All characters belong to Rick Riordan.

Chapter 14

Nico took a deep breath and started. "There's something we need to tell you guys."

And he and Percy told them.

"I was walking down the street with Bianca, my sister, to get groceries. She practically raised me, so she took me out wherever she went. I turned around and saw this building, and I really wanted to go in it. So I did, because I was 8 and didn't know any better. Bianca didn't notice, not until I had gone in and she had no idea where I was. But that was in 1946."

Everyone's eyes widened, and they gasped, other than Will, Percy, and Annabeth.

Nico continued, ignoring their reactions. "I came out in 2006 and I was 14. I think it depended on which room you went in, so you aged differently because..." He trailed off, not wanting to share Percy's part for him. "Anyway, I came out and later when I tried to find Bianca, I couldn't. Then I found out she had become a veteran and died in the Vietnam War. Her name is on the Vietnam Memorial, and I went to DC to see it. Will found me there, and he took me in. Yeah. Basically, I thought you guys deserved to know that."

Nico scooted over, making room for Percy to address the group, looking at him expectantly. Percy groaned and moved over to the now empty spot.

"Well, then, I guess I ought to tell you guys my side of it. Nico seems to have decided that for me." He shot a playful glare at Nico, who smiled and waved back cheerily.

"Ok, I'm gonna try and keep it short. I was seven, and I was at the beach. I crashed into Annabeth's sandcastle, and she made me help her fix it. It took a while, and by the time we finished, I couldn't find my mom. Annabeth brought me to her house, and I stayed the night. The next morning, I thought I remembered where we were staying, I lived in New York then so we were at a hotel.

"I told them to drop me off at the place where I thought was our hotel. I went inside, and I couldn't find my mom there, either. So I went to the room I thought was ours, and it was actually filled with my favorite arcade games, unlimited food, and everything that would keep me there. And I stayed.

"One day, though, I had this thought that I should leave the room, because I thought I'd only stayed there one night, but really time was passing by, and I was doing everything as if it were normal, I even had this routine and all. It's a really confusing concept. But basically the Lotus Hotel played tricks on my mind to make me think I was only there for one night, even though I was doing things like they were different days. My room, apparently, made me age the normal rate so when I got out I was sixteen. Then I saw a missing poster and Annabeth's address was on it, there was this whole thing about an old lady- don't ask. So, yeah. That's my part of it. Also, don't hate me for not telling you, please. Thank you. Nico, would you like to add anything else?"

Nico cleared his throat. The others just stared, dumbfounded and confused. "So, the concept of the Hotel is pretty confusing, don't worry about. I barely understand it myself. Hazel was also in it, but that's her story to tell. But, yeah, Percy said it. Don't hate us for not telling you. I think we just needed some time to think it over, and make sure that this friendship was gonna last, you know, because you can't just go around telling everyone that kind of stuff. Right, Percy?" He turned, and Percy nodded vigorously.

"Great, we can all go home now!" Will said cheerily.

"No, wait." Calypso interrupted. "I have something I need to confess, too."

. . .

"You guys deserve to know, and telling us about your past made me realize I should tell you about mine."

Leo looked up at her in concern. "Cal, you sure?"

She nodded and took a deep breath.

"I don't know when I was born. I don't know who my parents were. I didn't have anyone to raise me. All I know is that I woke up on an island, deserted there when I was about two, I think. There was enough food to last me a lifetime, if I was careful enough. I found a loom in a cave after wandering, and there was silk and other threads. The island was a paradise, with waterfalls and all, but it was so lonely. I lived there for 13 years as far as I can remember. Then I saw a ship sailing towards the island. I yelled and waved and it docked. You can guess who jumped off.

"Leo took me back to the mainland and tried to teach me about the modern world. I became fond of Greek mythology, and learned of the nymph Calypso who was stranded on Ogygia. I immediately thought of myself, how I didn't have a last name or anything. Now I think my parents were huge fans of Greek mythology too, and forced me to cosplay the nymph Calypso. And that's my story."

Leo looked at her, and whispered in her ear, "I am so proud of you, Cal." She blushed and they kissed.

Nico and several others rolled their eyes. One of them, one of the boys, said "Get a room!"

Leo laughed and replied, "We already have one!"

Everyone joined in on the laugh. They grew solemn quickly, and Jason said reluctantly, "Um, guys, I think we need to time to process everything. If that's ok."

Everyone nodded their assent, until Percy broke in. "Hey, everyone from each couple shared something. Why don't one of you share something kinda personal about your backstory? But only if you want to," he added hastily.

Jason and Piper shared a look and seemed to come to an agreement.

"Ok, I guess I'm talking." Jason began. "I had a pretty normal life, it was great. I lived with my mom Beryl, and I didn't know my dad. Then when I was like ten or something, I got a bad case of amnesia. I forgot everything about my past life, I didn't remember a thing. Then the next thing I knew, I was on this field trip to the Grand Canyon for the Wilderness School." At that, Piper and Leo groaned.

Percy grinned. "Yay, more stories to share!"

Jason rolled his eyes and continued. "Basically I slowly started to get my memories back, but they stopped coming. All I remember from before was my mom, and living with her. And, yeah. Basically I cleaned my slate and started off fresh."

Percy cleared his throat. "Well, now that we have more stories to share, I think each of us who hasn't said something already should go ahead and tell us something personal."

The others seemed to agree, because Annabeth coughed loudly and started talking.

. . .

"My story might be a little gruesome, just warning you. Even Seaweed Brain here doesn't know all of it." Percy had a puzzled look on his face at this. "My dad began abusing me when I was thirteen. Just recently I found out it was because he was upset about my mom leaving and stuff. He took his anger out on me. This one time, things got really bad and he was drunk, so he started grabbing kitchen knives, and threw them. One landed in my side, which I went to the hospital for. No one knew about it, doctor-patient confidentiality and stuff.

"That was about a year ago. It opened up, and Seaweed Brain here took me to the hospital. It affected my leg a little, and that is why I am now on crutches. Neither of us could bear to live with my dad, so we moved out. And that is my backstory."

Percy wrapped a protective arm around Annabeth's shoulder, as if one of their friends was going to hurt her.

Will spoke up. "I guess I'm going next, then. Neeks, what should I talk about? The McDonald's thing or the infirmary thing?"

Nico pondered for a moment, then decided on the McDonald's thing.

Will inhaled sharply. "Well, ok. You guys have no idea how intense McDonald's can get. So basically I grew up in an orphanage, I didn't know either of my parents-"

"Can I just say something real quick?" Leo cut in. "I think we all have the worst luck with parents."

Everyone nodded, then Will continued. "And I stayed there until I was twelve. I had started learning how to be a doctor in the orphanage, then a foster family adopted me. They took me out to McDonald's, and once I ordered, I saw this woman on the ground, gasping for air. Everyone was crowding around her, I pushed them out of the way and got to her. She looked like someone who had cancer of some sort, she had an oxygen tank and cannulas. But the tank seemed to have run out of oxygen and she couldn't breathe. I assumed that water was filling her lungs or something, and I was right.

"So I performed mouth-to-mouth on her and she got better, there was an extra oxygen tank in her car. I found out later that the woman was my mother." Will sighed and put his head on Nico's shoulder, who hugged him.

Leo went next. "I had a rough childhood. My mom, Esperanza Valdez, died in a fire in her workshop. I had this really horrible babysitter name Tìa Callida, and I think she tried to kill me. I also have a theory she killed my mom, but I'll get to that later.

"When my mom died, Tìa became my guardian. I think she tried to put me in a fireplace once, but the neighbors saw and stopped her. I have a feeling she tried to kill me a few other times, when I was little, but she failed. And since she always tried to burn me to death in some way, I think she set the fire in my mom's workshop and locked the door.

"I ran away when I was twelve, got a job. Saved up enough to build supplies for a decent sized boat that I could sail by myself. Then I met Calypso on that island, and blah blah blah. You know the rest."

Calypso comforted him as Piper got ready to tell her story.

. . .

"My dad is a movie star. You guys know that. Which meant he was always traveling, and he never had time for me. So his assistant, or secretary, whatever she was, Jane, took care of me most of the time. She was evil, I tell you. Always taking my dad away with some business stuff whenever I finally got to see him. She kept me secluded and was really strict.

"Then I tried being a troublemaker. I stole from Jane, I shoplifted a little, and this one time I stole a BMW. But my dad never noticed me. Jane, however, did. She brought it up to my dad and sent me to the Wilderness School. I think she was trying to hook up with my dad, which-" PIper gagged a little, "-is disgusting. But thankfully, he didn't. And that's about my story."

Satisfied that everyone went, Percy stayed silent, and each couple held hands and lay down on the sand or on blankets they brought, and watched the sky.