Nico Di Angelo Meets Tam Song

Just Let Me Have Breakfast First

Nico stared up at Tam. His heart was still beating fast in his chest and his hands shook ever so slightly.

"Are you alright?" Tam asked again. Linh slowly walked over next to her brother.

Nico took a deep breath to steady his breathing. "Yeah... yeah I will be fine."

"Are you sure?" Linh asked quietly, "You screamed really loudly."

"Just nightmares." Nico tried for an easy smile, but it probably looked more like a grimace. "I get them all the time. It's okay." Even though he said that, Nico's hands still trembled. He drew in another deep breath.

Linh didn't look much convinced. Tam looked even less convinced.

Yet, they both gave him awkward smiles and filed out of the room. The door swung closed behind them.

Nico sat in his bed for a few moments longer. He was still exhausted, but sleep wasn't much of an option at this point.

Nico flopped back down on his bed and folded his arms over his face.

According to the dream voice, Nico needed to find a cave.

That would be easier said than done.

The entire time he had been in this strange sparkly place, he had not seen anything that vaguely resembled a cave.

He groaned.

This was the worst. But, he would have to figure something out.

Maybe Sophie would know if they had caves anywhere in the Lost Cities.

~~~

Tam slowly shut the door to Nico's room behind him. He and Linh walked down the hallway to their kitchen for breakfast.

"Do you really think he is okay?" Linh asked.

"I have no idea," Tam answered with a shrug. "But he did not want to tell us anything so there isn't anything we can do about it."

"I suppose," Linh said quietly, "But this is still really worrisome. Why does he get nightmares all the time?"

"I don't know, Linh." Tam sighed. "But if he wants to tell us he will."

"Are you meeting with Keefe again"Linh asked. "You probably want to talk to him about why Nico was yelling 'find the caves' in his sleep."

Tam stopped walking to stare at Linh. "What?"

Linh laughed. "You thought I didn't know? You hung out with Keefe of all people voluntarily? There had to be a good reason."

"Ugh." Tam groaned. "Is this something I need to tell Keefe? A nightmare isn't that big of a deal. You say weird things in your sleep all the time."

"Normally I would agree," Linh said slowly, "but we don't know anything about him. What if it turns out to be important? Better safe than sorry, in my opinion."

Tam groaned again. "Don't make me."

"Do it."

"Fine," Tam grumbled as he pulled out his imparter. "But I'm having breakfast first."