𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐗𝐗𝐈𝐗.
there's no morning glory it was war it wasn't fair

ᯓᡣ𐭩

𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃, Maisie kept doing her best to prevent chaos from taking over camp.

From killing monsters that invaded camp, to training younger demigods, she thought she was doing okay.

Percy and Annabeth were away, taking care of Kronos' army, at least stalling them before they made it to Olympus. Maisie was to lead the rest of the campers to them soon.

However, when she thought everything was going fine and they actually stood a chance, word got out that there was a spy among them.

Which was scary, honestly. Trust had been built in that place, one that everyone was sure they could count on, though now that was debatable too.

Maisie kept her eyes and ears open, pulling at straws to try and figure out who the spy was, who was currently betraying camp and working for Kronos. She didn't dare speak to anyone about it, since she had no idea who would be capable of this. She didn't know everyone that well, after all.

She thought she could trust Ronan, but, just to be totally safe and sure, she didn't mention anything to him. Instead, she watched everyone quietly, from the sidelines.

One afternoon, while everyone was training, she went back to her cabin to grab one of her daggers that she'd forgotten.

As Maisie made her way up the stone path that led to cabin six, she heard footsteps from inside. Everyone was supposed to be at the arena. Had someone sneaked off without her noticing? Maybe it was just an Athena kid doing the same thing she was currently doing.

Maisie reached the cabin door, her feet taking light steps forward as not to make any sound and alarm the possible intruder.

Then, she abruptly opened the door, leaving them no room to hide what they were doing.

What Maisie didn't expect to see was Silena Beauregard, standing next to her bed, one hand retreating from her pillow.

"Silena?" Maisie asked, her features pulling into a frown as she regarded the Aphrodite girl.

Silena looked startled, scared even, taking careful steps away from the bed. Maisie did the same, stepping toward her.

"What are you doing here?" the older girl asked, cautiously.

Silena was too stunned to speak for a moment. Maisie tilted her head, urging her to speak, as she slowly but surely reached the bed.

"Um," Silena mumbled, looking around the room, as if an excuse would appear for her.

Before she had time to think of something to say, Maisie, now in front of Silena, reached her hand out quickly, searching her pillow, seeing as the younger girl had been rummaging there mere seconds before.

"No!" Silena finally spoke, her hand shooting out as if to stop Maisie. But she was quicker.

Maisie found a piece of paper underneath the pillow, almost crushing it in between her fingers, before pulling it out. She looked at Silena with a questioning look, then turned her gaze to the crumbled slip of paper in her hand.

Maisie couldn't suppress the slight gasp that slipped past her lips. Her palm found them, as realization washed over her.

"You," she whispered, returning her gaze to Silena, who was now looking down. "You're the spy."

The younger girl sighed. "It's not... I wanted to stop. Believe me, Maisie, please. I couldn't."

Maisie's heart ached for her.

"What do you mean?" she asked softly, urging her.

"Well... he was convincing at first." She shrugged. "But then..." Silena's eyes were teary, and she sniffed. "Then Charlie died. I couldn't do it anymore. But he wouldn't let me stop." She was crying now, tears falling down her cheeks, as she pressed her hand on her eyes, trying to shield herself from her feelings.

"Hey, hey." Maisie approached her, placing her hands on her shoulders. "It's okay. I'm sorry for Charlie. Honestly." She squeezed her shoulders. "But you don't have to do this anymore. You can still be better."

Silena wiped her eyes, then looked at Maisie.

"What about you?"

Maisie furrowed her brows. "What about me?"

"You can be better too. Don't pretend like I don't know. Of course I know. Aphrodite's my mother."

Maisie managed a giggle, Silena a small smile.

"Don't worry about it. I know what I'm doing."

Maisie pulled Silena into a hug, knowing the younger girl probably needed one after all this.

"You won't tell, will you?" Silena asked when they pulled away.

"Of course not," Maisie promised. "We all have our secrets."

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Maisie was at Thalia's tree at exactly 10pm.

Maybe she and Silena hadn't said much about that, but Maisie didn't want to admit that she was in fact going to see him that night. She hadn't seen him in almost a year. She wasn't waiting any longer.

She sat in front of the tall tree's roots, prepared for another illicit meeting. Her hands were slightly shaky, which was odd. She never got nervous, not like that.

And she wasn't sure if it was anxiety from seeing Luke after so long, or anxiety about whether it would be him who would appear or Kronos.

She didn't have to wait long to find out. Mere minutes later, she heard footsteps making their way up the hill, a familiar figure emerging from the darkness.

Luke came into view and Maisie's feet were quick to push her up.

The closer he got, the more she could make out about him. He looked different.

His body looked exhausted, like it hurt to take a few steps. His hair was the usual curly mess, matching his tired expression. The only thing that stayed the same through everything was his scar. His wicked scar that Maisie had traced too many times before.

Maisie lost control of her body as she ran up to him, throwing her arms around him. It could have been Kronos, for all she cared, but she still hugged him so tight, scared he'd turn and leave. Scared she'd lose him.

Luke's arms wrapped around her too, holding her firmly. They didn't speak for a while, simply holding each other, cherishing the short-lived moment.

Without meaning to, Maisie shed a tear. Luke only noticed when he pulled away, and he cupped her face, wiping it away with his thumb. He stared into her glassy eyes, looking into her.

"It's okay, Maise," he whispered.

Maisie choked on a sob. "I know. I know." She managed a smile. "I missed you."

"I know. Me too."

With heavy hearts, Maisie and Luke sat down on the grass, as close to each other as they could.

Maisie's head fell on Luke's shoulder, allowing her to relax, if just for a moment.

She looked up at the clear sky, dark and starry, constellations she didn't recognize adorning the night.

There came a slight chill in the air, sending shivers up Maisie's body. Luke instinctively wrapped his arm around her.

"Hey," he said suddenly. "Shooting star." He pointed up to the sky, to a thin, tiny line moving faster than either of them could register, soon disappearing out of sight. "Make a wish."

I wish this would end.

Nothing was fair in war.

───────

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