Revenge

Chapter 22

Beck was scribbling on a piece of parchment when she heard someone shouting outside. At first it was unintelligible, but as the person shouting came closer to the building she was in, the voice became clear.

"Chiron's back!"

Beck joined the hoard of campers heading to the border to great the old camp director. He was most people's favorite person at camp.

"How was Olympus?" Someone asked as Chiron carefully navigated through the group of smiling kids and teenagers.

"Bright, as usual." He responded jovially.

Percy, who had sidled up next to Beck, chuckled quietly.

The old centaur finally reached the Big House. He disappeared inside and the campers slowly dissipated.

Beck stayed in front of the building until everyone had left except Percy. He didn't say anything, just walked inside.

Beck didn't want to ask Chiron her question with her half brother there, so she waited out on the porch.

"Is Percy in there?" Someone asked. Beck looked up to see Annabeth standing at the bottom of the stairs up to the porch.

"Yep." Beck sighed.

"Are you waiting for Chiron?"

"Yep."

Annabeth sat next to her. "Is something wrong?"

Beck shrugged.

"That wasn't very convincing." Annabeth said with a small smile. "Let me guess, you aren't happy with your father."

"Was it that easy to see?"

"No. I just had a hunch. If you need to talk about it, I'll listen. So will Percy."

Beck grimaced, but the daughter of Athena didn't notice it. "I don't really want to talk to Percy about it..."

"Trust me, he understands more than you think." She smiled and stood, opening the door to the Big House and shouting, "Chiron? Percy?"

"Back here!" The son of Poseidon responded faintly.

Annabeth turned and winked at Beck before going inside.

Wondering how long they would be in there, Beck swept her hair forward and began to braid it out of boredom.

She hummed one of her favorite Disney songs quietly, remembering the time she'd stayed over at Holly's house and they'd watched movies all night long.

When the cold winds are calling,

And the sky is clear and bright,

Misty mountains sing and beckon,

Lead me out into the light.

I will ride!

I will fly!

Chase the wind and touch the sky!

I will fly,

Chase the wind and touch the sky!

Giving up on seeing Chiron until after dinner at least, Beck got up and wandered in the direction of the cabins, soaking up the sun that was shining down on the camp.

"Give it back!" Someone complained to her left.

Beck looked over to see little Jake from the Hephaestus cabin being antagonized by Richard Waandt (pronounced 'Want') and some of his friends.

She'd never liked Richard. Most of his friends called him Rich, but she had a different name in mind when she thought about him.

"What's wrong, can't reach?" Richard laughed meanly, holding what looked like some variation of a Rubix cube in the air above Jake's head. The smaller boy jumped in the air and flailed his fists, trying to land a hit on his tormentors.

Beck scowled and stomped towards them, clenching her hands.

"Waandt!" She barked once she was close enough.

The tone of voice made the boys flinch and whip their heads to look at her.

"Need something, Sweetheart?" Richard asked with a smirk.

"Give it back." Beck said seriously.

"And why should I do that?"

"If you don't, I'll lie down and scream until someone comes running."

One of the other boy's eyes lit up in recognition. "Give it back man."

"Why?" Richard asked him.

"Beck Gibbson was famous in grade school for stopping bullies. All the teachers loved her and all she had to do was scream. Then she'd tell the teacher they hit her. That's all it took."

Richard turned to look at his friend. "Mark, you aren't scared of her."

"Dude, the closest person to us is Jackson!" Mark hissed.

Richard seemed to be considering it. Beck took the chance to step forward and knee him in the crotch. As he dropped forward with a grunt, she plucked the Rubix cube from his hand and gave it back to Jake.

"Thanks Beck!" He dashed off towards the forges.

She watched him go with a smile, then turned sharply to glare at Richard and his friends. "If you ever do something like that to him again, or anyone, for that matter, I will make sure you never live it down that you were bullying a 10 year old."

"Have fun with that, dear." Richard sneered sarcastically.

"Well if you aren't scared of her, maybe I can strike some fear in your slimy heart." A voice said from behind the three.

The boys parted to reveal a very short, fiery looking redhead.

"Get lost." She snapped to the three of them. Beck noted the blue hairbrush sticking out of one of the pockets of her painter's smock and wondered just who this chick was.

The boys scattered and the girl ran a paint-speckled hand through her wild curls.

"Hi, I'm Beck."

The girl grinned at her. "Rachel Elizabeth Dare. Nice to meet you."