Treacherous

Chapter 8: Ashes

Six days.

In my opinion, six days is the time that it takes for a person to completely lose their mind.

Coincidentally or not, that was exactly the number of days I have been staying at Camp Half Blood.

Because insanity was the only explanation I could find to justify the fact that I have been sitting on the ground of the archery range for the past twenty eight minutes, watching the sunrise.

James was twenty eight minutes late. I felt incredibly stupid, sitting there alone and waiting for him. What was I thinking? I wanted to help him learn, but it was only the third day of lessons and he could not bother himself in actually coming. I was angry at myself for believing in him. I was angry for not being able to stop thinking about that nightmare and the memories it brought along.

I tried to look away from my grandmother's severe stare that used to make me feel so small, and saw Albert's smile when he walked towards us and asked to have the next dance with me. "Excuse us, Lady Lancaster."and he took my hand and walked me away from her. "How you are liking your first ball, Miss Lancaster?"

"I am terrified." I confessed, and we both laughed.

Twenty nine.

"Oh, hello Bertie. I... I thought  we did not have any lessons for today."

"I am not here for a lesson, Adelaide. I am here to talk to your father." I looked at him, confused. He shook his head, his expression was unusually serious. "You will know when the time is right."

Thirty three.

"I cannot marry him, Kitty, could you just try to understand me?"

"Addie, we grew up together, the three of us. It's perfect! I wish I had found a husband so quickly."

"It has been only a week since the ball." I remarked.

"And?" she countered. "What can we expect of life aside from being a wife and a mother? It's a woman's purpose, Addie. Denying it or trying to fight with your destiny does not do you any good, you know. Now." She puts the embroidery work aside. "Have you decided on the dress? I think blue ribbons will look so beautiful..."

Thirty seven.

I looked around my room for the last time; the earrings that he sent me still untouched, the wedding dress filled with pins and needles for our next fitting session. And I made my decision. "Miss, the guests are starting to arrive." a voice came from behind my door.

"Thank you. Could you tell my father I am going outside for a bit? I need some fresh air."

Forty six minutes late. Feeling like an absolute fool, I looked at the sky once more, still tinted in tones of orange and pink.

And walked out of the archery range.

But the thing is, I have no idea where to go now. It was still too early, because cabin inspections and breakfast did not happen until a few hours after sunrise. I could go to arts and crafts, perhaps, but drawing is nearly impossible when I am anxious as I am right now. I remember seeing a piano there, but... well, it has been a long time since I last played.

Gods, I miss just setting our camps in the woods after hours of hunting with my friends. I feel so dislocated here.

Quietly, I walked back to the cabins area and I sat on the entrance step of cabin 8, bored to death.

"Mae." Irene's voice called. She steps out of the cabin, still in sweatpants and with her blonde curls spread like her head never left the pillow. My friend does not bother in pointing the fact she woke up earlier than everyone and I was already out of bed; they are all used with my uncommon sleeping (or not sleeping) habits.