Wizards in New York

Oh, George.

    *Reyna's POV*

    I stared in shock at George's quickly disappearing back.

    "I like you a lot, Reyna, but apparently you're too just dense to see that." That was what he had said before he had stormed off.

    "George..." I whispered.

    But he was gone.

    "Reyna!" Jason ran up to me. "What just happened? Are you okay?"

    I shook my head and ran into the darkness.

    Tears blurred my vision as I found my way to the beach. I began to run through the sand.

    Clunk.

    My foot got caught on something heavy, and I fell into the sand.

    Whatever it was had a handle, so I gripped it tight and dragged it into the cabin with me.

    "What did I do?" I murmured, heading straight for my bedroom to change.

    I got into my pjs and glanced into the mirror.

    There were dark bags under my eyes, and my high ponytail was falling out. My brown eyes were tired and angry. My cheeks were sunken, and my lips turned down into a frown.

    What does he see in me?

    Suddenly I remembered the thing I had brought in-a large leather sack. Hadn't it been George's?

    I ran back into the main room. The bag was still there, laying on the hardwood floor. I hefted it onto my lap and opened it.

    First thing I pulled out: a balled-up red sweatshirt. Without thinking, I pulled it on.

    Second thing: a business card that read, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

    Was that the family business? And what did it have to with wizards?

    Next thing I took out was a pouch filled with gold, silver, and bronze coins that didn't look like denarii or drachmas. I tossed that to the side.

    Fourth thing: a small notebook. I opened it and gasped.

    The book was filled with amazing drawings. George had captured the likeness of an old ruin that looked like a castle perfectly in pencil, and a sketch of a whimsical storefront dominated two pages and was colored in bright hues.

    Transfixed, I turned the pages delicately. When I got to one particular page, I clapped my hand to my mouth.

    I saw myself, my brown hair fanned out beneath me, smiling at the sunbeams breaking their way through a canopy of leaves. George was laying next to me, his fiery red hair almost glowing as he looked at me with smiling eyes. We lie on a bed of light green grass and wildflowers, water trickling through the old fountain.

    "Oh, George," I whispered.

    It was then I realized how much this boy meant to me. I had known him for a little over a week, yet he already had a special place in my heart.

    I had changed a lot, too. A week ago, I would never see myself welcoming a boy into that grove, nor open up to him.

    Sighing, I set the book inside and pulled something else out.

    It was a long wooden stick.

    Frowning, I examined it.

    Then I sucked in a breath. No way.

    Could it be...I had to check with Chiron.

    But not today. I would sleep, and then I would find George.

*****

    As soon as my head hit the pillow, my dreams began.

    First, I was back in that pavilion in Charleston. "You will not find love where you wish or where you hope. No demigod shall heal your heart."

    Then the scene melted away, revealing a disturbing scene.

    A group of six teens holding both swords and what looked like wands stood in a circle around a firepit in a warehouse. The leader, a boy with stark white hair and pale blue eyes, waved his wand urgently.

    "We must strike now!" he shouted. "Camp is weak, after the last war, and the blood traitors are there. This is the perfect opportunity."

    He whistled, and the doors creaked open.

    Oh, no.

    Then I bolted upright in bed.

    I had to warn Chiron.

    Quickly pulling on the hoodie again, I snatched the sword from under my pillow and ran.

    It had begun to pour. Rain battered down on the top of my skull as I fought against the wind. It was so strong that sticks and small rocks skittered along the ground.

    I gritted my teeth. Must. Fight. Through.

    Suddenly I felt a stab of pain in my arm that made me see spots. I stumbled.

    No. Please, I have to get to Chiron!

    My legs swept out behind me, and I fell in a heap in the muddy grass.

    I wasn't giving up yet. My fingernails dug into the dirt as I tried to drag myself forward.

    Please.

    I heard a shout, but all other sound went to static as my vision faded to black. The pain had taken over, and I had lost.

******

    "Is she okay?"

    The voices reached my ears before my vision returned.

    "She'll be fine. Her arm was stabbed by some sharp twig. Bad luck. And her head hit a rock as she fell, so she has a slight concussion."

    "How long does she have to stay here?"

    "Depends how she is when she wakes up."

    I heard the first person sigh. "Can I stay here?"

    "For now, but you have to leave at night."

    A door slammed shut, and I drifted back into unconsciousness.