Nico Di Angelo woke up shaking and alone in the Hades cabin from a nightmare of Tartarus, the worst place he had ever experienced (Which was saying a lot, since Nico had been through a lot). He had dreamt about making a choice, to give in and follow the giants, or die or go insane, or both by the horrors of the pit. He refused to work for Gaea, obviously, but the horrors of the pit rushed to him, ready to tear him apart. Nico had then then woke, sweating profusely. He glanced at his clock that rested at the other end of the room, wrapped in shadows. He liked it that way. Nobody could see time but him (It was his explanation, but really it was so nobody would know when to leave). Nico then had sat up, showered, and got dressed. He put in his favorite aviator's jacket and black jeans. He missed Hazel. She would always be there to comfort him in times of need. The war was over, but they were at opposite camps. He could have chosen the Roman camp, but he felt much too obligated to stay at CHB. As soon as he walked out of the door, he saw a sight he didn't want to see so early in the morning: Percy with Annabeth by the lake, cuddling up to see the sunrise. He held back some air, and took a walk in the woods. Stumbling along, Nico found the spot for the Council of Cloven Elders. He lay down on the half-dead grass, unmoving. Grover had kept some of the grass dead, to keep as a reminder of the old council, and how he would not fall to greed and selfishness. Nico smiled a bit. Grover may be such a goofball, but at least he was always responsible and straightforward. Nico just lay there for a while, letting an hour fly by. Almost 8:30, but Nico wasn't really hungry. The sky was waking up, and Nico wasn't ready to deal with the day. Maybe I could shadow-travel. Nico thought. Someplace where I won't be bothered. Nobody will have to pretend to enjoy my company. For a moment, Nico felt truly alone. It was a terrible feeling. One he hated feeling but knew he deserved. He just knew inside that everyone resented him a little bit, and that he would never truly be accepted. Nico felt himself tear up. Oh shit, not now. He thought. No, no, no. Stop now. But Nico couldn't stop the salty tears as they started to streak down his face. Soon enough he was curled up into a ball and couldn't stop. His sides hurt. He was dehydrated and tired, and didn't really want to deal with these stupid emotions today, or the nagging voice that had been tormenting him recently in his head. He heard a rustle outside the clearing.
"Go away. I'm not in the mood for anything right now." Then a giant scorpion walked out from the bush. It foamed at the mouth, and scuttled towards Nico. Nico didn't do anything to stop the beast. He didn't care enough. He closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable end, when suddenly the creature hissed in pain and disintegrated. Jason, the mighty son of Jupiter, stood at the edge of the clearing.
"Nico?! Are you hurt?! It didn't sting you did it? Oh gods, are you alright?" Nico slumped over more than he was before, and told Jason to go away.
"Jason, I'm fine, please leave me alone." Jason looked at him, noticing Nico's tear-stained face for the first time and his bloodshot eyes.
"Nico, what's wrong?" Nico shook his head.
"If I promise to tell you later, will you leave me alone for now?" Jason gave him a look, and searched his face for any hints of deception.
"Swear it on the River Styx." Nico groaned but nodded.
"I swear on the River Styx." Thunder rumbled in the distance, pissing off both Nico and Jason. Nico was simply tired of the fact the gods always seeing everything, and Jason was just pissed his dad was paying attention. Of all the times, now was when he decided to pay attention? Jason scrunched up his nose in disgust.
"Okay, Nico, I'll see you at dinner, then. Until then try to stay alive, okay?" Nico nodded, then went back to his curled-up position. Despite his earlier thoughts, he wondered if people actually did care about him. It didn't really matter. Nico was still a reject and a son of Hades. But he did make a promise. So up he rose, and walked to to the edge of the forest, back to the only home he knew.