Suspected Terrorists

《29》

Reyna

I picked up the receiver and placed it to my ear, listening to the low buzzing sound. Then I placed the coins into the machine and punched in the digits. The phone began to ring.

"Hey," he greeted after picking up.

"Hey, it's me," I told him.

"Rey! Finally! I was wondering when you'd call. Your plane landed two hours ago."

I rolled my eyes and leant back against the glass panel. I twirled the phone cord with my finger as I spoke. "I stopped for lunch. Why? You missed me?"

"Every second," he replied instantly and in a most serious tone.

My cheeks flushed a little red. "So, I wanted to let you know I got back safe. And that..." my voice quietened to an embarrassed whisper. "...I am already missing you."

"What was that?" He asked smugly. "I couldn't quite hear."

"Oh shut up," I ordered with a laugh. We talked for a while about when he would come to visit and if I would ever introduce him to my family.

"...No way! They're too embarrassing to be around. Plus, I might never hear the end of it."

"Okay then love," he sighed. "I'll wait till you're ready."

I smiled at his sincerity. "I better go," I told him, "the call is about to be disconnected." My smile dropped. It was as if I was leaving him all over again.

"Don't fret. I'll see you very soon, okay?"

"Yeah."

"Love you Rey."

"I love y-"

Your call has been disconnected. To continue your call, please insert...

I hung the phone back on it's stand. "...ou too."

I sighed and began the short walk back to Camp Jupiter. I glanced at the tall buildings as I made my way from street to street. It was a strange sight after four months of golden sun and smooth sand beaches and an endless view of a crystal ocean. The city felt so grey and cold. The air was thick with pollution, not salt. The streets filled with people carrying handbags and briefcases, not mojitos and beach towels.

However, as sad as I was that my vacation was coming to an end, I longed to see my camp. I missed watching the cohorts marching in an organised formation to play war games. I missed my pegasus, Porkpie and his comforting muzzles. I missed the beautiful city if New Rome and the delicate scent of hot chocolate. I missed my calm hours at the garden of Bacchus. But most of all, I missed my family. Hylla, though my only blood relative, was not the only member of my family. There was my little brother Nico, my annoying cousins: Percy, Leo and Jason, my sisters: Annabeth, Piper and Hazel and my shy, older brother: Frank.

Though I could never admit it to them, they were as close as family, and they meant so much to me. All of my campers meant the world to me. Which is why, when I saw no guards posted outside the tunnel entrance, I sprinted into camp, my suitcase flying wildly beside me. There were always legionnaires outside the tunnel. Where were they?

I quicker my pace and burst out of the tunnel. I leapt over the river Tiber and looked up. I dropped my case in shock.

Camp Jupiter was destroyed.

My eyes welled up with tears. The ground was covered with ash and remnants of the cohorts. I looked to New Rome, thankful to see it intact, even if it was smouldering. Leaving my case in the soot, I ran toward it. As I approached, I could see campers. I ran to the nearest one and tapped her on the shoulder. She spun round and I instantly recognised her.

"Reyna!" She cried cheerfully. "You're back!" She gave me a quick hug then released me.

"Gwen. What...what happened? What happened to the camp?" I asked, my voice straining as I held myself from having a mental breakdown.

Gwen looked down guiltily. "Camp was attacked this morning. By hundreds of giant basilisks. They burned down the entirety of the camp."

Although I was afraid of the answer, it was my duty to ask, "Were...there any...losses?"

She smiled reassuringly. "No. Thanks to Praetor Frank, we managed to escape the camp with no deaths and a few bites."

My temporary relief was pushed aside by newfound worry. "But the poison..."

"Will Solace from Camp Half-blood healed the bite victims back to health."

I sighed with relief. "How is New Rome?"

"Thanks to Percy, almost untouched. There were a few fires but everything is under control. Percy..." to my confusion, she gulped, as if she were reliving an alarming memory. "...He took care of the basilisks."

"By himself?!"

"Mostly," she confirmed, with a fearful look on her face.

How would one demigod destroy over a hundred giant basilisks? I know he's powerful...but...how powerful is he really? I asked myself.

"Where is my fellow praetor?" I questioned.

"He and Hazel went with the Greeks back to their camp so they could get a prophecy."

I nodded, then formulated my plan for the rest of the fleeting day. 1. Check up on the demigods. 2. Get a message to Frank. 3. Touch base with Annabeth. If anyone could explain what's going on it's her.
4. Reluctantly tell Piper all about my holiday to Pointe beach.

《<>》

Sorry it's so late guys. Not much of an excuse but I was distracted watching She-Ra.

This chapter isn't that great but...eh.

Sorry again for lateness, I'll strive to do better.

~Gingerbreadhalfblood