Signs of a Storm

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter 31: A Great Wake Up Call, And Even Greater Meetups

Some wakeup call this was. A gigantic hellhound in my face. I screamed and fiddled for my dagger that was usually at my side. But I had just woken up, and of course it wasn't there. I just closed my eyes and winced. Nothing.

Then a slobbery tongue licked my face.

I opened my eyes, super confused as to why I hadn't just died. I heard someone call in the distance, "Mrs. O'Leary! Down, girl!"

The hellhound jumped off of the bunk, and scattered out of my cabin. I sat up and looked through my doorway. The beast had run to its master, Percy Jackson. I probably smiled like an idiot as I hustled down from the bunk and gave him the biggest hug in the world. "Percy!" I squealed. He chuckled and hugged me back.

"What's happening?" He asked, "I can tell you missed me."

"Yea, no duh. Gods, you've missed so much." To keep from tearing up, I let go of him and furiously wiped at my eyes.

"I hope you haven't gotten a boyfriend since I left." He comically wagged a finger in my face, "Cuz' I won't allow it."

"No, not that." I giggled, "I've found out a lot of information. And it's about my family. There's also a prophecy coming up, and-" He cut me off.

"I know, I know." He said, "I also know Hazel and Frank are going to be here at around noon. I wanted to drop by and say merry Christmas."

I looked at his empty hands, disappointed. "Not even a single thing for your own half-sister." Of course I was joking, but his face made it seem like he thought I was being serious. "I hope you know I'm joking." I added, just in case.

"Well, I guess that doesn't mean you want this..." He flashed a small box in front of me. "I think I can keep it for myself."

I snatched at it, and smiled like a five year-old. "No, I think I'll just go ahead and open it now, if you don't mind." I ripped it open.

Inside was a little leather necklace with a CHB bead on it. I smiled and took it from the box. "I've seen everyone else wearing one, and I was wondering where I could get one. Thank you so much." I hugged him again.

"When you're here for each year, you get beads and add them onto it." He showed me his that consisted of about six or seven. I noticed one etched with the Empire State Building. Another had a trident on it. "And I suspect that when you get back from the quest, you'll have one to put on it." He flashed a smile.

"Thanks again, and what's with the hellhound? I woke up and almost had a heart attack." I pointed to the thing that was scratching its butt.

"Oh, Mrs. O'Leary?" He asked, "She's my pet."

I scoffed, some pet that was. "Well I'm just glad she didn't bite my face off."

"Yea, sorry about that. She gets really excited to meet new campers." He shrugged, "And I'm also sorry that she almost bit your face off."

"It's all cool," I fist-bumped him, "Where's Annabeth?"

"She's with her family. She told me to tell everyone hi for her. Annabeth was working on something important, I guess." He answered.

"Ok," I nodded, "shall we go to breakfast?"

He laughed at me, and I gave him a confused look. "Not like that, you're not. Unless you now go to breakfast in your pajamas, I don't think so." I looked down at my lamb pj's. Whoopsie daisy, I began to laugh along with Percy.

"I'll be right back." I excused myself and threw on my sports gear. It was the only thing I could find at the particular moment.

"Ready to go to breakfast, or to the gym?" Percy asked.