A/N: You're not all mad at me for baling on the mass update, right? Some I just had no idea what to do next, some I didn't know how to end . . . it just all fell to pieces. Sorry about that. I wrote this here chapter in one day. If only every day was like those couple hours . . . I'd been done so many books by now! Speaking of which . . . yell at me to work on my novel, Charnwood! Now enjoy!

Cora: Hotel Room Talks Part Three

I wasn't quite sure what to make of Percy and Hunter playing a video game. Mostly because it wasn't something I thought would happen, seeing as they can't speak. Annabeth and I glanced at each other, me shrugging. Hunter had told me there wasn't much else to do. I sat down on the bed beside my brother and looked at the screen.

"That looks really confusing," I said.

Percy looked at me. "It's a random game; didn't they have video games wherever you came from?" I scowled and my jaw tightened. "Sorry, that was a stupid thing to say."

In response I punched Percy in the arm. Switching to French I turned to Hunter. "Don't suppose you can elaborate on this?" I asked him, jerking a thumb towards the screen.

"Nope," Hunter said, shaking his head. "It's all English, I've no idea." I gave a nod and for a heartbeat we looked at each other. I remembered how close together we'd been . . . I felt my face heating up and quickly turned away.

Annabeth muttered something to herself and sat down across from me. "Cora, I was hoping I could talk to you."

I knew what she wanted to talk to me about, and something must've shown on my face, because at that moment both boys found reasons to leave.

Hunter got up and said, "I think I'll go take my turn in the shower." I just stared at him as he vanished into the bathroom. Hardly a moment later Percy was one his feet.

"I feel like taking a swim," he said, grabbing a card and leaving the room. I opened my mouth to protest and shut it angrily.

I turned to Annabeth. "Is it just me, or are boys cowards?"

Annabeth stifled a laugh. "Only some of the time. Plus, I think your expression might have been a part of it. It's pretty obvious what you don't want to talk about."

"Then how 'bout we don't talk about it?" I muttered.

"Cora." I looked up at Annabeth, some sort of pouting-scowling look on my face. "I get that you don't want to even think about it, I really do. It was . . . traumatizing."

"It was not!" I snapped.

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. "You looked pretty scared."

"I'm not scared!" I glared at her. "I'm not scared of – of anything, okay?"

She gave a half shrug and raised her hands peaceably. "Okay. Just listen to the advice of someone who's been through a lot. It does no good to keep things locked up. I learnt the hard way what keeping your feelings hidden can do. Especially when what you know or feel can help."

I swallowed. "But – there's no reason to worry about them. I mean . . . I got away. As long as we keep cautious here in Phoenix and move on quickly, they won't be a problem." I could hardly hide the shake in my voice. I was sure Annabeth could hear it, even if she didn't point it out.

"Maybe," she said. Annabeth pulled out her computer and moved to sit beside me. She changed it into a tablet mode and tapped something on the screen. There was suddenly a holographic image in front of us. "Did you see anything like this? I kept coming across it in my research and –"

I suddenly felt sick to my stomach and pushed away from her, my eyes locked on the holograph. There was a ringing in my ears. I felt the hole in my head where that image was suppose to go.

Annabeth was looking at me in concern. "Should I take this as a yes?"

I was shaking my head. "Not there," I breathed. "I didn't see it there – I –" My head was hurting fiercely. "It's – oh gods – Annabeth, please – put it away – I – I –"

She quickly whipped the image away and lowered the tablet. "Sorry," she said. "I didn't realize." She seemed to be oddly detached from this. "I won't show you that again."

It was too late though, the image was burned into my mind. A circular object, with a border of tiny six-pointed stars, and a crest in the middle. The crest had reminded me in some way of the silver image on my arm the girl from my past had shown me, only it was . . . different.

There had been a circle, with two crescent facing out on the left and right. Behind that had been a swirl, above and below it had been images that were faded or rubbed off or something. My mind filled in a lightning bolt above and some sort of bundle of plants below.

Thinking about it made me feel lightheaded and nauseous. I pushed the image out of my head.

I leaned back against the headboard, drawing my legs up. I focused on my breathing and keeping my mind blank. I wondered if I had been taught to do this, to keep calm. Annabeth was doing something on her device, angling the screen so I couldn't see. She kept glancing at me.

I felt a sudden stab of annoyance towards her. It wasn't that I disliked her – honestly, I did like Annabeth – but there were times when I felt she regarded me more as a puzzle or an experiment than as a person.

"You're glaring at me," she said after a few minutes.

"No I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

I scowled at her.

"You know, you look a lot like Percy when you do that, more than one would think."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Annabeth shrugged. "Nothing, really. You both just look so different – hair, skin tone, that sort of thing, when Percy looks so much like your guys' dad. Except your eyes. Aside from that, I wouldn't expect you to look so much like him."

"Good to know I'm a demigod anomaly," I mumbled.

She frowned at me. "Why are you being so touchy? Normally you're so much calmer."

"I don't know, maybe because I – nevermind."

She leaned forward. "What is it?"

"It's nothing." I swung myself over to sit on the other side.

"Oh no, it's something. You can't pull the wool over my eyes that easily. If something's wrong –"

"There's nothing wrong. Why do you always act like there's a problem?"

"What?"

"You always act like – like there's something wrong and you need to fix it. I feel like I'm nothing more than a challenge to you! And Percy makes me feel like I'm some little kid who can't take care of herself! And Hunter –" my voice died for a moment, as a warm nervous feeling took over my gut. "The point is all I feel like is one huge mess to be dealt with! It's – it's insulting! And it just makes me feel more confused and – and miserable and –"

I cut myself off, confused and angry. Why had I opened my mouth? Why had I lost such control of myself?

Annabeth blinked, fully caught off guard. "I – I'm sorry. I had no idea." She was blushing. "I guess you're right. Sometimes, I let my brain get in the way of things. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. And I know Percy is just worried for you. He's like that with everyone he cares about."

She hesitated. "Cora, you can talk to me. I know you're best friends with Hunter, but sometimes it helps to talk to another girl."

I looked at her sideways. "I don't think I've ever had that, even before."

Her mouth curved in a smile. "No time like the present to start."

"I – I don't know."

We looked at each other. Before I knew it, the two of us were talking. I tended to shy away from anything concerning me, so I started asking her about her quests and the Romans and some on her projects.

It turned out we had more in common than I thought. It was odd, but it felt good to just talk about nothing important. I hadn't really done that since the night shift before Alert, which felt like it was ages ago.

I relaxed, and so did Annabeth, and before I knew it Hunter was walking into the room. Soaking wet. I couldn't help myself. I laughed. He looked really flustered and embarrassed. Annabeth was trying not to laugh.

"Nice to know I look funny," he grumbled. "Can you dry me off, please?"

"Right, on it," I said. I narrowed my eyes and focused. Hunter's pink face was kind of distracting me. Gods, what was wrong with me all of a sudden? I exerted my will and tried to make the water evaporate. A second later there was a shriek as Annabeth was splattered with water.

My eyes widen. "Sorry!" I exclaimed, flushing. "I did not mean to do that!"

Annabeth just laughed. "It's fine. I guess now's as good a time as any to take my turn in the bathroom."

She got up and slipped into the bathroom, the door closing loudly. Hunter sat down across from me.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but getting clothes dried like that is creepy," he said.

"Oh," I said, wrinkling my nose. "Well at least you don't smell anymore."

"Hey!" He kicked my leg. I kicked him back, harder. "Ouch."

I grinned. "You should've known by now I hit back."

"You know, I really should've." He gave me a sort of funny look. "How come you suddenly seem less tense?"

I shrugged. "I feel calmer."

Hunter smiled. "That's good. You look happier."

I flushed. Thankfully I was saved from replying by the room door opening and Percy walking in, saying, "I really hope those weren't monsters in disguise I just ditched." He sat down in the desk chair, wheeling it around a little. He looked at me. "Hey, you no longer look upset! I was starting to get worried. Did you punch something?"

I gave him an insulted look. "No, I'm not that violent, you know! Annabeth and I were just talking."

He gave me a curious look. "Like, she was asking for info? Or explaining something?"

"No, it was just . . . random stuff."

Percy stared. "So my girlfriend and sister were having a girl talk. I did not see that coming."

I glared at him. "I think he just implied I can't be a normal sort of girl," I said to Hunter in French, feeling slighted.

"Well," Hunter said. "You're not normal, exactly, but you are definitely a girl."

"Thanks?"

"It was a compliment. Normal is boring. You're something much better than that."

It took me a minute to realize I was grinning.

A/N: Oh my gosh, Cora nearly snapped! Last time she showed that much reaction was the day she woke up . . . and a couple events with Hunter, but I over look those. She and Annabeth had some bonding, and for a while in her month-and-a-half-long life Cora was happy! *Makes a face* wow, this has a long timeline.
This may be a little off topic, but how do The Mortal Instruments continue after book three? Because that seemed like a pretty final ending, so I'm not sure if the next ones will be good. Advice?
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