Camp Half Blood: One "Salty" Adventure

Chapter 41

Rose's POV:

After I saw Ben, I felt horrible. But I couldn't let that bother me. I couldn't let the fact that he hasn't slept and that he's barely eaten or drunk anything... I couldn't let that bother me. He cares too much about me. We need space... it's not healthy for him to be like this all the time. I waited for him to fall asleep and then I walked over to Corbyn and Cole. Corbyn nodded to me and I did the same back. He stepped away so that Cole and I could talk. "Hey, Cole... it's nice to see you again." I said with a smile. He smirked sadly.

"You too, Rose... h-how's Myra?" He asked. I smiled. I was sure he already asked Corbyn, but I had a feeling he trusted my opinion on her condition a bit more.

"She's not horrible... but I won't lie to you, Cole... she's not great. Her mind is deteriorating more and more every day. My friend Will... he made a serum for her that could help, but he wants me to give it to her when we get back to camp. He says there's a better chance it'll work if she's around old memories than in a prison... but... healthwise, she's fine. Honest to god, she is, Cole." I explained to him. He nodded sadly and then engulfed me into a hug.

"Thank you for taking care of her..." He said once he let go.

"Of course... Cole? I have to go, but we'll talk more when I'm taking you to get Myra, ok? I have a plan to talk to you about. Back up plan, I should say." I said looking back at Corbyn to see he was getting a bit restless. Cole nodded and then I turned around and walked away with Corbyn.

I waited with Will for the time being until Damian came back with Cole and Ben. Will left after a while and then I stepped out of the room to meet Damian, Cole and Ben. I gave Ben a quick hug before I took Cole down the hall, leading him to where the cells were. "So, Cole..." I began as we were walking. "I had a plan... o-only if worse comes to worse and we have to fight. But you've gotta hear me out on this."

"Of course, Rose." Cole replied. I took a deep breath before I spoke.

"Okay... well I was thinking that there are a lot of demigods here... that are a lot more powerful than just us. And if... we have to fight, we're gonna have to fight all of them at once... so... instead of you know, trying to go against all of them together, we could just have one person attack..." I said getting nervous. Cole stopped and grabbed my arm, turning me around.

"N-No... Rose. She can't. She wouldn't want that." He said, his expression becoming grim.

"I know, Cole... I know she wouldn't want that... but if we don't then we don't seem to have much of a chance. And Myra may be the one that isn't gonna make it... sh-she can't fight, Cole. And someone will need to protect her and watch her and keep her calm, but we won't have anyone to do that! We'll all have to be fighting because there are just too many... we can try to get through this without fighting, but just if, Cole... if." I said earnestly.

"I... b-but how are y-you gonna get her t-to fight? L-Like that..." He said stumbling on his words. I began walking again as he followed along waiting for me to speak. I didn't want to be spotted in the halls, it was best to keep going.

"Okay... this part you're definitely not gonna like... I uh... I'll need to make her angry, so... I... gods, I might have to tell her that they killed you." I trailed off feeling horrible about what I had just said.

"No! Absolutely not. Th-That'll kill her... she's already so... so fragile, Rose." He said. I could hear the anguish in his voice and it killed me inside. He cared about her so much...

"I know! I do, it's just... I don't know how else I'd do it... any other ideas? Really, Cole... I don't want to do this either, but I want all of us to make it out alive." I said trying to sound rational.

"I-I... I don't know, but there has to be something else! A-Anything else..." He pleaded to me. Just then, a sad thought came to mind. Flashbacks of what had happened in the castle came into my mind. I cringed internally at the sights I saw, the actions I had made that day...

"...I... I mean... I could try to do what I did when uh... you know..." I trailed off, not wanting to say the exact words aloud.

"At the castle... you think you could do it again? Can you control it?" Cole said becoming excited, he tried to hide it in order to make me feel better. Like he wasn't quite ok with it being me that was going to risk my life now.

"I don't know... I didn't even know it was me who did it at the castle in the first place." I shrugged.

"...If you summon the earthquake, will you be able to run after?" He asked, looking at me as we walked slowly with a sorry expression.

"I uh... I don't know... but it's not important what happens to me. I'm sure Ben will make sure I'm safe anyways... gods..." I said becoming worried.

"Just... if you can't do it. Then... then if you have to..." He said looking down and putting his hands in his front pockets.

"I'll try my best... just uh... if I end up being able to, make sure that Myra can form ice around you to protect you like before. But also make sure Damian and Corbyn and Shadow and Walker and W-Will... make sure they're near so that they can be protected too." I cautioned him as we made it to the door that opened up to show the cells.

"I will... Let's get you guys out of here." He said with a small smirk, obviously excited to see Myra. I smiled and opened the door.