APOLLO CABIN

I stood firm. I couldn't heal, but it didn't look like the others could either. The best I could do was pray for a mirecale. Pray for my father. "Dad," I whisper. "If you are listening to me, if you care about me, protect Katie. Keep her from dieing. I mean in battle, and now. Heal her, Dad, Please. I have never, nor will I ever, ask for something else again. Just give Katie your blessing." I close my eyes and look to Katie. I try to notice a difference, and I think I see her face become less pale, but I wasn't sure if that had to do with the new lighting. "Katie, I swore on the Styx, please pull through!" I clinch my fists in anger.

I blush. I was known for being a little dramatic, but seriously, she was coughing up blood. That had looked bad to me. Then I think back. "Katie, you're pregnant. It could be something wrong with your baby." I didn't believe it, but I still felt like I needed to say it. I hadn't gone to school long enough yet to know what happens when your pregnant, and really, I didn't want to know. But to me, an eleven year old boy, blood was bad. "And about what you said earlier, I'm not protecting you because you're pregnant. I'm protecting you because you're my friend. No, you're my sister."

"No!" I countered. "You're great! You can care for anyone, and make them feel safe. You did that for me. It was probably just some weird pregnancy thing." I try to sound professional, like I know what I'm saying, but my words fall flat. I'm giving Katie's stomach a weird, curious look, and it's probably freaking her out. "But I can assure you, you are NOT a horrible mother. You are a great one."
Finally I remember Katie's only wishes. "And I swear on the River Styx to protect your baby. Nothing is going to happen to my half niece or nephew."

I smile, giving a cheesy, show face I learned how to do. "Dad's smart, he'll know what to do!" Before I realize what I'm saying, I feel longing tugging at my emotions. "Wait, did you say Dad? You can talk to Dad?" That had been bugging me for a while, all of the camp veterans having met their parents. I was too new to have gone to Olympus, I had never met Apollo.

I smile, feeling better. "Oh! A demigod dream!" I relax, disappointment creeping in. Dad wouldn't be paying a visit to the Apollo cabin, not that I thought that was even possible. I didn't know him. "What are you going to name your baby?" I ask Katie wistfully.

"What if it's twins?" I say, randomly guessing. Little did I know, I had struck gold. To no one's knowledge, I had guessed that Katie's baby would really be: Katie's babies. Still, I didn't know that.

I stare at Katie. "I don't think I would like twins very much," I sigh. "But, I don't know. Maybe they would be okay." Randomly I create a spotlight of golden sun and shine it in the middle of the room. The whole cabin lights up, probably waking everyone up.

I turn to Katie, almost confused. I'd never heard anyone call me special, except the people that called me special ed. I'd never had anyone say they were proud of me either. "I'm not all that great, Katie. I'm not great like you. I want to be just like you, and I'm glad your here." I give Katie a hug, like the kids at the mall hug Santa.

I was still caught at when she said twins. I was ready for one, but two? "T-twins? There's no way that it could be, right? I don't think having twins would be good right now, i think it's risky enough having one." I shrugged. "Whatever happens, happens I guess."

"Oh, right," I say, embarrassed. I let go of Katie and stare at the floor. The light I made flickered, but I kept it going. I wasn't about to let the cabin go dark. Light was the heart and soul of the Apollo kids.