Andrew

---

It became a month after Chloe's arrival, and Andrew wasn't as bored as he was before. In fact he was intrigued. Chloe was different than his other friends, which were mostly his own siblings, and he liked it.
She was just as smart as he was. She understood his political puns, and feelings. She also didn't try to look pretty.
Andrew knew others noticed the natural beauty Chloe possessed, he'd seen the daggers the Aphrodite cabin would shoot her as she passed by.
Chloe was also powerful. Andrew didn't know what she could do, nether did Chiron entirely.
In order to train Chloe to fight, Chiron taught her little and allowed Thalia to do most of the training herself. Andrew watched their sessions from afar, amazed. Chloe could move quickly enough to take out seven people on her own with just her knives and hand-to-hand skills. A German girl in the hunt named Gretchen called Chloe "Der Attentäter" or The Assasin in English as her endurance allowed her to switch back and fourth from numerous weapons in little time with a high "kill" record.
Andrew began running with Chloe, which allowed more time for conversation between them.
One afternoon on their run, Andrew admitted he struggled to keep up with her.
"Zeus Chloe," he said, following her up the obstacle course. "What are you? Half-monkey?"
Chloe chuckled, gazing down at him from above.
"Admit it," she said. "Ever since I've gotten here you've gained muscle mass. I'm good for your health."
Andrew shook his head, climbing up the rope ladder. Chloe raced him to the top, swinging from pole to pole and twisting her body in a 360 degree arch.
Chloe peered down at him from above, a grin coming across her lips.
"How are you that flexible?" Andrew asked.
"It's part of the training regiment Thalia has me on," Chloe said, patting the place beside her.
Andrew took a seat beside her, looking out into the training area below.
The yell of the Ares cabin cheering as they practiced with the new explosives they were given caused Andrew to jolt.
"What's wrong?" Chloe asked, her face filling with concern.
"I had this dream again last night and it's caught me off guard."
Andrew's new dream was occurring almost every night and made him lose sleep.
He was walking on a beach, with the sun setting in the background. The beginning was similar to the dream he had before Chloe saved him. This time the horse came to him from the beach, and nuzzled his shoulder lovingly. An owl landed on his shoulder a second later before moving and sitting on the horse's head. Above him a bright light appeared blinding him, and the last thing he saw before he woke was a feminine figure.
Andrew told Chloe everything, waiting for her response.
"A golden figure?" Chloe asked. "I have no idea what it could mean."
"For some reason both of our parents agree that I need to find out what it is," Andrew said. "That's why they both keep appearing to me."
Chloe suddenly frowned, and winced as she covered her ears.
"Are you okay?" Andrew asked.
"I'm hearing it again," Chloe replied, her voice pained. "It won't stop!"
Andrew quickly dug through his pocket, taking out a set of earbuds. He stuck one in Chloe's ear and the other in his, pressing the play button on his iPod.
The classical music Andrew listened to blared from the earbuds. He hoped this helped. Chloe continued to wince for a few seconds before she started to relax.
"Is it gone?" Andrew asked.
Chloe nodded, taking in a deep breath and meeting his gaze.
"Thanks," she said. "I owe you."
"No you don't," Andrew said. "I want to help you. We have each other's backs."
Chloe gave him a smile and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"Do you really listen to Beethoven?"
"Yes, why?"
"Bach is so much better."
Andrew laughed, pushing her away from him. He jumped from the obstacle and waited for Chloe to follow.
"Are you challenging me Wayland?"
Chloe met his gaze and laughed.
"Your king is in Check," she whispered in his ear, walking away.
Andrew scoffed and followed her, unaware of the shadow that followed him.

---

Andrew dug through the bookshelves of the Athena cabin, pulling out any book that could help him.
He and Chloe had been assessing his dream for a week, deciding to research possible explanations.
Chloe's eyes scanned a book of myths, in the original Greek while Andrew looked for anything about the meaning of gold in dreams.
Steve and his other brother Marcus helped him, flipping through as many pages as they could.
Andrew found a page about gold dust being used to induce certain dreams by magicians, before a throat cleared itself behind him.
"What the hell is she doing in here?" Celeste asked.
"Whatever the hell she wants," Andrew said. "You have no authority. Annabeth left Malcolm in charge."
"Is Malcolm here?" Celeste asked. "No, he isn't! So I guess that means a new leader has to be elected."
Andrew's other siblings began standing behind Celeste, their glares aimed towards him and Chloe.
Chloe rose from her seat, standing in front of Celeste.
"What?" Celeste asked.
"I'm trying to decide if your ass is jealous of the shit coming from your mouth or not. It's hard to tell."
Celeste laughed and slapped Chloe.
"You want to fight? Bring it on bitch!"
Chloe clenched her fists, the ground rumbling softly. Andrew stepped between them.
"Celeste I think you should go," he said.
"I'm not leaving my own cabin!" Celeste hissed.
Chloe glared at her, and pushed Andrew out of the way before sending Celeste flying backwards into the wall, being held against it by branches of trees that weren't even there.
Andrew looked at Chloe's hands, seeing them glowing white.
Chloe pulled away moving back behind Andrew. Celeste rubbed her throat as she smiled at Andrew.
"Looks like your little girlfriend is going to get into some trouble."
"Leave her alone Celeste!" Andrew cried. "You started it!"
"I will have that thing out of here faster than she can cry for mercy!"
Andrew grabbed the book of myths, tucking it under his arm and he grabbed Chloe's hand.
"Let's go," he said, his voice hard as he glared at Celeste.
Steve and Marcus followed behind him, chasing after him once Andrew and Chloe broke away into a run. Chloe stopped him at the entrance to the forest by the climbing wall.
"Chloe what is it?" Andrew asked, seeing her staring ahead into the bushes.
"I thought I saw something move," she said.
"Another shadow?" Andrew asked.
"No," Chloe said, going for the book of myths underneath his arm.
She flipped through the pages, skimming the words quickly before she stopped at a section dedicated to the primordial deities.
"Chaos," she read. "The origin of all life. Nothing but darkness until something else was born; a golden light that brought upon the creation of the earth."
"A golden-light," Andrew said. "That's what I've been seeing in my dream."
"There's a separate account in the Roman myth book along with the Mayan legends," Chloe said. "I'm sure if we look through the book of stories from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Polynesia, and the Inuit tribes up north, we will find the same thing. A golden-light that brings creation, but also disaster."
"Why would I be seeing this light in my dream?" Andrew asked.
"We've got bigger problems," Steve said. "Chiron is coming this way."
Andrew looked up, seeing the centaur approach the group. Chloe slammed the book shut behind him, stuffing it in his bag.
"Mr. Henderson," Chiron said. "I just ran into your sister. Do you mind telling me what got her into such a fit?"
"You know Celeste," Andrew said. "She's immature and dramatic. Besides, Chloe didn't mean to do it!"
The centaur moved his eyes over towards Chloe, a small smile coming across his face as he saw her confused expression.
"Is something wrong my girl?" He asked.
Chloe hesitated before she turned to him.
"No," she said. "Just a little tired."
Chiron nodded before looking back towards Andrew.
"I suggest you do not antagonize your sister anymore in any way."
"Yes sir," Andrew said, bowing his head.
"Good," Chiron said. "Why don't you four go back to training? Our Capture the flag game should start soon."
The centaur walked away, and Andrew handed his brothers the books tucked underneath his arms.
"Don't worry," Steve said. "We'll return them."
Andrew gave Steve a forced smile,his attention going to Marcus. He shifted in his place, looking back towards Chloe who stared at Chiron as he walked away.
"I'm sorry about Celeste," Marcus said. "You don't deserve it."
Chloe met his eyes and gave him a smile.
"Thank you," she said. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
Marcus nodded and walked away with Steve towards the Athena cabin. Chloe met Andrew's eyes and crossed her arms.
"How can he not be afraid?" Chloe asked. "How can you not be afraid of me? Did you not see what I did to her?"
"I don't know what you did," Andrew said. "Sure, it was a little..surprising, but I know you won't hurt me."
Chloe squinted at him before nodding her head. Andrew rolled his eyes.
"Why do you always do that?" He asked.
"Do what?"
"Hear my thoughts and feelings," Andrew said. "What are you..listening for?"
Chloe hesitated before answering.
"Lies," Chloe said. "I'm sorry, it's an old habit. I've just...I've never liked people who lie."
Andrew reached forward, grabbing her hand, giving it a squeeze.
"You can trust me," he said. "You're the only friend I have who isn't my sibling."
Chloe chuckled and began walking forward.
"Andrew, would you believe me if I told you something....Something that might possibly make people believe that I am crazy."
"You aren't crazy," Andrew said.
Chloe nodded biting her lip.
"I'm not sure what I saw," Chloe said. "But when Chiron came and talked to us he wasn't alone."
"What do you mean?"
"I saw someone with him. It was brief, but there was something shiny around him. After I concentrated for a minute, I saw more than just one other person. I think Chiron must have realized I saw past whatever barrier he had put up so I lied, which is something I really don't like to do."
Andrew put a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry," he said. "We'll look into it. I promise."
Chloe nodded, giving him a genuine smile. A horn sounded throughout the clearing, and the other campers began leaving the other training areas to ready themselves for the game.

Notes