This is an edited and rewritten version of The Seventh Wheel.

Please enjoy the chapter. (If it doesn't break you).

No one told him that the war would change him like this.

Even now, a year later, it's constantly on Leo's mind. He just couldn't seem just to let it go like the other campers. He couldn't even focus on finding a way to release Calypso from her curse. (The gods only allowed her freedom if she gave up Leo, a choice fe felt she made too quickly if you asked him). Leo had his hands full trying not to kill anyone who spooked him to think too much about her, not that she didn't cross his mind- he was just too busy trying to adjust to camp to worry too much about his broken heart.

Leo couldn't sleep without having vivid nightmares, his emotions were out of control, and he could barely go a hour without nearly setting someone or something on fire. He was a wreck. Everyone around him seemed to be moving on with their lives while Leo was stuck in the past. Leo had never felt more miserable or alone in his life; he was starting to believe that Nemesis was right, he was destined to be miserable for the rest of his life.

Taking a deep breath, Leo pulled himself away from his work table in Bunker 9, it wasn't like he was getting any work done. He walked to Festus who was laying on his work pad, and gently set his hand atop the bronze dragons head and began tapping. The dragon responded to his owners morse code with a series of creaks and groans, whatever he said seemed to ease the young mechanic's mind. Both the demigod and dragon stood still for a moment enjoying the small moment of peace. Festus moved startling his owner, wisps of fire danced from the crown of Leo's head down to the tips of his fingers the only sign that the demigod was panicking. In a few seconds Leo had the flames extinguished, but the damage was done. He longer had peace of mind.

Visibly upset Leo walked away from his workplace and out of the bunker. He'd use the lengthy walk from the bunker to the mess hall to compose himself. His composure seemed to waver slightly as he approached his already seated cabin. None of the other seven were at camp at that moment, though they'd arrive sometime the next evening. Leo hadn't spoken to them since the day he came back to camp with a broken heart. He had been upset and had snapped at them and he never got around to apologizing; he was too scared to. Nemesis had visited him in his dreams the night before they arrived at camp and he couldn't seem shake her words, "Remember hero, what I said. You are the seventh wheel."

Nyssa gave him a dirty look as he sat down beside her. She was irritated with him because he had pushed most of his responsibilities as cabin nine's head counselor onto her the last couple weeks. With a sigh she pushed her half finished plate of food in front of him and said, "Eat up or you'll set a bad example to the little ones." Leo didn't say anything in response but he did eat a few bites of mashed potatoes to please her.

When most of cabin nine moved to the amphitheater Nyssa turned to him and said quietly, "I'm worried about you Leo, you haven't been yourself lately."

"I'm fine." He wouldn't meet her eyes, "You don't need to worry about me."

"You're not fine Leo, do you think I'm blind? That I haven't noticed-"

He cut her off with a look. Leo made a move to get up but she placed her hand on his shoulder to stop him. Their eyes locked, and she sighed and said resigned, "At least talk to somebody who'll understand."

He shot up to his feet, roughly shoving Nyssa hand off his shoulder. The anger boiled over so suddenly that Leo couldn't stop himself from directing it at her even if she wasn't the real cause. Being a hothead herself Nyssa stood up and met his anger with her own. Smoke rose from where his hands were placed on the table top and separated the siblings for a brief moment before the wind blew it away.

"Who could understand?" Leo asked just loud enough to catch the attention of the remaining campers in the mess hall.

"Leo-"

"No Nyssa, no one was there-" His voice caught in the back of his throat, the rest of his argument unsaid.

Nyssa was so stunned she didn't make a move to stop him as he left the mess hall. The campers who witnessed the argument returned to their dinner, curious but respecting the two siblings privacy. Nyssa walked away moments later an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. On the table where they both stood only minutes ago the only sign that something was off were two large hand prints burnt into the table.

Your thoughts and opinions are always welcome.

Thanks for reading.

xoxo

Haley