This is the sequel to Olympian Plains. I was going to wait to post it, but a lot of ideas for this story have been running through my head. I plan to update every Sunday.
I hope everyone enjoys.
This story is dedicated to my best friend Jack, who helped make this story possible.
"Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance. Those are the five stages of grief that everyone goes through when they lose a loved one. What stage do you think you are on, Miss Ramirez?" the therapist asked. She was the fifth or sixth therapist that Hylla had seen in the last month. They never lasted long enough for her to even remember their names. From what she had seen so far, this one would be no different.
The therapist looked to be in her middle ages, and if it wasn't for the makeup that caked her face, she would have seemed like the kind aunt you would go out of your way to see. Instead, she looked like she had been kicked out of the circus. Her black hair was pulled into a bun, but most of it came out at odd places and made it look like someone had rubbed a balloon against her head. The only thing normal about the woman was her kind, brown eyes.
Hylla sat back against the couch and stared out the window that was behind the therapist's head. The sun was starting to set, making the sky glow. For a moment, everything seemed peaceful. Grief wasn't stabbing Hylla in the heart. The moment passed all too quickly, and she closed her eyes tightly. A knee gently pressed against Hylla's. It was a reminder that Kinzie was there, as she had been for the last few months.
Hylla slowly looked down at the knee. She didn't want to be at the therapist. All she wanted to do was be back at their house, curled up in the bathtub with a bottle of wine. If she could just get blackout drunk and forget her problems, things would be fine.
"Is it denial?" the therapist asked. Hylla closed her eyes. Denial was something that she knew well. She still woke up and made three plates for breakfast. Kinzie never said a word about it. She just made that third plate disappear. Kinzie would take Aurum and Argentum outside whenever Hylla assumed it had already been taken care of.
"What about anger?" the therapist continued. Anger was Hylla's best friend lately. She felt it every single day. Part of her anger was directed at herself for dragging her little sister into the world of heroes and villains. More anger was directed at her mother for dragging Reyna into the middle of a war and into the crosshairs of an evil man. Most of the anger was aimed at Thalia Grace for not saving Reyna. The only emotion that Hylla felt lately was anger, and it was probably one of the only things keeping her alive.
"Bargaining?" the therapist asked. Hylla closed her eyes. Who was she suppose to bargain with? Was she suppose to put her hands together in prayer and wish with all of her heart that she could go back in time to four months ago and save her sister? None of that would work. Hylla wished it had been her. Hell, she wished it had one of the two so called heroes that had died. She just wished it was anyone but her sister.
"Depression?" the therapist finished. Hylla opened her eyes. Was she depressed? Most days, all she could really do was sit and stare at a wall. Kinzie usually prodded her to eat something, and they hardly went out anymore. In fact, Hylla didn't remember the last time they went out, other than to the different therapists. And the funeral.
It wasn't right for Hylla to have to bury her little sister. She had to bury the only family she had left, and there was no body to bury. There was no way for her to say goodbye to her little sister. Hylla buried her face into her hands and wanted to scream. Instead, she took a shaky breath and tried to calm down. A hand gently rubbed her back.
The only constant in her life was Kinzie, and Kinzie was the second thing that was saving Hylla's life. Kinzie didn't judge her for anything that had happened over the past few months. She was just there. Hylla didn't deserve her girlfriend. She took a shaky breath and looked up at Kinzie.
Kinzie was watching her with kind eyes. She was wearing her uniform: a skirt and dress suit. The Olympians, the great heroes and the namesake of their town, gave Kinzie a job with the city's main reporter. It was something that could kick start anyone's career in journalism, and it payed well. The Olympians also completely paid off Hylla's house, so they just have to pay for utilities. Kinzie's job handled that. The Olympians wanted to help more, but none of it mattered. Their pity offerings would never make up for her little sister dying because of them.
"I will not disrespect you by assuming that you have accepted your situation," the therapist said. Hylla slowly looked back at the woman. "Miss Ramirez, you cannot keep internalizing your grief. I understand that this is an unbearable situation, but you must open yourself a little. You must tell someone how you feel."
"My sister is dead. How am I suppose to feel?" Hylla yelled. She could feel the emotions that she tried to hold back coming to the surface. Half of her days were spent feeling nothing. The other half was spent feeling every single emotion that she didn't want to feel. "How am I suppose to react? Should I just magically be over it already? My little sister is fucking dead!"
Two hands grabbed Hylla's arm, and she felt Kinzie trying to sit her back down. Hylla pulled away from her girlfriend and stalked towards the closed door. She grabbed the door and tore it open. She also tore the door right off of its hinges. Hylla stared at the door.
If it wasn't for her power, for her stupid super strength, she wouldn't be in this situation. Her little sister would still be alive, and things would be fine. Hylla closed her eyes. It was all her fault. Everything was her fault. Why did she have powers? Why couldn't she just be a normal adult? Normal adults didn't have to bury their baby sister. Hylla let go of the door handle and felt tears start to pour from her eyes.
A hand grabbed her shoulder once again and turned her around. She was pulled into a tight hug. Hylla buried her face in Kinzie's chest and cried miserably. A gently hand rubbed her back, and Kinzie held her close. Kinzie spoke, "I'm here for you."
"I just want my sister back," Hylla cried. She still remembered the day that she lost her sister. She remembered watching Kronos force Thalia to decide between killing Reyna or Jupiter. For some reason, Thalia chose for her father to live. Jupiter had been willing to die, but Thalia decided to snuff out Reyna's life instead.
"I know," Kinzie whispered. Her usually calm voice sounded like it was starting to shake. Hylla tried to speak, but her cries only became worse. "I miss her too, Hylla. I wish we could go back in time and bring her back, but we can't. I'm sorry, Hylla. I'm so sorry."
Hylla felt Kinzie's shoulders shaking, as if she was crying as well. It took her a few moments to bring her hand to Kinzie's back and slowly rub it. Her girlfriend had been her rock for the past few months, and now, it was time for her to return a small portion of that.
Hylla couldn't stop her cries, but she felt someone leading her and Kinzie back to the couch. She didn't fight as she was sat down. Half of her attention was on trying to stop crying. The other half was focused on trying to comfort Kinzie. Hylla slowly pulled away and sat on the couch. Kinzie sat next to her and leaned on her.
"Here," the therapist offered. She held out a box of tissues. Hylla grabbed the box and wiped her eyes. She felt Kinzie leaning against her. "I know this is hard. Words cannot capture how you feel, but you are letting this tear you apart. Both of you are."
Hylla slowly looked at Kinzie. For the first time, she realized that she wasn't the only one grieving. Kinzie saw Reyna like a little sister as well, and Kinzie was the one who had been Hylla's rock. Hylla spoke, "I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be sorry for grieving," Kinzie whispered. Hylla shook her head and wiped her eyes again. She felt a water bottle being handed to her. Hylla took a small sip and tried to think of her next words.
"I've been ignoring yours," Hylla whispered. She swallowed painfully. "I've been so focused on me. I haven't been there for you."
"You've been there, by just being here," Kinzie whispered. Out of the corner of her eye, Hylla watched the therapist for a reaction. Half of the other therapist had prescribed medicine as soon as they thought that Hylla had attempted to end her suffering. This one just watched, and the makeup seemed to help her poker face.
Hylla looked down. She didn't know how to get better. How was she suppose to get over her grief? Was someone just going to snap their fingers one day and make Hylla happy again? What was she suppose to do, especially since she was dragging Kinzie down with her. Hylla slowly realized that the therapy sessions were for Kinzie just as much as her, and she was the one who made sure they didn't see the same therapist twice.
"I'm worried about you, Hylla. Really worried," Kinzie began. "You hardly eat, and I keep finding you passed out, surrounded by beer bottles. I know you're hurting, but you don't tell me anything. You just either sit there or get mad at nothing. I just need to know how I can make you feel better. I can't lose you too."
"I just want my little sister back," Hylla whispered. Tears filled her eyes again. "I was suppose to protect Reyna, but I didn't. I'm the one who insisted that she meets our mother. I dragged her into being a vigilant. This is all my fault."
"It's not," Kinzie promised. She kissed Hylla's temple. "It will never be your fault, Hylla. The only person who is at fault is the person who pulled the trigger. Kronos did this. Please stop blaming yourself."
Hylla closed her eyes, and memories assaulted her. She remembered that day with horrifying clarity. Kronos and his goons had attacked city hall. The Olympians still didn't know why. They didn't know if the Titans wanted something, or if they were just trying to kill the Olympians. In the end, the attack was a failure. Most of the Titans were subdued at city hall, except for Kronos and one other Titan.
The two Titans had dragged Jupiter, Thalia, and Reyna to a bridge that had been the site of the great battle between the Olympians and Titans. Kronos forced Thalia to chose who had to die, and he broadcasted it for everyone to see. Hylla still remembered Thalia making that fateful choice, and she shuddered as the image of Kronos firing a bullet into her sister's skull ran through her head. In the ultimate sign of disrespect, Kronos had kicked Reyna's body off of the bridge.
To the city that was watching, Thalia's alter ego, Huntress, had chosen to save Jupiter: the businessman who had brought the city back from the brink and helped it prosper. Reyna was nothing more than the villain Praetor, and her loss wouldn't be that great. Kronos knew the truth of their identities, and he wanted the world to watch his show.
The only thing Hylla wanted to watch was that bastard suffering for what he had done, but that wouldn't happen until his trial. It was a mockery really. They had all the proof they needed. There was a video of the incident, and Kronos wasn't even denying it The Olympians still insisted on a trial, and apparently, they were going to force some hotshot lawyer who wasn't even in town at the moment to do it. Hylla could just hope that he got stabbed in jail, even though he was now in a refortified Tartarus: the supposed most secure jail in the world. After the first break in, they had increased their security even more.
"I'll try," Hylla began. She looked at Kinzie and saw relief on her girlfriend's face. She almost sighed sadly. That was all Kinzie wanted. Kinzie just wanted her to try. It didn't matter if it worked or not. Hylla needed to show that she was making an effort,but how could she? Kronos may have been the one who pulled the trigger, but Reyna would never be in that situation if it wasn't for Hylla.
Hylla took a deep breath and looked back at the door, which was now on the ground. They were definitely going to have to pay for a new door. Hylla looked at the therapist and spoke, "I'm sorry about that. I think I owe you a new door."
"You're fine, Miss Ramirez. They briefed me before you came, and you didn't kill my flower collection like that one boy did," the therapist said. She motioned toward the window sill that had empty pots covering it. "I wish I could say things will be easier over the next few months, but I don't think it will. Losing your only family is unbearable, but you cannot let yourself spiral down any further."
"I can give you a prescription for antidepressants, but I would like to try more natural solutions first," the therapist continued. "Try and go outside once a day for at least a hour. Make sure to eat consistent meals and try to exercise. I also recommend writing exercises. Write down what you're feeling. Don't read over your writing. Just get your feelings out. If writing is uncomfortable, talking aloud will work too."
"I'll try," Hylla muttered. It was the same thing that she told all of the therapists that she had visited, and they all gave her the same reaction: you need to do more than try. The others told Hylla that she should have made some kind of progress with her grief, but four months was not enough time to grieve. They also never told Hylla one important thing either; some days, Hylla would be okay, and on other days, she would have gone through the stages of grief twenty time before she had even gotten out of bed."
"I'm right here with you," Kinzie promised. Hylla closed her eyes and looked down. She leaned on Kinzie. "You didn't eat anything for breakfast, babe. Maybe, we should get something on the way home."
Hylla wanted to shrug. She wasn't hungry, and going out in public didn't sound like fun. Kinzie glanced at her and spoke, "We don't have to go inside. We can just pick up some food and eat at home."
Hylla finally forced herself to nod. She was going to try, so she could force herself to eat a few bites, even it was just to appease her girlfriend. The therapist spoke, "Would you like to come back for another meeting, Miss Ramirez?"
"Maybe," Hylla said. The therapist nodded and handed her a business card. After a moment, Hylla pocketed the card and leaned back against the couch, "I can pay you back for the door."
"It will not be the first time I had to replace the door," the therapist replied with a shrug. Hylla nodded and studied the therapist again. Underneath all that makeup, she saw someone who understood. The therapist didn't understand because it was job; it was because she had experienced grief. She had gone through Hylla's situation before.
Hylla slowly stood and looked back at the business card in her pocket. She stared at the card. It had a background of a wheat field, but she could still read the black ink on the card. There was a phone number and a name: Kore.
Hylla placed the business card into her pocket and slowly walked towards the fallen door. Kinzie followed behind and took up the rear. As the two stepped over the fallen door, Kore spoke, "You two have a good day. Call me if and when you're ready to set another meeting."
"Thank you," Hylla said. She looked at Kore and tried to verbalize how grateful she was that the therapist didn't try to poke and prod wounds that were still raw. She didn't demand that Hylla do certain things or try to get over the grief. Instead, all Hylla could do was meet Kore's eyes, and she received an understanding nod.
Hylla nodded back and followed Kinzie out of the office. As they walked, Hylla stayed focused on the ground. She wasn't quite sure how she felt about everything, and she wasn't sure that she wanted to know. The past four months had been so hard, and she didn't know when it was going to get better, if it was ever going to get better. All Hylla could do was try.
"Do you want to go anywhere in particular?" Kinzie asked. She led Hylla outside and towards their car. Hylla stared at the car window and tried to think. When nothing sounded appetizing, she shrugged. "Well, we can stop by somewhere close to home. Do you know what you want?"
Hylla shrugged again, and she hated herself for it. She looked at Kinzie and tried to apologize with her eyes. Kinzie just nodded and got into the car. Hylla slowly sat in the passenger seat and felt Kinzie grab her hand. She squeezed Hylla's hand tightly, but it was comforting.
"Fries," Hylla finally whispered. Kinzie nodded and didn't prod anymore. She started the car. Hylla rested her head against window and stared out at it. Her eyes unfocused, and she just stared at nothing. It seemed like she had made a step in the right direction, but she knew there was so much more work to do. This was just the start, and she had a long road ahead of her. As the car started to move, Hylla closed her eyes. Kinzie was focused on the road, and Hylla was focused on distracting herself. They were so focused on their individual tasks that neither noticed the figure standing in the shadows and watching them.