Chapter 25

Disclaimer: I don't own the Percy Jackson series.

Hello my pretties! I feel like we haven't talked in a while. Well, here I am. Talking. To you. Anyway, are ya'll excited about graduating or promoting or whatever you're doing to move up a grade? I know I am! Anyway, I love you guys and a big thank you to everyone who reads this story. So, song…um...how about If You Can't Hang by Sleeping With Sirens. It's an old one, but it's really good. That whole band is just beautiful. Anyway, I present to you chapter 25.

CASSIDY'S POV

A face there, a scream here, excruciating pain there. I kept seeing those faces, hearing their screams, their pain. I felt connected to them somehow. Maybe it's because I felt what they have felt. I felt that hopelessness. That feeling where you think anything would be better than this. I bolted upright, breathing heavily, tangled in the bed sheets. I looked around, scared, but I soon realized where I was. I attempted to slow my breathing, and I untangled myself from the sheets. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, and slowly stood up. I got dizzy but after a few minutes, my head cleared. I walked into the bathroom and splashed my face with water. I looked at myself in the mirror, and I noticed how awful I looked. I decided to deal with it in the morning. I could tell it was really early. I glanced at the clock on the wall. 1:26 am. I sighed heavily and sat down on my bed. I started thinking about all the stuff that has happened these past few days. Weeks even. I don't remember how long it's been, really. I knew that I needed to sort out my thoughts, which were scrambled everywhere. I took a deep breath. First off, I died and came back. I had to say it to myself a few times because I still didn't really believe it. Although, my nightmares were enough proof that it happened. Second, Joseph was a god now. If I was offered immortality, would I accept? I had to think long and hard about this, and I finally decided that I had no idea whether or not I would accept. I became sad, thinking about Joe being a god. Did he really want it? Or did he just accept it because he didn't think it through clearly? Or maybe he spent days thinking about it, and he finally said yes. I would have to ask him. Third, Nico. I groaned just thinking about him. Well, he liked me. That much was clear. But did I like him? I thought about it, and I wasn't really sure. I mean, he was adorable. Really. With his 'dark and brooding' thing going on, I had to admit, it was hot. But, I didn't know how I felt about his personality yet. He was sweet when he wanted to be, but usually, he was just a douche. I sighed. I decided I would talk to him about it. Soon, but not yet. I needed a few days to get back into this camp routine. A thought came to my mind. Daniel. Woah. I haven't thought about the camps band in a long time. Dylan, Grace, Ryan, and Danny. I had to admit, Danny was a looker. I sat on my bed, thinking for a while. When I glanced back at the clock it read 3:47. I still wasn't tired. I gathered up my things, getting them ready to take to my cabin tomorrow. Still not tired. I gave up and hopped into the shower. I took my time, washing my hair with shampoo and then conditioner. My soap smelled like raspberry. I let the warm water wash over me, pretending that it was washing away the pain. I stood there for a while, and then turned off the water. I dried off and put my jeans and a plain black t-shirt on. I brushed my hair and teeth and grabbed a book from my pile of stuff. It was called Freaks And Revelations by Davida Wills Hurwin. It was about two boys, one, a total bad ass punk, with a troubled life. The other a homeless boy, kicked out by his mother for being gay. The book changed POV for each chapter. It was captivating. And extremely intense. I was only a few pages in, but by 7:45, I finished it, and I was crying. I clutched the book tightly, holding it to my chest. My ragged breathing slowly evened out, and I suddenly saw the word differently. (A/N: I highly suggest this book. However I warn that unless you're 16+, don't read it. Unless you're extremely mature.). I rubbed my slightly red eyes. I got off of the bed and headed towards the pavilion. I knew I was early, but I was just sick of sitting in the hospital. A few early birds were there too, including…

"Daniel!" I said, smiling. I sat down next to him at his table, and when he turned and saw me, he stood up and hugged me tightly. I blushed and hugged him back.

"Where the hell have you been?! You crazy girl!" He said, laughing.

"I've been…everywhere. And nowhere. And somewhere." I say, knowing it's true.

He gave me a quizzical look, but accepted it. "Do you sing?" he asked out of the blue.

"Yeah, but I've never done it in front of a crowd before. Why?"

He told me that Grace quite. He said her and him started dating. They broke up over something big, but he didn't tell me what. He said she left the band soon after the break up.

"And I was thinking that if you sang, you could be our new lead singer" He finished.

"Don't you think Grace will be okay with that? I mean, what if she plans on coming back?" I asked, not really comfortable with the idea.

"Oh trust me, she made it clear that she wouldn't come back. She said, and I quote, 'Hope you find someone good enough to replace me'" I wasn't sure if she was talking about getting a new singer or telling him to get a new girlfriend. I told him I'd think about it, and his smile, I swear, it could light up a room. I blushed and decided to sit with him that morning. I knew it was against the rules but whatever. We ate, and talked. And talked some more. He invited me to go down to the beach later. I told him that I would definitely be there. When breakfast was over, he told me he was going to hang with some of his cabin mates, and hugged me, saying goodbye. I blushed again, and he saw it and winked at me, walking off. Wow. That was weird. Very interesting. I looked towards Nico's table, and saw him get up and head towards his cabin.

"Nico! Nick! Wait up!" I called as I jogged over to him. He looked at me sweetly, and asked me what I needed.

"I was wondering if we could do the fire thing today?" I was ready to feel my left hand again. His smile wavered but he said yes. He led me to his cabin and told me to sit on his bed. I did as told, and watched as he brought out a jar of greek fire. He carefully opened the lid.

"I need you to bite this" he said, handing my a small towel. I put it in my mouth, frowning and the fabric on my tongue. "Now you're going to put your hand in, but it's really important that you keep it in until I tell you to remove it okay?" I nodded, my eyes widening. He took a deep breath, advising me to do the same. I did, and he told me to put my hand in. "Here goes nothing" I thought to myself. I plunged my hand in.

NICO'S POV

I watched her take a deep breath and put her hand in the jar. I tensed up, waiting for her reaction. I didn't have to wait long. I saw her jaw clench and I heard her scream through the towel. She started shaking.

"Just keep it there for a little while longer okay, love?" I said trying to calm her down. I noticed her change of attitude when I said 'love', but it didn't last long. Her body started convulsing. Tears began to stream down her face while she sobbed, biting on the towel hard.

CASSIDY'S POV

This was more than pain. This was torture. It hurt so badly. I tried to focus on Nico. His face, his eyes. Those beautiful, dark eyes. Soon, there was black creeping into my vision. I tried to fight it, and suddenly Nico told me to take my hand out. I lifted it out, and cradled it to my chest. I stopped fighting the blackness, and I soon passed out.

NICO'S POV

Almost as soon as she removed her hand, she passed out. I felt so bad, knowing how much that hurt. However, I knew that when she woke up, it wouldn't hurt anymore. I lightly kissed the tears that were still on her face. I covered her with a few of my blankets and decided I would stay with her until she woke up. I noticed a book by her side. I hadn't noticed it before. It was called Freaks and Revelations. I started reading it.

I don't know how long it had been, but I was halfway through the book when I heard her stirring. I put the book down, memorizing my page number first, and walked over to her. She slowly blinked open her eyes.

"Hi" I said, smiling

She looked at me confused "Hi? Um…how long was I out?" I told her it had been about two hours or so, and I got her a water bottle. She drank half of it before coming up for air.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I just woke up from the worst nap ever" she said, grumbling. I smiled and took her left hand. She blushed slightly, but I pretended not to see it.

"Can you feel it now?"

She smiled widely "Yea. Thank you so much" she wrapped her arms around me, and I hugged her back. When she pulled away she said, "Nico, I wanted to talk to you about…us. Or whatever we are." I got serious and let go of her hand.

"What's up?"

"What…what are we? I mean, I think it safe to assume we like each other. Right?" she asked shyly.

"Cassidy," I took her hands and looked her in the eyes "I really, really like you. I'm not sure what we are right now, but I'd love for you to give me a chance." She looked like she was at a loss of words, but she nodded her head, smiling. I smirked, and kissed her.

Aw! Yay! They're finally together! I think. Anyway, as some may have noticed, I changed my pen name! And also, this chapter was significantly longer than most. It may have been because I like writing feelings as opposed to dialogue and the beginning was a lot of Cas' feels. Anywho, Peace out and Rock On my pretties! ~Phoenix Veil