Finding Purpose

Chapter V

-----

That following night, I was woken up my by father again, and just like last night, we went to the kitchen to talk.
'What cover story have you come up with?' I asked my dad.
Dad shook his head, not explaining any further. 'I can't tell you. All that matters right now is that you leave immediately.'
He led me down to the table, where a few things were stalled upon. My father picked up a dark blue backpack, showing its empty contents. 'Put everything you might need for the upcoming time in here. Spare clothes, bottles of water, mortal money, name it. Anything that will keep you alive when you're on the road.'
I took the bag from him and slung it over my shoulder.
Dad gave me my silver ballpoint pen, putting it in the inside of the bag. 'Just like with mine, it will always return to you.'
I grinned at the prospect of always having a weapon with me. 'You never told me that,' I said.
My father shook his head. 'No. I thought it wouldn't be necessary, but as of right now, it could come in real handy if you know it will return.'
'Thank you,' I said, as I admired the pen. It brought me a lot of good memories. Twenty questions, sword fighting, bonding with my Dad.
And all of that will be gone if you don't find a cure.
The cold washed over me as I realised this wasn't some sort of game. The life of my father depended on my quest, and I had no other choice but to succeed.
'Anything else?' I asked him.
Dad handed me a little dark brown bag with a golden ribbon.
'What's this?' I asked him as I took the bag from him and looked closely in it.
My father smiled and looked at me. 'In there are a few drachma's, in case you ever need to contact me or someone else. You know how it works, don't you?'
I nodded and opened the bag, finding the drachma's glistening softly in the dim kitchen light.
'I'll go get my stuff,' I said turning away from my father.
With me leaving it all felt so.. final. When I had lived here, it was as good as it always had been. My mom and dad were okay, my brother was wonderful, my life was great. But with leaving Camp it all became final, like the real danger was just getting into my life.
I didn't want it. But I had to.

I walked upstairs carefully, trying not to wake my mom and Bennie, and packed the things I believed I needed most. A few t-shirts, a vest, a coat, some dark jeans and my favourite pair of good walking shoes.
I didn't think I needed more than that. I got downstairs again and watched my dad as he sat at the kitchen table. He hadn't noticed me yet and when I looked at him, I could only see the broken man sitting in his place.
At first, I saw the loving look in his eyes, and the way he sat up straight, determined in any way possible.
But if you looked closer, behind the love and his determination, you would see the pain his body felt, and what it did to him mentally.
That's why I had to go out there and find it. Tell me that's not enough reason to risk my life, but there's no way in Hell you could change that.
I walked into the kitchen again and my dad stood up. He embraced me softly and I put my arms around him, my hands leaning on his back. I felt the small stumps through his shirt, a little reminder of what had happened.
Another battle scar, I thought.
'Good luck, sweetheart,' Dad said.
'I'll need it,' I whispered back dryly, knowing I needed everything if I wanted to succeed.
My father pulled back and smiled at me. 'You don't need it, Ayme. If there's anything you don't need, it's luck. Because you have Faith on your side. I have faith in you.'
My eyes started to water because of the things my father had said.
'Thank you,' I whispered. Dad smiled and put a kiss on my forehead.
'Faith will always be on your side,' he whispered.
I smiled and closed my eyes. With those last words in my mind I left the house in the middle of the night, watching my Dad standing in front of the window, watching as I left. I turned around and waved. He replied by doing the exact same thing. I smiled and stood there for a second longer, devouring the sight of him before I took off, not looking back again.

-Ann-

It was late that night, when I couldn't sleep and I was wandering around Camp again. It had become a bad habit, I guess.
If I wasn't able to sleep, I would walk around Camp and simply watch the stars.
But not tonight.
Because after about ten minutes and ending up at the borders of Camp Half-Blood, I saw two people walking towards me. I didn’t think they had seen me, for I had been hiding behind some of the trees.
I watched curiously as they came closer, and was surprised when I saw Ayme and Eve walking there. They passed me without seeing me, and after a second I called out to them.
'Where are you going?'
Ayme jumped a feet in the air, scared by my sudden speaking. 'Bloody Hell, Ann. I didn't know you were out here,' she said as she turned around. 
Eve seemed unfazed by me and was just watching me.
'Where are you going?' I asked again.
Ayme and Eve passed a look, and I couldn't help but feel the tiniest bit of jealousy rush through my body.
'Just.. you know, going out for a few days..' Ayme tried.
I smirked and walked up to them. 'Should I explain again? I'm an expert at lying skills. I can see right through you. So again..'
I stopped right in front of her. ‘Care to explain to me where you are going?'