༄

THAT WINTER BREAK, CAMP FELT THREE TIMES BIGGER THAN THE MONTHS BEFORE. It was clear the gods were keeping their promise and more demigods were being guided to safety. The camp was growing, thriving in a way it never had.

Upon arrival, Lucia, Annabeth, and Percy followed the path to the big house. Chiron and Mr. D. were playing pinochle on the wrap-around porch. With cans of scattered Diet Coke lying around them.

Chiron greeted the trio happily. Catching them up with Camp life and briefly asking them about school. Mr. D. on the other hand, nodded at them with a scowl before chugging down more soda and telling Chiron to play.

The sun child wanted to bother Chiron on the topic of Aurora. But considering they just made their arrival and that he was too preoccupied with the god of madness, she made a note to postpone it for later in the day.

Instead, she left Beth at Cabin 6 and kissed Percy goodbye at her Cabin door.

Entering Cabin 7, she was greeted by her siblings. She kissed Kayla and Austin on the cheek. Once she spotted Will he was forced (not really) into a bear hug and had his blonde hair ruffled into a mess. In no real particular order, Lucia greeted new and old siblings and rambled on with them about things that happened at school or camp in the past few months.

After an hour or more of genuine small talk and gossip, Lucia and Will decided on a walk to the infirmary. Will hid behind the guise of wanting to teach her new hymns against asphyxiating symptoms. But the truth was he not so secretly wanted her help in working the next infirmary shift.

Lucia saw right through his trick but didn't mind spending time with her brother and getting more hands-on with medicine.

She had lost her already limited talent in healing since she was away at sea. Taking the steps to get that side back was refreshing.

Before they could make their way into the infirmary. Something--no, Someone, caught Lucia's eye. She stopped in her tracks, her head cocking to the side to see Aurora--her missing sister-- talking to a pretty Asian girl with a shaggy haircut.

"Will, wait, Isn't that...Aurora." Lucia mumbled, "She's back..."

"Oh. yeah." Will said, in less surprise than Lucia. His voice faltered. "She returned a few days ago I wanted to tell you but..."

"Who is she with?" She asked curiously.

Will looked attentively. His eyes scrunched together before his face twisted in realization. "That's Eunice—She's—."

"What is it?"

"She's Ethan's cousin. Eunice Nakamura," Will said timidly. He looked at his sister with concern written all over his face.

Lucia's mouth fell open slightly but she closed it quickly. She inhaled sharply and looked at the pair. "Oh."

"I haven't talked to her..." Will said, "Aurora, she's still keeping her distance I guess."

Lucia frowned, "Well, I'm going to."

"Hopefully you'll have better luck." Will nodded. " I'll see you after Lulu. You still owe me that shift."

Lucia reassured him with a nod and waved him off before making her way toward the concentrated Ginger.

Her famous beaming smile formed once Aurora looked up. The pair had now noticed her significant presence. The redhead greeted Lucia reluctantly.

"Aurora." Lucia grinned. "Where have you been? Who's your friend." she hummed politely and held her hand out to shake. "I'm Lucia, Aurora's little sister."

Aurora frowned, "I wouldn't."

"Eunice. Nakamura." whispered the shy girl. She ignored her hand, turning towards Aurora with a nod before walking off. Not before giving Lucia one of the deadliest glares she'd ever received.

Lucia was taken aback by the response. But she wasn't able to dwell on it as she noticed her sister starting to slip away. "Hey wait." Lucia held Aurora's hand, "How have you been? Where have you been? I've called..."

"I was with my mom. I'm sorry I haven't answered it's just been..." Aurora sighed, "...I didn't want to deal with anyone."

Her eyebrows knitted together, "Oh well.."

"What is it."

"Nothing nothing." She shook her head nonchalantly "It's just that Dad said you weren't there when he came to visit and I've just been real worried Rory."

"Apollo is a liar." Aurora hissed.

Lucia fell silent.

She cleared her throat."I was with my Mom." She repeated, "He never came to visit us"

"Really?" Lucia exhaled in disbelief. She tried to find the sign in her head that showed whether Aurora was lying, but it never came. It seemed that Apollo really was the one making things up...

"I'm sorry for making you worry Lulu." Aurora smiled and Lucia felt reassured at that simple gesture. "But I'll talk to you about this later. My girlfriend is waiting on me."

"Eunice?" Lucia's mouth fell agape, "Oh! Wow! Um-How, When, Tell me everything." she forced interest.

Aurora patted the brunette's shoulder, "Sorry, again, maybe later." she walked off past the infirmary, leaving behind a perplexed Lucia.

༄

PERCY MOANED, "Stop moving so much Lucia.". He blinked as water splashed on his face.

"Don't let me drown, you big idiot!" She cried as another wave came crashing in. The weather was cool. Quite breezy since outside of the camp walls it was still mid-winter. Decent-sized waves formed at the beach.

Percy was insistent on giving Lucia some kind of swimming lesson. But Lucia wasn't being so cooperative, especially because it meant exercising amid a cold lake.

"I won't! just wait." Percy held her steady. His fingers dug into her hips sliding against her blue bikini. "Lay down Luz, I've got you." He promised.

Lucia squeezed his bicep and curled her legs upward. Another wave hit her back as he held her steady. "It's cold!" She hissed out. "Do you want us to get Hypothermia?"

"Kick your legs." Percy ignored "Then we'll get to your arms and breathing."

"How about I kick you in the—."She began, but pouted as he gave her an unphased glance, "Do I have to learn to swim in December?! I know the camp has borders and everything but it's still not hot enough for this!"

"You can make the water around you warmer." Percy exposed her secret, "You just don't feel like swimming. Nice try Sunlight, but the naiads already tattled on you."

She hated that he was right, and sneered, "Tell them to mind their underwater business!" in an instant she got hit with a jolt of saltwater. Lucia gasped once the cool liquid hit her face and evaporated into the atmosphere.

"Wanna bet I won't boil you all?!" She exclaimed,

"If you don't let me teach you, you'll never learn," Percy interrupted matter-of-factly. Already used to his girlfriend's antics. In his words, there was a hint of sobriety. And Lucia then knew that his reasons behind teaching her were more important to him than she imagined. "If next time you're at sea and you end up alone... Or If you end up in the middle of the ocean. I need to know you'll be okay even when I'm not there. I need to know you're not in danger where I am safest..."

She whined in defeat and a reluctant, vague, understanding of Percy's emotions. Heat bubbled up in the water around them like a hot tub. Percy grimaced at the temperature she chose but relented, before successfully getting her back into a swimmer's position.

Hours passed with them at the beach until they washed up and had dinner at the pavilion, the day finally came to an end at the campfire singalong. Austin was playing his Saxophone this time as one of Lucia's youngest sisters sang. She sat between Percy and Annabeth happily. Many other campers: including Eunice, and Aurora also sat nearby. With the latter two seemingly in their own world.

The flame flickered wildly and bright orange in the center as Austin played his upbeat song.

Later on, Lucia had to insist on tapping out on singing, she felt way too tired and uninspired that first night to entertain the crowd. So she decided to steal her boyfriend away and have him walk her to her cabin.

There Percy stayed outside with Lucia before kissing her deeply and hugging her. "Goodnight Sunlight." He hummed.

She smiled and welcomed his affection tenderly. Lucia felt lucky and content to have her boyfriend so close. Confidence and Hope had finally been instilled within her and Percy was allowing both of those emotions to be magnified.

For that Lucia was grateful. But for some unknown reason, the need to feel him near for longer started to infiltrate her body like a siren sound.

In fact, it felt weird leaving him at the door that night. Like if he went off to bed he wouldn't ever come back.

Lucia tried to brush off the insane idea. Percy helped distract her by pulling her in for another kiss.

His touch and scent grounded her. Plunging her back into a reality that recognized how ridiculous she was for worrying. Suddenly, once she walked away from him, she wasn't overthinking anymore.

She only made her way to her bunk to take a well-deserved rest. But she tossed and turned before sleep could overtake her. A gnawing feeling in her stomach festered in her and kept her from closing her eyes.

Eventually, she was able to get past the bothersome feeling. But little did she realize that instinct was the most powerful thing she had. And when she awoke morning come, Lucia was going to get a terrible surprise. One that might feel worse than drowning...

༄

THE NEXT DAY HE WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. Everywhere that's where Lucia checked for him. Everyone that's who she asked. But no one could find a single clue. There was no sign of him. It was like he just faded away. Poof. Gone.

Lucia was restless. Nothing could hold her back in her mission. It was set that she would find him. Because he couldn't be gone. He couldn't be taken from her. Not once again. Not like this. Not without a single explanation.

She could hardly take it. Heavy breaths fell from her lips as she thought hard with Chiron and the others about where he could possibly be. Contacting Sally would be too premature. Maybe he just went somewhere. But Lucia saw his sheets undone, She saw the messiness of his room.

His presence lingered

No news. Percy Jackson was missing. Everyone was frantic, sending out search parties.

Where was Percy Jackson

He can't have just disappeared

The questions haunted Lucia every day and night. Anger was the only emotion she began to feel. Because when love gets taken, there is only sadness and anger.

Lucia had been both for far too long. So she chose an emotion she had now solidified into golden armor. Her anger.

She didn't want anything. Lucia was too busy. Too focused on fixing this wrong. How could anyone be so stupid? How could anyone think she wouldn't move mountains just to search for him?

She was hardly handling it well. She missed him, his taste, touch, voice, and eyes. Everything.

The closest thing she had was his room. The blanket wrapped around her was her substitute but nothing could soothe the ache. Lucia prayed to anyone who would listen. To Aphrodite for mercy. To Poseidon to guide him.

Where is he?  She wondered.

His safety was one of her greatest worries. She wanted only to imagine him alive and well, waiting to be found.

As she lay in his bed in the dark. Hidden away from campers and the Harpies of the night. Silent cries forced their way out of her resistant lips. Tears spilled down her freckled cheeks.

She looked to the stars for answers. Asked the sun for guidance. But nothing came.

And as more days passed. The more stone enveloped Lucia's being. She hated what was taken from her. Hated not knowing. She yearned for answers and the gentle gaze of green eyes. But more days passed. Nothing... where are you, my love. why have you been taken from me?