Camp Half Blood: One "Salty" Adventure

Chapter 1

Rose's POV:

It's been two months of being back at camp. I thought... after this long, I'd be happy again. That everything would be back to, almost, normal. I knew that... that Nathan was at rest. Peaceful, where he was. But I still miss him. I still feel numb, like that moment when he died is still replaying every time I start to feel a little better. I'm just stone cold, being the shell of the person I once was. I've been faking my emotions for two months and I just... I can't do it anymore. I think of the good times I've spent with Ben, Myra, and Cole... and Hunter, of course. That dog is amazing. He's extraordinary. Magical... his emotions... with each emotion he feels he can change into a different breed of dog. We found this out when he got hurt. I accidentally stepped on his tail and he turned into a pitbull. Then he got sad and turned into a small Maltese puppy. And after about a minute he went back to normal. It was amazing and Myra squealed in joy. You know... right after she scolded me for hurting her puppy. I was lost in thought as I continued to pack my bag. "Rose? What're you doing?" I was startled when I felt hands slither around my waist. I knew it was Ben so I just continued on with what I was doing. Ben put his chin on my shoulder, realized what was happening, and then grabbed my hands, turning me around. "Rose what's going on? Are you ok? Wh-where are you going?" He asked worried. I sighed and sat down on my bed, next to my bag. Ben sat down on the other side of me, still holding my hands.

"Ben, I need to get away for a while. I've tried to hide how I feel... but I can't do it anymore. I'm just so... so depressed, Ben. I want to go home, and see my mom. I want to just... clear my head." Ben gave me a worried look.

"I-Is there anything I can do? T-to change your mind? R-Rose, please don't leave me." I gave him a sad expression.

"Ben, no! I love you. I do, it's just... I need some time. This isn't because of you, it's just... with everything that's happened, being alone to think and sort out everything I'm going through would be... nice? I'm not leaving you, like.. relationship wise..." I trailed off.

"Can I come with you? Please?" I smiled sadly at him.

"No... no, Ben. I need to do this myself. I won't be gone long. Just for a few months. I promise." He gave me a hesitant look.

"Rose I'm worried..."

"Don't be worried, I can hold my own, Ben. I promise I'll be alright. I'll come back soon. You have my word." He took a minute to think.

"...alright, Rose. I-I trust you. I uh... I should go get you a bag for ambrosia." I nodded as he left. I already packed ambrosia, but I couldn't go on with this conversation anymore. It was too hard to talk to him, especially now. Soon enough, I had finished packing my bag. I swung it around my back and took a deep breath. I then looked down at my hand. I turned Nathan's ring around on my finger and smiled lightly at it. I was saddened by this slightly, but I knew if I wore this, that he was with me. I'd never let him go... was it healthy for me to be like this? Heck no. But I'm never taking this off. I'm never letting this go.

I soon left my cabin, looking it over one last time. I had already told Percy of my plans about a week ago. He didn't want me to, but I told him I had to and he, eventually, agreed to let me go. I walked to the clearing where I would be off. Cole, Ben, Myra, and Hunter were already there waiting for me. "Rose, are you seriously leaving?" Myra asked stepping forward towards me. I nodded.

"Yeah, I am. I just... I have to do this, guys." I said looking from Myra and then to everyone else.

"Please, Rose. Just let one of us go with you?" Myra asked earnestly.

"I can't, Myra. I need to go alone. I'm sorry..." I said sadly, breaking eye contact with everyone.

"But what if you get in trouble? Or something happens? Or-Or what if Khione comes after you? Gods... Rose it's not safe..." Myra ranted on, being the worried friend I knew she was.

"I'll be alright. If I thought I needed help, then I'd have one of you come with me. I promise, I'll be back soon." I lied through my teeth. I hated myself for doing that, but I didn't have a choice.

"...I-Rose just come back soon alright?"

"I said I would and I will... goodbye." I said slightly annoyed. I immediately regretted my tone and gave her an apologetic look.

"Bye..." They all said to me. I gave Myra and Cole a hug and kissed Hunter on the head. He sensed what was going on and changed before my eyes. I smiled sadly at him and then got up and went over to Ben.

"Ben?" I asked. He looked up slowly, a tear falling down his cheek. "Hey, come on. Don't do that. It's alright. It-it's going to be alright." He looked me in the eye with a hurt expression and guilt ran through my veins. I was about to say something but he didn't let me as he collided his lips onto mine. His hands wrapped around my waist and I rested a hand on the back of his neck. I melted into the kiss as I usually did. I loved him, I really did. Leaving him was the worst part of all of this. I'd miss his loving embrace, his warmth on cold nights... but this was for my own good. His own good. Once we broke the kiss, I smiled sadly and turned away, tossing my backpack over my shoulder. I walked away, not looking back. It always hurt too much to look back...