Chapter 30: You can only conquer your past if you choose to face it
A/N: Thank you everyone for your patience. I know this chapter is very late coming. I got some pretty bad news and just really had to wrap my head around it while also dealing with a bout of depression. Normally, writing is an outlet for me but, honestly, it was very hard to concentrate and sometimes painful. So, just know that I'm so thankful for those of you who have stuck around. If you are ever curious why I'm not updating or anything, I do post on my tumblr if I'm not going to be able to make my normal weekly update (so if you want to be in the loop, maybe check that out– same name: blackpebbletoad. With that being said, I will try my hardest to get another chapter out before I get my procedure done (April 5th). I am hoping that I'll still be able to stick to normal updates, but, depending on how the procedure goes, I may be away for a couple weeks. Thanks for understanding!
The shadows slipped from the pair of demigods like oil from water. Leo staggered slightly, an itch creeping up his throat and a headache pulsing behind his eyes.
"I think that might have been a bit much, Ghost Boy."
But Nico didn't answer. Leo opened his eyes to see Nico pinching the bridge of his nose. The son of Hephaestus squeezed Nico's hand and asked, "You good there, Nico?"
Nico began to speak but stopped almost immediately, shaking his head.
"How can I help?" Leo adjusted the pack on his back and peered at Nico, the edge of worry tempered by the fact that Nico was still standing. "Do you want to sit down? Drink some water?"
Nico gave an almost imperceptible nod. Leo moved to stand closer to Nico. He released his hold on the son of Hades' hand before pulling the pack from off the other boy's shoulders. Leo slung the pack over his head to join his own pack. Leo placed Nico's left arm around his shoulders and grasped the other demigod around the middle. Finally, he looked around and took in his surroundings. The sun was slowly slinking lower, threatening to kiss the horizon.
"Where are we?" Leo felt the words trip over his tongue as his eyes landed on a large rodent figurine. They stood on the edge of a concrete sidewalk– the entrance space before a large building. Leo couldn't see through the arched window as it reflected him and Nico as they stood motionless twenty feet from it. A scraggly green awning hovered above the window, tilted slightly to the left. Leo's eyes drew toward an additional figurine reflected in the window. The son of Hephaestus ripped his eyes from the glass and toward the actual figure. Large front teeth grimaced at the demigods behind a plastic grin, one hand frozen in a genial wave. A top hat adorned its head, and a neat black dinner jacket covered its upper body.
"Seriously. Where are we?" Leo asked, shuddering at the garishness of the figurine.
Nico just pointed to the green awning in answer. Leo followed the direction and read the letters he had missed on the green canopy: "PHIL'S BURROW." The son of Hephaestus shook his head, his question still not answered. He helped Nico to a cement barrier the perfect height to act as a bench. He settled Nico against it and then lowered each of their packs to the side of Nico. He threw open the flap on his and thrust his hand inside, digging around until his hand wrapped around a cool bottle. He withdrew his hand and uncorked the bottle, offering it to Nico who took it with a shaking hand. Leo kept his hand hovering toward the end, helping Nico tilt the bottle.
Nico gulped the water down until the whole bottle was nearly drained. Leo recapped the bottle and thrust it back into his bag. "Feeling any better? Want some ambrosia?"
The son of Hades hesitated before nodding and saying weakly, "Yeah."
Leo rummaged through his bag again before finding the ambrosia. He broke off a small square and handed it to Nico who bit the square in half, chewing slowly.
"Punxsutawney."
Leo stared in confusion at the son of Hades. "Excuse me?"
"Where we are. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania." He pointed at the figurine. "Home to Punxsutawney Phil."
"Who?"
Nico stared hard at Leo as if gauging whether the boy was joking. "The groundhog? Like, from Groundhog's Day?"
Leo shrugged and shook his head.
Nico's eyes widened, a slight smile of incredulity stealing over his face. Then, exhaustion evident in his voice, the son of Hades asked, "Are you serious? Is there really a movie that I've seen and you haven't? Seriously?"
"Hey!" Leo crossed his arms. "Don't get all cocky just because you've seen one movie!"
Nico smirked but nodded and closed his eyes, leaning against the building wall. Without opening his eyes, he addressed Leo. "Can you please go in and see if they have any available campsites? Just ask at the check-out counter."
Leo frowned, checking their surroundings before turning back to Nico. "You going to be okay? I don't like leaving you alone out here."
Nico cracked one eye open and smiled wanly before shutting his eyes again. "I've passed out in weirder places than this, Valdez. I'll be fine." When he didn't hear Leo move, he urged, "Go."
Grumbling, Leo grabbed his own pack and made his way to the shop door, mimicking the other demigod. "I've passed out in weirder places, Valdez. I'm a son of Hades and–"
"I can hear you, you know." Nico's voice lilted slightly, and Leo realized the other demigod was holding in laughter.
"Pendejo." Without another look back, Leo entered the store.
Nico heard the faint tinkling of a bell ringing as Leo stepped through the door and let it shut. Judging by his heartbeat, the son of Hephaestus had moved into the building. Nico sighed in relief and sagged more heavily into the concrete façade of the building. Exhaustion near overwhelmed him, his heart beating erratically against his ribcage.
Why can't the ambrosia kick in more quickly? 452 miles isn't anything to be ashamed of, but...I don't get why it's so exhausting.
Nice let himself succumb to the light darkness on the edge of his vision. He didn't know how much time had passed until a hand grasped his shoulder and shook it roughly.
"Hey. Wake up." A girl's voice, high and harsh, beat against his ears. He heard the sneer in her voice before he opened his eyes groggily. A sullen-looking teenage girl smirked down at him when she saw he was awake. "Took you long enough. Are you dying?"
Forcing a scowl on his face, Nico forced himself to sit straight and mustered the iciest tone he could manage. "I don't think it's any business of yours."
The girl raised her eyebrows, seemingly unimpressed. She straightened and brushed her hands against black jeans as she glanced through the window. Nico followed her gaze, noticing Leo at the counter handing money over to a man who pushed a map his way. She scoffed and turned back to Nico. "You and Slick roughing it then?"
Shaking his head, Nico glared up at the girl. Bright green letters danced across her black shirt: "I Believe, Do You?"
"You were at the coffee shop," Nico stated rather than asked, his scowl softening to a look of confusion. "Why are you following us? How are you following us?"
The girl paused before shaking her head and rolling her eyes. "Don't be silly. I just came over to make sure you weren't dead after that other guy–" she jerked her head in the direction of the shop, "-went in there. Can't have you dying out here, can we?"
"No," Nico insisted. "I saw you. In Ohio. You were there."
She shook her head again but didn't respond, glancing back into the shop again. Leo gathered up the map in his hands and thanked the man behind the counter. "Looks like your friend is done." She turned and began to walk away into the woods, calling over her shoulder, "Be careful camping out here. I hear the woods are chock full of monsters. But, you should be fine with a little fire...or maybe you won't be."
Nico stared after the girl, unable to form words. When Leo came back out of the shop, a map in hand, Nico sat quietly, still staring in the direction the girl had disappeared.
Leo frowned. "What's up, Spooks? You look like you've seen a ghost." Leo looked around the area directly preceding the shop and asked nervously, "You haven't, have you?"
Nico slowly shook his head. "Not a ghost. No." Finally, the son of Hades turned his attention to the other demigod. "You...do you remember that teenager in the coffee shop?"
Raising an eyebrow, Leo asked, "The one in the corner? Why?"
Nico shrugged and looked back the way the girl had gone. There was nothing. Slight snow began to fall, gently swirling through the cool air. "Nevermind. It's probably nothing."
Looking up at Leo, Nico said, "So? Did we get a space?"
Leo nodded. "Yeah. We got a small space. Primitive site. Bathrooms are about a mile away from it. Ready to go?"
Nico glanced toward the woods directly in front of the shop one last time before nodding, rising to his feet. He barely contained a groan as his muscles weakly protested the movement. "Let's get going before the snow sets in more."
The two demigods made their way around the side of the building, entering the forest on the east side and starting towards the site marked on the map.
They traipsed through the heavily wooded area, their footsteps complimenting the quiet bird calls and warbles, small twigs occasionally snapping in the distance.
After ten minutes, Leo looked over to Nico, a questioning look on his face. "Can I ask you a question?"
Nico remained quiet but gave Leo a small smile and nod.
Taking a deep breath, Leo asked his question. "Did you ever try to contact your mom after...once you realized you could? Or your sister?"
The son of Hades' posture stiffened and his face grew dark. The temperature dipped and Leo hastily said, "Nevermind. It's none of my business."
Slowly, the temperature returned to a more comfortable chill and Nico glanced at Leo. "Yes. Both."
Leo shifted the pack on his back and surveyed the map before studying the area around them. Finally, he pointed in the direction the two needed to take before responding, "What happened?"
Nico shrugged. "I was never able to summon my mom. Bianca...I was able to talk to Bianca. But, I was too upset with everything in the living world to listen. I was too angry with Percy and Bianca to actually hear her. Nico looked to Leo with a pained expression on his face– pained but resigned. "She chose to be reborn shortly after and I never spoke with her again."
Leo looked at the other boy, a somber expression on his face. "I'm sorry that happened." The son of Hephaestus looked as if he would speak further, but he closed his mouth and stared ahead.
"Are you asking because of your mom?"
Leo hesitated but nodded. "Yeah. Sorry."
Shrugging again, Nico answered, "Don't be." He sighed and looked straight ahead before continuing. "The longer I was at camp, the more comfortable people got with asking me. To reach out- dead parents, dead siblings, dead friends. It comes with the territory, I suppose."
Leo cocked his head to one side, his fingers tapping against his thigh in a nervous pattern. "Is it...what did you tell them when they all asked? Did you have, like, a weekly séance or something?"
Nico laughed, the sound breaking over the two demigods and setting Leo at ease. He grinned and waited for Nico to answer. But the son of Hades' smile dimmed slightly and he looked to Leo, a sympathetic twinge apparent in his voice when he spoke. "I told them no. It wasn't...it's never been a good idea. To disturb the dead."
"But, why?" Leo's voice grew thin with disappointment and incredulity. "Is it too hard?"
"No. It's not all that difficult, actually. But...most of the people who asked, their loved ones had been dead for a time. Time isn't relative to ghosts and spirits. Once they pass beyond, they begin to lose themselves. Unless they went to the Isles of the Blest, Elysium, or...wherever spirits go from other belief systems...they no longer remember themselves."
Leo's eyebrows drew downward. "But, why not at least see? Why not try to summon them? If they actually got beyond? To the good places?"
"Speaking with the deceased doesn't make the grief disappear, Leo." Nico's voice was soft as the pair went deeper into the woods. When Leo didn't respond, Nico continued. "It's not that I don't want to help you. I do. I just...I'm not sure this is the best way."
Leo nodded and the silence stretched between the two boys. The snow stopped falling, leaving only the thinnest blanket of white on the trees so densely packed together that barely any snow had touched the ground. Finally, they reached their camping site– hardly more than a cleared oblong circle ringed by firs and redcedars. The two demigods set about pitching their tent and making camp. When at last the silvery-gray tarp stood upright, the fly pulled taut over the topmost portion, they each shoved their packs into the tent and settled upon a log that looked like it had been dragged into the clearing many years ago.
Even though the snow had ceased to fall, a chill descended upon the small campsite. Nico shivered slightly and looked over to Leo. "Want to help me get some wood for a fire?"
Leo nodded and the two stood, wandering into the woods surrounding the tent. The branches and sticks they collected were cold but dry. A breeze blew through the forest, gentle and chiding, seeming to whisper in the vast wilderness. The hairs rose on the back of Nico's neck, and he sensed more than saw the things that craned long spindly necks around tree trunks, watching the two boys.
"Leo?" Nico called softly, straightening slowly to not alert the things of his awareness to their presence. "I think we should head back to the campsite."
"Hmm?" Leo stooped low, gathering another slender branch toward him.
The creatures' eyes flashed, catching the last rays of fading light. Nico swallowed heavily and took two steps backward to join the son of Hephaestus. "We need to go back now."
Leo looked over at the son of Hades, a frown marring his face. "But this won't be enough wood to last very long."
Nico shook his head. "Doesn't matter. We can burn that huge log if it comes down to it. But we need to go back. Now."
Leo finally seemed to catch the uneasiness in Nico's voice, narrowing his eyes as they flicked around the wooded area. Confusion clouded his features. "What's wrong?"
"Look around us," Nico hissed in a tight voice. "Don't tell me you can't see those things."
Leo peered around the woods, turning in a full circle. The panic had faded from his face, replaced by concern. "There's nothing there, Ghost Boy. Why don't you head back? Try to get some rest. I'll finish getting stuff to burn and wake you up for some dinner."
Nico shook his head, a lump forming in his throat as one of the creatures scuttled forward, giving up its hiding place from behind the tree. It was vaguely humanoid, large depthless black eyes staring wholly up at the two demigods from where it crouched. Scraggly bits of hair dangled in greasy strands from its pale and bloodless head. It squatted on all fours, long multi-jointed fingers splayed against the dark earth. It cocked its head to one side on its unnaturally long neck, thin lips drawing back to reveal a gaping maw lined with needle-like teeth.
A creaking whisper issued from the thing's mouth and Leo went pale. "What's that sound?"
But Nico didn't respond, his ears solely focused on the words that filled the clearing. As if opening a floodgate, as the creature in front of them began, the others followed suit until whispered words blew through the woods like a whirling gale.
–never be enough. Too dark. Too close to death. Too–
Why try? Why bother? Give in now. Everyone will be better off. You're only–
–making things worse. Death follows wherever you go. Why make them suffer? Why–
Bianca would rather die than be stuck with you. Your mother died. It's only a matter of time. You–
Everyone you love will die.
–ruin everything.
Nico felt the branches and sticks fall from his numb fingers. Felt the air rasp in his throat as he took a breath, trying to calm himself. His hands reached to cover his ears, to block out the voices that washed over him–all spoken with his own inner voice, all echoing sentiments he had dwelled on in the past– that he thought he'd moved on from.
Liar. Hypocrite. You don't belong anywhere. Charity case– good people giving you the time of day to assuage their own sins.
Stupid. Idiot. Pathetic.
The words bled through the cracks in his fingers, wedging deeper into his ears until he could no longer hear the groaning creaks of the trees as they swayed in the wind. Could no longer hear the subtle stirrings of small, skittish creatures as they hurried through the underbrush.
Worthless.
He barely heard Leo as the boy crouched next to him, a warm hand on the son of Hades' shoulder.
"Nico! What's happening?"
Disgusting. Useless.
Nico felt Leo's hands slide under his arms, hoisting him to his feet– When did I fall?
"Come on, Ghost Boy. Come on." Leo pulled Nico's arm until it rested around the son of Hephaestus' shoulders. Together, they made their way back to the campsite, firewood forgotten on the ground and the grotesque creatures trailing after them like stray dogs. Leo seemed unaware of the things, reacting only when Nico recoiled from the reach of one extending a long-limbed arm to brush against the hem of his pants.
"What's out there?" Leo looked around again, trying to see the whispering things.
Nico shuddered and choked out, "Monsters."
Leo frowned. "I can't even make out what they're saying."
But Nico didn't respond, his own answer stirring the memory of an earlier conversation as Leo helped him sit near the entrance to the tent. The things circled around the campsite, whispers echoing in Nico's ears as he remembered.
"Be careful camping out here. I hear the woods are chock full of monsters. But, you should be fine with a little fire...or maybe you won't be."
Nico spoke, his teeth chattering and making his words skip as he tried to block out the creatures. "Can you start a fire? Please?"
"Sure, I can go–"
"No!" Nico swallowed heavily. "Don't leave. Please."
Leo held his hands up as if trying to not startle Nico. "Alright. Not going anywhere. Uh...fire, yeah?"
Nico nodded and the son of Hephaestus shut his eyes, muttering, "Of course, fire. Just give me a second, okay?"
The son of Hades watched as Leo clapped his hands together and shook out his arms as if preparing to run a marathon. "I can do this. Just a little fire. Nothing big." Leo blew out a heavy gust of air and opened his eyes. "Well, here goes, I guess. Hopefully, I don't set the entire forest on fire."
Leo reached a hand outward to the log, sparks dancing along his fingertips. The wood took only seconds to catch. Leo quickly extinguished his hand and looked around. "Is it just me, or is the sound getting quieter?"
Nico jerked his head in a nod and wrapped his arms around his legs before turning his head to one side and resting it on his knees. He watched as the creatures scuttled back into the woods, only their glinting eyes a testament that the pair were not entirely alone. The words in Nico's ears receded until they were just the faintest mutterings of indecipherable sounds. He exhaled heavily and dragged his attention back to Leo as the other demigod sat next to him, a warm leg touching his own.
"You okay now, Ghost Boy? What happened?"
"Don't know. Don't know what those things are."
Leo peered into the trees again. "I didn't see anything. There was nothing there...but I could hear something? I don't know. It wasn't words. But it felt...wrong."
A dark laugh escaped Nico and he wiped a hand over his tired face to try to stifle it. "Be glad you didn't see them. I've seen more pleasant things in the Fields of Punishment."
Leo glanced sideways at the son of Hades. "You understood them, though?"
Nico hesitated before nodding. "Yeah."
"Ah." Leo ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "I'm guessing it wasn't good." Cautiously, Leo moved his hand until it rested on Nico's back. When the son of Hades didn't try to move away or shrug the other boy's hand off, Leo gently began to trace soft circles on Nico's back. "You know, I'm here if you want to talk about it. But, if you don't want to talk about it either, that's fine too. I'm not going to push you. My mom said Rosa used to do that to her all the time and that it made her want to choke her sister all of the time just to get her to stop talking. And, I don't think you choking me would really get us anywhere right now. Not that it would- I mean, why am I even talking about choking? This is definitely not the direction I saw this one-sided conversation going, and I think right about now would be a good time for me to be quiet, so I think that's what I'm probably going to do is just go ahead and–"
"Leo?" Nico's voice was haggard with exhaustion.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
Frowning, Leo asked, "For what? Putting my foot in my mouth?"
Nico shook his head slightly and gave a breathy laugh. "For being you."
Leo gaped at Nico before bowing awkwardly in his seated position. He looked up at Nico, a wicked grin falling across his face. "Well, I live to serve."
The two sat in comfortable silence, watching the fire slowly eat into the large log. Nico occasionally looked to the trees but would wrench his glance away from the reflective eyes and edge closer to Leo as if pulling in the warmth that seemingly endlessly emanated from the son of Hephaestus.
"The...creatures. They were saying things I'd already thought to myself– thought of myself. On my bad days."
Leo's hand stilled for just a moment before resuming tracing lazy circles on the son of Hades' back. "Like...the stuff you said when you told me about Will?"
Nico raised his head slightly to nod, his dark eyes fixing on Leo's. "You remember how you said that you'd remind me of some stuff? If I needed it?"
Leo's breath caught in his throat. "Yeah. I remember."
Nico moved closer to Leo, leaning into the demigod until his head rested on the son of Hephaestus' shoulder. When he spoke, Nico's voice was soft, almost muffled. "Can you remind me now?"
Leo moved his hand from Nico's back and pulled the other demigod more securely against his side. He rested his cheek on Nico's dark hair and said, "You're not disgusting, Nico. Or wrong. Or any of the other things you tell yourself when you can't seem to find a way to see anything good about yourself. You're smart. And loyal. And strong. You're a damn good painter and an absolutely horrible carpenter."
Nico gave an indignant laugh and swatted Leo's knee. He felt Nico's shoulders loosen as tension bled from his body.
"You care so much about those around you, and you sell yourself short a lot. It makes me happy to see you smile and even happier to hear you laugh. Your insults need a little work, but–"
Another swat to Leo's knee and he grinned. "But, I'm so happy that you came to the Waystation. And like I said before, Ghost Boy: I'll remind you any time you need to hear it."
He lightly tapped his fingers against Nico's shoulder, watching the fire flicker on the log. Several minutes passed, and it wasn't until Leo heard a soft snore come from the son of Hades that he eventually became aware that Nico had given in to his exhaustion. Leo ducked his head slightly to verify: Nico's eyes were closed and his lips parted slightly. Leo gently shook Nico awake. The other demigod looked up at Leo groggily.
"Come on, Spooks. Let's get you to bed, ¿bueno?"
Nico nodded vaguely and Leo helped the other boy stand. He watched as Nico crawled into the tent, not bothering to take off his shoes, before he laid against his pack and closed his eyes again. Smiling softly, Leo let the flap close and turned to take a seat outside. A scowl fell over his face and he stared into the vast darkness in the woods. If the creatures were out there, Leo still couldn't see them. But he could hear their soft chitinous whispers– unfathomable and meaningless to him. Taking a deep breath to focus and calm himself, he placed his hand palm upright on his knee. A flame crackled to life and Leo held it there, willing it to shine bright in the darkness. The whispers receded. He'd be damned if he let them harm Nico again.
Nico awoke to the sound of birdsong, a lilting four-note warble resonating through the air. He rolled onto his back and wiped a hand over his sleep-crusted eyes. He frowned as he tried to remember where he was. Nico cast his eyes about the tent. He had been with Leo. They had made it to Punxsutawney and succeeded in securing a campsite for the night. Talk of ghosts flooded his head along with memories of wood gathering. Nico jerked his head to find the other side of the tent unoccupied.
He heard the panic in his voice as he called out, "Leo?"
Nico hurriedly pushed himself to his feet and began to exit the tent just as the son of Hephaestus tried to enter. Leo knocked the son of Hades over, landing on top of the demigod.
A muffled voice issued from where Leo's face was pressed against Nico's chest. "You're awake."
Nico said, "Yeah. Mind getting off me?"
Leo rolled off the other boy and landed on the ground with a slight "Ouch" before turning his head to grin at Nico. Dark circles under Leo's eyes made the demigod look more drawn and tired than he had the previous day. "How'd you sleep, Ghost Boy?"
Nico pushed himself up and crossed his legs, taking in the sight of Leo as he spoke. "I slept rather well. What about you? You look like you didn't sleep at all."
Shrugging, Leo said, "I might have gotten a bit of shuteye once the sun came up. Those things disappeared once dawn broke."
Nico frowned. "You stayed up all night?"
"Well, yeah," Leo replied. "I wanted to keep the fire going. It kept them away."
Nico stared at the other boy, the reality of what Leo had done setting in. When it finally did, the smile that broke over his face warmed his dark eyes. "Thank you."
Leo beamed. "No problem. But–" The son of Hephaestus yawned widely, covering his mouth with the back of his forearm. "I think I might get some sleep before we jump again. You good with that?"
Nodding, Nico informed the other demigod, "Honestly, after last night, I want to try to make it the rest of the way in one jump."
"Really?" Leo raised an eyebrow dubiously. "Is that a good idea? I mean, I don't want to second-guess you or anything, but I also don't want you to disappear altogether on me if it's too much? Or explain to Mr. D why you need to take such a long nap before talking to him?"
But Nico was already shaking his head. "Won't be much of a problem. New York is just a few hundred miles away. About 300. I can get us there and then we can use the Gray Sisters to get to camp."
"The Gray Sisters? Like, the one tooth and one eye ones? How will they get us to camp?"
"What?" Nico blinked several times and then answered, "Oh. Well, they run a taxi business. I mean, it's not the best, but it'll do in a pinch. Plus, they'll get us there more quickly than regular taxi services. They're the ones who got me to the Waystation. Took less than a day."
Frowning, Leo asked, "If they can take you from camp to the Waystation in less than a day, why didn't we just take them to begin with?"
"One," Nico held up a finger while he addressed Leo. "That was a special favor. They normally don't travel out of the greater New York area. Two," Nico held up an additional finger. "I wanted to practice jumping, remember?"
Leo ran his fingers through his curls, sighing. "I forgot. Sorry– everything's a little fuzzy right now." His eyes closed as he tilted his head back and laughed. "Guess I'm just a little sleep-crazy."
"Get some sleep then. I'll keep watch. I'll wake you this afternoon and we can get going." Nico pushed himself to his feet and, stooped over, crossed to the entrance once more. "And Valdez?"
Leo froze from where he stretched out in the tent, head pillowed on his own pack. "Uh, yeah?"
Smiling softly, Nico said, "Sweet dreams," and exited the tent without waiting for a reply.
Nico paused outside the tent for a moment, listening closely until he heard Leo's breathing even out. He crossed to the smoldering remains of the log and, bending low, grabbed a handful of dirt and began sprinkling it over the remaining embers, stifling the heat and flame. He looked around the clearing, innocent and quiet in the daylight. The redcedar and firs that lined the clearing towered high, the loftiest branches sporting the last glistening snow patches that were quickly beginning to steam in the warmer temperature. Birdsong rang out through the forest and the small sounds of life in the woods comforted Nico, so vastly different from what the space had been at night.
"It's beautiful out here, isn't it?"
Nico whirled about, his hand flying to his waist to grasp a sword that now resided in the depths of Tartarus. Instead, his hand jerked up to touch the rosary around his neck.
"Ah-ah. Don't do that now." The girl from the previous day stood at the edge of the campsite, dark hair hanging around her face. Her black clothes seemed to eat the sunlight instead of absorbing it. The temperature dropped several degrees and Nico stared at the girl who gazed back at him unconcerned before surveying the camp, eyes landing on the burned log.
"Well, it seems you were smart enough to listen to my advice. Told you fire would help keep the creatures away. Though," her eyes shifted to the tent and she smirked. "I do believe Slick helped you much more than the fire did. I was expecting to find a blubbering mess this morning. My brother wasn't wrong about you being stronger than we previously thought."
Scowling fiercely, Nico snarled, "Who are you? Why are you following us?"
She rolled her eyes and crossed into the clearing, perching upon the unburnt portion of the log. "Seriously? I would have thought it was obvious."
Nico glared but said nothing.
The girl sighed again. "Maybe this will help jog your memory." Her face shifted, lips becoming fuller and hair transforming to a warm chestnut brown cascading in gentle waves. Her dark eyes stared at him with a warmth and caring he only saw in his dreams. The woman before him wore clothes that would have been the height of fashion in 1940s Italy. "Piccolino? Don't you recognize me?"
His mother's voice washed over him and he swallowed heavily, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. He pulled the rosary from around his neck. He willed it to lengthen until he held Hades' staff diagonal across his body– a defensive stance. "Melinoe. I would say it's a pleasure, but..."
She tilted her head back and laughed, a cruel sound that chilled Nico's blood. "How delightful. Father gave you his staff, after all. You always have been his favorite. After that sister of yours, of course." When she again looked at him, the warmth that had filled her eyes was gone. Instead, her eyes– one completely white and the other wholly black– stared at him like a scientist studying an insect. "I must say I do not see what our dear brother sees in you. Or my children, for that matter."
Nico didn't move or speak. He watched her as warily as he would a dangerous cat.
"Hm. So quiet." Her features changed again until the sullen teenage girl stood in front of him. Her outfit had altered– lime green pants and a black t-shirt sporting "Paranormal IS my normal." She stood and stretched her arms behind her head and when she grinned at him, her teeth were sharp and feral.
Losing patience, Nico snapped, "What do you want? Why are you even here?"
Any mirth in her face fled, her grin becoming more of a menacing snarl. "Do not speak to me with so much disrespect, little brother. Unlike father and mother, I am not so forgiving."
Nico scoffed, "So you're like our king in the sky then? Joy."
The birdsong abruptly stopped and the woods became still as if every living thing in it had vanished in the space of a breath. Nico blinked and the goddess was gone from her position near the log. Hair rising on his neck, he knew she was behind him. Her voice, ice and grave-dirt, sounded from behind in all manners of decay. The rotting stench that ghosted from her mouth wafted over the son of Hades and he gagged.
"This will be the last time you insult me, Nico di Angelo. You may have won over my brother, but my affection is not so easily gained."
Nico tried to stop talking, but the words spilled over his lips and into the rapidly cooling air. "What about Professor Blackburn, then? You love her enough to have had three kids with her."
The silence grew so stifling Nico felt it would suffocate him. Then, as suddenly as the quiet had fallen, it lifted, and birdsong filled the air. The slight snufflings and comings and goings of other creatures sounded deafening in the absence of silence.
"Gwen is a dazzling wonder among mortals. And when she finally passes beyond, she will be my queen. But, unlike our glorious king, I value my children's lives. And I will stop at nothing to protect them. Even if I did not care for them, they are still my legacy and those gods–" she said the word with such scorn that Nico took an involuntary step forward to escape the sudden heat of her words. "That believe otherwise are blind to the dangers that threaten us. Blind or willfully ignorant, thinking to control their destinies by bargaining with that which cannot be bargained."
Nico licked his lips, suddenly apprehensive. "Are you–are you talking about the prophecy?"
"Dear brother," her words ghosted against his neck. "I am talking about those who would sacrifice the world to save themselves."
Footsteps sounded from behind Nico getting further away. He turned. Melinoe stood on the cusp of the campsite having changed once more. A woman with brown hair– more bushy than curly– stared back at him from where she leaned against a redcedar. She looked to be about thirty and crossed her arms stubbornly in front of her body. She was dressed simply in khaki cargo pants and a black shirt emblazoned with a slime-green-lettered slogan: "I just EVP'd my pants."
"When Slick wakes up, follow the trail immediately West. You will come upon a poplar tree. Circle it counter-clockwise three times and you will be taken to Camp Half-Blood."
Nico frowned, the staff lowering in his grip. "Why? Why help us? I was using this trip to practice–"
The goddess waved her hand impatiently. "You will have plenty of time to practice. But, you will be needed back in Indianapolis soon. I have already arranged travel with the Graeae. They will wait for you at the crown of the hill in two days' time." She stared at him hard before adding, "Once in Indianapolis, you are to take my children to the Waystation. Protect them. Train them. And, if you do as I ask, when the time comes and you have lost more than you thought possible, I will come."
Nico breathed out as if he had been hit in the gut. "What do you mean? When I've lost–"
But before the remaining words left his mouth, the goddess was gone.
When Leo woke up, Nico filled him in on Melinoe's visit, as well as what the son of Hades' rosary really was and the offer of help to come from both Hypnos and the goddess of ghosts.
Leo frowned, finishing packing the tent away and pulling the map of the area out toward him. "But, there's no trail that heads West? What is she talking about?"
Nico shrugged and said, "Maybe one of the trails curves West?"
"I mean," Leo pointed to one of the trails on the paper. "This one might curve a bit, but it's not directly West."
"We take that one then," Nico answered.
The pair gathered their things, made sure the embers on the log had gone entirely out and set out upon the indicated path. They had not walked for more than five minutes when Leo nudged Nico with his elbow and pointed. Nico looked to the right to see a frosted path– no more than a deer trail really– winding into the distance. All he felt was cold and quiet emanating from the track.
"Think that's the one?" Leo peered down the path, a dubious expression on his face. "Looks pretty ominous, so, I mean, it must be, right?"
Nico nodded his agreement. He looked over to Leo and asked, "Ready?"
Leo shrugged and the two stepped onto the path, Nico leading the way. After stepping onto the trail, the sounds around them vanished. The calls of birds and the creaking of the trees abruptly cut off. Instead, a soft background noise filled the air– the quiet stillness of falling snow. They lost track of time as they followed the trail. It did not meander. No switchbacks were apparent. The trail continued in one singular line through the wooded area. When Leo or Nico looked back, all they saw was the trail stretching behind them. When they looked ahead, the path sprawled with no end in sight. So it was that both boys were surprised when they suddenly stumbled upon a small clearing.
Upturned dirt covered the ground around a twisting and huge poplar tree, its white bark and white leaves entirely out of place in the Pennsylvanian woods. Sharp and rough stones erupted from the ground in random happenstance– haphazardly leaning to either side or crumbling forward as was the case for one of the stones.
"Looks like this is it." Nico offered his hand to the son of Hephaestus and asked, "Well?"
Leo threaded his fingers through Nico's. "No time like the present, I guess. But, if your sister gets us killed, I'm going to have to have a couple words with your dad."
Nico chuckled darkly. "You can talk to him after I do."
The two demigods walked around the massive tree counter-clockwise. Once. Twice. Three times. Upon completing the third circle, shadows rushed to embrace them, not at all like the cool and comforting shadows Nico had been using with his practice. Instead, these shadows rippled and undulated, lashing out at one another. The whispers of the shadows washed over the duo and Nico felt Leo's hand tighten around his own.
They weren't shadows. They were spirits. Fully-fledged spirits- not the remnants and shadows of ghosts Nico had used before. But the disquiet dead. Neither boy could scarcely breathe as they no longer felt the ground beneath their feet, could no longer see the vestiges of sunlight above their heads. All awareness focused solely on the screaming, moaning whispers of the dead spiriting them away.
It was over before either boy realized. The shadows fled from the demigods. Both boys blinked at the bright sunlight atop Half-Blood Hill. Nico looked over to Leo, noting how pale the other demigod had become. "Doing alright?"
Leo slowly looked over and nodded, swallowing heavily. "I think I'm going to be sick."
Nico let go of Leo's hand and pulled his pack in front of him, opening the flap and rummaging through the main compartment until he came up with a water bottle. He thrust it into Leo's hands. "Drink." Then, he reached back into his pack and pulled out a small baggie of ambrosia. Nico dropped his backpack at his feet and opened the baggie, breaking off a small square and handing it to Leo before placing a small square in his own mouth.
As the color returned to Leo's face, he breathed more deeply and looked around. He swallowed the ambrosia and said, "Well, camp looks the same anyways."
It was true: the camp had not changed since Nico had last set eyes upon it. Quieter, maybe, but that was expected with the holidays just around the corner and campers having gone home. Nico closed the baggie and brushed a hand across his mouth, doing away with any lingering crumbs. Then, after dropping the ambrosia back into it, he stooped and picked up his pack. "Let's get to it then. We should be just in time for lunch."
Nico and Leo made their way down the hill, taking their time and enjoying the warm weather inside the camp. The smell of ripe strawberries hung heavily in the air and Nico realized he had missed the camp. Neither demigod bothered to drop their packs at the cabins, opting instead for making a beeline for the dining pavilion.
"Clovis said that most campers left for the holidays. So I don't know how crowded everything will be. But–"
As the two demigods stepped into the dining pavilion, someone from across the way yelled out, "Well, look what the hydra dragged in!"
A tall African-American boy with cornrows stood up from the Apollo table, a grin stretching across his face. His eyes glittered with humor, and he crossed the pavilion, ignoring the other campers as they swiveled their heads to watch the camper greet the new arrivals. As the boy approached Nico and Leo, he held out his hand. Nico took it with a grin of his own. The two slid their palms against each other's and drew away with a snap.
"Austin. You haven't gotten any prettier, have you?" Leo stared as Nico teased the other boy. He'd only seen the son of Hades act that way toward him and Lit. Leo appraised the situation, a small smile creeping across his face.
"Di Angelo," Austin greeted. "No worries– you're pretty enough for the both of us. You sure you're not an Aphrodite camper?"
Nico laughed. "Last time I checked, no. Definitely not Cabin 10 material."
Austin shook his head, grin still in place, and turned his attention to Leo. "Valdez, right? Nico's told me about you."
Leo glanced quickly at the son of Hades and back to Austin. "He has?"
Nico rolled his eyes and smiled at Leo. "Letters. We had to keep our book club going somehow."
"And," Austin added, "Apparently, my penmanship needed so much work, Nico here insisted on handwritten ones so I could practice. Took a hell of a lot longer than IMing would have."
Nico raised an eyebrow. "You'll thank me when you're famous and people can actually read your compositions, Lake."
Austin smiled. "Well, I'm glad you're back. Clovis filled me in. Said you'd be coming. But, listen, there's something you should–"
"Austin!" A girl's sharp voice rang through the dining pavilion. A red-headed girl with a green streak in front briskly strode over to the three boys, a forced look of indifference on her face. The grin slipped from Nico's face and Austin tried to smooth the smile from his face.
"Kayla. I was just telling Nico that–"
"I know what you were going to say," the daughter of Apollo said sharply. "I thought we had discussed this."
Austin looked down a couple inches into the girl's face. "I know, but I just–"
"I don't care if you 'just.' We made a deal. Stay out of it."
Leo looked between the two Apollo campers and then over to Nico. The son of Hades seemed as perplexed as Leo felt. "Whatever you two need to sort out, we'll leave you to it," Nico said. "Kayla. Austin. If you'll excuse us." Nico slipped past the two Cabin 9 campers, ignoring Austin's "Wait!" as Kayla shushed him.
Nico raised a hand over his head in farewell and called out, "I'll talk to you later, Lake!"
Nico made his way over to his own table. Leo glanced about until he spotted his own table– empty of all campers. Leo sighed. He hated eating alone.
Nico followed the other demigod's gaze and realization dawned on him. He cleared his throat as he looked up to the head table. Neither Chiron nor Mr. D was present. "You know, you're more than welcome to sit with me. If you want?"
Leo jerked his head to look back at Nico, aware that most of the campers had not gone back to eating their food. They focused on Leo and Nico, whispering amongst themselves.
"Uh, yeah. Sure. That'd be nice." Leo took a seat and glanced around once more, noting how campers quickly looked away as soon as they met his eyes. "What is up with everyone? Was it always like this and I just didn't notice? I know I wasn't here that long but...geeze. They could be a bit more subtle."
Nico sighed as a plate appeared in front of him laden with fresh fruit and cuts of cheese. "People...were weird about mine and Will's relationship. They were already kind of odd with me– to the point where I really thought they all hated me. They just hadn't really dealt with a child of Hades before. And then when we broke up..." Nico shrugged. "It was just awkward for a while. I don't even know what kind of rumors went around when I..."
"When you ghosted yourself?" Leo supplied.
Nico nodded. "Yeah. I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye unless they came to the infirmary. So...yeah."
Leo said softly, "You know I got your back here, right? No matter what?"
Nico looked over at Leo's words, a faint blush staining his cheeks and a pleased expression falling over his face. "Yeah." Nico's eyes flitted to behind Leo and he sighed wearily. "Great. Can't even eat lunch before–"
"Nico. Nice of you to come back." The frosty words held a note of anger beneath them.
Nico sighed again and forced a neutral expression on his face. "Lou. Cecil."
Leo turned to look at the two campers. A green-eyed girl stood next to a tall, gangly boy with blond hair.
"Hey, Neeks. How're you doing?" The boy smiled sheepishly beside the girl and his words matched his expression.
"Don't you 'Lou' me, Nico di Angelo." Green eyes sparked with fury as the girl interrupted the son of Hermes. "You couldn't even be bothered to say goodbye."
Raising an eyebrow, Nico appraised the girl coolly. "I wasn't aware a farewell would be welcome, Lou. You tried to hex me the last time we saw each other."
"You deserved it!" Lou said hotly. "After what you did to Will, you–"
Nico's eyes hardened and Leo felt the boy stiffen beside him. "Whatever was between Will and me was exactly that– between us."
"You should have said goodbye." Lou Ellen's hands balled into fists at her sides.
Leo frowned at the Hecate camper's abrasive tone. He opened his mouth to ask what her problem was when Nico shot him a warning look before turning back to the girl. "You always could have come and said goodbye to me yourself, Lou. No one was stopping you. As far as I'm aware, Chiron didn't post a guard at my door or anything." He cocked his head to one side and asked, "Or did I scare you a bit too much?"
Lou Ellen glared at the dark-haired demigod. "You scared a lot of people, Nico. And don't go thinking that we were terrified of you for one second. We were scared for you."
A deep sigh escaped the boy. "I'm sorry, Lou. I should have come to say bye. I just...wasn't in a good place."
Cecil spread his hands in a placating gesture. "See? He's apologized. Everything's okay. You're okay, Lou. Everything's okay and we should leave well enough alone."
Lou Ellen's lips pressed into a thin line and her hands clenched and unclenched at her sides. She shook her head once and then a second time as if convincing herself of something. "No. It's not okay, Cecil. They've got to talk and they're never going to unless–"
"Lou, don't meddle–" Cecil's voice held a warning note. Campers at the surrounding tables had ceased their whispering, turning and craning necks to see what was happening between the small group.
The Hecate camper shook her head once more before saying, "Sorry, Nico. It's nothing personal. Or maybe it is? Either way, I'm doing this to help you." Lou Ellen's hand dipped into her pocket and withdrew a small ball: black cloth tied with simple twine, shining letters and symbols written in green ink dancing in a fluid motion across it.
Nico's eyes widened and he held a hand out to her– to ward her off or shield himself, Leo didn't know. "Lou, please–"
But Lou Ellen had already tossed the ball in his direction. The twine unraveled on impact, a fine dust sprinkling over Nico who, for one moment, looked up at the girl with startled and hurt eyes. Then, in the space of a breath, Leo blinked, and Nico was gone, a small black piglet squealing in his place.
For a second, no one moved; the panicked squeals the only thing to break the silence. And then, everyone reacted at once.
Cecil groaned and wiped a hand over his face, asking, "Gods damnit, Lou. How does this make it better?"
Lou squared her shoulder and whirled to Cecil. "You're the one who said we should do something!"
Helplessly, he said, "Not this!" He gestured to the table, and Leo was sorely tempted to singe both demigods' eyebrows off. Still, the squeals of the pig subsided only because, he realized, the son–pig?– of Hades was making a run for it.
"Holy Hera– Nico! Come back!" Leo pushed himself from the table and began to run after the changed demigod. Slipping on the grass, Leo darted toward the son of Hades, barely gaining ground. His breath came hard and fast.
Of all the stupid, bone-headed things to do. Gods damned Hecate camper! Pendeja de mierda.
"Nico! Please!" The black piglet that used to be Nico ran toward the edge of the woods. Leo glanced toward the dense forest and saw several nymphs peeking from behind trees. He waved his hands over his head. "Hey! Stop him!"
The nymphs surged forward from the trees, waving their arms and scattering leaves in their wake. Nico turned smoothly and arched away from the forest, making a beeline for the lake. Leo pushed himself to speed up, finally catching up to the piglet. In a last-ditch effort, Leo slid on the ground, his feet thrust out in front of him, trying to cut off Nico's access to the lake.
And it worked. The black piglet ran right into Leo's knees.
The son of Hephaestus flung his hands forward, arms wrapping around the small body of the piglet, struggling to hold on to the panicked demigod. The damp ground immediately soaked into his clothes and muddy water found its way into Leo's shoe.
Panting heavily, Leo tried to calm the other boy down. "Nico! It's alright, it's alright. You're safe, okay? We'll get it fixed." Leo shifted and sat up, moving to hold on to the piglet more firmly in one arm. With his newly freed hand, Leo gently pet the soft hair between the ears, running his fingers from the top and down, over and over. "Shhh. It's okay. It's alright."
Slowly, the transformed demigod in his arms stopped struggling, his distressed squeals quieting to soft snuffles. Keeping his arms securely around the other boy, Leo shifted until he could balance on his knees and push up to his feet. Damp patches littered his jeans and one of his socks squelched wetly in his shoe. He trudged up from the lake, making his way back to the dining pavilion where most of the congregated demigods had scattered. Only Cecil, Kayla, and Austin remained. The Hermes camper was a picture of anxiety and shame while the archer watched them approach in resigned silence. Austin fumed silently beside his half-sister.
Leo scowled heavily as he approached. "Where is she?" His voice came out in a rough growl and he could feel the heat on his ears. At this point, he didn't care if his whole face was on fire. "Where's Lou Ellen? She needs to change him back. Now."
Cecil grew pale and Kayla swallowed heavily before shaking her head and saying, "Lou won't change him back."
Leo had no idea what his face looked like as his eyebrows drew further down. But Cecil backed up a step and Kayla's eyes widened. "Maybe Lou Ellen should answer that for me. She's the one who made Nico like this."
But Kayla shook her head again. "Even if you find her, I doubt she'll change him back. But..." Kayla looked up to the heavens and whispered, "Gods help me," before turning her attention to Leo and piglet Nico. "Apollo healers can help reverse it. There's always one on call in the Infirmary. You should just head up there."
"Can't you help? You're an Apollo kid."
"No," Kayla said faintly, shrugging her shoulders. "I'm not a healer. You should...go to the infirmary." Cecil pulled on the girl's elbow and she allowed herself to back up a step, stuttering an apology. "I'm–I'm sorry, Nico. I didn't..."
She trailed off and turned her back on the pair, allowing Cecil to pull her away. The boy called over his shoulder, "Sorry!" before they hurried away from Leo and Nico.
Austin studied the two campers. "I'm sorry. There was some talk that...that something like this would happen. When Clovis told me Nico was coming back, I told him we shouldn't tell anyone else. But Kayla was there and she's horrible at eavesdropping. She told Lou, and Lou told almost everyone. Anyway, I'm sorry."
Austin sighed heavily. "I guess there's no avoiding it now. You'll just have to go up to the infirmary." Austin sighed and turned away, shoulders slumping downward. He called over his shoulder, "If Nico still wants anything to do with me after today, tell him I found a new book to read."
And then Austin was gone too.
Leo sighed heavily and shifted Nico in his arms. "Well..."
The son of Hephaestus cast a glance up at the Big House before looking down at Nico, who gazed back at him with a quivering snout. "What do you think? Should we find Lou Ellen or try the Infirmary?"
But Nico couldn't respond, so Leo cracked his neck from side to side and squared his shoulders. "Well, guess we should go up and try the Infirmary first. If they can't help, we go raze the Hecate cabin until someone helps us. And if they can't help us," Leo added. "We raze the cabin anyway."
Nico gave a quiet snort which Leo took as agreement and Leo nodded. "Alright. It's a plan then."
The son of Hades remained relatively still in Leo's arms as he slogged up the hill to the Big House. His feet clunked heavily upon the wooden slats as Leo made his way up the stairs. Then, pushing the door open and ignoring the squeak of the hinges, Leo called out, "Hello?" But, if Chiron or Mr. D were present in the house, they stayed quiet.
Leo entered the house and let the door close softly behind him. He skirted around the furniture and continued down the hallway that led to the infirmary housed in the back of the first floor. He shifted Nico and knocked loudly before opening the door.
Poking his head in cautiously, Leo surveyed the room. Large and rectangular, the infirmary housed five simple beds placed strategically between large windows looking out and over the camp. From those windows, Leo could see the strawberry fields and the rock wall, the cabins and lake, even the dunes that poked over the outermost edge of the forest. But, not one person was in sight– patient or healer. Leo spoke into the silence.
"Hello? Anybody here?"
A muffled sound came from a closet with a door ajar toward the back of the room. A scattering sound– like that of boxes falling to the floor– issued from the storage room before a stifled voice called out, "Come in! Be with you in a minute."
Nico immediately began to squirm in his arms, soft squeals emanating from the piglet. Leo held onto the demigod firmly and hissed, "Be still! We got to get you fixed."
Leo proceeded toward the nearest bed and took a seat, facing away from the closet and toward the entrance. Nico wrenched his body back and forth in Leo's arms, his squeals becoming more frantic.
Leo rubbed his fingers gently from the top of the piglet's head to its mid-back, crooning softly to the changed demigod in a reassuring voice. "Hey, hey, hey. Sereno moreno. It's alright. I'm here, okay? I won't let anything bad happen. You're going to be fine. Shh."
Nico quieted in Leo's arms, and he looked down to see the piglet had closed his eyes. He still quivered under Leo's touch, though.
Leo heard footsteps behind him. Nico jerked in his arms but remained motionless, eyes staying closed. Leo looked up as a somewhat familiar cheery voice said, "Leo, right?"
Leo turned on the bed and his stomach sank. Will Solace walked toward him, a bright smile across his face. His shaggy blond hair had grown longer since the last time Leo had been to camp, but the boy's blue eyes were just as light as the son of Hephaestus remembered. Despite it being December, the boy still wore shorts and a short-sleeved t-shirt.
Will's eyes settled on Nico and he frowned. "I heard you talking before I came out and I guess it makes a bit more sense now."
Smiling, Will told the pig, "Don't worry. I'll have you fixed in no time, Calypso. What did you even do to piss Lou off?"
Leo finally found his voice. "Uh, this isn't Calypso, bro. I...we...I thought you were gone?"
"I had an unexpected change of plans." Will straightened and looked apologetically at the pair. "Sorry. I guess I just assumed you were here with her...the way you were talking to her...the pig, I mean. Dad mentioned you were dating, right?"
Leo nodded, unsure of what to say. Nico remained still and quiet in his arms as if trying to fade into the shadows. Leo quickly looked around and sighed in relief when he saw no darkness creeping toward them.
Can Nico even use his powers right now? Show be a shadow-traveling pig and I'll have seen everything.
"Well, I can still help. It's just a simple chant." He motioned for Leo to lay the piglet down on the bed, but Leo shook his head. "I don't think that's a good idea. He might try to bolt again."
Will raised an eyebrow but shrugged and placed his hands over the piglet, softly humming. Bright golden light flowed from his fingertips and he asked, "Who is it then? I don't know anyone else who lives with you guys except for...well..."
Leo felt his ears beginning to heat again. Will glanced up in alarm.
"Are you alright? Your ears are smoking."
Leo closed his eyes and nodded, asking, "How long does this take? To turn him back?"
"Oh, it shouldn't take long at all. Just a few more seconds, honestly."
Leo's eyes flew open. "Will, there's something you should–"
But, it was too late. Leo felt his arms shift as the piglet transformed back into Nico, his weight sinking into Leo's arms which were wrapped lightly about the son of Hades' waist. "–know."
Leo sighed heavily and loosened his arms from their hold, letting Nico shift to sit on the bed next to Leo.
Will sat across from the pair, his tan face several shades lighter. His eyes were wide with shock before the son of Apollo cleared his throat and an expression of polite professionalism settled across his features.
Nico took a deep breath and looked up.
"Thank you for changing me back."
"I..." Will started, his voice soft. He cleared his throat again before continuing. "I didn't know it was you."
Leo watched as Nico's eyebrow arched upward and a slight smirk graced his features. "Would it have changed anything? I mean, I didn't think this would be the situation that would make you shirk your duties as a healer."
Will shrugged, but his eyes remained shuttered. "Of course, I would still heal you. I'm not heartless."
Leo shifted uncomfortably beside Nico, but neither boy noticed as Nico replied, "I never thought you were heartless."
"Yeah, well..." A heavy silence fell on the trio. Leo coughed slightly, catching Will's attention. The Apollo camper glanced between them until an understanding filled his eyes. "He's definitely not Calypso...so–"
Leo's heart pounded against his chest and guilt settled heavily in his stomach.
Why? It's not like I did anything wrong. Or Nico. We're not doing anything wrong.
Leo opened his mouth, about to apologize for...anything, when Nico spoke.
"Leo? Can you give Will and me a minute here?" Nico seemed much calmer than Leo himself felt. The son of Hades held Leo's gaze, a quiet determination in his eyes.
"You gonna be good, Ghost Boy?" Leo glanced quickly to Will and back. He swallowed heavily and fixed his eyes on Nico, who smiled softly.
"Yeah. I'll meet you outside my cabin in an hour."
Leo's cheeks bulged as he blew out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Finally, he nodded, "Yeah. Alright then. See you in a bit, Spooks."
Leo stood and made his way to the door. He glanced back once to see the two boys staring at each other, silence falling between them as they each took the other in. Leo shook his head and closed the door quietly behind him. He made his way out of the Big House and took a deep breath of fresh air as he stepped outside. The smell of strawberries was a sweet welcome after the stale air from the house. He surveyed the camp before him, a determined scowl settling across his features as his eyes lit upon the slanted roof and stone walls of Cabin 20.
Leo set off toward the cabin. He needed to remind a certain camper to mind her own damn business.
"You can only conquer your past if you choose to face it." ~ Linda Wisdom