Behind the Shadows

The most annoying thing about the storm, was that only minutes after Sapphire had been fished out of the ocean it called quits. The rain suddenly stopped and the stormy dark clouds vanished to show a night sky filled with winking stars. It was the stars Sapphire had stared up at while she finished emptying her lungs of water. The storm must of been the gods work, because the sea was calm within minutes and the ship sailed smoothly for the rest of the night. Why did the storm stop not long after Sapphire nearly died? Were they trying to kill her off to save themselves a little bit of hassle? Or maybe they think she actually did drown. That seemed unlikely because the gods see everything. It made sense that they would want rid of Sapphire, because she was a very powerful tool in the new war between Luke and the gods. If she was truly on Lukes side then he might actually win. Sapphire could just throw some water balloons at the gods and ta da! The war would be won and Luke could have his victory. That was a scary thought to think, because it made Sapphire question if he knew the same thing, and maybe he was starting to see her as a tool.
If Sapphire had grown up on a sunny island like this then she would of been the most happiest person alive. A few days after the storm Luke had been going frantic around the ship barking orders, and looking like hell on legs. The ship had been sailing to an important destination that Sapphire had been told nothing about. The ship had then arrived at this island and no one was talking to Sapphire. She could even hop of the ship for a few hours and no one would notice.
"How can you agree with this?" somebody yells from the lower deck. Sapphire leans over the railings to get a better view. Sailing the ship all day and having a perfect view of the whole deck had its advantages. She got to watch the whole show of the ships dramas all day. The best drama was the fights between crew members. The person yelling was a boy. Sapphire recognizes him from camp and then frowns in his direction. More and more demigods were joining Lukes army and it made Sapphire slightly uneasy. The boy had been in the Hermes cabin, but he was unclaimed. The person he was yelling at is out of Sapphires view. "Haven't we done enough to them?" The boy looks torn up about whatever he is speaking about. Someone steps in sight and glare at the boy. It's Cayden and wherever Cayden is, there is always a fight waiting to happen.
"Done enough? Those brats are traitors not join us and deserve what's to come" Caydens voice is at a dangerous tone. The boy does not back down.
"traitors? They are in Lukes control. How are they supposed to chose a side if they can't think and act for themselves?" The boys clenches his hands tight and holds his ground. What he says makes Sapphire stiffen. It sounds like they are talking about camp half blood.
"Listen kid, you need to keep you nose out of this if you know what's good for you." Cayden motions with his hand in Sapphire's direction. This was a common thing. No one said anything about Luke's army and plans in her presence. There still was not a face to this Noah because she was not allowed to know. Apparently he is another important tool of Luke's. It was clear they still did not trust her. The boy sighs when he see's Sapphire watching from above. Cayden turns his head to look at her too, and then he flicks up his middle finger at her. Cayden then walks away until he is out of sight. The boy is left standing there looking irritated. Sapphire steps away from the railings and returns to filling the snack machine at the holiday bar. This cruise ship had everything that every cruise ship should have. If some random stranger was to come on to the ship they would have no idea it was holding an army, and enough weapons to fill a room from top to bottom. Sapphire makes sure to whistle a catchy tune just to annoy the crew. Her attention flicks from the never ending supply to the boy who boy just stands there in deep thought.
"If it were me I would have you scrubbing the deck with your toothbrush" Nancy mutters from a sun chair near Sapphire. She had been sitting there all day and Sapphire had been doing a great job of ignoring her comments so far. Just a few more boxes of snacks to put away and she could retreat to her room. "Or maybe you could do some fishing for the crews dinner!" She cackles with laughter. Sapphire closes her eyes and silently prays to apollo to make sure he shines the sun extra bright on Nancy. Extra, extra bright just enough to turn her tomato red from sunburn. The clouds move slightly and to Sapphire's surprise more sunshine falls on Nancy. A snicker leaves Sapphire as she tosses an empty box to the side. The box hits something. A shadow falls over her and she looks up. Its the boy. He is silent but his focus in on Sapphire.
"Hi" Sapphire mutters as she picks at the tape sealing another box. No reply come and Sapphire frowns up at the boy "Do you need something?"
Nancys growl interrupts the silence as she storms away complaining about the heat and her untanned skin. With Nancy gone its just Sapphire and the boy left on the upper deck. The boy takes a step forward in Sapphires direction. It makes her uneasy.
"I need you to help me" the boy finally speaks. "You're the only one who can help them" Sapphire scratches the back of her neck nervously.
"Them?" her eyes are glued to the boy. He is breathing heavily as though being here is stressing him out.
"Camp half blood. The are already having their minds controlled by Luke and now I've learned that he means to do more harm" The boy's face is dripping in sweat and his hands keep on twitching. "If Cayden knew I was here telling you he would kill me, but you are the only one that might be able to convince Luke to leave the camp alone"
"I left the camp in the state t was. Why would I want to help them?" Sapphire tests him. Maybe this was a test for her as well. The boy makes a small choking noise. His body falters and he takes a step back.
"What about Jake?" Sapphire freezes and lets out a growl.
"Is this some kind of test?" Sapphires voice holds a silent threat.
"N- no. Please Sapphire, you have to help them!" The boy pleads. There is a weakness in his voice and it makes Sapphire grit her teeth. "Why would you not want to help them? You always wanted to protect them. They are your friends!" Sapphire hisses through her teeth and restrains herself from hitting the boy. Who is he to talk? He wants her to help them when he decided to join Lukes army. He wants to be here. Why would he want to protect something he has betrayed?"
"My friends?" Sapphire laughs coldly. "They were your friends too. You think i'm not doing anything to help them. Tell me something. Tell me why I am on this ship working my butt off for someone who betrayed me?" Her question silences the boy and he goes pale.
"So you can't help them?"
"I am helping them!" She begins yelling. "The lines are blurred for me in this war. I don't know which side is right and which is wrong, but I do know that camp half blood is my home, and I will do anything and everything to protect it" The boy looks terrified of her and he begins to back away.
"Just promise me that you will keep camp safe. I have a brother there"
Sapphire sighs and nods. "I am trying my best" The boy nods and walks away looking slightly relieved. Someone claps from behind Sapphire and she freezes. She spins around and gulps. Cayden and Nancy stand there looking very pleased with something. Cayden motions to something behind her.
"I can't wait to tell Luke about this!" Nancy sings before something hits Sapphire on the head and everything goes black.

Notes