Signs of a Storm

Chapter Tweleve

Chapter 12: I Actually Succeed At Something (for once)

"Can you guys please hurry up? I need to get in one more training session before tonight." I was jumping and excited for the game tonight. People were buzzing and chatting about strategies. But no matter how much I focused on the game, Chiron's words came back into my mind. Zeus wants me dead. But why, I had no clue. It made me fear even more than just monsters and demons. I now feared the king of all gods.

"Tara, can you please move up?" Leo was standing behind me in the lunch line and he still seemed peeved about our fight. I moved up and hoped to make him less mad, but I still thought about all of this. Why did it have to be me? Why couldn't someone older and more qualified be the target of the gods? Percy and Jason were sons of the big three, and they were older and probably had more experiences with almost dying. They could handle this, for sure. I didn't doubt it. Even Nico was more trained for this than I was. But nooo, it just had to be the 16 year old who literally just arrived a week ago.

I got my lunch and sat at the table. My night was horrible, and my morning was average. "You look tired." Percy says, pointing out the obvious.

I look at him, rolling my eyes. "No, really?! It's probably because I didn't sleep last night and a certain someone wants me dead!" My hands form into fists, and suddenly I feel angry.

"Ok, geez. Didn't know you were so touchy today. If you need to talk, I'm here for you." And right as he says that, Percy gets up and walks out of the pavilion with Annabeth.

Thanks, big bro.

I sigh, and continue to eat my lunch, it's flavorless but I need to eat. The truth was, I was exhausted and completely about to cripple from it. My dreams were nightmares, and the time I spent up was haunted by my life literally in the hands of the gods. I hadn't told anybody about what I'd overheard, not even Chiron. Some things are best to keep to yourself, and not burden it on others.

"Tara, are you okay? I want to help." Leo put a steady hand on my shoulder to comfort me. My body tensed up a little from sudden contact, he didn't notice. At least he wasn't fuming. Maybe he could see my uncomforting stance and sense my shroud of weakness.

"I just need time alone to think." I didn't look up at him, but I could tell he was frowning. This boy really cared, and it made me feel bad. If Zeus did kill me, he'd be in deep trouble. Leo might blame it on himself. Even the trip to Florida freaked him out, imagine what would happen if I died.

Leo nodded and walked off, leaving me to my own thinking again. Maybe it was a bad idea, I might drown in my own ocean of thoughts. But I couldn't drown, I was a child of Poseidon, I could overcome this. My mind fought back and fought between these options. Nobody interrupted me as I walked back to my cabin, maybe now I could get some sleep finally. Although, I still had to train for the game. A giant scream erupted from my throat, it was all the frustration balled up into a noise. And I felt extremely relieved.

My feet took me towards the arena. Only Jason and Piper were there training.

"Hi guys, can I join?" I shyly walk into the arena, awaiting a response. Piper shrugs and Jason just nods. I assume this gesture is a welcoming one and walk in to join them.

"What're you guys doing?" I ask them.

Piper comes over and says, "We're practicing some new skills, red team is going down." It was good news to hear that they were on my team.

"Ok, that's great to know, glad you're on blue team." Jason smiles and I feel like I actually belong. It seems that things are falling into place, even if Zeus wants me shish-kabobbed.