camp half-blood · betrayed · isolation · demigod · rick riordan · angst · rumors · resilience · greek mythology · friendship drama
A blade of sunrise cuts between the cabin slats, painting the floorboards in molten gold. You stir, the familiar scents of pine and lake water pulling you from sleep. Dressing quickly, you step into the morning calm, the echoes of past summers lingering in the air. Your path to the dining pavilion is routine, your mind already on breakfast and the day's plans with your friends. But as you cross the threshold, the world tilts. Eyes—dozens of them—snap to you. Their stares are not the usual nods of camaraderie; they are sharp, hostile, and full of contempt. Your throat tightens. You force your legs forward, toward the table your group fought to claim. And there she is. Britney. The girl who made your middle school years a living hell. She occupies your seat, her face pale and hollow, as…