A/N
Sorry for the really late update :( I thought I uploaded this on Saturday night but my internet connection failed so it didn't fully upload. Anyways I really really like the title for this chapter (inspiration from a graffiti in toilet at my sister's school). Lol sorry if 'realise' isn't spelt 'realize' for y'all Americans. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
It has been three weeks since they left for the quest. I have been keeping an eye on Quintus, just like Percy wanted, but it was infuriating because he was so secretive. We would make small chat during breaks but he never revealed anything about his past.
Two days ago, a volcano, Mount St Helens erupted. Chiron had gone into panic, and I only realised why when I found out what was trapped underneath. Typhon. It had been woken up by the eruption and wake trying to escape. Sure, I was restless about it, but Typhon hasn't escaped, so there was no need to worry about it. For now.
After yet another sword-fighting session, this time with the Athena kids instead of Quintus (A/N. Comment if you can find the irony is this sentence lmao), I walked down to my cabin, ready to have a nice cool shower.
"Charlie!" someone shouted, as I opened the door. I frowned, turning around to face the familiar voice. Running towards me was a girl with blond hair and stormy grey eyes.
"Annabeth!" I greeted, a smile etched on my face. I hugged her tightly, as she sniffled into my shoulder. Wait, sniffled.
I stared at her. "Where's the others?" I asked, my heart already knowing the answer. Not Percy. Not Tyson. Not Grover. How could the Fates be so cruel to just rip out those who I care about out of my sorry life?! My siblings, Percy and Tyson, and one of my earliest friend, Grover.
Annabeth sobbed, and my heart sunk even lower. "Merlin, why?" I growled to no one in particular, stomping on the ground.
Chiron trotted anxiously towards us, his chestnut tail swishing nervously. "My dear," he said in a comforting tone, "Tell us what happened."
"I'm sorry," Annabeth cried, tears staining her cheeks. "We split up. Grover found a passage that leads to Pan and Tyson went with him. Percy went to Mount St Helens because Hephaestus sent us there because we wanted information. And then he told me to get out and I barely got out and the volcano erupted and I think Percy's dead. I'm so sorry, Charlie." She stopped, hiccupping, and continued, hyperventilating, "And now, Luke's going to invade camp, and it's all my fault."
Of course, no one else could have caused the eruption. I was amused at myself that I didn't realise it was him before. My brother was dead. And Tyson and Grover is most likely dead too. Tears stung my eyes but I refused to let it out. I cannot show any weakness. They are what get you killed. And yet, without my permission, tears streamed down my face.
It was Luke, who got my brother killed. He threatened camp with the invasion, which forced Percy to go down to the Labyrinth. I patted Annabeth on her back. She was undoubtedly closer to Percy than I was, and she was obviously more affected and traumatised by his death. I had to be strong, for her, for Percy.
"Annabeth," I whispered, my voice cracking, "it's not your fault. I don't blame you. It'll be alright. I promise." Slowly her sobs subsided to little sniffles. I was so tired of people I love and people I care about being threatened. In both of my messed up worlds. But I was a hero. I have to be strong.
During dinner, Chiron announced the tragic death of Percy. All of camp seemed sullen and solemn that night, and campfire was cancelled. Who would be in the mood to play a happy song when a death of a camper had just been announced? Well, maybe Clarisse but that's not the point. Annabeth and I stayed up all night making the shroud for Percy.
Annabeth, being the daughter of Athena, was amazing at weaving. Overnight, she wove a dark blue shroud made of silk. It glittered under the dim light, just like an ocean. It was fit for the son of the sea god. I was sure that if Percy was here, he would like it.
A fresh round of tears escaped when I thought of Percy. He was utterly and completely dead. No one could have survived that explosion. I remembered watching the smoke rise, the ground trembling violently, sparks erupting from the mountain. I still had hope that Grover and Tyson were alive, but Percy… he was definitely dead. I would never see that cheeky glint in his sea-green eyes, or his mischievous smile. I would never hear his sarcastic, yet amusing comments or his silly questions.
I fell asleep half-way through the night, unable to focus. I was awoken up by a brown barn owl, nipping at my shoulder, chirping quite loudly. I rubbed my swollen eyes tiredly, glancing at the clock. Five forty-seven. I groaned, running my fingers through my hair. There was barely light outside, the sun slowly rising from the sea, pink and orange streaks painting the sky.
The owl nipped at my shoulder again, and I swatted it away. "Stupid owl," I growled, pushing it away. It clawed relentlessly at me, leaving marks on my forearm. "Child of Athena is over there, goddamit. Not – ARGH!"
The barn owl nipped on my earlobe and blood oozed out of the wound. Annabeth jerked awake at my cry, her eyes red from last night's round of tears. "What- what's happening?" she asked, half-asleep.
"Go back to sleep, it's this stupid owl," I said, nursing my earlobe and trying to swat the owl away at the same time.
"I think it's trying to deliver a message," Annabeth said weakly.
"Oh great, now you're delusional too. Owls can't talk, Annabeth," I said sarcastically. It was wondrous how I had humour and sarcasm inside me while I was getting attacked by an insane owl.
"No, I meant the letter."
I blinked once more and in fact, there was an envelope tied around the owl's leg. I mentally slapped myself. Of course it was from Seamus or Dean, or someone from the wizarding community. Annabeth coaxed the owl, and untied the envelope from its leg. "It's for you," she said, handing me the crumpled envelope. I ripped it open.
Dear Charlie,
I'm not sure if this letter will reach you or not. I hope it does. Sorry if this owl is a little bit crazy or temperamental, but you can't really be picky when you're on the run. That's right, me, Dean Thomas, is on the run. I can't really tell you where I am because this letter might be intercepted.
Enough about me. I hope you are well. I highly doubt it though, with you-know-who running rampage. Have you heard that the Ministry has fallen? Apparently, you-know-who is now the real person behind the Ministry, so do not trust the Ministry. They have been collecting muggle-borns and sending them off to the dementors, calling them thief for stealing wands and magical items. This is why I'm on the run.
I haven't heard from Seamus at all, but since he's a definite half-blood, I don't think his life will be at risk. It has been announced that Professor Snape is the new headmaster of Hogwarts. I know, depressing. And there has been rumours that there will be Death Eaters teaching at that school. Also, apparently, it is now compulsory to attend Hogwarts is you receive a letter. I doubt they'll send you one, since you've moved.
Again, I won't mention anything that will reveal any of our secrets or location, since this letter can be intercepted. It will be too risky to send me a letter, since I'm on the run. Don't worry about me. I'm on the run along with some other muggle-borns and I'm allowed to do magic out of school now. I hope you're safe and well. Don't forget to punch Luke in the face for me.
Love
Dean
A sigh escaped my lips. From relief that Dean was alive, and from sadness, that both my worlds were on the verge of falling. The Ministry, fallen. Camp Half-Blood, threatened. Percy, dead. I sat down dejectedly, afraid to let more tears flow. I buried my head in my hands. I was so tired of everyone around me in danger. Why can't I keep them safe?
"Charlie, are you alright?" Annabeth said, her voice shaky.
I took a deep breath. Annabeth was still recovering from the death of one of her closest friend. I had to be strong. I looked up, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "I'm fine. The shroud looks beautiful. Percy would have loved it," I managed to choke out.
Annabeth nodded tightly, trying hard not to disappear in another mess of tears again. "Try to get some rest before the ceremony, okay? You're tired. I'm going out for a walk," I said softly. Despite everything, Percy's death, the letter, the lack of sleep last night, I was filled with energy, probably from the attack of the crazed barn owl.
Annabeth collapsed back on the armchair, tucking her head between her knees, closing her eyes. I picked up the letter and tucked in in my pocket, before grabbing my dagger. I needed somewhere to clear my head, somewhere where I can forget about everything and just focus on defeating my opponent. Sword fighting.
From the small talks we had, I found out Quintus always woke up early, six o'clock the latest. I took up his routine too, although I usually wake up at around six to seven, often starting my day clearing my head with a good sword-fighting duel.
The sword-fighting arena was strangely silent. I could spot Mrs. O'Leary, her snores echoing softly around the arena, her back heaving slowly with her breaths. I have grown to like Mrs. O'Leary. She was really, adorable, not the vicious untamed hellhound. Quintus was nowhere to be seen. I walked around the arena a few times, my eyes not missing a corner of the arena. The arena was too silent. Not the kind of soothing silence, but the kind of suspicious silence.
Something caught my eye. I walked over to the box that contained toys for Mrs. O'Leary. Stuck towards the side of it, was a brightly coloured piece of paper.
Take care of Mrs. O'Leary. I won't be back.
My eyes scanned over those words. So he was a traitor. A spy. I gritted my teeth in anger. All those sword-fighting sessions, small talk, all gone to waste. I should have told Chiron before this happened. I ran back to the Big House, thoughts running through my head. The events of yesterday and today had gone lower and lower and I'm pretty sure it had hit rock bottom.
No way that it can be worst that getting informed that your brother's dead and that your other brother and friend might follow the same, followed by the fact that one of your best friends was on the run and was being accused of a thief, plus the fact that the person you suspected was a spy, but never turned in was in fact a spy and had slipped right through your fingers.
Those were just the really horrible things that happened to me. The less really horrible things were that fact that the Ministry had fallen and the darkest wizard is actually running it, the school that I call home is now in the power of a murderer and really my whole bloody life. Oh yeah, and the fact that Camp Half-Blood was probably going to get invaded by hordes of monsters. No. actually, I think they might be just as bad.
"Chiron!" I called out, standing outside of the Big House. It had never occurred to me where Chiron slept. Did he sleep in the stables?
"What is it, child?" Chiron asked, trotting from behind the Big House.
I handed him the note that Quintus had left. "I found this in the sword-fighting arena," I said, "So is it true? He's a spy, right? A spy for Luke." My voice had so much venom and hate for Luke. He was the reason everything was happening like it is. If he hadn't gone over to Kronos, none of this would have happened. We could be together…I bit my lip down hard. Who was I, to have thoughts and hope like this. To have them pulled down like they meant nothing. It was better to just forget about him so it would make it easier to fight him, without thoughts like this.
Chiron nodded gravely. "I'm afraid so. I will have to announce this during breakfast," he said grimly, "I had high hopes that he would be one of us but alas, he has been poisoned. And as for you, Charlie, I know you're upset, about everything, but go back to your cabin and get some sleep. You'll be excused from your activities till the ceremony."
The ceremony. Of burning Percy's shroud. I nodded tiredly. This was all too much. Too much pain, lies, betrayal, hurt. I headed back to cabin three.
A/N
I know this puts a lot of readers off but please please R&R. Reviews really motivate me to upload :)))))))))