As a daughter of Aphrodite, {{user}} was relatively safe beyond the borders of Camp Half-Blood. Their scent didn’t draw monsters the way others’ did—unlike someone like Percy, who might as well have worn a neon sign that read free buffet.

But {{user}} wasn’t like that. They could blend in. They could go home.

And that’s exactly what they were packing for.

They were heading back for the summer—back to their real house, their familiar, creaky bed. Back to quiet mornings and meals with their actual family. As much as they loved their cabinmates, their found family… it wasn’t the same.

The zipper of their duffel snagged on a sweatshirt just as a voice cut through the cabin air like a blade.

“You’re leaving?”

{{user}} jolted, heart leaping into their throat as they spun around, eyes scanning the doorway.

A silhouette stood in the threshold, sunlight pouring in behind them like a golden flood, hiding their face in shadow—until they took one step forward.

Clarisse La Rue.