When Pigs Fly | Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Chapter 4

A change came over Travis during the next few days. The light in his eyes was gone, replaced by determination. He hadn't stolen anything, and he was focused more on battle strategies than pranking. He said that it was time to get serious; Percy's birthday was in less than eighty four hours, and they needed all the preparation they could get.

Travis wasn't the only one acting out of the ordinary though. Percy had disappeared somewhere, but Juniper had said that he was safe. Apparently Nico di Angelo had something to do with it. That kid may only be twelve, but he freaked Katie out. And she wasn't the only one, either. Annabeth was stressing out big time– writing out strategies and talking to herself. That didn't help anyone's mood.

It wasn't like him. Normally, Travis would be making jokes about how everyone was going to die and that they were going to kick Luke's ass. But not this time. His expression was permanently blank and he never laughed.

Katie knew it was her fault. She shouldn't have said those things to him, especially when he was trying to apologise. But she quickly dismissed those thoughts; they hate each other. She should hold no responsibility over his state of being.

Every time Katie walked past him, she wold give Travis a small, guilty, apologetic smile. He wouldn't talk to her though. The only response she got was a look of wistful longing, which confused her even more.

Katie was sitting once again in her strawberry fields. She had a perfect view of the entire camp and was currently watching the Ares and Apollo kids fight. Again.

Can't they just give it a rest already? Katie thought, we're on the brink of war!

Katie could see the rest of the campers, including her siblings, training in the arena or on the lava wall. She was the only one who wasn't. She had scheduled a practice with Annabeth later that day, but she really should have been doing something to help out.

But no, Katie was just sitting there, watching. But a particular figure caught her eye. Travis Stoll was battling, in full combat, with Michael Yew. Katie had never seen such determination in his eyes. A fiery passion burned through his soul, evident in his powerful blows.

In under a minute of fierce battle, Michael's sword was flung across the arena and he lay there on the dirt floor, drenched in sweat. The others who were training had stopped their fights to watch the duo. Travis's blade was to Michael's chest, his eyes glazed with an emotion that Katie had often seen on his face. Katie was very good at reading people, but she could not comprehend what it was.

Michael's eyes were widened in fear; no one had ever seen Travis fight so boldly before. Growling, Travis threw down his sword and it hit the ground with a clatter. He stormed away from Michael's panting form and shot glares at anyone that got in his way.

Connor pulled Michael to his feet, clapped him on the back and ran after his brother, who gave him a glare that was the reason for the phrase 'if looks could kill'.

Katie got up from her crooked sitting pose and silently scampered down the hill to where Connor and Travis were standing. She willed the plants to grow around her. She couldn't see them, but that meant that the two brothers couldn't see her. Although, they were so involved in their conversation that she doubted they would spot her if she ran out in front of them wearing a yellow polka-dot bikini with a tea-cosy on her head dancing to the hokey pokey.

"Come on man, you need to lighten up a bit. The whole camp is worried about you." That was Connor's voice. Katie could tell because it was so much younger than Travis's. And so much less adorable,Katie thought.

She frowned at her own thought and shook her head, dismissing any doubt. She turned her attention back to Connor and Travis.

"All camp except one. She isn't worried," Travis said, his voice dripping with hurt. "Why would she care?"

Katie didn't know who 'she' was, but she suddenly felt something strange pang in her chest, a pang that she later found out was jealousy.

"You know she cares Travis," Connor said. "Only an idiot wouldn't be able to see it."

"I must be an idiot then," Travis said, his voice getting softer.

They must be getting closer to the cabins, Katie thought. She crept behind them, peeking through the cracks in the vines surrounding her.

"Look, Travis, I'm your brother. It's my job to look after you, and all I can tell you now is to forget about her. Mulling over it isn't going to make anything any better. Move on and focus on something else. Like preparing for the war!"

Travis was silent for a long time, and Katie wondered if they had moved away, but she wasn't disappointed, because she heard Travis sigh. When he spoke, his voice was oddly quiet.

"I don't want to forget her," Travis whispered in an almost inaudible voice, "I don't want to move on. This hurts, but she means too much to just…" he trailed off, searching for the right word. "She means too much to just let go. There were two ropes that I could climb to get to her, and I chose the barbed one. I could have chosen the one without barbs, but I chose the hard way. I want to hang on as long as possible, even if it means that my hands bleed."

"Are you sure dude? I mean, you seem really depressed. And I don't want you to risk your life in this war if you're not able to defend yourself because you're like this. You're my only family now, and I don't want to lose you."

"I'm sure. I'll never forgive myself if I let her go," was Travis's soft reply. Then, the aura around him changed and he said, as if nothing had happened, "Well, if you could excuse me, Malcolm and I have some strategizing to do."

Travis marched off toward the Athena Cabin, where Malcolm opened the door and ushered him in.

At this point, Katie felt a rush of different emotions swell through her body.

Hate – she absolutely resented the girl that made Travis feel like this. How could she not know how Travis felt? Katie made a mental note to kill that girl as soon as she found out who she was.

Fear – how long could Travis last like this? Katie was worried about him, something she never thought that she was even capable of.

Hurt – wait. Why was she feeling hurt? A little voice in the back of her mind told her that she didn't even need to ask. 'You care about him and you know it.' Katie frowned and whispered "Curse you Aphrodite!"

But Katie knew that it wasn't Aphrodite talking. She also knew that she wanted the real Travis back.

Connor looked away from his brother and sighed. Katie strained her ears so she could hear what he was saying.

"Poor, poor Travis," whispered Connor, shaking his head. "If only she knew."

Hey everyone! 

I really hope you're enjoying this story so if you do, feel free to vote or drop a comment.

I am actually writing an original fiction story at the moment (it's definitely a romance story) called A Journey Through Life. So I'd really appreciate it if you'd go and check that out :) Here's the summary if you're interested.

Emily Hadford is a completely (relatively) normal person. Her friends are also (relatively) normal people. Join Emily and her friends as they make their journey through life, from high school and beyond.They have their ups and downs, their highs and lows and the not-so-occasional awkward moment that everyone seriously wants to forget. I mean seriously, who wants to come home to see your flatmate making out with her best friend?

Okay enough with the self promotion. But seriously, if you could take a look at it, that would really mean a lot.