Chapter 3: 3rd Person

The next day according to the rest of the campers was nothing out of the ordinary. Percy wasn't there but that wasn't unusual either. He could have been sent on a last minute quest, he might have been called down to Poseidon's palace, he may just have been walking along the beach like he does each morning.

One boy in particular knew that the lost camper was not doing any of these activities and slipped away from the mess hall to the woods because he couldn't handle it any more. Percy had said he would be back by morning, like he'd never even gone anywhere. He had said he would come back in one piece. And so far he had broken all of these promises.

Nico stood up and left the woods deciding to go on a walk around camp when without even realising he was stood in front of Percy's cabin. Nico cursed to himself; couldn't he just let it go? Percy was probably just staying over night or had gotten delayed. Perhaps he'd even got called up to Olympus, Nico thought.

He relaxed at these thoughts and went into the cabin to get something he'd left behind. As he searched under the bed he noticed little flakes of something on the bed. Also the floor seemed to be covered in dust as well. Nico picked up one of the flakes and inspected it. Wood shavings?

He stood up and looked around the room trying to find where they had come from and gasped. On the wall, high up was a carved message from Percy himself

'Good bye Neeks. Love you forever'

He fell to the floor his legs unable to hold him up anymore. Tears started rushing down his face, enough tears to fill a swimming pool relentless and unstoppable.

Then the screaming started. The one solid thing that he could lean on was now gone forever. The person that calmed him down, the person who comforted him, the one that slept with him just so he wouldn't get nightmares. All gone.

Nico couldn't control his anger and swept his arms across Percy's table knocking everything on the floor, the sound of shattering glass like the sound of the ocean. The ocean, Nico screamed, shouted at the top of his lungs. That was Percy's home. Why didn't Poseidon save him? Any of the gods. His most treasured possession.

A child of Apollo walked past just as Nico started screaming and as soon as he heard the glass shatter he ran to get Chiron.

The centaur sprinted to the cabin closely followed by the other campers, Annabeth and Grover at the front, nosey busybodies at the back trying to push their way forwards.

As Chiron opened the door he saw the teenager lying in a mixture of blood and glass with tears streaking down his face. Even as the door opened Nico didn't stop, too overwhelmed with grief to do anything but.

Chiron looked up to where Nico was looking and saw the message. It felt like a slap across the face.

Percy Jackson, son of one of the Big Three, destroyer of Gaia, survivor of the underworld and one of the bravest people he had ever met (to the extent of foolishness at times) was dead. And not a hero's death dying in battle. Somehow he had planned this, knew he was going to die, maybe wanting to and left one measly little note carved in wood to say goodbye.

Chiron stepped outside to explain and get rid of all the inquisitive people outside. Once they had all left a few remained, Annabeth, Grover, Rachel and Jason.

'What's happening?'

'Tell us!'

'What's wrong with Nico?'

'Is Percy ok?'

'Where is he?'

'Was he here earlier?'

'Why is Nico screaming?'

'Why is he in Percy's cabin in the first place?'

'SILENCE!' Chiron bellowed.

'Nico found Percy's note' he explained.

'What note?'

'Why would Percy leave a note?'

'Was it for all of us?'

'Be quiet' whispered Annabeth

Chiron nodded understandingly. Tears started to run down her cheeks as Chiron's message finally sank in.

'No… Please no. Why?'

'Annabeth what's wrong?' asked Jason, concerned.

'What do you mean no?' asked Grover looking from Annabeth to Chiron then back again.

Annabeth spoke but her tears were choking her and she couldn't form any words.

'When do people often leave notes?' asked Annabeth finally.

'When they go on holiday?'

'When they go away for a long time?'

'When they… but Percy wouldn't do that!' Rachel said incredulously.

'Do what?' asked an irritated Jason

'Can one of you please just tell us?' asked Grover.

'Oh my goodness' whispered Rachel. 'Oh no.'

Chiron stepped back into the cabin in order to placate Nico and shook his head as he felt a film of tears glaze over his eyes.

Outside Jason and Grover were still not understanding and that made it worse for Annabeth and Rachel.

'I don't understand why he would just leave a note. I leave notes all the time. What makes this one any different?

Annabeth couldn't take it anymore and screamed:

'It's a suicide note! Percy killed himself and left a note telling us all'

and burst into tears.

As Annabeth collapsed the noises form inside the cabin ceased immediately.

Nico walked out covered in blood, reached out a hand and pulled her up into a tight hug that neither ever wanted to let go.

The next day during breakfast, Chiron had an announcement and told the room what the commotion was.

Because his closest friends were all grieving and struggling they were allowed permission to sit with each other at meals.

Nico and Annabeth got closer due to the closeness they had with Percy, they were the most upset by it and helped each other through.

'Last night as you may have heard a note was found in Percy Jackson's room. I will not tell you what it said but it was a suicide note. Percy Jackson killed himself'

The amount of gasps around the hall made it sound like a wave breaking. Murmurs and whispers started spreading across the room like wildfire and Chiron had to shout over all of them.

'There will be a memorial tonight at the bonfire for those who would like to attend. Thank you'

The centaur turned and walked away again wiping away the tear that had escaped down his face before he heard a shout.

'Chiron…'

'Hello Jason' he said as he turned and saw the son of Jupiter running towards him.

'Is that the only thing that Percy left? Just the writing on the wall?'

Chiron nodded. 'Yes. There's nothing else.'

Jason nodded, a look of disappointment plastered on his face, and walked away to catch up with the others never to realise that what Chiron had said was wrong.

Percy had left another note, under his bed that Nico had found whilst trying to find something else, but in the shock of losing his love had completely forgotten about it.

20 years later and Nico Di Angelo had never read the one thing that Percy Jason had needed him to the most.