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A/N: This is a small filler chapter that I believe to be necessary. I promise you guys more action in the next chapter, so stay tuned!

Chapter 24: The Price of Salvation

"What are you doing here?" Katie demanded, sitting down next to me quickly, "and what's with the hairdo? You look like the mayor of nerd town."

"K-Katie, I can explain-!" Katie reached over and plucked the glasses off of my face. "H-hey, be careful with those!"

"Since when do you need glasses?" Katie asked pointedly with narrowed eyes, before twirling my glasses around her finger, much to my horror. If she broke those, Walt would kill me. "What was it that you once told me a while back? Something about having 20/8 vision?*"

I quickly snatched the glasses back out of the daughter of Demeter's hands and snapped them back on, my hands grasping them firmly. "It's only temporary. I didn't know you attended this school."

"Of course not," Katie said with folded arms. "I told nobody but my family about where I live. You know the safety precautions."

"Right," I said a bit sheepishly. I should have known that without asking. Demigods rarely disclosed their home addresses to others because in this world, knowledge was power. You would never know if monsters were listening in, and any info on our addresses that got leaked out placed family members at risk. It's one of the reasons why no one at camp knew about Lucy, so I could keep her as safe as possible.

"You still didn't tell me what you're doing here."

"It's a long story, and I'm not permitted to share all of it," I added in quickly before Katie started interrogating me.

She huffed. "Can you at least tell me how long you're staying here? Or are you here because you want an education?"

"Trust me, if I had my way, I wouldn't be here at all." I muttered. "I hate high school."

"Don't tell me something already happened on your first day?" Katie said. A smirk was starting to appear on her face. When I didn't answer, her eyes widened further. "Something did happen! Come on, Seth. Spill it. What did you do this time?"

"Me? Why do you assume I started it?" I said with irritation.

Katie rolled her eyes. "Oh please, I know there are a lot of jerks in this place, and you are no pacifist."

"I can be a pacifist!" I argued. Katie gave a questionable look. "Okay, maybe when jerks aren't going around purposely trying to provoke me."

"Just tell me what happened, Seth," she replied. "My day's been too boring. I'm in need of an interesting story."

I sighed. "Alright, fine. I might have gotten what's his face to the principal's office…"

"Tom Wadpole?!"

"Um, yeah, that's the bastard."

"That was you?!" Katie exclaimed. "You got three of the biggest troublemakers in the school a one-week suspension?"

I only blinked. Oh my gods, the rumors traveled even faster around here than at camp.

"Wow," Katie gave a light laugh. "I applaud you, Seth. I really do. You're definitely going to set a record here."

"What record?" I mumbled. "I didn't get any trouble whatsoever. That's the good thing about cameras and the stupidity apparent in bullies. I don't intend to get expelled."

"I know," Katie said, "but the record I'm talking about is the amount of trouble you cause, but get away with."

I felt my lips turn up. "I'm flattered by your compliment."

"Don't get use to it," Katie warned. "Be more careful. I won't be able to bail you out if you do get into deep trouble."

"I'll try."

We heard the teacher start to take roll as my new classmates settled down, though there was still some chit-chatting going on. Katie gave me a slight nudge to the shoulder.

"You better tell me what you're here for," Katie more or less commanded. Ugh, I recalled the Stolls talking about Katie's bossiness, but I didn't think it was this much. "After school, got it?

I only gave a grunt, briefly reminded of how Katie and Clare were related.

-o-

Throughout class, Katie Gardner kept sneaking glances in Seth's direction.

Seth or 'William Fletcher' as he now called himself (she snorted aloud when she heard it), kept his head down, and kept writing rapidly in this notebook. His now dark grey eyes were directed only on the teacher and the lecture before he would write something down again. He had the appearance of an honors student that wanted nothing more but a good education. If Katie hadn't recognized him, she wouldn't have paid him a second thought, and she suspected that was his original intention. His disguise literally screamed out plain, ordinary, and 'don't look here!'

When the bell rang, Seth swiftly got up and out of the room before Katie could even get out of her chair. His quick departure left Katie frustrated.

That jerk, he better not ditch me! She thought as she hurriedly shoved her papers and books into her bag.

Seth was outside the classroom waiting for her.

"What took you so long?" he asked. Katie grew annoyed.

"Very funny," she said, before walking past him with her remaining dignity. She gave a small smirk when she heard Seth catch up with her step by step. "So what bus are you taking?"

"Bus?" Seth repeated, looking confused.

"Well, yeah. We take buses to get back home." Katie said slowly. Did he not know any of this? "I'm taking the one that goes through Lincoln Boulevard."

"Oh, um, I'm actually not taking the bus," he said.

"You're not?"

He shook his head. They were by her locker, and Katie hastily put on her coat and grabbed the books she needed and placed them into her bag. "I'm going to book a room at a nearby hotel."

Hotel…that could only mean Seth was staying short-term. So he wasn't here for normal reasons after all.

"How long are going to stay at this hotel?" she asked. Seth gave a shrug.

"A couple days," he said. "Maybe a week."

"That's it?" she said. "You came all the way from New York, just to attend my school for a few days?" Seth frowned. "What person does that?"

"That's my business," he said icily. His sudden cold tone nearly caught her by surprise. Seth stared at her blankly, his eyes so empty it sent chills up Katie's spine. A second later, Seth lowered his gaze, and said more gently, "don't worry about what I'm here for, Katie. Just pretend I've always been here. It'll be easier for both of us."

"Seth," Katie started, a bit hesitant. "Is something wrong?"

"You have to clarify what you mean."

"I saw your note," she whispered, closing her locker quietly. The two of them headed towards the entrance. "The one you gave Chiron to leave us with? You left that letter without even a proper goodbye. Will was really angry, and the others were ticked off."

"What about you?" he asked without looking at her. They were finally outside the school. All of the students were talking and running to their buses. "How did you feel?"

"I…I was confused."

"Confused," he repeated softly. "I thought my letter was straightforward."

"It is," she said, "but it's not the content that confuses me, but the reason. Why did you write the letter in the first place?"

"It's for Will's sake," he answered briskly. "I didn't say anything about leaving camp during the beginning of the year, and he confronted me about it at Lee's funeral. I owed it to him." He gave a light chuckle. "I guess that didn't work."

"But if the letter is meant for Will, why did you ask Chiron to give it to Annabeth?" Katie said narrowly. Seth didn't answer. "Will should be the one with the letter instead."

"It doesn't matter who has it, as long as all of you have seen and read it." he murmured, and then he noticed something of interest. "Is that your bus, Katie? It looks like it's about to leave."

"Huh?" Katie turned and saw her bus closing the doors. "Oh Zeus!"

She ran as quick as her legs could take her, but the bus was already taking off, inevitably leaving her behind. She felt Seth run past her, and soon, she saw the child of Artemis banging his fist on the front doors of the bus. The driver forced the bus to a stop, much to the occupants' interest and aggravation.

Katie soon caught up with him, out of breath. "Thanks."

"No problem," Seth said. "So I'll see you tomo-?" His sentence was cut off when he felt her dragging him inside the bus. The driver quickly shut the doors after they entered. "Katie, why are you…"

Katie grew flustered, her face red from sweat and the cold breeze earlier. "Quit asking questions and sit down."

The bus was relatively two-thirds full. They eventually found an empty seat and sat together.

"Alright, Katie," Seth started. "Why did you drag me in here? I told you I was going to stay at a hotel."

"You're going to stay at my place." she declared. What possessed Katie to say that, she didn't know, but the more she thought about it, the better the idea seemed. She rarely had friends stay over, especially demigod friends, and her house had a guest room available so…

Seth looked at her in disbelief. "You're kidding."

"I'm not," she said. "You can say it's reimbursement for helping me get on here earlier."

"B-but this is too sudden!" he protested. "What about your father? He doesn't even know I'm coming over! I can't just barge in unannounced! That's rude."

Katie rolled her eyes. Of course Seth would be concerned about proper manners.

"You got my permission," she said. "As long as you have that, my dad won't have any complaints so long as you don't cause any trouble around the house, which I know you won't. We have a guest room available, and you're only staying a few days. Why stay at some shabby, run-down hotel with awful food when you can stay somewhere better for free?"

Seth replied, "I do have more than enough money for a good hotel, but if you and your father are really fine with me staying over…"

"We are," she insisted.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "Thanks for letting me stay. I'll be sure to make it up to you."

Katie gave a small smile. "Worry about that later. You got your stuff with you?"

"Sort of," Seth said. "It will be…on the way."

Before Katie could ask him what he meant, the bus had finally come to a stop in front of her neighborhood. She motioned for Seth to follow her, and the two of them along with a couple others got off the bus and headed home.

Since her house was a fifteen minute walk from the bus stop, Katie started to prep Seth on what to expect when staying at her home.

"My dad works at home," she began. "Whenever I bring friends over, he can be a bit nosy. So if he starts asking you strange, awkward questions-feel free to call me as soon as possible so I can put a stop to that."

"What kind of questions am I expecting?"

"Trust me, you will know when you hear them," Katie said, shuddering slightly. She remembered the last time her dad more or less interrogated one of her guy friends from school. It didn't help that he owned a shot gun. "He does it to 'protect me'. He does the same thing whenever Miranda is around too."

"So he's the protective father sort?" Seth questioned.

"More like over-protective," she corrected. "Just try to bear with him. Giving him respect helps too."

"I'll be sure to do that," he muttered.

After some more walking, she and Seth finally arrived in front of her single family home. The front lawn was filled with dried out flowers and plants. The driveway was clear, and the brick house and closed windows gave the house a serene feel. Katie frowned when she noticed the flowers were on the verge of dehydration. She lifted a hand over the plants, and seconds later, the flowers straightened up, the colors grew more vibrant, and the grass became greener. Seth watched her with awe.

"I always wonder how Demeter kids can do that," he murmured while looking at the red roses. "Do you just will the plants to life or what?"

"Kind of," she said. "It's a bit hard to explain, but it depends on what I'm feeling too. If I'm in a good mood, the plants and vegetation around me just become more alive."

They reached the door. Katie took out a key and opened it, a chime signifying their arrival. "Oh yeah, it's best if you shed that disguise, Seth. You don't need to be 'William Fletcher' here."

Seth briefly hesitated before he took off his glasses and brushed his hair back to how it was. Katie gave an amused look. It amazed her how Seth's appearance could change so drastically. Instead of looking like a nerdy geek, the child of Artemis now looked more than decent. Katie and the others would never compliment him on that aspect though, for his sake.

"Dad, I'm home!" she announced as the two of them stepped inside. "Dad?"

She heard Seth take a small step back as her father finally came out of his work room. A slightly chubby, brown-haired man with a mustache walked over to her with open arms. Katie immediately stepped forward as her father embraced her, his blue-green eyes looking at her warmly behind his rimless glasses.

"How's your third day, Katie?" her father, Edward Gardner, asked. "Anyone give you any trouble?"

Katie shook her head. "No, dad. No one gave me any trouble. You don't need to worry about me so much."

"It's a father's duty to look out for his beautiful daughters!" her father exclaimed. "What would your mother say if I didn't protect you and Miranda?"

"I think she just tell us to eat more cereal," Katie muttered. She noticed Seth by the door still, looking very out of place. "Dad, I want you to meet a friend of mine from camp."

Almost immediately, her dad's countenance became less friendly and sterner. "A friend, you say?" He walked over with Katie under his arm still. He stared at Seth intently, and Katie knew that her father was trying to appear intimidating. She smacked a hand to her forehead.

"Dad," she started.

"What's your name, young man?" her father demanded.

"Seth Hunter, sir."

"What is your relationship with my daughter?"

"We're friends, sir."

"Really?" he questioned, causing Seth to look confused. "You two are just friends. I can't help but notice that you are quite a handsome fellow. Probably used to the attention of girls, aren't you?"

"Excuse me?" Seth said, apprehensive.

Despite the warning looks Katie was throwing at him, her father paid no heed to them and continued to interrogate him relentlessly. "A grown boy like you must want a girlfriend of his own."

The horrified look on Seth's face made Katie want to scream in aggravation.

"What in Hades, dad!" Katie shouted. "Seth and I-we are not having a romantic relationship! Quit interrogating him!"

"So you are not currently dating this boy here?" he asked narrowly.

"No! Dad, Seth is a child of Artemis! He doesn't date!" Katie nearly shouted at him. Her statement unknowingly shocked Seth and her father.

Her dad blinked in surprise. "A child of Artemis?" He turned to look at Seth curiously. "You're a son of Artemis?"

"Um, y-yes, sir," Seth said quietly, looking very awkward. Katie felt like giving him all of her sympathy.

"You really don't date?"

"No sir," he answered.

"So are you like, asexual or aromantic?"

"I'm both, sir." Seth said tightly. "I can't see myself in a relationship, nor do I want to partake in anything that involves love."

"So you are against love?"

"When it comes to other people, like my friends for instance, I can tolerate it." he said carefully. "I don't care if others are having relationships, as long as it doesn't involve me."

"So you are in complete abstinence?" her father questioned. Seth gave a hesitant nod. Katie noticed that her father was now looking at Seth with approval. "Very well, Seth Hunter. You have earned my permission to spend time with my daughter, Katie." Katie gave a snort.

"I'm glad, sir," Seth said, giving an uneasy smile.

"Dad, Seth needs a place to stay for a few days, and I offered to take him in. He can use the spare guest room, and I'll make sure he doesn't bother you when you're working."

"That's fine," her father said dismissively. "Just help yourself to whatever you need, Seth. All I ask is that you look out for my daughter at that school."

Katie rolled her eyes. "Dad, I don't need looking after!"

"If only you would agree to go to that all-girls school, we wouldn't be having this discussion!" her father shot back, causing Katie to cross her arms and pout.

"Of course, sir," Seth answered. "I'll try my best." Her father gave a nod before he returned to his workroom. She and Seth later went upstairs into the guest room and started setting his stuff down on the spare mattress.

Katie immediately started apologizing once they were alone. "Oh gods, Seth. I'm so sorry my dad had to put you on the spot like that! It must have been embarrassing."

"It's alright," Seth said while taking out his books. "Although, I'm curious of how you knew I don't date. I never told you."

"I have friends who are asexual, aromantic, or mistaken themselves as one," Katie told him. "I recognize the signs. I noticed how you never seem to be interested in talking about girls or couples. You have that disinterested air about you. At first, I thought you played for the other team."

Seth appeared confused. "What other team?"

"Guys," Katie said bluntly. "I thought you liked guys instead of girls."

There was a brief moment of silence as Seth took in what she said.

"You thought I liked guys….romantically?" he said slowly. Katie nodded, sheepish. However, she noticed Seth's expression was one of neutrality. He didn't seem offended.

"Yeah," she said quietly. How did this conversation get awkward so fast? "That's what happened with one of my friends. He thought he was asexual at first since girls didn't interest him, but it turned out he liked guys instead."

"I guess that's a common mistake," he muttered.

"So are you?" Katie asked. "Are you really an aromantic asexual or is it a mistake?"

Seth chuckled and shook his head. "I'm not mistaken, Katie. Women, men, there's no difference. Neither party interests me. Though, if it was a year ago, I would definitely be classified as straight."

"So you were interested in girls at one point?" Katie asked, interested.

He nodded. "I find many of them to be good company, some I also find attractive. I don't remember paying any attention to guys in that regard, so it's very unlikely that I'm gay or bisexual."

"If you don't mind me asking," Katie said with a small smirk. Seth instantly had his guard up. "Which girls do you find attractive? You ever had a crush on any of them before?"

Instead of being nervous like Katie expected, Seth answered frankly, "I never had a crush. The girls I find to be interesting and attractive I can only see them as friends, nothing more."

"Which girls are you talking about?"

"You, for example," Seth pointed out. "I like hanging out with you, but it doesn't mean I want to date you. No offense or anything."

"None taken," she said. "I don't see you like that either. If only my dad knew that in the beginning…" She sighed. She didn't want to remember anymore. "Who else?"

"Annabeth is another. I like talking to smart girls. Annabeth always brings up something thought-provoking. I enjoy talking to her about these topics immensely, as long as it isn't all about architecture. That can get boring real quick. But like I said before, I can only see her as a friend, a best friend even, but a friend nonetheless."

"Plus, she's already taken," Katie added. "Do you know if she and Percy Jackson are together?" Seth was taken aback.

"T-they're dating?!" Katie rolled her eyes.

"I forgot how dense you can be. Why is it always the guys?" Katie muttered. She continued before Seth could start protesting. "Any other girls?"

"Thalia Grace," Seth replied after a moment's pause. "She has a very headstrong personality that makes her admirable. She's also very confident and after getting to know her more, I also notice how she also has a gentle and caring side to her as well. Now that she's the lieutenant of the Hunters, she's become a remarkable leader." Seth smiled briefly, his silver eyes directed at her. "Did I ever tell you how Thalia was and still is my role model?"

Katie was surprised. "No, you didn't."

"She was my role model ever since I heard her story," Seth informed her. "I thought to myself, 'Wow, that's a girl who I would like to fight side by side with. That's someone who succeeded in protecting those closest to her.' Maybe it was because I was very impressionable. Regardless, I'm glad I was given the chance to know Thalia personally."

"Sounds like you held Thalia up on a very high pedestal," Katie remarked, "but did you ever feel anything towards her? See her as more than a friend?"

"I'm not sure," Seth answered, narrowing his eyes in deep thought. "I can't tell if those 'feelings' are romantic, or just a form of awe and admiration." He shook his head. "It doesn't matter anymore. I see Thalia only as a friend these days, and she's a hunter. Any love is out of the equation."

"That's too bad," Katie said softly, and then she moved on to the real topic she wanted to go over with Seth. "What about…what about Clare?"

"Clare?" he repeated. There was an edge to his tone, and for a second, Katie felt a wave of animosity hit her. She stared at Seth warily for a moment before snapping out of it, confused of why she just thought Seth was somebody else.

She nodded. "I remembered how the two of you were close friends before she left. Back then, we barely talked, but I always noticed how you and Clare would always spend time together whenever one of you was free. You must feel something! As her half-sister, I know I do, but you were closer to her than I ever was."

"What's your point?" Seth said after a moment. "I know bringing her up isn't easy for you, Katie. You must have a reason for doing so. I know how much you care about her."

Katie swallowed heavily. Seth's words hit her right in the spot. If Thalia was Seth's role model, then Clare was hers. She always admired her older sister's abilities over photosynthesis and plant manipulation, and her knowledge on toxins and healing herbs seem endless. She admired the way Clare carried herself proudly and represented their cabin to the best of her ability. She trusted Clare with her problems, and Clare would always give her good advice and cheer her up in the process.

It's the reason why Clare's betrayal left her so devastated.

"I want to save her," she finally uttered. "I want to bring Clare back. I want to bring my sister back." She paused to catch her breath. "I…I know I can't do it alone, Seth. I know it's selfish of me to ask you this, but could you somehow convince Clare to return to how she was?"

Seth stared at her blankly. "Katie, what you're asking for…might not be possible."

"But I have to try!" she argued. There was desperation etched in her voice. "She's my sister, Seth! I have to try!"

"Do you know what Clare has done?" Seth said. His silver eyes turning so cold that Katie felt herself involuntarily shiver. "She's a traitor, Katie. She has harmed my friends numerous times. Percy still has a scar on his arm to prove that, and she tried killing him before. I nearly died from one of her poisoned weapons. She also injured me so badly I fainted from blood loss."

"W-why are you telling me this?" Katie faltered. She realized how expressionless Seth was, and his stoic countenance suddenly angered her. How could he be so calm about this? How could he not care after everything he and Clare went through? Why did he focus on the bad and not the good? "Do you think she's not worth saving? Is that it?"

"I can't answer that," he said, still calm. "Whether someone is worth saving or not isn't up to us. I told you Clare's crimes in order to tell you how loyal she is to Kronos' cause. Anyone with that level of dedication and loyalty will be near impossible to revert back."

"Are you telling me to give up?"

Seth shook his head. "I think you are very strong, Katie. It's hard to keep believing someone will change. I've given up all hope of getting any of those traitors back on our side."

Katie narrowed her eyes at Seth's callous confession. "I don't believe you. There's no way you've lost all hope…" She trailed off when Seth threw her an intense stare. "No…you didn't!"

"I have," he insisted. "Nothing will change that. Think about it: we are in the midst of a war. Each person is responsible for whichever side they choose. If we are on the side of the gods, it is only logical that we treat each and every being that isn't on our side as the enemy. Don't you agree?"

Katie hesitated, "well, yes, but-!"

"There are no 'buts'." Seth interrupted. "To show such opinions is to show weakness. It also allows the enemy an opportunity to strike where you are vulnerable, and I don't want that to happen to you, Katie. I guarantee that if Clare heard what you just told me, she will not turn for the better. She will not show you sympathy. Rather, she will try to convert you to her cause, and your notions of trying to save her will be all she needs to gain your loyalty."

Katie felt her body tremble from Seth's words. She couldn't deny that there was some logic to them, but she couldn't believe them! She's been dedicated to saving Clare for so long that she couldn't just go back on her goals like that.

"W-why are you saying such things?" Katie asked. Seth tilted his head to the side, his eyes narrowing at her remark. "I thought you would show some compassion. You and Clare were once friends! You would always be friendly to newcomers and kids, and be unbiased when it came to our godly parentage. That's why so many people at camp like hanging out with you. You were someone who would give others a second chance."

"Is that what you really think of me?" Seth asked quietly. Katie didn't answer. "Then I'm sorry to disappoint you, Katie, but the person you just described doesn't completely fit me. Not anymore."

"T-that can't be true!" Katie protested. She felt like there was a lump in her throat. "Y-you're lying to me! You have to be!"

"I'm sorry Katie, but I'm not." Seth answered softly. "I don't lie to friends and people I care about. That fact has never changed." He looked at her curiously. "Are you shocked, Katie? Were you expecting me to fit your idyllic description? Perhaps I did once, but that was a long time ago. I no longer give people second chances unless they prove me otherwise, and proving it will be very difficult."

He made a move to get up. He snapped his fingers and suddenly three small bags appeared out of nowhere and landed right by his feet. Seth quickly unzipped its contents and started to set them up on the empty desk on the other side of the room. Katie sat there very still, her countenance stunned of what Seth told her and what she had just seen him do.

"How long?" Katie finally uttered.

"What?"

She repeated herself, slower this time. "How long did you start believing in such things? How long have you been this…cold?"

"Cold?" Seth echoed. "I'm hurt that you would say such a thing. I'm not cold, but honest. I only told you, and you alone, what I truly think of the matter you addressed to me. To call me cold, would mean you don't approve of my beliefs?"

"I don't approve of them," Katie answered. "I can never go along with beliefs that forsake compassion and our ability to forgive."

"Forgiveness shouldn't be freely given," Seth said. "It should be like a luxury item that many vie for, but few obtain. I never said I can't forgive. It all depends on the context it's used in. I can easily forgive, say, a person who accidentally spilled water over my stuff. I forgive them because I know they didn't mean it. I can also forgive someone who has committed a major wrong, and strives to make up for that wrong two times over."

"Then why can't you forgive Clare?" Katie said bitterly. "She was your friend, Seth!"

Seth didn't bother to cease his unpacking, his gaze directed only at his things. "Whatever relationships I had with them are irrelevant. Clare has not made a single move to make up for her atrocious actions. Not a single one. I can't forgive her."

"I can't believe I'm hearing this from you!" Katie exclaimed angrily. "You're basically telling me that your past friendship with Clare is nothing to you! That it's 'irrelevant' to you!"

Then, Seth had the gall to turn around and smile at her. "What's with the anger, Katie? I get how Clare is your sister, your family, and it's hard to accept that salvation may not be reachable for them. But that doesn't mean you can shove your opinions down my throat."

"I…" She couldn't find the words. Was she forcing Seth to accept things her way?

"You're right in assuming that I do not care for my friendship with Clare. I would have cared if Clare was on our side, but she made her choice and I've made mine. Katie, you must understand what an enemy truly means. You can't let your past relationship dictate your treatment of them. It wouldn't be…fair."

"Fair?" she said incredulously. "In what way does any of this involve fairness?"

"Everything, of course," he replied, as he stood up to face her. "You called Clare your sister, right? What about Luke Castellan? In every way, he would also be considered your family. You and he would be aunt and nephew. Yet, I don't see you showing sympathy towards him as you do Clare."

"T-that's going too far!" Katie argued. "By your reasoning, every one of us would be family! Even the Titans are part of it!"

Seth's eyes darkened, his lips turned slightly upward. "Exactly. Now, I don't want to get into the complexities of our family tree, but do you see why I don't factor in our relationships? Such things will cloud our minds from the main goal: to defeat Kronos and his supporters. We can't defeat them halfheartedly, you know? Your goal of 'saving' Clare when she clearly doesn't want to be saved is a fine example, and why do you pursue this? All because Clare is your sister, and you care about her because of this trivial fact. But let me ask you something Katie: does Clare see you the same way?"

His words sliced into her mind like a knife. Katie knelt down on the mattress, her hands placed in front of her. Did Clare see her the same way she did? She'd been trying so hard to find ways in bringing her back and yet, all her work would be for nothing if Clare didn't return the sentiment. Was this what Seth was trying to tell her? Warn her?

"It doesn't matter to me," she finally whispered. She shook her head rapidly, as if to shake the doubts that suddenly appeared out of her mind. "I must believe she can come back, and I will do my best in persuading her to do so."

"Suit yourself." Seth replied dismissively. "I pray that your determination and willpower is as strong as you claim, even if it is fruitless."

She clenched her teeth tightly, pissed off by Seth's flippant attitude. "I thought you would understand where I was coming from, Seth. I never thought you would go against my actions."

Seth only shrugged. "If I've offended you, then I do apologize. But I won't take my words back. This is what I think, and I won't be changing them any time soon."

"What happened to you?" Katie cried. "You were never like this before, Seth! The Seth I knew would have agreed with me. I remember how you always ranted about the hunters being too stoic and merciless, and now you are no better than them! In fact, I think you are even worse!"

"The world is a cruel and unkind place," Seth said, his voice still calm despite hearing her hysteria. "I've seen things that most won't be able to stand or comprehend. Maybe I have changed Katie, but it was inevitable. If you knew even a fraction of what I've experienced, then you will realize why I am who I am."

Katie only continued to stare at him, watching his countenance very closely. She unexpectedly noticed that Seth never once raised his voice, or showed any hint of anger despite the words she used to purposely make him snap. In the past, she recalled Miranda telling her about Seth's fight with Zoë Nightshade. Seth was so expressive back then, not like how he was now. Instead, the child of Artemis was calm, with an irritably blank expression. There was a very brief flash of sadness in his silver eyes. It vanished so quickly that Katie thought she imagined it.

"If you don't mind," Seth started. "Can you please give me some time to myself? I like sorting through my things alone, and I've already wasted enough of your time. Do you remember what the AP Literature homework was?"

"Oh, um, I think we were supposed to read over Hamlet Act I." she recalled.

"Thanks," he said, and with bags in both hands, he proceeded to empty the rest of its contents in the empty closet. Katie took that as her signal to leave.

Unbeknownst to Katie Gardner, the moment she closed the door, Seth had already finished unpacking and quickly finished setting up the bed. He regarded the door thoughtfully a moment later, an uncharacteristic smirk on his face.

"We sure have some interesting friends Seth," he remarked. "I look forward to meeting more of them personally."

-o-

*20/8 vision is the best recorded vision for humans. Seeing as how Seth also has night vision, it would make sense for his vision to be very acute.

A/N: Do you guys agree with Seth? Or do you agree with Katie? Please tell me your overall thoughts in your review!