Masked Hearts

Chapter 15 - Rachel's P.O.V.

It's been two days since I was dragged away from Octavian.

It's been two days since I was tied up in the middle of the arena to a poll, like if I was a common criminal.

Part of me was like, 'C'mon! I didn't steal the Fleece. I just... place it somewhere else inside Camp Half-Blood. Not like I was taking it to my room in New York to keep it to myself!'. You know, normal thinking. The other part of me was like, 'I don't wanna die! I don't wanna be stuck here forever! Let me go, please...' And, I'd add a tear at the end for dramatics.

The worst part of this treatment weren't that the bastards (my new nickname for the greek demigod bigots) were feeding me just enough so I don't die. Or pass out. Nor the countless times that they were training in the arena and pretended to attack me with their weapons. Or that my friends (or who I thought were my friends) ignored me and my suffering. No, nothing of that.

The worst part were the harpies.

When they scout around night, they think that any camper who is out of bed they can be eaten. They found me the first night and attack me, leaving me a gash in my clothes and skin. Fortunately, it wasn't that deep, but bothers like a- a lot. Bothers a lot lot lot!

Luckily, that gash was fastly tuning into a scar, thanks to Will's care on me. I can tell he was really ashamed for all of this and was the only one that wanted to speak to me. Though, half the time we're arguing.

"Rachel..." I looked up from my lap and see Katie Gardner, from Demeter's Cabin, standing in front of me, with a trail and enough food for the following eight hours.

"Nice to see you, Gardner..." I replied, half sarcastically. In comparison, it was better than Katie was here than the rest. At least, she treats me civilized.

"There's no need to lie, you know?" she frowned at me, grabbing a stool that was place for my feeder.

"Trust me, Gardner, you're a better choice than the Stolls or even LaRue..." I admitted, looking at her, straight in the eye. She looked shock for a second, but nodded.

"I'll take that as a compliment"

"You should" I assured her, allowing her to feed me. After the first bite, I decided to ask the question that I should had done two days ago, but I didn't want them to think I was having, um... extra feelings for it "What happened to Octavian?" Katie didn't stop feeding me, but looked at me, curiously.

"Octavian? Who's Octavian, Rachel?" I simply raised an eyebrow. Was she trying to fool me? I didn't want to play her games (which surprised me from her, since it's not her style), but I played along simply because of the fact she was giving me food.

"You know, Octavian... Tall, around 5'8, skinny, with burns all around his body... blonde hair, and blue eyes... Roman Augur?" I finished, waiting for his disgust face at the mention of the job. However, Katie surprised me by keeping a straight face, along with some confused look.

"I- I don't know who you're talking about" she said, looking like she was wrecking his memory into finding a face that matched the description "Sounds like a kid of Apollo, but the Romans hadn't have an Augur since the last one died..." I felt a panic building inside of me, but I managed to keep my face straight.

"When was that?" I asked, trying not to sound demanding.

"Um, like fifteen years ago?" Katie's answer left me speechless, while she feed me "Who is this guy anyways?" Now, she sounded genuine curious about it.

"No- no one..." I stuttered, looking down. But, my mind was working overtime. What was all about? Octavian was four when he was taken into Augur's training. He told me so... Could it be...? So- so young? Could be Katie pranking me? No, she couldn't... She's a terrible liar and she doesn't condone that behavior... But then, if she's not faking... What happened to Octavian? I need to know that I'm not crazy-

"Can I ask something?" she interrupted my line of thoughts "Why are you here, anyway?" I blinked at her, not believing what I'm hearing.

"You mean, you don't know why I'm tied up in the middle of the arena?" Katie nodded, confused "I'll tell you why! Because I tricked the entire camp into distracting Peleus while I took the Fleece for, um... for a patient in the Infirmary..." If Katie doesn't remember Octavian, then is no use to mention him again... Which means Octavian is... dead? To my surprise, Katie began chuckling "You think is funny, don't you?!" I accused her, getting angry. She waved her hand at me, dismissing it.

"No... I'm laughing because that's what we did this morning... You should had seen the Stolls in their 'dragoness' costume... It was hilarious!" She kept laughing, but I was staring at her, in a blankness way "Now, c'mon... Tell me the real reason..." she continued, once she stopped laughing. I kept my blank stare on her.

"That is the real reason!" I argued, losing my composure. Tears started to pile around my eyes before my body was wrecking in sobs "W-why a-am I-I he-here?" I questioned ouloud, not expecting any answer in return. I heard Katie gasp and kneel next to me, giving me a sided hug.

"I'm sorry... I thought you knew..." I shook my head against her chest, while she stroke my hair "I'm gonna tell Chiron to let you go, OK?" she promised me, before grabbing the trail and leaving me. I didn't care anymore if I got free or not. By this moment, all I was wondering was that if I was losing my mind. Literally, losing my mind. I really hope all those visions didn't turn me mad, because if they did, Apollo's crotch would be my target number one.

I really need to find out the truth... I just hope I wasn't making Octavian up...

----

Morning, guys!

Well, I finally manage to come back to normal days, though today's achievement is hidden behind the fact I got a vaccine yesterday and my left arm bothers me a lot! However, I don't want to get the flu, so if you're from Argentina, better go get the vaccine! I rather have my arm hurting and not a flu for almost two weeks! Remedy before the sickness...

Anyway! Here are today's chapters:

Rise of Ouranos (ReWrite) (former collab with LordNitro): 1 chapter

Maidenhood (adopted from TheColorofBoom): 1 chapter

Sis/Bro! Your Shadow is Hot!: 1 chapter

Quest: Matchmade (former collab with ReeReeWithAngst, aka Hugs6): 1 chapter

Masked Hearts (former collab with ReeReeWithAngst, aka Hugs6): 1 chapter

Thank you all for reading and I'll see you next week!

xoxo, SilverHuntresses