I'm Special

Fuck the flag

Chapter 17(Alex's POV)
   Cuddling with a cyclops, is one of the things that one should never try. I lay on the wooden floor,  desperately trying to get the sleeping cyclops of my petite frame. While Percy just watches us with amusement in his eyes.

  "Well?! Don't just sit there, help me!!" I yell at Percy while glowering at him. I response, I get a half-hearted chuckle. I sigh exasperatedly, and wriggle my body from my brother before breathing out a sigh of relief. Before I could turn Percy into a shush kebab, a conch shell is blown. I look out the window and see it isn't dark enough for dinner.

   Probably seeing my confusion, Percy explains to me that we have a capture the flag game. After explaining the rules, Percy takes me to the arena where the teams are chosen by cabin. The Poseidon cabin teams up with the Hermes, Athena and Hades cabin. We all gather together discussing the plan. I try to contribute, but I am quickly shut out. I fold my arms across my chest with a frustrated huff. I look around and realize that Nico isn't here with us. I search for him discreetly, trying not to abandon my team. Then I see a shadow. It moves on the wall, facing right at me. It looks exactly like Nico's figure. It disappears after a few seconds, making me wonder if it was really him.

During my confusion, I failed to listen to the game plan. Originally, I was going ask for it. But then I realized that the only one that wasn't busy was Annabeth.

Is it really worth it? I ask my inner subconscious.

Naah! It answers back.

So I didn't ask. I was given armor that was way too big and heavy for me, but they didn't seem to mind. Soon enough, the trumpet was blown signaling the beginning of the game. And they set me up as a fucking defender. If they didn't notice, I have ADHD too. I can't stand around doing nothing!!

So that's what I did. Or didn't do rather.

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I think I'm lost. I don't know where I am, so I'm definitely lost. And scared too. Let's not forget the fact that I'm scared. And vulnerable. I'm probably not going to survive. I ditched my armor a while back, which was probably not the best idea.

I feel stupid.

It dark and all I know about the game is that we have to get the flag and cross the creek, which is the dividing line.

I turn quickly as I see a shadow passing by me. I shiver and pray to whatever god or goddess above to help me. The creature passes again, and I spot familiar mesmerizing chocolate pools.

"Nico?!" I yell furious. He comes from behind a tree, all emotion void from his face. "What the fuck is wrong with you!! You almost gave me a motherfuking heart attack!!"

He's suddenly in front of me, his one palm covering almost half of my face.
"Shut the hell up!!" He whisper-yells, "we don't need China to know that we're here."

I raise my brows in question, staring pointedly at the tree he was formerly hiding behind. Realizing my line of sight, Nico sighs.

"I was trying to sneak into the enemy base and get the flag. Aren't you supposed to be defending our flag?"

"Fuck that flag! Can I come with you? Pretty pleease!!" I beg using my best puppy dog eyes. I see Nico visibly gulp, as he stares at my lips that are formed in a pout.

"W-what? Sure! Yeah! Okay!" He finally answers for what seems like an eternity. I squeal in happiness and capture him into a bear hug. He doesn't wrap his hands around, he just stands there awkwardly. I squeeze harder to make up for his loss of reaction.

"Let's go!" I whisper, eager to get into the action, when I am grabbed by the back of my shirt. I growl at him signaling him to drop me.

"You can't go out like that!! Have you forgotten that your hair is neon blue, for the sake of the gods!!" He hisses.

"That's the color of my hair, genius. I can't help it." I say sarcastically.

"Shift."

"Huh."

"Did I stutter?" He questions.

"Well, no. I was just wondering who gave you the right to boss me around."

"Just shift or we aren't going anywhere. Choose."

"Fine." I sigh dramatically and proceed with the shift. As soon as I do so, he pets my head causing a sound to come from my muzzle. Stunned by reaction, I back away quickly from Nico.

Soon we're off. It feels good to have the wind whipping past me and the wet soil beneath me. I can see and hear everything about in the darkness of night. It feels so surreal. I catch a scent. I quietly bark at Nico and point to the right direction with my nose.

  I quickly shift back.  Melting into a puddle and back in my normal human self. I turn to the left and see the blue flag.
I go closer and reach for it, when I hear a stray branch breaking under the weight of something. With the corner of my eyes, I see someone with red hair.

"You pathetic little girl. You think you can get away from that stunt you pulled on Monday? Not a chance!"

Clarisse

I turn around ready to bolt when I realize that I'm surrounded. I'm about to yell for Nico, but I see him lying unconscious and tied up. I visibly gulp, Clarisse is going to hurt me.

"Chiron said no maiming, Clarisse. If you hurt me you're in trouble." I say desperately. Clarisse just cackles.

"Oh no! No marshmallows or s'mores then. Boo hoo!" She says in a sarcastic tone. I slowly back away from her, trying to convince her to stop.

   A punch is aimed at my face, but I quickly dodge it. Im about to let out a smile of victory, but my stupid self forgot that I was surrounded. I get pushed to the floor and I let a small squeak of pain. I finally had enough. I breathe heavily as the ground shakes once again.

It's show time.