It was chaotic when we entered Daedalus's office. The first thing I noticed was Charlie, who was crying and slamming his bloody fists on the wall where they had entered. I ran past the others, ignoring Bob's and Damasen's shocked expressions, and snaked my arm around Charlie's waist.
I pulled him away from the wall and somehow we ended up on the floor. He had turned around in my lap and wound his arms tightly around my neck, nearly choking me. I didn't mind. My hand held him firmly by the waist and I pulled him as closely to me as I could. I hated not being able to hug him with both arms.
You've changed too much
"It's ok. It's not your fault," I comforted. I'm not sure Charlie even realized I was there. He was in the middle of a panic attack and I knew he wasn't in his right mind because of it.
"Jason," Charlie said my name over and over again, pressing his head to my chest.
"Jason." He was listening to my heartbeat. That's what he did to fall asleep, and what he did when he was particularly anxious.
"Jason,"
"Yeah. I'm right here, Chuck. I'm not going anywhere."
"You better not," Charlie said, emerging from his shell. I smiled and was about to speak when he kissed me, and I felt the same spark of happiness that I did every time.
"Jason…"
It won't last
"Charlie."
Charlie clenched his jaw and glared at me. Then, he stuck a finger in my face and angrily waved it, bopping me in the nose several times. "I'm too happy to see you to be mad at you right now. But later, later I will be pissed!" he warned. He was still pressed against me in the same position, his eyes closed and hands pressed to my chest. I laughed and pressed my lips to his forehead.
"Consider me warned."
I pulled him and myself up then went to greet Bob and Damasen. Luke was tensely looking around the room.
"We have to get out of here. If Daedalus really is dead, then we don't have much time left."
You'll never make it out
Charlie didn't bother asking how we knew Daedalus had died, or how we got here. He dried his tears and took my hand.
"How?" His voice cracked.
"Well, Daedalus is dead and, as Luke and I just found out, That means that for this limited time before the Labyrinth closes for good, we have control over it. So we just need to make an exit—"
"I don't think we'll have time for that!" Luke interrupted, pointing towards the mass that was building in the corner of the room.
The air grew stanch and I could smell Tartarus as the Labyrinth began to fade and die. The room around us began breaking off in chunks as if hit by a tornado.
"Jase!" Luke yelled my name in warning as a piece of Daedalus's workbench was thrown at my head. He pressed his hand to the wall but instead of a doorway, windows appeared. I didn't have time to think about what was outside the windows because I could smell the fresh air. That was all I needed. Bob and Damasen were on the ledge, and they jumped.
"Take Charlie and go! I'll be right behind you, I promise!" Luke yelled.
Every promise is an empty promise
I rolled my eyes and shoved him out the window first. Then I took Charlie's hand and jumped out the window, into the cool night.