Thunder and Blood

35

Percy

Void is trying to take more control.

I want to hate him, I want to hate everything he's making me do, but I can't. I can't hate something that I've learned to like. He likes the looks on peoples faces when he orders me to use my power. And now, after my little show with the hydra, the whole camp will be talking about me. Percy Jackson, the bloodbender.

One at a time, Perseus. Void whispers into my mind. Kill them all, one at a time.

No. They are my friends. I argue. I can't.

Your friends? He laughs. What happens when the truth comes out, Percy? What happens when they find out what you're keeping from them?

They will understand.

You forget that I can see your thoughts, boy. You do not believe that, you know exactly what they will do. He hisses. I will not allow them cast us away, we must strike first. He pauses, letting me think on it. Then he continues, you also know what will happen if you do not listen to me, Percy. You know that either way they will die. All of them.

Just leave them alone, please. I beg, he knows I'm desperate, he knows I won't do it. He knows the only way to get me to listen is by force. And I know he won't hesitate to make me comply, he'll do whatever it takes to make me suffer.

Fine, then, one each night. He says after a moment.

I stop mid-step. What?

At 11:30 each night, you will slit someone's throat. He tells me, almost casually. It doesn't have to be a half-blood, or a friend, but at that exact time, half an hour before midnight, you will kill someone for me. 

I can't move. 

One person a night. 

Seven people a week. 

I can't do that. He knows I can't do that. He knows that I will not kill an innocent person, let alone one for each night. 

Innocent? His voice echoes in the darkness, raspy, rough. As he says the words, it feels as though he's dragging a dull blade along my bones. When did I say they had to be innocent?

It can be anyone?  I ask. 

Anyone you wish, Perseus. He pauses, not quite satisfied. But I would hurry up if I were you. Your time is running out.

And if I do kill someone, what will happen if I'm too late? What happens if they die after 11:30? 

The sound of a low chuckle tells me exactly what I had been dreading. For your sake, Percy, and for the well-being of your precious camp, let's hope you never have to find out. 

"That's reassuring." I mutter, unaware that my hands had been shaking in my pockets. Void goes quiet once more, I don't like that fact that he can tell what I'm thinking. He knows what I'm going to say before I say it, I can have no secrets in my own mind. It's utterly and infuriatingly annoying. I glance around, noting that I'm standing a few yards away from the stables. 

One person. A single person. It could be a murderer, a criminal, a pedophile. 

I have an hour. A single hour to find them.

A single hour to slit their throat. 

And a single hour to save my friends from my own power. 

"Blackjack." I call out, walking towards his pen. At the sound of my voice, he sticks his head out, his black eyes glistening in the lantern light. "Hey buddy." I reach out to pet him, laying my palm on his snout. "What do you say to a little road trip?"

~

The city lights are almost blinding, especially from the sky. 

Blackjack and I have been searching for half an hour already, and my time is running out. I would much rather be with Annabeth right now, I'd give anything to be with her instead of here. But if I don't do this, he could make me kill them all. I can't risk it. 

"Hey boss, look." Blackjack nods towards an alleyway, two people are at the end, a man and a woman. He has a hold of her purse, pulling on it as she tries to fight back. I urge Blackjack closer, getting a better look. 

This man will have to do. 

I loosen my grip on his mane. "Meet me on this rooftop at 11:45, got it?" I shout through the wind, his ears perk up. "Go find yourself a doughnut shop, you deserve it." I give him one last pat on the side of the neck and pull myself to a steady position on his back, balancing myself until we are flying directly over top of the alley. 

I cast Blackjack a mock salute, a small grin on my face. "Adios, mi amigo." 

And I let myself fall backward.