Friend Or Foe || [A PJO FanFic]

-=-= Ashlynn =-=-

*~*~ Rachel's POV ~*~*

"You're the voices.."

My mind tried to contemplate what she said. Voices? And what did she mean that Percy and Nico were these 'voices'? I could feel my face move into a frown as I continued to think. Percy and Nico were both looking at her as well, as seemingly confused as me.

"Rabbit...?" My voice sounded strange as it came out of my mouth. "What do you mean Percy and Nico are the 'voices'?"

Her head hung low, and she looked like she was about to sink into the ground with all the eyes on her. Stupid! You know that she hates pressure! I face-palmed. After removing my hand from my face, which probably had a red mark by now, I looked up to see the boys staring at me like I was crazy. I just gave them a look that said loud and clear, Ask. I dare you. They both shrunk back a bit after that. I mentally smirked, but then immediately remembered Rabbit. She looked a lot closer to the edge of the trees on my side of the clearing than she did a few minutes ago.

"Hey, Rabbit. It's okay! These guys won't hurt you!" I called out to her in what I hope was a reassuring voice. She slid her eyes over to mine, and I saw just how scared she was at that moment. Her green swirling iris' displayed distrust and fear. She was on the edge of a breakdown, that or sprinting the Hades out of there. I held my hands up in a calming motions, waving for her to stay. I felt panic creeping in, my mind unable to form logical sentences as I thought of how Rabbit could get away in just one jump into the forest behind her.

Then, of course, the boys had to take a threatening step forward. She lost it, jumped up from her sitting position and ran into the trees. I felt my sanity lose itself in that moment as well, and I heard myself screaming out the nickname I gave her. It was like I was watching through a screen, all the sounds were far away, movement all robotic and strange. I felt myself run through the forest after her. I could hear the faint, frustrated voice of Percy from behind me, and I couldn't see Nico.

The plants around me seemed alive, I could feel eyes on me from all directions. I couldn't hear anything except for my own heavy breathing, and the crunching of twigs from under my feet. Looking around madly, I tried to look for any sign of Rabbit. A flash of gold hair, ripped clothing, sounds of running. There was nothing. Even the surrounding woods fell silent.

Then I saw it. And kinda felt it. A small animal pounced on me from behind on of the many trees. I screamed, afraid of what it might be, when I took a look at it's blonde hair and slim figure. It's arms were wrapped tightly around my waist, and I could feel a wetness soaking through my shirt. It took me a minute to realise that this wasn't an animal. It was Rabbit! The little girl was hanging onto me like I was her life-line. I kneeled down and placed my arms around her back, feeling tears roll down my cheeks as well. There was just us, hugging the life out of each other.

After a few moments, we both calmed down enough to think correctly. I knew that because the sobs had stopped racking her small body, and she was letting out sighs of content. Then she did something that I was not expecting.

"Ashlynn.." Her pretty little voice rang out through the trees, and I was shocked into silence.

"W-what?" I stated, confused. Was that her name? Or did I remind her of someone with that name? Was it even a name that she was trying to say?

"My name.. It's.. Ashlynn.." She said. Guess it was my first questions' answer, then. I smiled down at her. She trusted me enough to tell me her name! It made me happy. Then the silence was broken by me speaking.

"Do you want to come with us?" She looked up at me with a confused look. I tried to think of another way to say does she want to come to a magic-infested camp where all the Greek Gods exist and we worship them because the camp is made for their descendants. Hmm, hard.

"We have a camp that can protect us against monsters like that dog you saw. Do you want to come with us?" Yep. That pretty much sums it up. I saw her nod, and smiled at her hidden enthusiasm.

"Great! Let's go!" That's when her face turned troubled, and she opened her mouth again.

"Will.. Those other two.. Be there..?" She looked up at me with a worried face. Idiot, of course she won't want to see Percy and Nico after what just happened. I bit my lip.

"Um, yes, they will." I saw her grimace, and quickly added, "But! You don't have to worry about them! I'll make sure that you don't have to speak to them."

She nodded her head in relief, and I slowly stood up as to not frighten her at the sudden movement. I reached out my hand to her, and she took it as I pulled her to her feet. I kept hold of her hand as I pulled us through the forest, completely lost. I didn't show it, though, I can't have her panicking again. I felt my arm be pulled back, as Ashlynn rooted herself to the spot behind me. She had her eyes closed, and seemed to be in a sort of trance. I carefully tugged on her hand, and she started, snapping her head over to me. She sighed quietly after she realised it was me, and then pointed to her right.

"There are people that way.." She spoke quietly, averting her eyes from mine. I stood shocked, how did she know that there were people? I strained my ears for sounds, but nothing came to light.

"How can you tell? I can't hear anything." She just shook her head at me, and pointed to her right again. She didn't open her mouth. I sighed in defeat, knowing that she was not going to speak again, and turned in the direction she pointed and began walking again. I saw a slight smirk tug at her lips, a proud look in her eyes for being able to spot something I didn't. I still didn't understand how she could be so sure that there was something in this direction, but I guessed that we'd find out when we reached anything that was there.

Until then, we'd walk and wait.

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