Hazel's POV

Percy gone. Jason gone. I could somehow sense that the rest of us would soon follow. I didn't know the order, though. I looked around for any other demigods, but there were none. Everybody had retreated into their cabins-extra security measures. After Percy's death at New Rome, Chiron had ordered the remaining members of the 7, plus Nico and girlfriend back to Camp Half Blood. Behind the cabins, the woods rose up, twisted into odd shapes. Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw a slender shape dart through the trees, curtained by long, midnight hair. I followed.

Taking extra caution to let the harpies not see me, I raced after the figure. Sticks cracked and leaves crunched under my feet. The runner obviously heard it, as she poured on speed. But then...silence. She had stopped.

I quickly peered out from behind a silver birch tree, and saw the girl watching me from the edge of a ravine lined with sharp stones. I recognized her immediately with a sinking feeling in my chest. It was Vanessa, daughter of Hecate, Nico's girlfriend.

"What are you doing here?" her voice quavered, pretty unlike herself.

"I could ask you the same thing," I replied softly. "You shouldn't be out here right now."

Vanessa stared into my eyes directly, her eyes sparkling with something wet.

"I've made my choice,' she snapped. "I can't live with him anymore. Tell him that.'

I reeled back in surprise, my head reeling.

"What?" I echoed. "What do you mean?"

She coughed and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"Your brother. He started ignoring me just for his father's favor," she spat. 'He abused me. AND NOW I'M ABUSING HIM. You can't stop me.'

"No!" I screamed and started to rush forward. But it was too late. Vanessa's body was already suspended in air, ready to fall, cracked and bleeding on the sharp stones of the ravine. Her eyes were closed, and she looked peaceful, so peaceful. I didn't know a human being could look that contented. Her raven hair whipped in the wind, framing her beautiful face. A face that would soon run red with blood and be ruined beyond repair.

She plummeted like a bird whose wings had failed, right onto a jutting platform of rock lined with razor sharp gravel. There was a delicate sound like an egg cracking as her head did the same. I looked over heavily, then quickly started making my way to the bottom.

"No, no," I breathed heavily as I reached the remains of her body and turned her over.

Vanessa's beautiful midnight hair was slick and dripping with blood. Her head was cracked open, oozing more of her life's liquid. Tiny cuts adorned her arms like ruby crystals. But besides all that, she looked like she was just sleeping, and angel of death. She seemed so happy, so lucky to run away from everything.

A sob heaved in my throat as I cradled her bloody head as the first streaks of dawn showed up. Along with my brother.

REMEMBER, I DO NOT OWN PJO OR HOO! AND SO SAD! DUN DUN DUN!