Stolen (A Percy Jackson Love Story)

5. Let's talk

I once again shot out of my dreams as I bolt upright, sweating like a mad man. Nightmares have always meet me when I close my eyes as I drift off to sleep these past few weeks. I looked around and I was tangled with my sleeping bag, other campers were still asleep. From the windows, I could see the sky was still dark but it didn't matter to me if I needed to take a stroll to get the flashes from the nightmare out of my mind. I stood up slowly, knowing the floor would creak and that could wake the campers here. Most of them have sensitive ears, according to their genetics with their 'godly father'.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead and slowly, took baby steps towards the door which was not very far away. I slowly creaked the door open and slipped outside, shutting the door behind my back. No camper was in sight and the place looked empty without people crowing the area. I walked down the porch and hugged my self, my arms wrapping my chest so I could prevent the coldness from the morning night to enter my body. I walked around, my head full of things that I couldn't even take in.

Maybe I am the Hermes child after all. I mean, I have tried to steal a lot of things from the past and I head that oxes represent Hermes. Maybe, he is the man in- No, snap it out Clary. This is crazy. I am not believing in any of that nonsense. All nonsense. I can't even believe that I almost fell for it. Maybe, this isn't a prank, maybe this is a place for people who have something to bother their sanity. But something about Sally bringing me here made me feel as if this was the right place I should be in and the safest place. But Henry must have called the cops again-

My feet stopped at a halt as I came in sight of the pavilion. A glimpse of a guy with black hair and in his pajamas was sitting at a bench. I was not sure which cabin that bench represented but he must have had a lot of cocoa last night to wake up this early. Or did he have that nightmare too?

"Hello?" I said but my voice croaked and he did not turn around since my voice was too small. "Hey!"

He quickly turned around, alarmed. I couldn't see his face clearly but from what I see, I could make out that he is actually Jackson, Percy. I didn't have any interest in him and he didn't reply back so maybe I should just-

"Hey," he said in a numb voice.

"Oh, hey," I said as I was about to walk away. "Sun hasn't risen yet so I'm just going to-"

"Wait, no. Stay," he said.

"Why?"

"Oh, never mind. It's okay if you don't want."

I hesitated. "Fine. Not because you make me feel guilty anyways." I walked towards the table and sat on the opposite side, eying the hot drink in his hands. The smell gave ripples of goosebumps on me.

"So, why are you up so early?" he said as he took a sip.

"Bad dream. You?"

"Trust me, yo wouldn't want to know."

"Why not?" I keep secrets. Very well.

"Because you don't have to!" It was the first time his voice had risen at me and I couldn't help hating him at the moment. "You enjoying yourself here?"

"Kind of, but no if you put this in your perspective."

"I am sorry, got a bad day," he said simply.

"It's fine. I have always been known for being the troller in my class," I laughed.

He chuckled. "Thank the gods, I thought I was the only one who noticed."

I punched his shoulder. "I am not that bad, okay?"

"Whatever you say," he laughs. "Tell me about yourself."

"Like-?" I placed both of my hands on the table, interested though I tried not to look that obvious.

"Like your place, date of birth and you know those basic stuff right?"

"Okay, okay," I grinned. "I'm from Manhattan and I am born at September 21st."

"I am older. Yay," he said in a rather indifferent tone of voice. "Go on."

"I live in an apartment with my uncle-" OH SAP! STUPID STUPID- It's like what, 5 o'clock in the morning and not one person is awake. Don't count Percy in though, he ain't human. I should have escaped when I had the  chance and-

"The exit's right over there by the way," he pointed behind him as the arch stood firmly to the ground.

"Wait, how do- I said that out loud didn't I?" I said as I could feel the heat engraving into my cheeks.

"You said that out loud," his voice low and unsteady. "I know how it feels to not believe that greek stuff isn't true. But when you stay for a while, you will accept that it's the truth. This may not help you but that would be the best advice I would give to me last year."

He was right. That advice didn't help at all. But I decided to ... stay. He made me feel comfortable again, that comfort and warmth that Henry used to give me was similar to his. "You can have this," he pushed his mug towards me. It was still full. "I didn't really drink it yet. Did it because you were cold and I thought that would have envied you."

"Thanks a lot, Jackson," I took it and let my hands thaw itself as the skin touched the ceramic. "Tell me about yourself."

"Okay then," I could see him grinning even though we were in the dimmed light. The dark was slowly being swallowed up by the light and the heat returning slowly. "My name is Percy Jackson, not Peter Johnson." His eyes darted at the Big House but soon to meet mine. I just realized he had been staring at his hands when I got here but him looking at me, made me feel as if it was the right thing to do; to stay and listen to his voice. "My birthday's on the 18th of August, basically being older than most of you newbies here."

"Har-har, Peter. Har-har."

"Seriously, sometimes you remind me of Mr. D after all," he laughed. "Moving on, I am also from Manhattan and I used to live with my mother at an apartment. I had a fun year last year and I am the son of-"

I coughed abruptly as I put the mug down, the hot liquid drowning into my throat. "Sorry, go on."

"Wait, you want to train later? At the arena?"

"As in, sword fighting?" I have never been a fan of nearing a blade after watching Henry going to the hospital when he cut his finger off when he minced the chicken for supper last Thanksgiving.

"Yeah, if you want. For a headstart, squirt."

"Yeah, okay. Whatever," I said.

Basically, after that, we started to chat more. Getting to know ourselves. He was a person who I was very comfortable talking to right now after Annabeth but that was all.

"Hey, maybe I should go. We have been talking for what seemed ages!" I laughed.

"Okay, fine. Good night-"

"G'morning, Peter," I grinned and left for the cabin. He was kind of cool though. I entered my cabin and everybody was still asleep. It was around half past six so I decided to sleep. But when my face hit the pillow, I was awake because the sky was. I laid down and covered myself from the cold. I couldn't help but think about what life was going to be if I just stayed here. Who my parents were for some reasons and what Henry would feel. Was this a real camp after all? And lastly,

Percy.