The Story of Riley Jackson

Chapter 8

The warm sun dried my skin from a swim I just had in the Lake again (no scares this time). I could get used to this kind of life. The cool wind messes my damp hair up as I look across the water. I sigh at the autumn sunset takes my breath away. Can I just stay here for the rest of my life like this?

"I knew I would find you here." Percy's voice sounds from behind me.

"Well, if your brother walks off with his lover than what was I supposed to do? This was the only place I knew how to get to. " I say as I look at him.

"You gotta point there. So," He started.

"So. . . ?" I ask.

"Uh, this is awkaward. I want to talk but I don't know what to talk about. "

"Ask anything. If it's too personal, I'll let you know." I look back to the water.

"Age?"

"Fifteen. How abot you?"

"Eighteen. Birthday?"

"July 17."

"Wow." He said with a chuckle. "Mine is August 18."

"Cool."

"So. Heard you've been jumping from foster families a lot your whole life. How many have you lived with? What were they like?"

"I think it was more than twenty. In one I was the only girl. They had 5 boys and they were all older than me. Broke too many limbs because of them, the parents couldn't keep paying for the medical bills so they gave me back to the orphanage. There was one where there were only girls," I chuckled as the thought of it made me want to laugh.

"What about it that makes you laugh?"

"They were psycho!!! Pink all over the place, make up, boy drama 24/7, tears, sleepovers, anything girlie you name it."

"Sounds like the Aphrodite cabin to me." I point and nod at him.

"Exactly. And with all the perfume, my asthma was acting up a lot, I started to leave the house more often and hanging with the "wrong" people, as they put it, so they gave up after a few months and sent me back."

"Wow. I actually feel bad for you."

"Stop. It doesn't work that way." I murmured under my breath.

"What was that?" Percy asked.

"Oh nothing. I just need to, uh, be alone for a sec."

"You alright?"

"Yea. I just need some time alone."

"Do you need help?"

"URGH!! Just go away, leave me alone, don't try to make me feel good or wanted!! Just walk away and Leave. Me. ALONE!!!!!!!!" I yelled, now standing facing Percy, my fists curled.

A few satyrs that were near by looked nervously our way, eyes wide, and took off towards the woods.

"Riley," Percy whispered. "Calm down. You don't know what you are capable of doing with water just yet. Control your emotions." He wasn't looking right at me. I could tell he was looking slightly behind me. I turn around to see a giant army of water. Literally there were ancient Greek soldiers in armor and with weapons drawn. They were about 30ft tall, some riding giant horses, some were injured. But all had one thing in common: they all wore a murderous look on their faces.

Did I do this? Did I seriously brought these guys from the water?

"Riley, you need to calm down and control yourself! What is wrong with you? What are you trying to do?" Percy shouted, this time looking at me.