New life

“Wake up! Wake up, Stef! Wake up!” Someone was shaking me “Wake up, Stef!”

I was screaming. I felt the pain on my cheek. But, as l opened my eyes, the pain was gone. I saw Percy. Shirtless Percy who was only in his green underwear.

“Hey” Percy hugged me. I felt his muscles. Damn it! “Are you okay?”
“Pers...” I whispered “Do l have something on my cheek?”
“No, Stef...” his fingers touched my cheek “Everything is...as it has to be... You had a nightmare?” I nodded “Oh... I woke up as you suddenly screamed. I was so frightened...”

It is so great to be near someone who cares about you, who wants to help you, who supports you. I was glad that this mad fate sent me Percy. If he wasn't here, l would go insane... Thank you, Percy... I know you can't hear my thoughts, but... Thank you...

“You knew that every demigod has nightmares?” Percy asked.
“That's awful...” I tried to smile. Good try, Stef! “That mean that tonight you had a nightmare, too?”
“Yes...” Percy paused “It was about Tartarus...”
“But ...Did you screamed?”
“No. I always wake up in the middle of the night and go to the sea or, if Annabeth is near me, l just cuddle her and asleep... What was your nightmare about?”
“Oh... Um... It was stupid” I didn't want to talk about that.
“Okay, l see you don't want to pass through all that feelings... Just let me know, if you need help... If you need someone near you...” Percy looked in my eyes to know exactly my feelings “Okay?”
“Okay, Pers... I will...” It was all l said, but Percy understood more.
“You know” Percy said after a few minutes “It is actually 5 am. You'll need some energy for today...”
“Okay.”
“Um, if you want, you can lie next to me...” He said this as he wasn't sure if it was right.
“Um” I glanced at him and smiled “Okay... If l have another nightmare, you'll wake me up, you'll help me and take from that horrible place and fearful man.”

We lied on Percy's huge bed and felt asleep.

“What the hell?!”

Yes... This scream made me wake up. Great! I've opened my eyes and turned around to see who screamed. And guess who was it? It was Annabeth! Great! Now she thinks that l've stolen her boyfriend.

“Hello, Annabeth” Percy said gently and kissed her.
“Percy, um...” Annabeth glanced at me.
“Ah... Annabeth...” Percy looked at me.

Yeah... I understood how she felt. She'd woken up and went to say "Good morning, my dear!" (or something in that style) to her boyfriend. When she came in her boyfriend's cabin, she saw him and a new girl lying on the bed together and close to each other. It was obvious that she was in anger. If l were on her place, l would kill everybody around me. But, l think, she was sure in Percy's feelings. She just didn't know what to think about the whole situation.

“Yesterday l went to find Stef. I found her unable to talk, Ann. So, we spent in the woods some time speaking and listening to the silence. But then l understood she'd fallen asleep. She was so tired of all of this ... So, l decided to carry her to my house. I don't know why... Maybe l knew that in her cabin Jason and Piper were... Or maybe l was worried about her and wanted to look after her just, you know, in case... And it was! I woke up in the night because she was screaming. She had nightmare, Annabeth... If l wasn't there, if l didn't make her wake up, l don't know what would happen...” Percy paused “And then l offered her to sleep near me, so that she knew that there is me near her, that she didn't have to worry... And we slept well, until you rushed in my cabin...”
“Oh, Seaweed brain!” Annabeth rolled her eyes “You forgot you said that it is my cabin, too, and l can come whenever l want. Remember?”
“Um, yes...” Percy kissed Annabeth.
“Um, maybe l have to go away?” I said.
“Um” Annabeth became red while Percy wasn't at all confused “I think you need some clothes and other things... I guess, l'll go and take it for you...”
“Oh, did you see her? She was like a tomato!” I said when she went outside
“Yep! Annabeth doesn't like to talk about this, you know...” Percy smiled and went to the bathroom.

I was alone in cabin number 3. It was pretty nice in there. The walls were blue decorated with some sea thingummies and with a huge painting of the storm. The ceiling was white as the floor. I was sitting on the bed and watching the sea which l could see from the window on the opposite wall. I imagined how is it to wake up every day and listen to dimensional rolling waves, how it feels to breath in clean salty air... l got up and went towards a low wardrobe where the photos were. I saw many photos and selfies of Percy and Annabeth kissing, smiling and enjoying their time. Also there were snapshots of Percy and the seven and with his mom.

“I just keep them close to me...” Pers said watching me looking at his photos as he went out from the bathroom “You know, these memories are very important to me...”
“Of course!” I laughed “And, l guess, the most meaningful is this one...” I showed him a photo of Annabeth smiling at the camera.
“Laugh, laugh!” Pers took the photo “I'll look at you when you'll have a boyfriend...” Percy paused “I guess this time is close...”

I glanced at him. He was laughing. I pushed him gently in the ribs.

“Hahaha!” I mimicked “You know what?”
“Yes...?”
“The most meaningful photo will be from your marriage! Or of Annabeth holding your children just born!”
“Yes... I guess...” Percy said slowly like he was imagining in his head these future pictures. I planned to somehow touch his feelings, but l only got his thinking about it seriously.
“Here are your clothes” Annabeth went in holding the pile of clothes “Your Aphrodite’s blessing will be on you for about two-three days. So, l guess you can't run from it.”
“Okay.”
“Stef, remember that this” Pers gestured at the cabin “is now your home. Don't worry and don't feel uncomfortable. The bathroom is in your disposal as well as my cabin.”
“Thanks, Pers. Thanks you, too, Annabeth” I said and went to take shower.
“Pers?” I heard Annabeth's voice “Should l worry about something?” She asked coquettishly.
“No, my dear” Percy said and they both went outside the cabin.

I stood under the warm shower. You know l really like standing like this and just thinking about something. The shower is like a place of thoughts and discovers. Always my mind is up to some ideas that l want to do... But l don't want to think right now. I just want to turn off the whole head. I wish l could do it.

But, of course, my head can't leave me alone! So, my mind was slowly blowing up with hundreds of thoughts: "Who was that man? With golden hair... Why did he want to take my fear? I don't understand... And what was about Percy, Stef?! What the hell was that?! Maybe it was all because of yesterday's incident? Yes, l think... No! How?! How is that possible? How could you let someone boy get in your head?... Pers... Stop! I don't know what to feel! I'm... And Charlie... He kissed me...! Shit! What the hell! But, l guess, l need to worry about that man... I have no ideas! But l can't give up... Zeus... It was my...father... I saw him... I saw my true father... How did you feel, Stef? I felt nothing. I don't know what to feel. I know nothing about him except he's the most powerful god in the Olympus... I have nothing! Great! As usual! But l think you'll do it, Stef."

As l was thinking l got dressed in jeans and Camp Half-Blood's orange T-shirt. I didn't look in the mirror because l didn't want to see that perfect incredibly beautiful face. I felt like it wasn't mine, like l had operation... It was horrible!

So, l just went outside the cabin. Everybody has already woken up. Thousands of boys and girls went to have some breakfast. As l went outside, l felt everybody looking at me. I looked down.

“Hey!” I heard “Are you alright?”

I raised my head and saw Jason standing near the cabin. His pose was quite relaxed, but l could see that he was thinking about something, that he cared about something, that he was worried about something. And I guess this "something" was me.

“Um, yes. I'm okay” I answered a little bit confused because now l knew he was my brother.
“Great” He was also confused “So, um, you know that now...” He didn't finish.
“Let's speak about it later, okay? I'm just... I don't want, okay?”
“Okay, sure. So, um, do you wanna eat?”
“Yes”

So, we went to the pavilion where l had to seat with Jason. I looked at him. He's my brother... I have a brother... Brother... Brr... No, l won't accept it! I can't accept it! How is that possible? How on earth that could happen? Don't know. Ughr! I hate that ignorance! But what do we have in common? I guess, only blonde hair and blue eyes. And that's all! How can he be my brother?! My mind refuses to understand it and to accept that Zeus is a lecher...

As l was thinking about me and my brother (Brr!...), l finished eating a blue cake that Percy advised.

“So, Stef” Percy came towards me “I guess you need to start practicing... l and Jason will be your teachers.”
“I guess tomorrow l won't be able to walk properly...”
“Or maybe today” Percy smiled.

Firstly, we went to choose me a sword. You know it's a really hard choice for a girl, who know nothing about battles, swords and fencing. I saw hundreds of swords, daggers, knives and other demigods' thingummies. My eyes ran from the seen beauty, elegance and a combination of aggression, glory and convenience. But l felt that none of these things suits me. I didn't know how l understood it, but that was it.

“I don't like these swords, knives and etcetera” I said.
“Hm...” Pers took a deep breath. He was tired because of me, who couldn't choose something. Happily, Jason wasn't with us.
“Um, Pers...” I remembered “Um, where is that sword with what l fought with Jason? I put it somewhere inside the arena where l took it for the first time. Can we go there?”
“Of course. We had to go there by the way because there will be your first training” He smiled slyly.

As we entered the arena, l saw demigods fighting with each other. Some fights were friendly, others were cruel. I had the feeling that I was on the battlefield, where there was only one rule "not to kill your opponent, otherwise you won't carry your head that the divine parent will cut down.

I went through the whole arena trying not to touch demigods and not to be touched by them. It was rather difficult, because everybody was moving and jostling.

Finally, l reached the other exit and found there that sword lying on the ground. I took it. The sword was made of steel. The hilt was decorated with silver ribbon. The blade itself with drawn on it lines resembled lightning, ready to break out of the blade that deterrent its power. I looked closer and I noticed some signs on the blade. But then l understood that it weren't signs, it were ancient Greek letters: A.D.S.

“I think l have never seen this sword before...” Percy said. He made the way through the battlefield with me, so, now he was standing beside me looking at the sword.
“I really like it” I said with the delight.
“Um, l guess you can take it. So” Percy looked at me “My congrats! You've chosen your sword. Finally!”
“Hey!” I smiled “I think you're able to wait until l choose my sword, because than you'll have your revenge torturing me.”
“Hm...” Percy made a pensive face “I guess, you're absolutely true!”

We went outside the arena and started training. Percy taught me some techniques. And how to say it more decently what l felt after five hours of hardcore training with Percy?... I. Didn't. Have. A. Place. On. My. Body. That. Wasn't. Whining. Damn it! The whole body was like in the agony! I couldn't feel my legs and arms. They were burning with unseen fire! I couldn't walk properly! Damn you, Pers! I thought he was kidding! But, of course, not! I was exhausted after hours of fencing! I hate this freaking damn demigod training! Hate it!

During the training Percy told me stories about him and the other. It was fun to take a brake laughing. But after five hours even Percy was tired, so, he offered me to go swimming. I agreed.

We were standing in the water like in my nightmare. But l was still l. I saw how Percy was healed by water. It was really cool, l thought and decided to share my thought.

“Pers, that's just amazing how you control water!”
“Um, thank you.”
“l wish l controlled water, too. I could kill monsters with my only look at them!”
“Maybe you could. But l think you'll be amused by your powers, too. Didn't Zeus tell you something about it?”
“Um...” I didn't want to remember my nightmare, but it was necessary “He said that my power is air. That's all. So clear!”
“Yeah...” Percy made little wave “I guess tomorrow Jason will help you with your powers.”
“Let's hope so... I can't wait to know it!”

After the little conversation we had been swimming for l-don't-know-how-many hours. But it was really interesting to see how Percy playing with water. He offered me to dive under the water where he could do an air bubble. Firstly, l was terrified. But finally l agreed. We dived and stayed under the water for a long time watching fish and other sea creatures swimming around us.

We had a great time with each other. But every time l looked at Percy, l noticed him looking at me, too. And when l noticed him looking he turned his head into the other direction. I didn't know what that meant. I just enjoyed my time with Percy.

After swimming l decided to phone Charlie. Yeah... I didn't how he would answer me, l didn't know his reaction, his thoughts about all this. I just wanted to let him know that everything is fine(actually, above "fine"), that he didn't need to worry about me, that l's in the camp for demigods. Yes, l wanted to let him know everything.

I took Annabeth's telephone and phoned Charlie. A number of beeps sounded on the phone. C'mon. Charlie! Pick up your phone!

“Stef, where the hell are you?!” it was the first thing that Charlie screamed.
“Charlie, I'm alr...”
“No! I've asked you. Where. Are. You!?”
“Charlie, calm down. I'm at camp. Remember the camp for special people? So, l'm here.”
“No... Yes... I don't know... I woke up in the morning and you're gone. Yeah, l know we decided so, but you've left your phone! And you just couldn't forget about your lovely telephone... Oh, my gosh! I didn't know what to think, Stef! I was then so worried about you” His voice by the end of the speech softened.
“Um, Charlie... I need to tell you something...” I started. I recalled that Piper told Carlie that morning. That morning... It was so long ago... “Um, Charlie. Listen to me... Please, remember that morning. Do such names as Percy, or Annabeth, or Jason, Piper, Leo, Hazel or Frank mean something to you?”
“Um, l guess yes.... But l can't remember exactly where l heard them...”
“Then, Charlie, you have to believe me. I'm in the camp for special people... You know, for demigods... Whose parents or just one parent is a god. A Greek god... Do you understand me? Charlie? Are you here?”
“Um, Stef, l don't know what you are talking about...”
“Charlie, Greek gods are real.”
“Really?” He paused. I heard sarcasm in his voice “And you think l should believe you?” He paused “Okay, Stef. I don't know how else to react on this...”
“Charlie, just believe me. When l'll be home, l'll show you something...”
“But when will you be at home?”
“I don't really know... Maybe two-three months...” I said and was ready to hear the scream. But Charlie didn't say anything.
“Stef, l don't know what you're up to... And l don't really like it” He said sighingly,-I have to lie your parents... I've already lied them... But you say l have to believe you... So, l guess l have to...”
“Charlie, please... Why don't you believe me?”
“Because it's a crap, Stefania! What are you telling me?! That l have to believe that Greek gods are reall! Nonsense!” He tried to hold him back “Stef... I will lie to your parents, but when you'll be back, it will be you who disentangle this mess... Goodbye, Stefania...”
“Charlie, wait!” I screamed but Charlie'd already disconnected.

I looked down. Charlie didn't believed me... Of course... How stupid l was! I didn't believe at first, too... I...l... I thought Charlie would help me in this world, but he wasn't a part of this unbelievable world...

“He didn't believe” Percy said, not asked. During the whole my conversation with Carlie he was taking a shower. So, he'd just gone out of the bathroom and saw me standing in the middle of the cabin's room.
“Yes, he didn't...” I said. Some feeling tore me up inside.
“Hey” Percy lifted my head chin to meet my eyes “You'll tell him everything later. Don't worry. He will believe in what he will see. Hey, Stef... Calm down. Or l'll call your boyfriend and tell him that his girl is crying because of him. I swear l will” Pers smiled.
“No, don't do it. I'm alright” Actually l wasn't. I was ready to burst with tears.
“Oh, l see. You've just accepted that he's your boyfriend! Wow!” Percy laughed and l burst with gelasmus “Shhh! I... I'm sorry, Stef. I swear l won't make jokes anymore, because every time l do this, you cry.”
“No, no...” l wiped the tears “I guess it's time for the dinner.”

Actually, l was starving and l thought the food would numb the pain... I tried to keep up the ball with Jason asking about his day and answering about mine. Actually, l found out that Jason was rather an interesting person.

After eating we went to bring food to the gods. As it was my turn, l spoke to Zeus: "Um, Zeus... Um, hello! Thank you for the sword. I know it's your present... Thank you very much. I really like it... But... I don't know whether you can make my wish come true... But l wish Charlie believed me... I just... Um... I guess that's all... Thanks. Bye!"

After this l went to Percy's cabin where Pers and l decided l would stay for a little while. We laid together on the bed and fell asleep...

Notes

Thank God and my Muse! l`ve written this chapter!
Like it or not? What do you think?
And still what are your favourite songs?