Percy Jackson Little Sister (Sequel To "Broken" Written by Tyler Jane Smith)

Chapter 86

Brooke:

As we trekked up the next hilly bit of woodland, I fell back to walk next to Danny because he was trailing behind. Katie lead the way, map out in front if her, and Damien and Zöe walked just behind- casually holding hands. They would've seemed like the perfect teenage couple, both attractive, laid back and comfortable. The only thing that ruined the image was the shining celestial bronze sword that Zöe gripped in her spare hand.

I looked sideways at Danny, he seemed to be deep in thought. His eyes faraway and sad. “Do you think your parents are worrying about you?” I blurted out. “Are you missing them?” I guess I asked it because that's what I had been thinking about. I couldn't stop imaging my dad's stress when he found out. Or seeing an image of my heartbroken mom as she realised that her babies had gone missing.

Danny looked taken aback, but recovered quickly. “I miss my mom.” He said casually. “She'll be worrying about me.”

I frowned. “What about your dad?”

He laughed without humour. “My dad is probably happy to have me out of the way.” He sounded a lot less laid-back now.

I resisted the urge to put a hand on his shoulder. “I'm sure that's not true.” A brief flash of violent anger blazed in his eyes, but it was gone so quick that I wasn't sure if I'd imagined it.

When Danny spoke, his voice was tight. “You don't know my dad, Brooke. He always said I was a failure, a wimp. And I let the girl I love die for me. So I guess he was right.” I turned and stared. Actually stopping in my tracks. Danny looked at me. And I thought that in that moment, I'd never seen someone look so alone.

I wanted to comfort him. And I was just finding my words when a shattering scream pierced through my thoughts, echoing around us.

A male scream.

The scream of a tortured little boy.