Revenge

Chapter 21

Beck witnessed two more claimings in the next week.

The first was a camper who had been there since the age of 6, when his father died in a car crash while he was at camp for the summer. He was claimed by Hecate and happily joined his siblings in their daily activities. Beck had to applaud him a little for transitioning so easily. She obviously wasn't doing as well, not having held a conversation with Percy that lasted more than three sentences after the rain incident.

The second was an nine year old boy named Jake who had stepped over the border and immediately been claimed by Hephaestus. He reminded Beck of a monkey, always running around and climbing anything he could, including people.

For some reason, the young camper had taken a liking to her. He followed her everywhere, asking questions and poking at things. This kid had seriously bad ADHD. He wanted to touch everything.

"I don't know what that is, Jake." Beck said for the umpteenth time.

"Why is it here if you don't know what it is?" Jake asked.

"I don't know. I don't run the camp. Chiron probably put it there."

"Who's Chiron?"

"He's the camp director." Who was on Olympus for a few days at the gods' insistence.

"Well if he directs camp, how come I haven't met him?"

"Because he's busy, and away from camp." Beck sighed inwardly. She'd never let him know he was annoying her, obviously, but being around this kid felt like playing five games of 20 questions all at the same time.

"Why is he away?"

"Because the gods want to talk to him."

"The gods? Like my dad?"

Beck modded. "Yeah."

"And yours!" Jake grinned at her, revealing the loose tooth that he was very proud of.

"Yeah." Beck muttered. She didn't like to think about her dad much. It just made her think of her mom, all alone in the apartment, while she was here with hundreds of kids and Poseidon was on Olympus with his family or in the ocean with his wife and his subjects.

"Jake? Jake, come on!" Someone shouted. Beck turned to see Nyssa coming in their direction.

"Mason said he'll show you how to use the blowtorch properly." Nyssa said once she got closer. Judging by the look on Jake's face and the way he took off for the forges, he had been waiting for this.

"Be careful!" Nyssa shouted after him before turning to Beck. "How's your new cabin?"

Beck shrugged, not wanting to show her obvious annoyance with her situation to someone who she doubted would understand it the same way. "It has its ups and downs."

Nyssa smiled. "I'm sure it does. Hey, I've been working on a prototype for something and I was wondering if you'd test it out for me sometime. I was watching you practice the other day," Beck raised an eyebrow and she quickly elaborated. "I wasn't creeping or anything, we had weapons practice together and I was taking a water break. Anyway, I thought your staff looked pretty cool, but I figured it was kind of annoying to carry around."

"Okay..." Beck wasn't sure where this was going.

"I worked on some options in my free time and I think one of them might actually turn out." Nyssa finished. "Will you test it for me once I've finished finding and fixing most of the kinks?"

Beck nodded. "Sounds interesting. Just find me when you're ready."

"Totally!" Nyssa smiled at her. "Now I have to go make sure Jake and Mason aren't blowing things up."

"Good luck." Beck chuckled.

"Thanks." Nyssa turned and sprinted for the place Beck was sure she felt most comfortable in, dodging around campers that were lounging on the grass or running around with each other.

Speaking of running around, one particular couple caught Beck's eye.

Annabeth was yelling something unintelligible through her laughter as she dodged out of Percy's grip. They didn't goof off much. She hadn't asked why, having been told already that they'd gone through quite a lot of pain together.

The son of Poseidon leapt over a daughter of Aphrodite who was tanning herself and put on a burst of speed, catching up to his girlfriend and scooping her off the ground.

Annabeth laughed as he whispered something in her ear then put her down and took off running the other way.

Beck remembered goofing around with her ex. She didn't want to, but she did. He'd seemed like a great guy at first, but as time went on, he'd gotten touchy and possessive.

"Hit the deck!" Someone shouted in her general direction. Beck turned to see a frisbee flying at her face. Rather than shy away from it, she leapt forward and grabbed it out of the air.

"Nice catch, Beck!" Michael's familiar voice floated over to her.

"Would you mind if I joined in?" She asked him.

"Not at all! Hey guys, Beck's going to play!" He shouted to his friends.

"The more the merrier!" One of the girls responded.

Beck sent the frisbee zinging her way.

"Good throw!"