Chapter 13 - Camp

Hey Guys! Let's get on with the chapter.

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Percy Jackson's POV (First Person)

I was well on my way to Camp on Blackjack when an IM sprung up a few feet in front of us. I had to hold Blackjack's scruff to get him to stop his momentum as the message shimmered into place. Let's just say, that Blackjack doesn't like it when people touch his scruff.

I saw Annabeth's face come into view, and I couldn't help but crack a smile, "Hey Wise Girl! Couldn't sleep?"

Annabeth nodded rubbing her eyes, "I'm so tired, but it's so hard to sleep." Her eyes widened when she saw my background, but she managed to pull off an annoyed look, "Let me guess. You're 600 feet in the air and on your way to camp."

I grinned, "Yep! I'll see you in a few. We'll talk then."

Annabeth nodded, sending me a grim smile, "Come quick!"

I slashed my hand through the IM and tapped Blackjack's side, "Let's get going, Blackjack. Full speed."

'You got it Boss,' he said, as he started flying again.

I groaned, "Don't call me Boss."

'If you get me a box of donuts, then I'll stop calling you Boss, Boss.' I could hear the restrained amusement in his tone.

I checked my pockets for some money and found 20 dollars in my jacket pocket. I smirked, "TO DUCAN DONUTS!"

Blackjacked nosedived and we landed, more or less, safely at a Duncan Donuts place. I bought him a box of glazed/chocolate donuts, which he happily gulped up without a second thought. He neighed at me, 'Thanks for the donuts, but I'm still going to call you Boss, Boss.'

I smiled, "Thought so, buddy. Worth a shot though. Let's head to camp."

I got onto Blackjack's back as he launched off into the air and boosted himself forward, flapping his gigantic wings. 'Oh yeah, Boss. I forgot to tell you. I'm a father now.'

I almost choked on air, "You're a what ?! "

Blackjack whinnied, 'I'm dad now, Boss. I have daughter, Polus.'

"And you didn't think to tell me sooner?!" I yelled, still in shock.

'It never came up' Blackjack said. I could practically hear him shrugging.

I finally managed to get over my shock. I grinned, "THAT'S MY PEGASUS! YEAH! WHOOO!"

Blackjack laughed, well he neighed, but it sounded more like a laugh. I laughed with him, and felt our altitude drop slowly. I looked down, seeing the familiar U shape of the cabins of camp below me. I saw a small campfire still burning as Blackjack dropped me off near the Big House.

He walked me to the Athena cabin so I wouldn't get eaten by the cleaning harpies. I knocked on the door and stuffed my hands in my pockets. Malcolm opened the door, dubbing his eyes. He smiled, tired.

"Hey, Percy." Malcolm yawned.

I took a peek into his cabin, "Hey, Mal. Is Annabeth home?"

He shook his head, "She sometimes heads to your cabin of she can't sleep. Check there."

I smiled, "Thanks, Mal."

Malcolm yawned again, "No problem Perce. G'night."

I waved to him, and he closed the door. I walked to my cabin, Blackjack still actively playing the role of my bodyguard. I opened the door, deeply inhaling the familiar homely sea scent.

Annabeth was sleeping soundly in my bed, her princess curls spread out on her pillow. A small sliver of drool made its way down her chin. I almost laughed, but managed to stifle it to a smile. I leaned down and kissed her forehead, "You drool in your sleep."

With that, I jumped onto another bed and slept soundly, knowing that my Wise Girl was fine. She was right next to me. Nothing would happen, especially since my dad was guarding me. This was his cabin after all. At least, I thought nothing would happen, but this is me we're talking about. Something always happens.

As I slipped into the realm of Morpheus, my subconscious began to wander. I was stuck in a void. Just literally a seething, black void that made me feel as if my flesh was about to fall off any second. The only reason I was able to tolerate it was because of The Pit. Need I say more?

Nothing happened in my dream. I just walked around, trying to find a colder region of the realm. Apparently, wherever I went, the heat followed. So, I was stuck there feeling my skin seer off, even though it wasn't actually coming off. Honestly, it was the tamest dream I'd had in months.

I woke up in the morning actually feeling relief and awake. My bedroom was cold and the beads of sweat that had collected on my forehead had magically disappeared. Annabeth was just waking up when I got out of the shower (fully dressed ya weirdos).

Annabeth looked at me, her eyes groggy, "Morning, Seaweed Brain."

I laughed, "Good morning to you too. You should probably head to your cabin and get dressed. I'm going to head to the Dining Pavilion to get some food."

She nodded to me as we walked out the door. When I dropped Annabeth off at her cabin, I started walking to the pavilion. Strangely, I felt almost all eyes on me. I mean, I knew that we had gotten newer, younger campers, but it wasn't only them staring at me. Near the Pavilion, I saw Will and Nico talking to Chiron.

I grinned and jogged over to them, "Hey guys! Hey Chiron!"

Will shot me a look that had a mix of fear and concern, "Percy. It's good to see you."

I frowned, "What's with all the bleh. You guys look depressed. Nico more than usual."

Nico rolled his eyes, "Gee, thanks."

I smiled at him and looked back to Will, who responded, "You haven't heard? Rachel spewed out a new prophecy."

I shot him a deadpan look, "Lemme guess. I'm in it."

He nodded, "It was pretty obvious that you, Nico, and few others were in the prophecy."

I frowned, "What's the prophecy?"

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So, should I leave it here? Yeah probably.

Hey again, guys! So, I wanted to say that I most likely won't be posting updates until like the middle of January. The holidays are coming up, and I'm going on vacation with my fam. I'll do my best to see if I can update. Other than that, hope you have happy holidays! Stay safe!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza! Happy New Year, too!

I don't celebrate any of those because I'm a Hindu, but I thought it would be nice to say. For all those people who celebrate different holidays in this time of year, Happy/Merry Holiday too!

For all the atheists, because I like to include everyone, Happy random holidays that are irrelevant! Hope you guys have a great break!

Have fun everyone! BYE!