Nico's Grand Plan

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Skyler's POV

In the midst of my panic, I ran for the Hermes cabin only to be greeted by the Stolls who both looked as confused as I did before I realized my mistake and ran for the woods.

There was a small spot by the creek where I'd go with Luke some nights. I collapsed on the bank of the creek, pulling my knees to my chest. My heart ached and pounded in my throat and ears, my lungs felt like someone was squeezing the air out of them, leaving me gasping and straining for air.

Hot tears streamed down my cheeks as I sobbed in the darkness of the woods.

Bianca, Zoe, Lee, Beckendorf... They didn't deserve to die for this. They deserved to be here fighting with us.

"They didn't deserve this.." I choked out.

You could have prevented this a voice nagged in my head.

"No...That's not true. I couldn't control this." I ran my hands over my face, raking my fingers through my hair. "I don't have to control everything... It's not my place."

He could have made you powerful

"Stop." I squeezed my eyes shut. The voice continued to try and scratch away at me.

You could have protected him. Taken on this burden. Kept him safe. Loved him.

Luke... He didn't deserve the manipulation of Kronos... His hatred for the gods had grown too strong and now look where we are.

"He chose this," I told myself, clutching my head. "He chose this."

I sat there as the sobs shook my body.

"I can't control this... It's not my fault!" I picked up a smooth stone from the edge of the creek and launched it into the water, disrupting the smooth and clear bottom, turning the water murky.

The rustle of bushes behind me sent me into fight or flight. I whipped around, looking around the dark woods...well really struggling to look around. My vision was blurred and it was hard to focus on anything.

The bushes rustled again to my left.

"Who's there..." I choked out, pulling on my charm for Ilios. I swung the golden blade a few times to try and light the area around me. "Come out.."

I was met by a very large and very friendly black mass that knocked me to my back into the creek. 

WOOF!

"Easy girl! Before you drown me in a creek!" I coughed up the bit of water that entered my mouth. Mrs. O'Leary wagged her tail excitedly, knocking a few bushes flat. She gave me a very wet hellhound-breath kiss. Like I said earlier...the best therapist we have at camp. The big lug had a way of taking your worries and flooding you with dopamine.

Mrs. O'Leary barked happily and pushed her forehead against my midriff when I finally stood up. "Okay, okay." I leaned myself over the massive dog's head, giving her an awkward hug. "I'm okay..." I whispered into her dark fur.

She barked again happily then turned. She would have knocked me over with her tail if I hadn't ducked. Mrs. O'Leary bounded happily into the woods.

I raised Ilios to light the way, trying my best to follow the black mass through the shadows that she moved through with ease.

It felt like forever as I followed the bounding black blur through the forest. But soon enough I could make out a faint glow in the distance.

Up ahead was the clearing the Cloven Elders used (Which last year they had nearly banish Grover in.) I could make out three forms standing in a huddle. One was Percy: bright orange camp shirt, and dark-washed blue jeans. The second was Juniper, She was easy to spot with her hair golden as new amber and purple flowing sundress. The third was a grumpy Satyr who looked jumpy and nervous, like someone had poked his furry goat haunch with a safety pin from the bushes.

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