Rhythm of The Night -2- (Percy Jackson FanFic)

-_Chapter Two_-

The thought of what could happen made me both blush and worry. I wasn't in the mood for food or the outdoors anymore at all. I just simply wanted to curl up and think. Maybe, maybe play some music. But that wasn't rational nor probable. Plus, I had already packed my sheets and comforter. Unpacking them and remaking my bed sounded like way too much work.

 Chiron handed me the workout schedule I had asked for, assigning certain days with certain lifts and conditioning. It looked complex, but I could ask one of Ares' kids to explain everything before I left. And now, more than ever, did I actually want to leave.

 The mythology that had become a reality for me last summer was a miracle at the time. Now, it was a curse. Everything I loved about it was turning against me. I couldn't stand it. The boy I thought I could possibly love and spend the rest of my life with could kill me? Unreal. It made my heart race just thinking about it.

 Packing took even less time now that I was completely motivated. I wanted out of this cabin as soon as possible, get myself into the sun and do what came natural to me: archery. I finished squishing all my clothes and things into my suitcase and duffel bag, and stacked them onto my bed. Then I turned to my bow and quiver, the longing feeling rising in my chest. Now, it was my turn. I strapped the quiver around my waist so that my arrows were against my right thigh. I had chosen this style over the other because I wanted to be different and it was more comfortable to me. Having the quiver on my back was irritating, and that's putting it simply.

 I grabbed my shades again, putting them over my eyes before I even set foot outside. I inserted my earbuds into my ears and cranked my music, blasting more 80s rock music into my eardrums. It successfully drowned out everything, including my own breathing and heartbeat. I couldn't even hear myself think, which turned out to be a nice thing.

 Upon exiting my cabin, I quickly calculated the time to about two o'clock in the afternoon. I still had about five or six hours before my mom showed up just before sundown.

 I walked over to the second target area, as the first one was nearly full with my other siblings. They called out greeting to me, and I smiled in return, but conversation at the current moment was impossible. And just the way I wanted it. I caught Mike watching Casey shoot a rapid-fire attack, his eyes watching her body twisted and turned as she performed admirably. I shook my head, smirking, before turning to my own target.

 I found myself staring at three targets: the middle directly ahead, and the two on the sides angled inwards a little bit, giving the effect of three-on-one. I pictured three sons of Ares closing in, swords and shields raised, with their eyes glistening from the fight and their mouths twisted into smirks of enjoyment. They had cornered their prey, and it seemed like there was no escape.

 I briefly admired my imagination, strapping on my arm-guard on my left forearm. It was made out of hardened leather, and already had several gashes along it from its use. I was getting better at avoiding the slap of my bow's string as I released an arrow, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Aaron, my oldest brother at camp, showed me his scar from a string-slap accident he had two years ago. It was nasty, and I definitely didn't want one.

 The guard had a small, knife-sized pocket in it, which is exactly what it was for. Around my neck was a Celestial bronze sun, but by tapping the center, it transformed into a small knife-like-dagger, in case of emergencies. If I so chose, I could leave the charm-in-knife form and tuck it into the pocket on the guard. Both had been a gift from Apollo the previous summer, and both things I treasured dearly.

 I tightened the guard one final time, focusing again on my situation. Three sons of Ares, all thinking they had me cornered. What ever was I going to do?