~~~ I try to shut the memory of last night out, but the whizzing comes back when ever my head goes blank. There's this constant fear of the arrow chasing me again. I've decided to spend the day in the cabin. Percy noticed what's happened, and doesn't question me. He's told Chiron I'm unwell and that I'm resting up. I guess you could say that. I'm sure I'm going to stay in here all day, then I remember. Nico. He might be in the training center. I then realize it's only twelve, and Nico wouldn't be there until eight. Or that's the time he was there yesterday. I build up the energy to go to my last course of the before dinner, pegasus flying. Percy said that Poseidon kids can talk to horses, pegasi, and fish, so I guess it's time to give it a go. I hold my breath as everyone stares at me as I walk into the stables. A girl with long black hair and beautiful features, walked up and I swear I see some of the guys drool. She examines everyone slowly, and she pauses at me. "New Poseidon kid, right?" she asks. I nod like a stupid little kid. She thoroughly examines me, and I smile. "I guess you guys have great genes," she says then continues to conduct the class, I continue with the deductions in my head and conclude that she is a daughter of Aphrodite. It's only reasonable with how beautiful she is, and the way she talks with grace. When she is done going through some basic procedures, she points at me. "Sorry, old tradition. Newest kids always go first, but your a Poseidon kid so it shouldn't be all that hard. I sigh, and with shaky hands jump on the horses back. Then it talks to me in my head. Hi, hi, hi, hi! I'm Butterscotch, do you have sugar cubes? I love sugar cubes! What's you name? She says. I'm Astrid. I reply. Come on, let's fly! I LOVE flying! Butterscotch flaps her wings and we're flying fifty feet high, than a hundred, than two hundred, and so on. The camp looks tiny and I suddenly realize how high up we are. I scream and clutch Butterscotch's neck. When everyone else is in the air, I calm down. I grab the reigns as my arms and shoulders relax. I lay a little loose, but still at full attention. The lessons goes on, but I can't help notice as I catch whispers of conversations, pegasi and demigods. Nico, I hear and my heart skips a beat. I listen closer. "She hangs out with Nico, like she's flirting with death." "I know! Who would hang out with that freak!" For some reason I feel the need to protect Nico's honor, but I don't because people will just talk even more crap if I do that. When the lesson is over, I walk to put Butterscotch back in her stable. I remember the arrow and try to shake it out of my head. You ok mistress? Butterscotch asks. I'll be fine. And don't call me that! I reply, and I run to the dining hall before anyone else will notice what's wrong with me. ~~~ "You seemed a bit off today, Astrid. Are you ok?" Percy asks. I poke at my food, pushing my glasses up my nose. My stomach is too excited to see Nico, but Percy is noticing the shaky hands and breath. The way I keep on looking behind me. I take a deep breath. Last time something like this happened I had a panic attack. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just feel out of element today, you know?" I reply, plastering a fake smile on my face. Percy just nods, but I know he knows I'm faking it. My heart races as the time drags on. As dinner comes to a close I walk out very cool and collected, then sprint as soon as I'm out of sight. I run into the training center, but it's empty. My face falls and my stomach fills with an empty feeling. I feel a sharp pain in my stomach and look down to see the arrow still lodged in my stomach. I scream and fall to my knees. I pull and pull on the arrow with no success. I try to take a deep breath and realize I'm having a panic attack. I curl up in a ball, letting the pain take over my body. Let me remind you, having a panic attack literally feels like you're dying. Imagine dying over, and over, and over again. Not. Fun. I hear a whoosh of air and footsteps. At first they're at normal walking pace, then the break into a run. "What the hell did you do, Astrid?" Nico says taking me in his arms as he kneels down beside me. "Arrow...woods...yesterday...after...practice," I manage to say as a take my hand of the wounded area near the arrow. Nico's eyes widen and I hear him take a shaky breath. "What have I done?" I hear him whisper. He holds me close to him and whispers softly in my ear. "You're going to be fine. You're going to be perfectly fine." He takes my hand in his and squeezes it tightly. He winces in pain and I don't understand what's happening until I slowly feel the pain oozing away. "Nico, stop. I'll...I'll be fine, just stop. Please," I plead. "I'll. Be. Fine," he grunts. Nico screams with pain and let's go of my hand. He picks me up and I blackout in the middle of shadow traveling. ~~~ I wake up in a room where everything is black. I'm not complaining because it's beautiful. Ghostly white figures walk around the room. I'm wearing a beautiful black gown that pulls tight around my waist and my bust than ruffles out beautifully. I sit up from the bed and stand up. My hair is curled and I'm wearing beautiful sparkly black heels with black diamond earrings and necklace. Nico's pacing back and forth when he sees me. His face light up with surprise and I swear he's going to comment on my appearance when his face falls. "I'm so sorry," he says. I look at him confused when two ghost that look like centurions burst through the doors and take me by my arms and drag me out the doors. I kick at them but they're ghosts, and my legs go right through them. Nico walks close behind, his eyes fixed on me but he stays quiet. Suddenly the centurions drop me in front of two huge doors. Nico comes to my side and squeezes my hand. His lips brush against my ear. "Don't eat anything. Always address him with the prefix 'Lord'. Make your answers short and quick. And do not, do not talk unaddressed." "Nico, what are you talking about-"