Sparks in the Flame

Percy
Percy was running to the infirmary so fast that even Mrs. O’Leary could barely keep up. He had just managed to hear the words Annabeth and injured from Nico as he tore through the cabin and out the door a minute earlier. He could feel his heartbeat in his ears as he sprinted closer to the infirmary, which had a few people crowded around the door, including the rear end of a white stallion: Chiron. When he reached the doorway, everyone parted, knowing, perhaps wisely, not to get in his way. Percy’s breath hitched as he saw Annabeth laying on a cot, eyes closed, with a splint on her wrist and bandages around her body and head.
He turned to Will Solace, who was standing nearby. “What happened to her? Will she be okay? Who did this?” He felt a hand on his shoulder and Chiron spoke, saving a bewildered and a little bit frightened Will from having to answer Percy’s questions.
“Don’t worry, Percy, she’ll be fine. There was a small incident while she was training earlier this morning.” Chiron paused and drew in his breath. “Knowing Annabeth’s skills with weaponry and fighting, we’re led to believe that this happened due to an outside source.”
It took Percy a second to process what Chiron had said. How could someone attack and successfully beat Annabeth, never mind injure her this seriously? He could feel white hot rage building inside of him, and Chiron could sense it too, “Percy, stay calm. We will find who did this. So far though, I have a feeling this could have to do with-” He leaned closer. “The quest.”
“But this is Grace’s quest. Wouldn’t whatever did this have just targeted her instead?” He asked. He suddenly remembered how quiet it had been when Nico came to wake him up. “Chiron, I’ve gotta go, I’ll be right back!” Percy tore out of the infirmary and back towards his cabin. Grace hadn’t been there this morning, he was sure of it now. What if something had gotten to her as well?
Percy suddenly ran right into something, falling back on his tailbone. Ahead of him was Jason, who was also sprawled out on the ground.
“I’m sorry Jason, I was just going to my cabin to look for Grace. Have you seen her at all this morning?” Percy asked, getting up and wiping the dirt off his whale-patterned boxers, then blushing because he was wearing whale-patterned boxers.
Jason straightened his glasses and shook his head. “No, but have you seen Nathan?” He wasn’t in the cabin when I woke up and he wasn’t in the mess hall either.” The boys looked at each other, then both took off running towards the Apollo cabin, which, upon searching, yielded no sign of Reed.
Back at the infirmary, Percy and Jason reported their findings, or lack thereof, to Chiron, who sighed and rubbed his temples.
“There has certainly been a lot of excitement lately, hasn’t there?” Chiron said. “Worry not, demigods, there’s no way something could’ve made it into the camp and taken three campers without somebody noticing. Jason, how about you search the shoreline for now, and Percy, go put on some clothes, please.”
Jason stifled a laugh as he exited the infirmary, and Percy gave sleeping Annabeth a quick kiss on the forehead before leaving. On the way to his cabin, he ran into Grover and Juniper, who were sitting in the mess hall eating breakfast.
Upon seeing Percy, Grover got up and gave him a hug. “Hey man, how’s it been? I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever!”
“Hey Grover, hey Juniper.” Percy said, giving her a wave. “I’ve been good, things have just been crazy since Grace arrived, ya know?”
“Yeah, I get that. Want to eat with us? We just started.” Grover asked, gesturing to his breakfast of a tin can and a paper plate. Percy was about to refuse, but his stomach gave him away with a loud rumble. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Grover said, laughing. Percy followed him to their table and sat down, imagining blue waffles with maple syrup. It appeared before him, and after a quick sacrifice to his father, Percy began to dig in.
“So, Percy,” Juniper said after a few minutes of silence. “What’s with the outfit?”
Percy blushed again, forgetting his absence of clothing. “You guys heard about Annabeth, right?” They nodded. “I ran out of my cabin to see her this morning so fast that I guess I forgot clothes, and I haven’t had time to go back since.”
“Where have you been dude? It’s like ten thirty and you haven’t even eaten breakfast yet.” Grover asked, his mouth full of tin can.
Percy chewed on his waffles for a moment before responding. “It’s Grace. Her, Nathan, and Reed are missing and I’ve been talking to Chiron about it all morning. He seems to think they’re fine, but I just can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong.”
Grover put his hand on Percy’s shoulder. “That’s a bummer, sorry. I’m sure they’ll turn up soon; this is a big camp.” Juniper suddenly clapped her hands, making Percy and Grover jump. “What’d you do that for, Juni?” Grover asked with a hand over his heart.
“Last night makes so much sense now!” She exclaimed. She got up and began to pace around. Bewildered, Percy looked at Grover, who just shrugged in response. “Percy, I think I know what happened to Grace and the others!”
Percy dropped his fork and stood up too. “Well? Where are they? Is Grace okay?” He asked.
“I can’t answer either of those questions, but I do know why nobody at camp can find them.” She said. “Last night, I was just about to go to bed when I heard some chattering among the other nymphs. I obviously listened in, hoping to hear some gossip about one of the water nymphs - ugh she really twists my roots!” She took a breath and continued. “Anyways, the maple tree dryad heard from the lilac nymph who heard from the fern nymph-“
“Can we please get to the point, Juniper?” Percy interrupted.
“Oh, yes, of course. One of the wind nymphs saw three demigods leaving camp at around eleven last night, loaded up with bags and weapons. Two boys and one girl, heading West if I’m remembering correctly. I’d bet my needles that was Grace!” Juniper said excitedly.
It suddenly dawned on Percy. “Thanks for the info, Juniper, I’ve gotta go, see you guys later.” He said, getting up and hurrying to the beach. Once there, he saw Jason in the distance, scanning the water.
“Jason! Jason!” Percy yelled. Jason squinted in the sun and waved at him, walking over.
“Hey Percy, I- are you okay? You look excited. Did somebody find the missing demigods?” Jason asked.
“Even better.” Percy responded, grinning.
Jason raised an eyebrow. “Even better than finding our lost siblings?”
“Yes. Well, no. Maybe.” Percy said, scratching his neck. “Just hear me out here. Grace was convinced that the thing with the Hunters of Artemis was her quest, but Chiron didn’t really believe her, so I think that she took Nathan and Reed and decided to go on the quest herself.”
Jason looked surprised. “Percy, do you really think she’d do that? It’s crazy and foolish and – oh no she did it, didn’t she? I should’ve known better, she is your sister.” Percy grinned and nodded, which made Jason take a step back. “Oh gods, Percy. You wouldn’t, would you?” Jason asked nervously.
“I’m going to follow her, and I want you to come with me.” Percy said.
Jason groaned. “I should’ve known that was coming, and I guess I’m in.”

Notes

Hiya everyone! I'm sorry it's been so long, I was in France for about a month and now it's finals and stuff so I've been pretty busy! Grace left for her quest and now Percy is too?! Things are just getting started, stay tuned for more (hopefully soon), and PLEASE feel free to leave comments or message me! It always brightens my day to hear from you all!

xoxo,
galeckey1234