Behind the Shadows

Where do you go when there is no place left that can keep you safe? Luke had secretly taken over the camp and now has full power. Even Dionysus hadn't noticed anything and he was a god, who might Sapphire add is supposed to supervise the campers. Well he was a grumpy and very lazy god, but he was still a god. It was like he didn't even sense Chirons missing presence and it bugged the life out of Sapphire. Cayden was in charge of camp now. It was obvious that he had done something to all the other campers to make them so empty and obedient. Maybe it was a spell or maybe he was putting something into the water. Sapphire hadn't touched any of the camps water because she had discovered Percy's Pepsi stash. The issue at the camp was now huge. Brainwashing and kidnapping was not something Sapphire could sort on her own. Jakes help wouldn't even help either. What Sapphire needed was a gods help or some sort of team of non brainwashed demigods. That would be easy though because more than half the campers were now back at their homes. Only a little amount left behind were the brainwashed ones. If Sapphire could raid the big house and steal the campers list that contained their home addresses and contact information. Percy would be the first one she would find. And then Annabeth then she would have the power to make a team of strong demigods.

Sapphire found Jake sitting outside her cabin. He stares off into space as Sapphire approaches and she takes this as an opportunity. She grabs her sword and a metal plate as she creeps closer. He doesn't notice her and carries on staring. Sapphire steps just out of his vision and bangs her sword against the metal plate with enough force that the noise echoes throughout the camp. Jake does not jump or twitch. He simply turns his head and gives Sapphire an empty smile.
"You're no fun" Sapphire huffs and gives a pout as she sits next to Jake. He does not reply and the smile slips and forms a poker face. Something was off about him and she could not put a finger on it. "Earth to Jake!"
Sapphire snaps her fingers in front of his face. Nothing. Not even an eye twitch. He had been fine at lunch. He had smiled at her and waved so he had clearly gotten over what had happened in the strawberry fields. Maybe he had had a run in with Cayden after all. That could not be right though because there was no sign of any injuries. Jake is breathing and blinking like a robot. Like its programed to happen bang on four seconds. His eyes hold no emotion and its frightening.
"I need to go to my cabin" Jake finally speaks. His voice is calm and forced like its not his own words. He stands up and begins to walk away. Sapphire springs to her feet and jogs after him. She grabs his arm and whirls him around to face her. There is no surprise on his face not even a sign of him being startled. "What is wrong with you?" Sapphire loudly whispers. Jake blinks. His eyes meet hers but they look through her. It hits Sapphire like a load of bricks and it knocks the breath out of her. Jake has been brainwashed. It must be the water because Jake had guzzled it down at dinner. He didn't normally go for plain water but since he had woken up yesterday he had decided to be healthy. That didn't stop him from nicking a few of Percy's pepsi before he left her cabin this morning. Jake gently takes his arm back and turns away.
"Nothing" His reply barely registers in Sapphires busy mind. She needed to get out of camp and fast if she wanted to save everyone. Sapphire pulls at her hair while she stresses out. She brushes past Jake and runs to her cabin. She rips the place apart while packing a bag. It's a small backpack and it fits everything perfectly. It was her school bag and it holds a smell of sharpened pencils and spilled cherryade. All it holds is three days worth of clothing and toiletries. Her sword sits in its holder at her hip and the gun she found now has its own place in a holder on her thigh. If she wasn't in such a state of panic she would of looked badass. Her camp half blood shirt has been switched for a plain black long sleeved shirt and she tugs on her grey hoodie as she storms out of the cabin.
No one is outside and it's a blessing. Jake seems to have wandered off to his cabin and knowing that she was leaving him behind only caused her mood to sour. She didn't know when she would be able to return. It was like she was leaving a piece of herself behind. Sapphire runs to the big house and nearly tears the door off its hinges as she yanks it open. Cayden is now gone and no doubt now mopping about in his cabin. Poor baby. Sapphire darts to Chirons desk and shuffles through the drawers. It takes a long time before she spots the campers list. It's basically a book from the amount of pages it holds. She grabs it and shoves it into her backpack. The room is dark but her eyes do not miss the drachma on the desk. It was stealing but she would need it. She shoves them in to her denim shorts oversized pockets. Sapphire takes a deep breath and slips outside. No one stops her as she leaves the camp. Not that it bothered her but it still was painful to look back and not see Jake strolling behind her with a lazy grin on his face. She was alone.
Being the hero was a lonely job.

Notes