By Your Hand

I had trouble keeping my footing as it was, but since it had decided to pour down rain today, it made the hills even slipperier and muddier.

“Crap.” I muttered, landing on my butt and effectively getting mud everywhere. “Whatever happened to being the daughter of the goddess of luck?” I complained.

I eventually reached the huge, brightly lit campfire circle, still trying to get the mud and dirt off.

“What happened to you?” A soft laugh whispered over my shoulder.

“You are aware that you’re in your spirit form right now, Illiana, and I can’t really talk to you
without making the ENTIRE camp think I’m crazy...or at least, crazier.” I muttered under my breath, trying to find a seat in the crowded area.

“You’re no fun.” She giggled. I felt a whoosh of air slide past me, then a light hand touch my shoulder.

“Better?” She asked, her silver hair glowing in the moonlight.

“Better.” I smiled.

“So what happened to you?” She asked again.

“I just fell, that’s all.” I began climbing the wooden bleachers until I found an open spot with no-one else around.

“Aiden wasn’t messing with you?” She laughed, her silver eyes filled with amusement.

“Not this time, no.” I turned my attention to the campfire, my now wet and scraggly brown hair beginning to dry out.

“CAMPERS!” An annoying voice bellowed out. “ATTENTION PLEASE!”

“I really wish Mr. D would wear something other than leopard print. Pretty soon, the hell-hounds will get hungry.” I whispered in Illiana’s ear. A peal of ringing laughter escaped her mouth, and she clapped a slender hand over it.

“You all might want to meet the newest addition to our camp.” Mr. D. drawled, turning to a boy sitting in the front of the bleachers. “His name i- ”

“My name,” interrupted the boy, “is Jem Casteris, and I’m the son of Athena.” His jagged blonde hair caught the light for a moment, highlighting his face.

“He’s cute!” Illiana squealed in my ear.

“Ya-hum.” I agreed.

“Yes, yes.” Mr. D. waved Jem off, prancing to the middle of the stage. “What I really called you here for was the destruction of the training center and the mess hall. It was found in a terrible mess, with red stains and handprints everywhere. Whoever did this needs to confess right now, or I shall find you myself and your punishment will be twenty times WORSE.” He threatened. I froze, thinking back to the girl I found in my shower, with blood dripping off her fingers. I swallowed, then raised my hand tentatively.

“YOU THERE.” Mr. D. bellowed, jabbing a finger at me. “Was it YOU?”

“No, sir.” I yelled. “I had a question concerning the stains. Were they red-red, or brown-red?” Please don’t be brown-red, please don’t be brown-red, I prayed.

“Brown-red.” He answered with a confused look. “Why?”

“Oh, no reason sir.” I answered; my voice cracking.

“Why did you ask that?” Illiana hissed in my ear.

“Brown-red is the color that blood dries.” My heart fell into my stomach. The destruction must have been HER.

Notes