Chapter 8

Ellie’s POV:

My brother Will checked my hand out. Not only was he the head counselor for the Apollo cabin, but he also often volunteered a lot of his time in the healing cabin, where I was now.

” Not broken, but sprained,” Will says, turning it over, and I wince.

“Thats a surprise, she really can pack a punch.” A familiar voice says, and I turn with a glare to see Clarisses brother, and the girl herself.

He held a cloth to his bruised nose.” I think she might have broken it.” He says his words coming out nasally. Will looks at me suprised and I shrug.

“Austin, bring her some Ambrosia, and her wrist should heal up nicely. Wrap it for now.” Will calls out for our brother, and he nods, doing as Will says as Will moves onto the Ares boy. Clarisse walks over to me and peeks down at my wrist, but I turn away from her, handing my wrist to Austin as I eat the ambrosia.

“Broken.” Will calls out, and my lips twitch. I wince as I hear a crack, and the Ares boy shouts a little.

Will sighs, seeing more kids come in.” Im gonna make my rounds, hurry up in there, Austin, we need the beds.” Austin nods, wrapping my hand faster.

Clarisse’s brother comes over with a grin.

“Im Marcus.” He introduces, sticking his hand out to me as Austin moves on to help Will with the other kids flooding in. I lift my wrapped hand, and Marcus’s eyes widened. He turns sheepishly and shyly scratches the back of his neck.” Right, sorry about that.” He mutters. I roll my eyes and hop off the bed, shoving through the two Ares.

I get out of the cabin but don’t make it far.” Hey.” Clarisse calls out, and I roll my eyes.

“Leave me alone.” I warn the girl, but her footsteps only speed up at my warning.

“Will you just wait?” Clarisse asks her tone filled with attitude, and I scoff, turning to her angrily.

“You don’t care about anything, do you?!” I snap at her, but I knew my words were bullshit. She obviously cared about her spear.

“I care about you.” The words slip from her lips, leaving both of us shocked; her eyes widen, and her whole body tenses.

“No, you don’t.” I whisper, shaking my head.” You like that I like you, but you don’t like me.” She glares.

“Don’t tell me how I feel.” The dark-haired girl growls, and I look away from her, my eyes welling up with tears.

“If you liked me, you would leave my brother alone.” I tell her. She looks around with an angry frown, and I scoff, rolling my eyes.” Right.” I mutter, turning away from her.

“Fine!” I freeze and then turn back around. She avoids my eyes.” I’ll leave Prissy alone. Even though he broke the spear my father gifted me.” I stare at her until her eyes meet mine, then I slowly walk towards her, taking her in. Clarisse grows uneasy at the silence.

“Thank you.” I whisper, then walk off. Clarisse watches in silence.

Getting back to the Apollo cabin, Kayla hops over to me with a grin.” Dad got you something.” She sings with a wide smile, brightening up the room, and my bad mood melts away as she wraps her arm over my shoulder and guides me to my bed. A large white box sits on top of the smooth sheets with a gold bow. I untie the bow and pull the lid of the long rectangular box, and a gasp leaves my lips at the sight.

It was a bow and quiver.

The bow was made from a dark wood with golden accents, and the quiver was the same. I reach for a piece of paper and pick it up, seeing the most beautiful cursive.

‘Love Dad.’

A smile falls across my lips.

Tears spring to my eyes as Percy tells me he has a quest and explains what it is, telling me that Mom may still be alive in the underworld.

“Chiron told me I can take two people.” I perk up but slump, as I see the look of pain across my brother’s face.” I won’t pick you.”

“Why?” I ask him, my tears falling, and he pulls me into a hug.

“I want you here, where it’s safe.” Percy says, and I cling to him.” I’ll get mom back, I promise, but I can’t worry about you and her, I just can’t.” I nod at his words, knowing they were true.

“Im gonna miss you.” I tell him, and he holds me tighter.

“I’ll miss you too.” He whispers.

“Im gonna worry.” I admit, and he strokes his hand down my hair.

“I’ll be fine.” He assures me, but I don’t believe him.

It wasn’t long till Chiron forced Percy to pick who he was taking on the quest with him. I stood at his side, clutching his hand in mine as all the head counselors of each cabin stood around.

Percy didn’t even wait for Chiron to finish speaking before choosing Annabeth to go on the quest with him, and then Grover.

Before everyone disbands, he walks over to Clarisse.

“What do you want, Jackson?” She asks with an attitude, glancing at me.

“I need you to watch over my sister.” I frown at my brother.

“I don’t need a babysitter.” I spit at him, and he looks at me sadly.

“I know… but you need a friend.” I bite my bottom lip at his words.

“I’ll take care of her.” Clarisse says softly, and Percy nods.

“I know you will.” They silently nod to each other, and Percy turns to me.

“I gotta go get Grover.” I nod with tears in my eyes and pull him into one last hug.

“If you die, I’ll never forgive you.” I warn my brother, and he chuckles.

“Don’t worry, I’m coming back.” Percy tells me, and I pull away. I lift my pinky, and he loops his finger around mine.

“Forever?”

“Forever.”

(Edited)