes closed, I felt the warm sun on my face and inhaled slowly.

Raph pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around him. He placed his forehead onto mine and we just stayed. Happy and content to finally be together. And I would savor every single moment.

🔆

THE END OF BOOK 2