Hope you enjoy the chapter.

King Minos. That's the ghost who ended up being Nico's guide. Nico was wary of the deceased king because of the stories he had heard but he let Minos show him the ritual regardless.

"Do not be afraid when the ghosts come, master." Minos scolded when Nico scrambled to get away from the slowly approaching spirits. "They won't harm you, son of Hades, they respect you." Nico stood firmly at the edge of the hole that was filled with soda and Happy Meals, he glared at his feet, hands balled into fists.

"I wasn't afraid, I was startled, that's different." Nico said angrily, the ritual was long since over and Bianca hadn't made any appearance. Nico turned away from the hole and looked up and the sky, it was pitch black, no moon that night but he could see the stars. Nico looked to see Zoe's constellation, a thing to honor her death. Bianca didn't have anything like that.

"Master, it is late, you must rest." Nico rubbed his eyes stifling a yawn at the thought of sleep.

"No, I'm fine." Nico replied, shrugging on his aviator jacket he started walking in the direction of the McDonalds where he had gotten the food for the ritual. "I'm hungry, you don't worry about me anyway. You only worry that I'll leave you behind."

Nico tugged his jacket tighter around himself and thought The only person who really cared for me left and died. Nico wished that Bianca had shown up, it would have made him feel better to talk to her at least one more time.

Memories of Bianca singing to him in Italian after their mother died. Bianca taking care of him at Westover Hall. Nico would never be held by Bianca again when he was scared, never get to make Bianca laugh again, never play games with her.

A silent tear rolled down Nico's cheek and he quickly wiped it away, he was too old for this. He couldn't cry now. Not now, not ever.

He put all thoughts of Bianca out of his mind and went into the McDonalds to get something to eat. The employees seemed surprised to see him there so late. After Nico had put in his order one of the workers came out to talk to him.

"What are you doing here so late without an adult?" She asked, sitting down across from him. Nico shrugged and put a fry in his mouth. "Are you lost?"

"No, I'm not lost. I have money and I know how to build a fire, I'm fine." Nico replied, the answer seemed to alarm the employee even more.

"Are you alone?" She asked, Nico shook his head.

"I have the spirits, I really don't need any help." Nico finished his soda and stood up throwing his trash in the bin.

"Stay safe." The girl said in a worried voice, "And stay away from the traffic." Nico gave her a quick nod and left the McDonalds.

Happy Black History Month! I hope that everyone is staying safe and washing your hands often. I want you all to know that I really wish that everyone had equal rights, it isn't right that people are being discriminated against because they look or act differently. Anyway, sorry that this chapter is so short. Everyone have a good day or night or whatever.

Have a lovely life!