Disclaimer: I do not own the Percy Jackson series, although I wish I did. All characters belong to Rick Riordan.

Leo's Pov

I curled up in my blanket. The coldness of the room pressing up against me. I concentrate on feeling warm and watch as flames start to dance across my fingers.

The door slams open and my foster father staggers in clutching a beer in his hand. His gaze fixes on the fire in my hand and I hastily put it out.

"What do yathink you're doingyou littledevil," he growls. His speech slurring together.

"ANSWER ME BOY!" He reaches out and backhands me across the face. The force of the blow knocking me off the bed. An unmanly whimper escapes my mouth and he grins.

"I expect respect from you, ya little brat." He takes out his belt and as the first blow falls I scream. The sound echoing through my head and through the ship.

I wake up staring straight into the eyes of Piper. Instantly a smile appears on my face. I can't let them know how badly I'm shaken up. Not as I see them staring at me with concern etched all over their faces.

"Hey guys, I know I'm beautiful but you don't have to stare at me constantly!" None of them smile. Not even Percy

"Leo, are you okay? You were screaming." I sigh and sit up subtly hiding my shaking hands under the blanket.

"Yeah guys, I'm fine," I lie. They don't look convinced. "Just the usual demigod dreams, you know, death, sickness, the whole world being doomed. Serious stuff." I can tell they don't believe me but thankfully they don't ask what I was actually dreaming about.

I jump out of bed, their gazes follow me as I go put on a shirt.

"Guys I'm fine, okay. I need to go check on Festus and I'm sure you guys have things to do too."

"Okay...if you're sure that you're fi-

I cut him off

"I'm sure, okay. Just go," I snap. They look hurt. "Sorry I snapped at you, but really, I'm fine. Come on." I call over my shoulder. "A wonderful day of monster fighting and physical labor awaits us!" I hear them groan behind me, and I walk off smirking.