I started the morning with the stupid wings getting in my way again. Wait, let me back up. Ever since the poisoning, ever since Solana's stupid sacrifice, there's been some weird things happening.

Thing number one is, of course, the wings. They only appear when I've been shadowtraveling or raising the dead, and they disappear around 20 minutes after. They originally disappeared immediately, but they tend to stick around now. They get in the way of everything, and look like some sort of weird light yellow to light purple fading angel wings.

Thing two is that all of my scars glow. Tiny ones, Big ones, you get the deal. For some reason, again, it's only when I'm using my powers and they always glow yellow. Geez, don't need to highlight the marks of pain and agony.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1KOqJTEoU

My sword also morphed into the weird scythe thingy like in my dream, so that's cool. It's a black and purple fade, with the handle and tip being lavender while the middle is black. It is pretty awesome to swing around when I'm angry, I'll admit.

I get ready for the day. I really don't want to leave the cabin, but I need to talk to Will. Hopefully he won't get anxious or anything. That's the type of things that screams him. He doesn't show he's anxious most of the time, but yet he is pretty anxious almost every second of the day. 

Why does the sun have to be so bright? Like, Apollo can you just make the fucking sun dimmer please? It blinds me and a bunch of other people. We get that you want to be in the light, but you already get so much credit. The only reason I don't chuck you off a cliff is because you're Solana's dad, and I'm not going to anger my old friend's dad.

I walk into the bustling environment called the infirmary, being overstimulated by the bright lights and sterile scent. I wade through the mess of campers. It's June, so of course the camp is swamped. I always dreaded these days.

I make my way to the back, being bumped at least twice by other campers. Geez, how fragile are these kids? Some are the same age as me, yet they're crying like a four year old.

Will is talking to Nico. Of course he's here. I didn't want to worry Nico too, but I guess he just wants to be with his boyfriend so I won't judge.

"Hey Will I need to tell you something." I state this, but it sounds more like a question. As if I were asking if I could talk to him, not just starting up a conversation.

"Oh, yeah?" He seemed genuinely concerned. Damn it, I hate it when people sound concerned for me. I just hate the attention. I already have enough of it, no more thanks. It's what gives me headaches, and keeps me up at night.

"So, there's been a lot of side affects after the whole 'I was poisoned and then Solana saved me and blah blah blah'. Anyways, basically I've had these glowing yellow wings and such, and It's actually kind of annoying." It feels like I just blabbed for like, 10 minutes. I'm surprised that I can even share that much with them. Hello, I've got trust issues.

"Okay..." He seems kind of bored, like he knows what happens in this story. "Basically, whenever an Apollo kid sacrifices themselves they leave a mark on the person they sacrificed their life for. Normally it's just a star symbol, but in rare cases it can be large-scale." He acts like it's common knowledge. Man, I hate when people know more than me. It just mentally kills me every time.

"Oh." I feel the red burning on my face. Wow, so sweet. My best friend left a piece of her with me. I'm not blushing, and I don't have a crush on her. Nope, not at all. "Bye." I calmly walk out, that is until I'm a good distance from Nico and Will. I suddenly bolt for the woods. Shadowtraveling longer distances every once in a while.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPfrI8kJc0

I'm not flustered, right? I mean I might have liked Solana a little bit, but not anymore. After all, she died for my sake. I shouldn't feel this way about a dead person. She's dead, gone in the past. Cleared from my mind, give or take. But yet, she's still here with me

I know I can raise the dead. Maybe I can somehow communicate with Solana using my powers? It's worth a shot, I guess. I will need an offering, though. I know Solana really liked mochi, though I don't know if we have any. I decide to shadowtravel into the kitchen anyway.

There isn't any mochi, go figure, but there are some strawberries. Strawberries are kind of mid, but they'll do fine. I shadowtravel into the cabin next. We'll probably need like, marigolds and candles. Right? I don't know much about raising the dead other than they're normally just mindless zombies I can puppet around to my will. I never really thought about using my powers to communicate with the dead.

When I get into the cabin, I realize just how tired I am. Like, exhausted. I flop on my bed and decide to take nap. It's just a small one, and it'll make it easier to summon the dead and whatnot. I fall into a dreamless sleep, thankfully.

~~~

When I wake up, it's around 9:00 PM. Perfect. I grab the supplies and head back into the forest. Yes, I know it's dangerous. Hey, in my defense I have my scythe strapped onto my back, and that's all I need.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYZJz3su5H

I make a little circle of the little fake plastic candles around me with marigolds sprinkled around. I don't know how to do this, so I kind of treat this like I would if I were summoning my dear old dad. I lit a little fire and burnt up the strawberries, hoping they would convince Solana to get over here.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKKhs8d1h9

Please Solana. I thought. Please just come visit. I miss you.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CBG7ZI4nL

"Miss me?" Wow that worked. Solana is suddenly eating ghostly strawberries.

"Hi." I begin. I don't want to finish that sentence, because it would probably be mushy and basically yuck. I can't do this to myself, let alone Solana. No way.

"You taking care of yourself? I didn't revive you just to have you die again." We both chuckle at that one, and I'm trying to make light of the fact that she's actually justified in doing that. Wow, and here I was thinking that I'd never admit that. See, I've grown since I got to camp.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm actually eating at least a meal a day." I say it in an upbeat sort of way, though Solana gives me a look that says you've got to be kidding me. It's sweet how much she cares about me though. It makes me feel like I'm not entirely alone in this world. 

I begin to feel the fatigue of doing this though. Like the fatigue that once I finish doing this, I'll be passed out for a few days. Wow, so now I feel what Nico kind of feels like. Or maybe how Solana felt after she went and killed herself. If you were to see me I'd be pulling a side eye right now.

I lay on the grass, Solana soon joining me. I begin to tell her about the constellations.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMVSGWw1xZ

"That one's Orion. And over there is the little dipper. The big dipper is over there along those trees. I point them out, knowing that she probably isn't too interested in these things. Oh well, I guess I'm the only one who gets to enjoy them here.

I feel my eyes begin to droop, and I can't deny the inevitable. I'm going to pass out in a few minutes. I hope that Nico and Will can find me in the morning. I'm not that far into the woods, so it shouldn't be that big of a deal. Honestly, I would enjoy staying in the woods, but tomorrow is Friday, which means it's time for capture the flag.

I decide not to think about that stuff as I close my eyes, letting the calm breeze, the sound of the trees, and the absolute darkness help me drift off into a peaceful and dreamless sleep. Goodnight world, see you in a few days.