Nico Di Angelo sat on the beach; staring into the dark waves. He tucked his hands into his pockets. He shivered, but not from cold, he shivered because he knew death was coming; his life would soon slip away, and no one would care.
Nico glanced back at the dark woods behind him that surrounded the rocky overhang he stood on. He could almost see the dryad watching him; wondering if he would jump; daring him to just die and leave this world forever.
He knew what the others would say if they knew he was doing this. Hazel's voice bloomed instantly into his mind.
"Nico, don't you dare!" she would shout, worried about her brother. Or would she be worried? Would she even care?
"No," Nico thought, "she has Frank, she doesn't need me,"
He stared back at the water once again; edging closer as if drawn to it; getting to the very edge of the cliff. The water had been something he had always looked up to, especially since Percy could control it, his father being the God of the sea.
"I'm sorry Percy," Nico muttered, tears filling his eyes. He looked back once more and then jumped; praying that Percy would save him. He wanted to be saved; he wanted to know that someone in the world loved him.
He hit the water with an icy splash, not bothering to attempt swimming, just letting his breath out and sinking into the depths.
Nico slowly slid to the bottom, his mind aching for air. He needed oxygen… where was Percy?
"Save me," Nico said, water filling his mouth as he spoke.
Nico opened his eyes weakly, his mind swirling. He tried to struggle to get back to the surface; he didn't want to die, he wasn't ready.
But the icy grip of death swirled around him… Nico's eyes closed, and he sank down, going limp. His last conscious thought was of Percy, who suddenly appeared in a flurry of bubbles as if he had jumped into the water, reaching out for Nico. And then Nico Di Angelo's eyes closed for the last time, and his world disappeared.
Percy Jackson grabbed Nico's arm, pulling the boy out of the water and onto land. He had been so worried that he had forgotten about staying dry; he was soaking wet and gasping for breath.
"Nico!" he shouted, trying to shake the boy awake. But it was too late; the young boy was gone from the world.