Silena was a little tired but had been able to get in a nap after her shift. Things here were quieter with so many people on the other campus. She was still on edge, a little tense, but at least her shift was enough to distract her. Putting her focus on making sure the others were safe helped, but of course after that was over, she was left along with her thoughts.
Silena did her best to keep herself busy, she made sure she rested, but also kept up with her own training. She’d take her sword and armor outside and would pretend she was back at Camp Halfblood. Even if she had betrayed her home and her friends, it was still the only home she had ever known, and she’d give anything to go back and make things right again. If that meant going through with her plan, stealing Clarisse’s amor to trick the other Ares cabin, so be it.
After cleaning up from a short run, her stomach growled, informing her it was time to eat. Silena quietly made her way through the campus to the cafeteria and was happy to spot a familiar face.
“Hi, Paul. Did your shift just end?”
Paul had been on shift since high noon and the six hours of constant TV watching had caused him some eye strain. He wasn’t used to staring at a screen for so long. His world, despite being so far in the future, had given up advanced technology that was smarter than the human brain after learning the hard way about the dangers it posed. That meant there hadn’t been many screens in his life before. He didn’t relish the job, though he was willing to do his part to help. He hoped that on one of his shifts, he would spot one of his missing friends, but no luck as of yet.
The loud protests his stomach was making forced him toward the cafeteria as soon as he got away from the TV. He said goodbye to his shift partner, Hugh, and hurried to remedy his hunger. Eating french fries brought a melancholy over him, so he filled his plate with other miscellaneous items with no real order to them. Dry cereal, warmed-up tomato soup, carrot sticks, and a chocolate chip cookie, along with some water to wash it all down.
He sat down, crunching away on a carrot when Silena arrived. “Hi, Silena. Yes, just got off and came straight here. How are you holding up?”
“Oh, I’m alright,” she said giving a smile. At least she was alright given the current circumstances. It was easy enough to get food and to find a spot across from Paul to join him. “I’m glad we’re here to help the others if they need it, but at the same time, I hate that we are seperate like this.” She sighed. “It’s hard not being able to help when you want to, even if we are doing something good, in a way it still feels like we’re stuck.”
Silena figured it was her own personal drive, her guilt that caused her to want to be helpful all the time. She tried not to think to heavily on the psychology, though she was sure it was her way of trying to make up for her mistakes back home. Now, it just seems she had more than enough time to sit and dwell.
“Have you heard from your friends yet?” Silena asked, hoping to redirect her thoughts to something else.
He nodded in agreement as he finished off the carrot stick. “It does feel like we’re stuck. Moreso than the usual stuck. There are so few of us here and the connection we have with the others is so impersonal.” Paul wasn’t used to that. He was used to communicating face-to-face, not over devices or watching goings-on through TV screens.
The worry that he held for his friends who had failed to check in after the ball made his gut twist uncomfortably. “I haven’t. I’ve scoured the network for signs of them. Haven’t seen them on the TVs either. Did you happen to see any of them on your shift?”
Silena groaned. “I know, I agree.” There wasn’t even a way for her to say this was the worst week, but she very well knew that she could easily jinx everyone. “It’s just nicer, when everyone is here. It’s easier to face all of this, you know?”
As Paul spoke, she took the opportunity to nibble down on the food she collected. However, she frowned when he mentioned that he still couldn’t find his friends. “Oh, I’m so sorry. No, I haven’t, but I’ll keep looking.” It was all she could do, she tried to think of other ideas but if they hadn’t made themselves known by now, it worried her, but she didn’t want to say it outloud. “I wish I could offer a little more hope than that.”
“Yeah, it is. It’s too quiet here, and after a few days trapped as a statue, I was hoping to be able to see everyone afterward in person again.” The longer he was in Derleth, the less he trusted it. Experience did that. He had been naive upon arrival, thinking that this was a good break from the harsh realities of his own world.
Paul shrugged, reaching for a bit of cereal and popping it into his mouth. “It’s alright, it’s not your fault. I wish there was better news. Perhaps they have not been on the network yet.” Though that was getting harder to believe as a second day was coming closer to an end. “I could reach out on the network, but I hate doing that. It’s no reliable way to communicate. I’d rather I was there so that I could look for them myself.”
Silena nodded. “I know, a lot of people feel that way about cell-phones back home. Younger generations like to text a lot, so I’m sort of used to it. We don’t do a lot of that at camp, but I can see why someone would feel it’s too impersonal.” Silena never realized how much she took for granted that most of the kids stayed at Camp Halfblood, granted lately it’s been different with everything going on, and it certainly would’ve been helpful for everyone to be on some kind of texting plan.
“It’s weird,” she started to say. “I miss my friends from home, but at the same time, I’m a little glad they aren’t here. I don’t want them to e stuck like me, even if I do miss them a lot. But then I’ve heard that people can come from any point in their timeline, so there’s a chance that anyone we’ve lost at home can show up here.” Silena sighed. “It would selfish of me to wish Charlie was here, but at least he’d be alive.” Of course there were other reasons why she wouldn’t want her friends here. Having to face them and tell them what she had done, Silena wasn’t sure if she was ready for that yet.
“There are none of these phones where I come from. I’m not used to having to express what I want to say by typing.” It had its uses, Paul had to admit that, but he would always prefer being able to see the other person he was conversing with. It was easier to get a read on things.
“Yes, I can understand that. It would be nice to see my father again, and I miss my friend Duncan fiercely.” He had yet to fully process any of it, thanks to the necessity of survival and the engagement in war. There was a lot that he had bottled up. “I don’t think that’s selfish at all.”
“I can see why it would be a less than desirable way to communicate,” Silena replied. “What would you normally use back home?” She knew there were still people that preferred writing typical letters, but with texting limits, at least back home, writing anything, however sincere, always seemed to lack that certain something.
She smiled, appreciating his kind words. “I miss my father too. I didn’t get to see him a lot back home because I was always at Camp Halfblood. I mean, it was his idea because he knew how dangerous it can be for Demigods, but regardless of the reasons, you still miss your family and home.” After taking a small sip she added. “What are they like? Your family and your friends?”
“If not face to face, we used messages via courier. Sometimes radio. We have nothing like this.” Paul held up his communication device. “Anything smarter than the human mind is banned where I am from, so it always feels wrong to be using it.” He set it onto the table beside his plate and popped another piece of dry cereal into his mouth.
“Yes,” he agreed, though he had no idea what Camp Halfblood or Demigods were, or why it would be dangerous. “My father and Duncan are gone now. I still have my mother and my sister Alia and my lover Chani, and the Fremen. It’s hard to say what they are like in a few words. All are complex individuals. Protective and loving as well as brutal. Not unlike me.” He shrugged. “What is the Camp?”
“Oh, wow.” Silena was genuinely surprised, not that she had any judgements. “Back home, everyone’s always trying to upgrade technology, so many smart devices that claim will make life easier or be better for us in someway.” There was definite cause for hesitation, though in some cases, like the environment, advanced technology would hopefully would make things better.
She nodded, it was hard to truly explain what someone is like, she didn’t know if she could ever truly explain Charlie or Clarisse, and she was one people might need a brief on before meeting. “I understand. Charlie was my boyfriend back home, but he died not too long before I arrived here.” It was hard to go into detail so instead she focused on answering his question.
“Camp Halfblood,” she smiled. “In my world there’s a religious mythologies, all different kids but the one I’m more familiar with is Greek Mythology. They’re gods, goddess, most people don’t think they’re real, just stories from an old religion, but they’re real. Sometimes these Gods have children with mortals, we’re called demigods. The big downside is that monsters are attracted to us, they try to hunt us down but there’s a place called Camp Halfblood where we go to stay safe, and train to fight monsters.”
Having seen the technology available in some of the places Derleth had taken them, Paul understood that not having any of it in a futuristic society like his was strange. “That happened to us. We are distant descendants of Earth. It was a long time ago for me, but we learned the hard way what happens when technology falls out of our control.”
Paul couldn’t imagine what it was like to lose a lover. He guessed it hurt as bad as it had for him to lose his son, so he didn’t press Silena about it, giving her a quiet look of commiseration before letting her move the conversation forward with the answer to his question.
“I have heard of the Greeks. House Atreides can trace itself back to Agamemnon. So you’re a daughter of a deity? Have you found that monsters are attracted to you here?”
“Oh wow, it’s hard to wrap my head around that, meeting someone so far into Earth’s future.” Life as a demigod, well, sometimes it was hard to even think about the future. They would all be lucky if they made it out of the fight with Kronos alive, Silena couldn’t even imagine life past that point.
Silena grinned, straightening up slightly. “Oh! Wow, that’s cool that those stories can last generations like that, but to answer your question, yes.” She was getting more used to talking about her mother, but in a way it was still weird. “Aphrodite, she’s my mother, and has far as monsters go, not really?” She shrugged. “I mean everything we’ve faced here, I don’t feel particularly targeted, so that’s something.”
“I know. It’s been weird for me to be so far back in time.” Paul didn’t think Derleth had taken them anywhere remotely near his place in spacetime for as long as he had been there. It was strange to time travel such vast distances physically, not just mentally through his Other Memory.
“Aphrodite. Isn’t she the love goddess? I’m rusty on my knowledge of the Greeks.” He picked up another carrot stick. “That’s good about the monsters. If you were feeling like they were drawn to you, I would think it is something worth mentioning to the community on the whole so that you could be protected.”
“You’re handling it well,” she said encouragingly. “And at least you’re not alone, this place is strange enough itself, at least we’re going through it together, right?” It was one of the things that made Silena feel more reassured, there were people here that knew a lot more and could do a lot more, but at least there was still a feeling of comradery.
Silena grinned. “That’s right, beauty, love, desire, passion, pleasure, and fertility.” Her mind recalling those words being around the cabin, a reminder for Aphrodite’s children. She nodded as he continued to speak. “Oh yeah, don’t worry, I’m really glad there hasn’t been any monster attacks here, but I had warned Sharon about it after I first met her. I wouldn’t want anyone else getting hurt on my behalf.” She did her best not to show any emotion as she said it, too many people had been hurt because of her already.
“Thank you.” Paul did appreciate her words. Sometimes, he did wonder if he was handling everything alright, considering he had never had many friends and was rather socially inept. He tended to prefer to withdraw within himself and Derleth didn’t give much opportunity for that, what with the things it tossed at them and living in close quarters with so many people, at least most weeks. “Yes, that is one of the interesting things about this place. We’re all on the same side and there seems to be no violence or betrayals among the group that I can tell. Quite miraculous.”
He smiled in return. “So all of the fun stuff.” Thinking of it made him miss Chani and their passion. “That’s good. Sharon seems to be one of the ones who are wiser about the workings of this place.” He was inclined to think those faes were rather monstrous, and humans could be just as bad as things with claws and big teeth, but maybe for her, it was the mythical sort of creature. Paul decided not to press her with any further questions, sensing it was bordering on a difficult topic. “These carrot sticks are good,” he said instead, as he bit down on one. “They must have had so much water.”
“At camp, we’re taught to work together.” Silena said. “Although at times it does feel a lot like ‘this cabin vs this cabin’ sometimes the Gods have bitter rivalries with other Gods and that can transfer down to the kids.” All she could do was roll her eyes. “It’s ridiculous, but for the most part people just go along with it, even if we do train together.” She took a drink of water before continuing. “Don’t get me wrong, we help each other out, but maybe we wouldn’t have as many problems as we do if we stopped taking on our parent’s issues.” Though perhaps that was Luke talking, some of his manipulation to get Silena on his side. It was tough, just because he was a traitor, it didn’t nessisarily mean that his arguments didn’t ring some truth.
She laughed. “People like to underestimate it’s strength, I got it all the time back at camp.” Thinking about to Artemis’ huntresses. The stereotypes of Aphrodite’s children were among Silena’s biggest pet peeves, and she worked so hard as Cabin Leader to change it. Of course she did have half-siblings that some would say fall under those stereotypes, but they were so much more. “She is, I guess Sharon and a few others have been really trying hard to fix this place. I don’t know if they can send us back home, but I guess they’ve tried to send us to a more comfortable spot.” She shrugged, not knowing much about what they do, but she hoped whatever they were working on, they’d find a solution soon.
“Yeah, they’re not bad,” she replied. “I just hope they’re able to find enough food. It’s bad enough they have to worry about zombies.” Silena shuddered.
Paul had been referring to Derleth, but he listened to what Silena had to say about her home while he tucked into some of the rest of his dinner full of foods picked at random. Anything he could find that wasn’t made out of a potato because he didn’t want to be reminded of how much he missed Richie. “That sounds tough.” He wondered if that was what it was like to grow up among a lot of people his own age. Paul was used to adult company and he was mature as a result.
“That is what I’ve come to understand. Some people are more involved than others and have taken on leadership roles. It seems natural. I’m curious about what the outcome of those experiments will be.” He did feel some guilt every time he wanted to complain about being separated from his friends. They were dealing with far worse. “They are a resourceful bunch, and from what I heard, this isn’t the first time Derleth has landed in a place without a lot of provisions.”
All Silena could do was shrug. “It is, sometimes, but all I can do is just try to be me, you know? I spent a lot of time letting stuff like that and family issues get the better of me, but I realized that I need to be better.” She knew she was more than just the mistakes that she made and yes, it wasn’t entirely all her fault, but she still made her own choices. Silena just hoped that one day her friends would be able to forgive her.
“I am too. I can’t imagine the kinda weight that they carry.” Silena had enough on her shoulders back home, but this was a whole other playing field. It was really admirable to see so many people working together, trying to make their lives in Derleth a little better. After taking the last sip of her drink, she double checked the time. “I should probably get going, shifts about to start.” She looked over at Paul and grinned. “What do you think? Same time tomorrow?”
What Silena was saying did resonate with him. Paul had done a lot that he wasn’t proud of, and the next chapter loomed over his head, his foresight giving him the ability to see what could happen if he continued on his current path. “That makes sense. I don’t think I know how to do that. Just be me. I have been someone with a purpose greater than myself, so I have long served and looked after the people. I suppose it’s something we both have to work on.”
He nodded in agreement. “It seems to be a warzone. I think the shifts are going to get harder as the days go by.” Paul didn’t relish the powerlessness of their current position. There was only so much they could do, issuing warnings from the Void. “Same time. I’d like the company. I would say to have a good shift, but that seems wrong somehow.”
Silena almost let out a laugh, the way she could empathize with Paul’s comment. “I know that feeling all too well. Having a god for a parent, there are assumptions, expectations, you name it. Not to mention no one’s perfect you know you? Well all have to find a way to deal with whatever mistakes we’ve made in the past and learn how to move forward.” Silena was definitely talking to herself and maybe one day she’d feel more comfortable opening up about those mistakes.
“I think so too,” she replied with a sigh. “I just hope no one does anything stupid to put themselves or other people in danger. It’s hard enough trying to get an accurate reading, however they’re getting the footage, I wish they would show us more so we aren’t doing a lot of guesswork.” All Silena could do was shrug, she had no control over it and they were all doing the best they could. She smiled at him. “I get it, and great, I’ll see you later then.”