Forever ● Sequel to Sanctuary

6

I decided to take a trip down to Bunker Nine and male sure things are okay. It had been at the back of my head since dinner yesterday.

I knocked on the cool door and waited for Leo to open up. However, he didn't. I knocked again, and the door swung open, revealing a very sleep-deprived fire-wielder.

"Whoa, man, you okay? You look awful." I note.

"Thanks, Nico, I feel pretty." Leo retorts, and leads me inside.

"What are you working on?" I ask.

Suddenly,  Leo's eyes light up and he smiles. He holds up two Samsung phones.

"These." he says.

I roll my eyes, "You're constructing phones?"

He puts a finger up, "Not just any phones! Monster-proof phones! I've almost got them, too."

I sigh, shaking my head with a slight smile. Only Leo would think to do this. Then I thought again, Well, only Leo could accomplish this.

I nod, "Nice. Who gets them?"

"First, the head counsellors of the cabins. For emergencies, you know? Can't have more monkeys-"

"Don't finish that sentence." I don't want to know.

Leo laughs, but the moment is old, fast. I examine the cell phones, but don't prod too much in fear of damaging them.

"You can get one first." Leo says.

"Really? Why?" I ask.

He shrugs, "Just a favor."

He looks at me and I see something in his eye that I can't place. I wave it off and thank him.

"When will they be done?" I ask eagerly.

He shrugs, "By tomorrow."

"You'll have six done by tomorrow?"

I wouldn't tell him, but that's some handy work.

▪•●•▪•●•▪•●•▪•●•▪

I stumble into my room, closing my door and falling onto my black vampire-like mattress. I close my eyes, but I'm not tired enough to fall asleep. Instead, I sit up and I grab a book from under my bed, not caring what it's about. Not even a page in, I hear an urgent knock on my door.

"Come in." I allow, and Percy quickly rushes into my room.

"What are you doing with the harpies out?" I ask, rushing towards the big idiot to make sure he's okay. I hardly made it in here on time, and he decides to come along after. Moron...

"I'm fine. I just..." he scratches the back of his head. "Can I stay in here tonight? Been having nightmares."

I sigh, going soft, "Of course, Percy. I'll prep you a bed."

I choose a bed on the right side of the cabin and fix the sheets and pillows. I grab an extra blanket from my bed and toss it on top.

"Thanks." Percy says, crawling underneath.

I smile, "No problem. Get some sleep, I'm here if you need me."

Soon, I was comforted by the sound of soft snores coming from the other side of the room. I closed my book and decided I would also hit the hay.

For the first time in a long time, I had a long, peaceful night's rest.