You couldn’t help but wish, just for a moment, that you were someone else—someone who didn’t have the weight of being a demigod pressing down on their every step. Someone who could live without the constant fear, without the mess and chaos that came with the power you couldn’t control. A soft sob escaped you before you could stop it, the sound ragged in the quiet air.

Suddenly, a rustling noise broke through your thoughts. Your head snapped toward it, your heart pounding in your chest. A girl stood just a few feet away, her presence both unexpected and oddly familiar. She had tanned skin that glowed faintly in the moonlight, dark hair pulled back in a loose braid, and eyes that shimmered like the night sky. You recognized her instantly—she was from Cabin 7, but her name escaped you in the moment, lost in the swirl of your emotions.

She seemed unsure of herself, standing stiffly, one hand nervously adjusting the strap of her bag. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink under your gaze, her dark eyes avoiding yours. “A… are you okay?” Her voice was gentle, though a tinge of worry laced it, and you felt a lump form in your throat.

You quickly wiped your face, hoping to hide the tears that still clung to your skin. Your cheeks burned, and for a moment, you wished the ground would swallow you whole.