The Life of a Demigod

Chapter 7

I felt arms around me after I fell. They were warm and I leaned closer to the person carrying me. I didn't know what was happening but I was too tired to really care. Soon they opened a door and laid me down on a soft bed. I sighed in content as they put a blanket on me and I could finally sleep. 

*****

My eyes fluttered open and I sat up groggily. I looked around and saw I was in a new place at camp. There were 2 rows of white hospital beds lined up against opposite walls. I furrowed my brow and tried to remember what lead to me being here. 

Loud noises... shivering even though it was really warm where I was... did I have a fever or a cold? Is that why it looks like I'm in the hospital?

"You're awake." I knew that voice. 

"Alex? What are you doing here? What am I doing here?" 

"It seems like a camper found you passed out at camp. Be glad he found you before the cleaning harpies."

"Who brought me in? And what are cleaning harpies?" I tilted my head in confusion.

His gaze darkened and he nodded his head towards the door where Jake was leaning against the door frame. "As for your other question, cleaning harpies are the staff around here that as the name implies, clean up camp. Pretty much birds with a human head. Kind of freaky." 

I laughed a bit at that and he smiled. I heard footsteps and saw Jake walk out. I looked at him in concern before turning back to Alex. "What was that about?" 

"It's nothing. Anyways, I checked your pulse and it was normal. By the looks of everything it just seems you haven't gotten enough sleep." I'd be lying if I said he didn't sound a bit smug to start. What is going on with these boys?

"Am I good to go?" I wanted to try out some of the places here, the archery range seems cool. I wouldn't mind exploring the forest either. 

"Yes, I'll have someone come in and take you to your cabin so you can get ready." 

"Kayla? Or one of the Hermes cabin people that I met?"

He cleared his throat. "Actually, I was going to ask the camper from Iris cabin. Her name is Jessica and she's the counselor at the moment."

"Okay, where is she?" I covered my mouth as a yawn that I was trying to suppress came out. 

He looked at me in concern. "Go to your cabin and take a nap. She'll be there soon." 

I was about to protest but the look on his face stopped me. He looked serious and worried, so instead I just nodded and stood up to go to my cabin. As I was walking away he grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug. My face burned red and all too soon he let go. He leaned down next to my ear and whispered, "Take care." 

I stumbled out of the infirmary with a red face and a confused head. As I headed to my cabin I couldn't help but look around, camp looked quiet, peaceful. I got in my cabin and closed the door behind me. 

I walked over to my bed and sat down without removing my gaze from the door. I must've dozed off because I missed someone knocking and opening the door. I was still not fully conscious when I was shaked awake gently. 

"I was told that you are Riley? And I was come to check up on you." She looked friendly and bold but tougher than her personality. Her hair was mainly brown but had some colorful streaks throughout it. She was short and thin but muscled. Slightly intimidating, but more so if she wasn't smiling so brightly. 

"Yeah, are you Jessica? From.. Iris cabin?"

"Call me Jess. How you feeling?" 

"Better. I didn't mean to fall asleep." I laughed softly at that and she chuckled with me. "So, what do you do around here?" 

She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of bed. I yelped and stumbled a bit before standing upright. Jess threw some clothes at me, "I'll show you. But not when you're in your pajamas." 

I looked down at myself and blushed. "Right, that might be for the best. Could you.. maybe just wait outside while I get changed?" 

She raised an eyebrow. "Why? We're both girls. It's not like you haven't changed in front of people before."

"Please?"

Jess laughed and walked out anyways. I sighed and quickly changed. I'm just not used to being around other people. And I really don't want to explain my scars that she would see if she had stayed. 

I brushed through my hair as quick as possible and ran out of the cabin to see Jess leaning against it with her arms crossed. "Ready now?"

"Yeah, sorry to keep you waiting."

"I've been meaning to ask, what's with your hair? Blue isn't natural. And I can see your roots." 

I grabbed a piece of my hair and twirled it between my fingers.  I flinched as I thought back to how my stepdad and my mom reacted. There was yelling and and hitting. I don't think they would even look at me for a week after that. 

"Dyed it... You know, natural teenage rebellion. Just in a noticeable blatant way. " I responded carefully. I didn't need anyone here knowing why I did it. Or how my family was. Here was a fresh start. I can't jeopardize that. 

She laughed and hit my back in a friendly and slightly painful way. "I like your style, but there's easier ways to show rebellion. And less bold and permanent." 

I opened my mouth to respond when a boy with light brown hair and startling light blue eyes ran into me. He was reading a book and was completely spaced out. When he bumped into me he dropped his book and stumbled back. 

"I am so sorry! Are you okay?"  

Jessica interrupted, "That's Jay, bookworm and crushing on an Aphrodite kid. She's not here right now but they are cute." 

"Whatever you say rainbow. And it just so happens that we are dating and have been since this summer." 

I watched as they argued and insulted each other. They were both smiling so it couldn't be bad between them. I was lost in my thoughts and didn't notice when there was a question directed to me.

"Earth to Riley. You here?" Jess snapped her fingers in front of my face and Jay looked at me like he was thinking about something. 

"Hmm? Yeah... I'm here. Sorry." 

"Well what I asked you was-" A scream interrupted and slashed through the suddenly cold air. Jay and Jess ran towards it with no question and I followed uncertainly. We ran to a tree and saw a figure near it. 

A boy lay at the base of the tree with claw marks across his ribs. His eyes were slightly glazed and he was panting heavily. "Empousai... outside camp. On watch... alone. Still..." He started coughing and some blood trickled out of his mouth. "Kill... too late." He coughed once more before going still and his body went limp. 

I stared in shock with my eyes wide open. Jess's gaze hardened while Jay fell to his knees and clutched the body in tears.  Jess grabbed my arm, "You know how how to fight?" 

"Um... I mean no... But you can't..." Her gaze stopped me and I took a breath. "I can hold my own in a fight." 

"Good. Follow me." She walked past the tree and didn't slow down. I rushed to follow her and looked around warily. 

She stopped suddenly and pulled out a whip braided with what looks like some sort of rare metal. I stopped and saw them. The empousai. There were three of them. And we had no where to go. I pulled out my sword and looked at them with a glare before charging one head on.