Hey there! This is another story I had written a while ago. The new character is Sarah Valdez, daughter of Poseidon. Hope you enjoy! Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson or the Rascal Flatts song When the Sand Runs Out used at the end. -Sicily

SARAH

I was the only person that really saw Nico get off the Argo II that day. He was wearing his black skinny jeans and aviator jacket, his hair hanging in his face. His eyes were as dark as midnight and filled with sadness. Nico di Angelo seemed so lonely and dejected my heart broke in two. I watched him walk off into the woods, and I followed him. He never gave a sign that he knew I was behind him, but I kept following. After fifteen minutes of walking, Nico reached Zeus's Fist, climbed it, and sat on top, staring into space and swinging his legs like a restless child. My heart and my mind had a little debate whether or not to join him, and eventually my heart won out. Quietly, I scaled the boulder and took a seat next to him. Nico turned and looked at me with his big black eyes. I caught my breath. Serious cuteness. He seemed surprised, like this was the first time anyone had sat next to him before. I smiled.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"I'm Sarah Valdez. Daughter of Poseidon."

"Why are you here?" he inquired.

"You looked lonely. I came to see if you wanted company." I replied.

"Okay." was his simple response. I could tell from his tone he didn't want me to leave, so I stayed with him. He didn't say a word, but that was okay. We just sat together.

When evening came he said to me, "We should head back."

"Okay." I replied.

We walked back to the Mess Hall, where dinner had already started. My cousin Leo met my eyes and smiled, but when he saw Nico with me he quickly averted his eyes. I think the whole "prince of the dead" thing freaked him out. Ironic, as Leo has always loved working with inanimate objects. I shrugged it off. I ate my dinner alone at the Poseidon table, got up, and went outside. Nico was waiting for me. I smiled at him.

"You okay?" I asked.

"No." He tried to laugh, but it didn't work so well. His eyes reflected how miserable he felt.

"Why don't we talk tomorrow? I'd say tonight, but I don't want to get eaten by a curfew harpy. Meet me at Zeus's Fist in the morning." I smiled again, and he returned it.

"Okay. I'll be there." he said.

I walked back to my cabin, thoughts swirling around in my head. I spent a few minutes looking into the saltwater spring in the floor, thinking. Eventually, I fell asleep, and I saw Nico's eyes; dark, sorrowful, and beautiful; in all my dreams.