Revenge

Chapter 44

Excursions into the woods became a regular thing for the two children of Poseidon. Percy's friends organized themselves into groups that came with, and it sort of became a running joke who had 'forest duty' every time.

"You're doing great, Beck! In a month you went from barely being able to make the rocks shift to being able to shake the ground hard enough for people at camp to feel it." Percy grinned, throwing his arm around her shoulders as they walked back to camp after another session.

"I still have to focus on keeping the ground together when I do it." Beck shook her head. "It's so hard not to just let everything loose and see what happens."

"I know, but you'll get the hang of it. It's just a matter of practice."

She sighed, shaking her head. "I know. Practice, practice, practice."

"All the time." Percy grinned, tugging her braid. She shoved him.

Michael was waiting at the edge of the forest. Percy flipped him a joking, two finger salute, then let go of Beck so she could walk away. She darted over to Michael with a grin and threw her arms around him.

"Hi, Belle."

She frowned a little, taking his hands. "Is something wrong?"

"I just... I need to talk to you." Michael shrugged. 

Beck raised her eyebrows. "Okay... sand volleyball courts?"

That had become their spot to discuss more serious things, or to just sit quietly. With so many campers having left for school and other out of camp activities, it was much quieter, and there usually weren't any people there.

Michael nodded. "Good idea."

She squeezed his hand as they began to walk, staying quiet. Whatever was on Michael's mind, he probably wouldn't say anything until they were there, and she wasn't going to push it or pressure him to talk before he was ready.

They ended up sitting at the edge of one of the volleyball courts. Michael absentmindedly scooped a handful of sand and began to push it around on his palm with his fingertip.

Beck sat quietly and looked at him, waiting.

"I think... have you thought about what you're doing? Once we can't stay here anymore?"

"What do you mean?" She tilted her head.

Michael pushed a mound to his fingertip. "It's really rare for demigods to be in camp after the age of eighteen, whether they've died somewhere or they feel like they can make it on their own in the world... It's sort of become an unspoken rule that once we turn eighteen, we need to make our own way."

"Well that would have been nice to know." She crossed her arms. "How come no one tells us that?"

He shrugged. "Probably because it's so rare for a demigod to make it to eighteen... I'll be there next year though."

"So you're trying to figure out what to do?"

"Yeah... I think I want to go into the military."

Beck sat up straighter, raising her eyebrows. "The military?"

"Yes. I've got my dad's natural aim, a slightly higher than average tolerance of the elements, and a killer instinct that a lot of kids who go into the military get ruined by when they first see combat." Michael took a deep breath. "I figure, if I do it, I can keep some kids from getting their lives ruined. I just didn't know how to talk to you about it before now."

"Why?"

"Well I had no clue how you were going to react. I didn't want to make you upset."

Beck shrugged. "Michael, you've got solid reasoning, a lot of good arguments."

"You're not mad?" He looked up.

"Well, I am a little bit. Obviously I don't want to lose you. I love you a lot. But it could be a really good idea, and you could probably save a lot of lives with your healing skill too."

"I'm not that good." Michael laughed a little, smiling and shrugging. "I only know a bit of what Will does."

"Well you've been focused on other stuff. You're still pretty talented." Beck reached over and gently brushed the sand out of Michael's hand, taking it and holding their hands up so Michael could see them. "We're in this together at the end of the day, Michael. You know that. And we can do this. If you think it's the right choice, go for it, I'll support you."

"Thanks, Belle."