Silence, Solitude, and Safety (Open)

[angel]

Narrating, Talking, Thoughts, Others Talking

Anastasia let a breath escape her as she finally reached her destination: the North Woods. Hugging the book to her chest, she scanned the area, searching for the perfect spot.

[/size] I wish I'd found this place before, but better late than never I guess. Although Anastasia did not hate Camp Half Blood, she never truly felt comfortable outside of her cabin. With so many other demigods, she constantly kept to the shadows as to avoid unwanted attention.

A frown puckered her features as she recalled the strange looks and whispers she would often receive. Because I'm just the freak. Fascinated by death and fire, shy around strangers, and most of all: mute. Taking a breath, Anastasia willed herself to forget about the world and simply focus on the safety the forest seemed to give. Suddenly, her eyes landed on a small patch of moss with an old pine tree for her to lean against.

Perfect! Anastasia quickly made her way over to the small corner and folded her legs under herself before opening the small book. Lightly skimming her fingers over the pages, she could feel the uneven scars left by the flames that took all she had ever known. Pushing the thoughts away before she could dwell too long on them, Anastasia dove into the book of poetry and was immediately sucked in, oblivious to the sights and sounds around her.

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She had fallen asleep. Or maybe passed out. There was no way to tell. The day was sunny, though you wouldn't know it in most parts of the forest. Ebony could rarely tell when it was sunny anyway. The dark young girl cautiously ran her fingers through the moss on which she sat. It was cool and soft. And real, oh so beautifully real. Which meant she didn't have to worry about it turning into some wailing ghost. And there were no spirits nearby, that was a good sign. Odd that the only place a troubled soul can find peace is in the most dangerous and haunted place on campus. And then, at the back side of the pine tree, came a sound. A movement. If Ebony had been less paranoid, she might have recognized it as the turning of a page. As it was, she silently drew her dagger, waiting only for the right moment. They're here. They're everywhere. They can find me anywhere. There will be no peace. My whole life will be like this. Thank you, father- Ebony sprung, knife in hand. Flinging herself around the tree, grabbing the silent form before her, and thrusting her knife in desperation.

[angel]

Narrating, Talking, Thoughts, Others Talking

Just as Anastasia finished her favorite poem, a sound pulled her from reality and she felt her mouth open in a silent scream. A form jumped out from behind her tree with a knife and grabbed her before attempting to slice her open. Anastasia's reflexes kicked in and without thinking she swung her book out as a shield. Several seconds that seemed more like hours passed before she finally opened her eyes, flickering her gaze wildly from the girl to the book with a knife now lodged in it and back.

[/size] She almost killed me! the realization hit Anastasia, but it was her next thoughts brought a wave of emotion through her.

It's ruined. Gone forever like everything else. Dead. Can books die? Why not? They are alive with stories, characters, and emotions, she rambled while her gaze stood frozen on the knife. Shaking herself from her thoughts, Anastasia turned to the girl with a scowl as if to say 'what was that for?' In the back of her mind, Anastasia knew this girl was familiar. Of course the girl was another demigod, but there was something more about her that prodded and poked Anastasia's mind. With a bit of effort, she managed to free the book from its attacker before turning the knife's point towards her attacker. While she said nothing, Anastasia knew her narrowed eyes could relay her thoughts easily. I will use this if I need to.

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It was the silence that was shocking, jarring. Most of the spirits spoke. But as Ebony clutched this pale girl's body, not a word passed between them. Perhaps this one is a messenger. The messengers say little, but mean much. Ebony pulled away, frightened and wary, but no more frightened or wary than this girl in front of her. That was good. Fear meant that she wasn't a spirit. The ghosts never feared her except when she drew her knife. Her knife! She had left it in the book! And as she spun to get it, Ebony saw that it was too late. This silent stranger already had it.

"Give it to me." Snarling in desperation, Ebony cried out for her only protection, "GIVE IT TO ME!"

[angel]

Narrating, Talking, Thoughts, Others Talking

Anastasia felt her frown deepen as the other girl eyed her with caution and even fear.

[/size] Why is she afraid? Or better yet, why would she attack me in the first place? Anastasia begged her lungs to let her speak so she could voice these questions, but to no avail. Sighing, she cradled the now ruined book to her chest with her free hand. I couldn't even scream when she was about to stab me. Absolutely pathetic. Anastasia was pulled from her thoughts when the girl began to scream at her for the knife.

"Give it to me. Give it to me!" the girl demanded, her voice growing louder with each word. Anastasia gave her a look as if to say 'you're crazy' before clutching the knife even tighter in her hand. Why would I give her the knife? So she can try to stab me again? I don't think so! Shaking her head, she realized they were at a stand still. With Anastasia unable to speak and the girl obviously intent on wielding her weapon, there was nothing for them to do but stare at each other. Keeping a close eye on the other demigod, she slowly wrote in the dirt 'No, you'll kill me.' Once the words were written and Anastasia was sure her writing was legible, she pulled back her free hand and held the wounded book to her chest.

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The girl looked at Ebony like she was crazy. I am crazy, I must be. It didn't make sense. Ebony had definitely never seen a spirit scratching quietly in the dirt. Whoever this was, she was clearly alive...even if she was silent as the grave. Ebony read the words carefully and then laughed her hysterical cackle."I don't kill things unless they're already dead."Let her figure that one out."Now give me the knife." Ebony lunged again, like a crazed animal. That's what she was really. She should probably be locked up, instead here she was with a bunch of privelaged demigods...and weapons for the taking.

[angel]

Narrating, Talking, Thoughts, Others Talking

"I don't kill things unless they are already dead. Now give me the knife,"[/size] the girl once again demanded and Anastasia struggled to keep the weapon just out of her reach. This girl is completely insane! she realized as she pushed and struggled to escape the crazed girl. Suddenly, Anastasia had an idea. Bending her knees, she managed to push the girl off of her with a kick before scrambling to her feet. I only have a few seconds before she tackles me again. She searched desperately for the perfect place and finally, a grin lit up Anastasia's features.

Perfect! Grasping the knife tightly, Anastasia begged the knife to reach its target as she flung it forward. A loud thwack echoed in the otherwise silent forest and she pushed down the urge to celebrate when the knife hit its target: the trunk of a tree. Of course she had not aimed for just anywhere on the tree. Anastasia eyed the knife proudly as it stuck out from the tallest point on the tree, much too high for the crazed girl to reach. Suddenly remembering that the other girl was still with her, Anastasia wiped around and eyed her. Hopefully she doesn't have anymore weapons on her, she grumbled to herself before crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow as if to say 'what now?'
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Narrating, Talking, Thoughts, Others Talking

As the knife soared to the highest point of the tree and Ebony's heart plummetted into her stomach, she made a small, but valuable, observation. The girl was still clutching the book to her chest. The book Ebony had demolished. What was the use of that know? If it were any normal book, this silent girl would have flung it aside by now. But it's not a normal book...It's a comfort item. Just as the knife stuck into the pine tree, Ebony held up one hand as if to part the tension. In a voice suddenly pleasant, reasonable, and completely unrecognizable, Ebony said, "Fine. You got rid of my knife. Get it down, or give me your book. Fair is fair." Ebony held out her hand, raising her eyebrow in a subtle mimickry of the girl before her.

It was a peculiar request, but "comfort items" were Ebony's obsession. She hoarded them, seeking solace in any way she could. And she'd get her knife back, one way or another. She'd get one of the strong Hades guys to cut down the tree for her. Or if worse came to worse she'd try to summon her father. She'd get that knife back. And as long as she was without it, she needed this comfort item.

[angel]

Narrating, Talking, Thoughts, Others Talking

Anastasia's eyes widened before quickly narrowing. Shaking her head, she clasped the wounded book closer to her chest.

[/size] I'll bite her hand off before I let her lay a finger on my book. Glancing at the tree, she knew there was no way she, or anyone, could climb that high. Anastasia focused her attention back on the other girl, prepared to make a run for it if she tried to take the book. Taking a step back, she wondered what her chances were of outrunning the girl. Anyways, its a knife. It looks like all the others so she might as well just get another. My book is different, Anastasia told herself before bending down to the ground again while her gaze constantly darted back to the other girl. 'I can't get it. Find a new knife,' she wrote before straightening up with a jerk and taking a few more steps back.
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What does an unstable demigod do when she's upset? She changes moods...rapidly. From agression to bartering, and next to grief. "Please, you don't understand..." Ebony's body crumpled on the forest floor as her sobs scared the nearby fowl from the treetops. "It was a gift. From my dad. It's special....please..." Looking desperately up at the girl, the antagonist in Ebony's mind, she searched her eyes for any appearance of sympathy. But they were empty, as empty of pity as her mouth was of words.

[Artmis]

Narrating, Talking, Thoughts, Others Talking

Jenna was away from her twin. She did not like the feeling. It was like somebody through a dagger at her and left a huge hole in her arm. Not like she knew or anything. It wasn't like she got hit by a dagger before.

She walked around and soon found herself in the woods. Than she heard somebody, "Please, you don't understand...It was a gift. From my dad. It's special....please..." Hearing the voice she knew it was a child of Hades. Jenna took one more step and broke a twig on the ground. She quickly jumped into a bush and hid.

[angel]

Narrating, Talking, Thoughts, Others Talking

Anastasia struggled to keep her expression neutral as the girl in front of her broke down.

[/size] "Please, you don't understand...It was a gift. From my dad. It's special....please..." Anastasia felt a pang of guilt hit her. She knew what it was like to have an item that had special meaning. Glancing at her book, Anastasia knew that she could never give it up, but there was also no possible way for her to reach the knife. I've really messed up now, She thought with a sigh before determination replaced her guilt. I threw the knife up there and it was important to her. I have to figure out a way to get it down. As Anastasia bent down to write another note assuring the girl she would help her get the knife back, the sound of a twig snapping in the otherwise peaceful forest literally jerked her back. She jumped back with her book held in a firm grip as if it could provide a meager amount of protection. Instinctively, Anastasia surveyed the area, searching for the intruder before glancing at the other girl as if to say 'did you hear that?'
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Eyes wide, Ebony nodded at her companion's silent question. They were joined now against whatever monster happened to be lurking in those bushes. And I don't even have my knife. From her days on the streets, Ebony was a fighter and a master of self defense. She picked up a large handful of dirt from the ground, stuffed a few heavy stones in her shorts pocket, and picked up a large stick at her feet. Turning to face the girl, she shrugged, and pointed to the bushes. The rustling was getting louder.

[Artmis]

Narrating, Talking, Thoughts, Others Talking

Every time Jenna moved there seamed to be a vine or a spike. She cursed at herself and tried to stop moving. She quickly took hold of her knife and waited. She knew something was coming. She was begin to think of the other girl that the one was talking to. she must be like me because she isn't talking, Or she might just not like to talk.Jenna finally stopped moving enough to not hear anybody. She knew there was a knife in a tree somewhere. There was also a tree next to her. So many options. She could climb trees really well. If the knife was at the top of the tree She could get it.

[angel]

Narrating, Talking, Thoughts, Others Talking

Anastasia watched as the other girl gathered rocks and dirt before grabbing a large stick. Glancing down at her own hands, she realized that the only sort of 'weapon' she had was her book. Letting her eyes drift upwards, Anastasia stared longingly at the knife she had thrown up there only moments ago.

[/size] And what a brilliant idea that was. Now we're both going to die and all we have to defend ourselves are some rocks, dirt, a stick, and a book. She slowly crouched to the ground and desperately searched for some sort of sharp object. After a few minutes, Anastasia's hands met the cool surface of a sharp rock. If she could have, she would have cried out in victory, but instead her mouth simply opened in a silent 'aha!' Turning to her once enemy, now ally, Anastasia waited for her to act first. Although she feared whatever lurked in the bushes near them, with her new found weapon clutched firmly in her grip, Anastasia felt much more confident.
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