/ SIX MONTHS AGO .
Act.
The cold, night sky.
The sounds of the ocean waves piling against each other.
Mm.
The sound of my hand sliding against the walls as I ran down steps.
The breeze hitting my face as I ran. .
My shoes made the wood I was walking echo. I ran as fast as I could.
"River!" A feminine voice shouted.
"該死的." > dang it.
Panicked as I was, I jumped down from an opening from the palace.
I landed right on a dark oak roof.
Dangerous. Hurt.
I continued sprinting, I had to get away. But my legs can only take me much further ..
"River!" Again, that voice. That feminine voice.
My legs were slowing down, my breathing became heavy. My chest was tight.
I stopped in the middle of a pathway.
Panting to catch my breath. My eyes averted everywhere. I could feel my eyebrows furrowed in place.
I was shaking, my legs were wobbly, I could barley keep my mouth shut due to the lack of air.
I closed my eyes.
Stressed..
"我应该怎么办?" > What should I do?
I was out of options..
—
You may wonder: "why would the son of the dragon king; of the East Sea) be chased in his fathers palace. ."
Well.. I wish I have an answer for that.. but. I don't!
All I know is.. it's a set up! It made me look bad.
Like,
Real bad...
—
'Ugh, gosh.' I thought to myself.
"River just stop this—"
I need to find a way out of this mess.
"And let's just talk, okay?!"
No can do!
Y'know, sometimes: all you need is a big leap of faith!
So..
Here goes noth—
—
"Well, I didn't expect that.." The voice sounded faint. I could barley hear anything.
Though, I may be the son of Ao Guang.. I still don't like when there's water in my ears.
I could barley make out anything, the voice that I heard before said something else.
I felt myself get dragged..
Huh?
—
I'm awake . . ?
Well duh, don't be an idiot.
I can't move...
. . .
I felt my body awaken, barley any energy went through but I felt a rush.
My eyes shot open.
"Ugh.." I grunted, bringing a hand to my face to rub my forehead.
I squinted my eyes. Trying to take in my surroundings.
A.. nurses office?
I used my elbow to push myself up.
Ouch.
"Hey.." someone spoke up, their voice was close..
Though, I didn't really acknowledge it.
"Hey there." They spoke again, Chuckling this time.
I finally opened my eyes wide enough to see the person possibly standing next to me.
A brunette girl? "Oh."
"Oh. Oh, um." I muttered, immediately sitting up and pushing myself out of bed.
I stuttered out a "hi."
Her eyebrows went up like she was scared.
"Wait, w-wait. Take it easy, take it easy." She frowned. "Uh.."
I furrowed my eyebrows and ran a hand through my NAVY BLUE hair..
"Hey? Um.." I stammered, still completely lost in thought.
"Hi!" She smiled fondly.
I could practically feel my brain fizzle from how confused I was. "I- um."
"Sorry I was just— um. Uh, just getting- uh, used to where.. this is uhm..." I trailed off.
English is not my forte...
"I-I know! It's probably a lot to take it." She stated: understandably.
I was still thinking of the word...
"—Um.. infirmary!" I said, way too loudly. "Some sort of.. thingy?" I asked.
"Ah- yeah! This is my infirmary. Uh, you're currently at CAMP OASIS, welcome. I-"
I nodded almost immediately. "—Of course, camp oasis. Yes!"
Her eyebrow perked up. "Oh, so you've heard of it?"
Oh yes I did.. a lot.
"Yes! Actually."
"Great!" The girl smiled widely. A wave a relief went over her.
"Um..." I mumbled.
"Makes- things a little easier," she stated.
"Um, I found you washed up on the shore..." she told me, she sounded puzzled.
"Uh, what- what's your name?"
"Ah! Um... uh." I fumbled with my words. "Well, uh: 河 Áo Jiāng Hé..."
Oh, I bet she has no idea what I just said...
Her eyebrows were raised. "Uhh..."
"Yup." I looked away.
She looked nervous. "Do you have anything shorter that you go by?" The girl laughed softly.
I chuckled too. "That— that's uh.. my Chinese name. I just-"
"Oh, okay." She nodded.
I started to ramble... "you can just call me: Jakey! Y'know, Call me Jakey."
"Oh! Uh Jakey... hah." She looked nervous again.
"Yes!" I nodded.
"I actually have uh. History with someone with that name.."
My smiled faded. "You do?"
"Uh.. what does your Chinese name mean?" She stuttered out.
"Oh.. um. Áo Jiāng Hé— Áo is like, the family name. And Jiāng Hé actually, y'know: means.. like. River in Chinese! So." I explained.
She smiled. "River, hm."
"Yes," I nodded, again.
"Well, I found you next to a river, your name means River. So uh, I guess I'm calling you River River."
She let out a laugh after that.
I hated that name.
"Well, um."
It made me a bit uncomfortable.
And mad.
"Whatever— yeah. Sure." I said almost bitterly. Hiding my scowl.
"Yeah! Just a nickname, y'know?" She giggled with a smirk.
Just a nickname...
"Yes, if it makes things easier." This girl gave me a headache.
I shook my head, not wanting to get distracted. "Um, well. Thank you for um.. saving me."
The brunette nodded her head quickly. "Of- of course!"
"I guess finding me on a— on a beach?" I questioned. "I'm so glad you— you took me back to your.. office." I gave a friendly smile.
My eyes followed her as she moved to the right a bit more.
"I thought you were just a counselor... in this camp." I stated,
continuing on with my oversharing.
"Oh, um. well, I am the camp counselor." She said, her eyebrows furrowed together as she watched me with curiosity.
Suspicious?
"Yeah that I know!—" I said immediately before going to fix my mistake.
"I mean um, I just.. assumed." I repeated twice.
"Right." Her face stern but confused.
"You seemed like— one of the person.. in charge of the camp-"
—English is not my forte. I groaned quietly at my wording.
"As I said, I-I know a few things about the camp even though- yes, I definitely don't look like I come from.."
I took a breath. "Anywhere around here."
"I- Y'know, my place is back at.. y'know, china?"
The girl nodded. "Right, uh.. Yeah understandable." She chuckled, again.
I closed my eyes before huffing and opening them once again.
"I was seeing someone that— y'know, from uh.. your world." I told her.
I started to pick at my brown gloves. "And uh, he has told me, uh.. a bit things about... uh, the CAMP OASIS."
"I see!" She smirked.
I looked away. "Well he wasn't apart of the camp. He- he knows about it." I half muttered.
I gave an annoyed huff due to the fact my throat was starting to ache.
"He brought it up.. y'know occasionally?" I scratched my cheek. "..In conversations— uh."
"I see!" She repeated.
The girl showed a grin on her face. "It's a great place."
"It sure does looks like a great place." I nodded.
She placed a hand on her hip. "What brought you to this.. area?"
Took me awhile to process what she asked me.
"Oh! Um, well. I... actually uh wasn't supposed to actually-" I stuttered. Again.
"Like, y'know, come here." I felt my shoulders drop out of exhaustion.
"I was actually on a mission, you see-"
Her eyes slightly went wide. "A mission?" Pure bewilderment.
"Ah.. I don't think you recognize the name based on your reaction!"
She let out a breathy laugh. "No?"
"But um. I'm actually uh, the son of the dragon king; of the East Sea)."
"Oh!" She mumbled.
"My dad is AO GUANG." I confirmed.
"Which is the king of the East Sea."
"I see..." she said, intrigued.
"Yeah. Some people might joke about it and say he's like the Chinese version of POSEIDON, y'know?" I told her. Trying to be friendly and gave another small smile.
She laughs. "I guess I have heard that before."
I laughed with her. It wasn't that funny but— GOOD IMPRESSIONS.
"Well, as his son, I need to.. help! Uh, my dad and everything. And he sent me off with a duty...?" I cringed at my wording.
"Like an ambassador!" My voice is way too loud. Ah,
"An ambassador?" She said curiously. "I see."
I nodded for confirmation. "To explore different parts of the world.. and maybe gain friendly relationships with others." I started making gestures with my hand.
"Because we don't want to be stuck in our own little world."
She gave a quick 'of course'. Her face showed obvious signs of confusion but also understanding,
it's probably the way I'm wording things.
She continued to listen to me speak as well as taking in this information.
I confirmed I got into an accident with the whole 'washed up on shore', which is also how she found me.
We continued talking to each other— with me telling her I'm glad I'm here and how I appreciate being at CAMP OASIS— she also appreciated that, her eyes were soft and she was still showing her signature smile.
Should I ask?
"I know this camp is for and full of, um.. Demigods?" She nodded to confirm my question.
"Like Greek.." I knew where I was going with this.
"And the son of APHRODITE—"
Silence filled the room as her face shifted from pleased to uncomfortable. Though she still wore a smile.
"—Right?"
She cleared her throat. "Uhm, well. Yes! We are home to a lot of the Greek Demigods, uh. Indeed."
She started to walk to the other side of the room.
I followed, I could feel my heart stop.
Why was I so interested?
"..Including the son of APHRODIT— but-! You might want to stay away from him." She stammered out. Obviously looking concerned.
Ugh.
"Ah, how so?" I questioned, Obviously demanding an answer. "I thought everyone here is uhm.. welcomed and friendly, huh?"
I locked contact with her as she stuttered. She was trying to look for the right words. Her eyes quivered while she stared. She gave me a frown.
"Well— yes yes! Of- of course! And.. y'know... the children of APHRODITE are pleasant for the most part." She took a deep breath: trying to calm herself.
"I just personally had a bit of.. a run in with him.." she mumbled. "Last year. And let's just say, I might've been sent to the UNDERWORLD, because of it."
She took a deep breath before continuing the sob - story. "Uh, so personally I don't deal with him much!" She started to smile again, but it was a sad one.
"And; I don't recommend seeing him.. but to each their own, I suppose."
I furrowed my eyebrows. "Right."
"Well, uhm. Well anyway I'm glad to hear this place is surrounded by people of all kinds." I put on another smile, hoping she would be distracted so I don't have to hear her cry.
She nodded, her mood changed again— this time showing a happy expression.
Mood swings
"Of course, of course." The brunette nodded for the who knows time. "Would you maybe.. like to stay for a little bit?"
I perked up. "Y'know, thats exactly what I'm thinking of!"
She laughed.
I explained to her how it'll maybe be good for me to get to know others and how CAMP OASIS is the perfect place.
"I think I'm staying here." I said softly as I stared out the window.
She chuckled and said: "I think you'd make a perfect fit.. so, uh welcome to CAMP OASIS!"
"Right." I felt myself nod before averting my eyes back to her.
"谢谢." I said in my native language before walking away, heading for the door that lead outside.
I heard her mutter something but I didn't bother to listen..
—
Though, I feel like I'd get used to this place.
Well. Hopefully...
/ END OF THE LOG .
Act. — OVER )1
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