Elle Jeanette [ EDITING ]

Chapter 4

The heat sucks the air from my lungs, making it hard to breathe. The fire chases me even as I run away from it. A cold, hard laugh rings in my ears, enough to make bring shivers down my spine. My eyes dart all around to find the source of the menacing voice.

"You and all your petty little 'friends' will die!" it says, seeming to come from everywhere. "You are going to pay for everything that your idiotic and selfish parents have done!"

Then, all the blazing fires around me were put out, plunging me into complete darkness. As I was about to move, I found myself stuck, knee deep into the black sand—no, ash. Ash from the fire or from the monsters, I do not know. But as I try to move, red gleaming eyes move in the darkness towards me. It doesn't stop until it faces me entirely. Its sinister voice says loud and clear, "And I'm going to start with you."

Just as it was about to attack me, a worried voice cries my name and someone shakes me awake.

My eyes open and my body jolts upwards, and I hit the roof of the pick-up truck. Beads of sweat fall from my face and I could sense my hair was a mess. It Alexis that was crying my name and shaking me awake. She sits beside me, a worried look on her face. On the driver seat, with his body turned to face us was John with the same look of worry plastered on his face.

"Are you okay?" Alexis asks, her tone laced with concern. I breathe in and out, trying to slow the rapid breaths I'm taking. I smoothe out my hair and answer her.

"Yeah," I say, "Just a bad dream." If that was a bad dream then, what is its difference to what I'm facing right now? All of this a complete and utter nightmare.

"Well, it's a good thing we're here," John says, taking the key of the car from the ignition.

"Here where?" I wonder aloud, try to see what is there beyond the line of trees beside the pick-up truck.

Alexis and John smile, and they hike up with their bags in their hands. I frown from their secrecy but follow them suit.

I kick stones and sticks on the trail and even stopped to kick a tree in frustration. I'm just sick of life at the moment and Alexis and John's silent agreement not to tell me where the hell we're going is getting on my nerves. If we're going somewhere, might as well tell me where.

Soon enough, both of them stopped walking and turned to me to see where I am. I kept my pace and walked slowly until I reached where they are. At the peak of two trees, an entrance made out of stone with words written in greek engraved on them. I was astonished to find that I could read it.

"Camp Half-Blood?" I say, questioningly. I face Alexis and find her smirking.

"Yup," she chirps. "This is where the magic happens." Halfway through finishing her sentence, she goes through the entrance with John hot on her heels. I hesitantly follow them, almost stumbling on my way. Alexis turns around and John does as well.

"Welcome to Camp Half-Blood!" Alexis greets me with a welcoming smile. I look around us in wonder and see people with spears, arrows, swords—all battling and testing their strengths. I'm guessing weakness is not an option here. Lines of cabins made out of polished wood peak in the distance. A large lake out in the horizon. "Make yourself at home, Elle, this is where we belong."

Although this place is amazing and all, I certainly know I do not belong here. I belong back at home, with my father. Not here. These people might have the same purpose to why they are here, to why I am here, but we do not share the same wish. The wish to be with my father again and just delete all of this from my mind. I wonder what it feels like to wish it all away.