Elysia POV
Oh man. The guilt is getting into me. It's biting at my gut, begging me to tell them. But I can't. I just can't. There is no telling what we will be facing first as we walk down Half-Blood hill, into the world beyond. I walk in front of everyone else. When we reach the bottom of the hill, I start to plan this out in my mind. I had seen the hill in my dream before; on a field trip to the mountains. I think I know how to get there, but it's going to be hard. I just keep on following the road. I had turned down any help or transportation to the city. I wanted to do this on my own. Alone. Except for the mandatory two people that have to accompany me. I would rather just leave alone, and not come back. It would be easier. Maybe they wouldn't have assumed I died; they would think there was a possibility I was lost somewhere, or kidnapped. Even if they didn't, it would still be easier. By the time we reach the city, the sun is going down. I'm tired and hungry. Looks like we have to find a place to rest for the night. No fires. I'm going to sleep on a cloud, but I don't know if I have enough strength to support the two of them. I stop short and start to lay out two mats for them to sleep on. Nobody questions me when I summon a cloud and fly up to it. It hangs a few feet above their beds.
'I''ll take first watch," I say. It will be easier to look for monsters from here.
"I don't think that-," Jake starts.
"Shut up and sleep," I say. He doesn't argue any further; he knows better. The first part of my watch is fine. I just lay on my cloud, staring off into the distance. But then I hear a sound sturr behind me. I assume it's just an animal; the wind, even. But I was wrong. A cold slice burns through my calf, and I let out a gargled scream. The pain wasn't like a normal cut; it burned worse. It hurt worse. So, so much worse. Jake and Allie have awoken by now. I can practically feel the poison flow through my veins. My hearing starts to go down. As I see Allie leading the monster into the woods, ambrosia is shoved into my mouth. Great. Jake to the rescue. Again.
"Go help Allie," I say.
"No," he says.
"She needs you more than I do. Go," I say.
"No," he says again.
"Seriously, I don't need you," I say.
"Oh really, Miss I had a Nightmare, come save me," he says. He hit my sore spot. I look away and don't turn back.
"Elysia," he says. Nope.
"Go," I whisper.
"You know what, it's not even worth it anymore," he lets go of my hand, which I didn't even know he was holding. "It's too hard. I can't do it anymore. I can't do us anymore."
"Good. I can't either." It's true. It's easier this way; my death won't be that hard on him. I feel a needle in my chest. It hurts. Losing him hurts.