Behind the Shadows

It was no surprise that Sapphire was not followed. Percy had been lured and trapped by Hermes words. Olivia was just a little girl and probably didn't even take in a single word of what Hermes said. Sapphire was alone, again. She would have to scrap her plan and come up with a new one. This new one was complicated and would be a challenge to get it to work. Her former plan was a good one but it would of ended up with the campers in harms way. This new one was just sitting their shouting at Sapphire to use it. She would have to be strong and put her feeling to the side. If Luke knew what she was just going to use him then he would throw her overboard without a second thought. She was going to make him believe that she was on his side. Once she had him where she needed him she would convince him to leave camp half blood alone. The biggest down side to this plan would be losing everyone at camps trust. They would all think she was against them.
There is no better way to spend a day than being stuck in a hot and cramped bus. The sun glares through the window straight into Sapphires eyes. Apollo clearly knows what she is thinking. Her bag sits on the seat next to her. Its a sorry sight now. All it contains is a few days worth. She could be away for week now. The bus is heading to the closest beach. Families swarm the bus with their buckets and spades. The stench of sun screen is overpowering. Sapphire is lucky to be sitting alone. Kids singing a screaming has left Sapphire's ears ringing. She looks longingly at the headphones on young girl. The perk of being a normal teenager who can afford gadgets like an ipod. Sapphire could barely spare change for her bus ticket.
"Lizzie told me that she has seen the most beautiful cruise ship hanging about near her." A talkative woman talks to her son, who sits next to her in front of Sapphire. "She can see it outside her window. Ah, the luxury of living by the sea. I can't wait to see it today". This was the most interesting thing that Sapphire had eavesdropped on. The woman never stopped speaking and her son never replied. Sapphire flicks through a magazine on her lap and leans forward slightly to hear more. "It has a fancy name too. Oh Marcus, would you pay attention! What did Lizzie say it was called? Prince Adam? No. Princess Andromeda!" Sapphire drops the magazine and gasps before it ends in a coughing fit. She hadn't expected her luck to be this good. She was planing to find a boat out and ask a few sea nymphs for clues. The woman turns in her seat and pears over at Sapphire with a concerned look. Sapphire waves her off and regains herself from coughing
"I'm sorry but did you say the Princess Andromeda?" Sapphire asks. The woman smiles and nods eagerly.
"Yes. Do you know it?" She replies. She looks over the moon to be talking to someone who talks back.
"I've heard of it. It's all my mother talks about" Sapphire lies. "She puts every penny to the side to save up for a vacation on it" The woman beams at Sapphire.
"My sister Lizzie has been watching it for days now. It just sits there in the ocean. Must be waiting on something". Was it safe for Luke to be keeping his ship in the same place for so long? Sapphire frowns slightly. "I'm Stella" The woman reaches out her hand. Sapphire grabs it.
"I'm Sapphire" she lets go of her hand just as the bus comes to sudden stop. Sapphire grabs her bag and her seat to stop herself from nose diving into the seat in front. "It was nice to meet you" Sapphire says before jumping on to her feet. All the families rush out chattering away. Sapphire follows at her own pace. The beach greets her when she steps off the bus. Bright coloured umbrella are dotted all over the sand. There is only a small village next to the beach and nothing else. If Sapphire wasn't so busy she would of stayed here forever.
The village was beautiful and the beach topped it all off. Sapphire takes off her shoes and digs her toes into the sand. Screaming kids run past her and wave their towels in the air. Sapphire had never been to a public beach before. The one at camp half blood was always quiet but this one was loud and very busy. Sapphire sighs and walks across the sand and past all the sunbathers. The heat of the sun burns through her jeans, making her wish she had worn shorts. She spots Stella walking with her son towards a little cottage right beside the beach. The beach is massive and is a tiresome trench across to the edge of the water. Kids jump about in the ocean. A cold feeling fills Sapphire. She had grown up fearing the ocean and avoiding it. And here were these kids having a ball and completely safe and happy. Sapphire stands with her toes in the water. The noise of all the people fades away and Sapphire looks across the ocean. A tugging urge to swim naws at her. Did she really need a boat? She searches the sea for the ship. Its a long distance away but its not moving.
Sapphire decide that swimming the distance would bring less attention. If she took a boat out she would be seen and then swarmed by monsters.
She ducks behind one of the umbrellas and changes into her clean shorts and green sleevless top. No one pays her the slightest attention as she wanders into the oceans and ducks underneath the waves. The heat of the sun goes away and is replaced by the cool water. The deeper Sapphire goes the darker the water gets. Once she starts swimming she does not stop. This time she does not need the help of the dolphins and she does not fear drowning because she can't. Fish swim past and take little notice of her. Even a few sharks go part and they just take a glance at her and swim away. She clearly was not good enough to eat. Sapphire would just have to shake off the reject. The dark shape of the boat gets closer and closer until Sapphire grabs at the side of it. A dolphin swims past and shakes it head. Was it disapproving? The dolphin wouldn't be the only one unhappy with Sapphire. She could already see Jake and Annabeth's face in her head. She would just have to swallow her pride and save the lot of them without them knowing. There is nothing in sight to help Sapphire climb up the boat. She swims up and breaks through the surface. Not a single rope hangs down from the ship.
The sun burns down on her head again. Nothing like being boiled alive out in the middle of the ocean. No one sees her as she swims round and around the ship. Maybe she could get the water to carry her up. It was worth a shot. Sapphire closes her eyes and wills the water to gather her up. Nothing happens except the water bubbles around her. She could be out in the water all day and nothing would happen. She sighs and hits the boat with her fist in defeat. Sapphire stares at the side of the boat while trying to come up with something else. It takes a few moments before she realizes that she has been staring a ladder. Its nailed to the side and it hardly noticeable. It completely blends into the boat. Sapphire sighs in relief and starts climbing.
No one is on deck and it makes Sapphire worry. She halls herself over the railing and ungracefully falls onto the deck. She groans and scrambles to her feet and searches the area. She passes the swimming pool and goes towards a door. She yanks on the handle expecting it to be locked but the door springs open and whacks her in to face. "Ouch" She whispers to herself as she hold her face. The boat is so silent it make Sapphire want to go back to the loud beach. She steps inside. Its the annoying long hallway that she finds herself in. She also is finds a very angry looking Nancy glaring at her. She storms up t Sapphire and places herself right in Sapphire path. "Oh, hey Darcy!" Sapphire cheerfully says. Nancy hisses.
"It's Nancy" She corrects. Sapphire innocently shrugs and makes an attempt to step past her. Nancy grabs her arm. "What are you doing here?"
"I've seen the light" Sapphire makes another attempt to pass the girl. It only succeeds with Sapphire yanking her arm out of Nancy grip. Her walking pace is fast as she tries to shake off Nancy. Unfortunately she follows her. "You expect me to believe that?" Nancy laughs. Sapphire shrugs and continues to walk until she meets a dead end. "Your going to wrong way". Sapphire huffs and turns round. Nancy leans against the wall and watches Sapphire.
"What are you, the tour guide?" Sapphire growls and stomps away in search for Lukes office.
"No, but I am Luke personal assistant" Nancy purrs. Sapphire stops dead and bursts out laughing.
"Do you making him chocolate milk and read him bedtime stories?" Nancy does not look amused. Neither is Sapphire though she just said it to wipe the winning smirk off the girls face.
"I was hand picked by Luke himself" Nancy continues. Sapphire twirls around and crosses her arms.
"Wow What's it like to be in presence of Luke himself?" Sapphire asks sarcastically. Nancy purses her lips and walks past Sapphire.
"His office is this way" Is all she says before leading the way. Sapphire smirks to herself and prances after Nancy.

Notes