13 》Chipmunk

                                    

                                          
Percy
                          
I felt like I was going to be sick. It was as if my stomach had done a backflip then got lost among my intestines. The bright light was still flashing behind my eyes. I groaned and glanced at Nico. He didn't look much better than I did.
                          
"What the Hades was that?" He gasped, clutching his stomach. He took a few tentative steps before he doubled over and groaned in pain.
                          
I turned around and stared in confusion at the photo-booth we had tumbled out of. It looked just like any other one in Manhattan, except it had an 'out of order' sign nailed above the doorway. "I don't know Neeks," I admitted. "But I know I don't like it."
                          
He scoffed. "That makes two of us."
                          
We waited until the feelings of sickness passed before we journeyed out of the alley to camp. It was chilly. The wind nipped at my jacket and tossed my hair around. I clutched my jacket around me tighter and trudged on.
                          
The streets were full of San Franciscans, going about their daily lives. It felt similar to Manhattan in that respect, always busy. Alive. I kept glancing at Nico to confirm he was still there. You could lose the kid in an empty room, let alone a busy city. Thankfully, we made it to the tunnel without getting separated.
                          
I glanced to the other side of the road at the hill. I remembered when I slid down the hill on a serving tray to get away from the gorgons. Looking back, I still couldn't decide if the experience was horrific and terrifying or if, in the grand scheme of my life, pretty hilarious. Either way, sledding down that hill was pretty dam cool. (Not when I was doing though).
                          
"Hey," called Nico, snapping me out of my thoughts. I glanced up to see him staring at me with a curious look on his face. "You coming?"
                          
I shook my head, attempting to force the memories from my present thoughts. "Y-yeah. I'm coming."
                          
Together we walked through the tunnel. It was filled with the echoes of engines and horns, as cars drove through. We walked in silence. Neither of us wanted to speak, thinking that if we did, we would reach the topic of what we would find at Camp Jupiter. Or, the worse option, what we wouldn't find.
                          
To my relief, there were two Centurions guarding the entrance to the camp. Both were dressed in the usual golden armour. The one on the left wore the standard helmet with a red plume on top, the other didn't. The kid on the left was a boy with big, blue eyes and had wisps of blond hair poking out of the sides of his head gear. He was quite short and skinny, appearing to have no muscle whatsoever and the large quiver on his back only emphasised his short stature. He was stood up straight with a firm grasp on his bow and a serious expression on his face.
                          
The other kid, did not look as though she was as serious about her role. She was leant casually against the wall, playing with a loose strand of dark red hair. The rest if it was pulled into a messy bun, which rested on the top of her head. She had small, sharp eyes which were an icy blue colour. They were so pale it was almost unnatural. The girl had a standard liegonare's sword in a svalbard attached to her belt. However, she also had a small dagger attached to the other side which had a small, blood red gemstone set onto the hilt. 
                          
I didn't know who they were, I hadn't personally met everyone from the camp. I did vaguely recognise them however. Either way, they both recognised us. As we approached, the girl pushed off of the wall and turned to face us. The younger kid, who was obviously new, refused to deviate from his post and continued to face the wall. The girl glanced at him and rolled her eyes, before coming over to Nico and I.
                          
"Well, well. If it isn't ex-praetor Jackson," she greeted with a smirk. Then she turned to my cousin and gasped loudly, obvious sarcasm laced in. "And Ambassador Di Angelo. What a wonderful surprise! What ever did we do to deserve this visit?" As she spoke her eyes went wide, and her mouth strained to an obvious fake smile. Once she had finished, her smile dropped, and her icy eyes shrank back to their sharp almond shape.