Reyna and Jason: The Praetor's of New Rome - Sacrifice

Endure

"I didn't expect to see you here."

Sam turned his head to see me, while he sat cross legged in front of John's grave. The sky shown with bright stars, but we weren't graced with the moon light this night, so the darkness was heavier.

But there was still enough light for me to make out Sam's solemn expression.

"Oh hey Rey. What's up?" He asked glumly.

I sat down next to him and shrugged. "Nothing much, you?"

Sam waved his hand at John's grave. "Y'know being all sad and stuff."

The two of us sat in silence, enjoying the night breeze. I rubbed my throat, as it was still sore from Quintus's attack the other day.

The whole situation was traumatic for me. Having to kill someone I barely knew just to save my own life. Of course, I didn't actually kill someone, as it turned out to just be a lifelike robot, but it didn't change how similar it felt to when I..... when I killed my dad.

The thought made me shiver. So did the voice that spoke through Quintus's body. That women's voice, whoever they were, was familiar to me. I heard it in my nightmares for months. In those nightmares, a crazed blonde women with grey eyes chased me for what felt like eternity. Every night getting closer and closer. Even when I had a rare good dream.

Whatever or whoever that was, I knew I would have to face them in the labyrinth.

"Your thinking about all the crazy stuff that just happened?" Sam asked me, as he pulled overgrown grass near John's grave.

I nodded. "Yeah I am."

The silence continued.

The annoyance I felt for Sam not initiating the conversation steadily increased as the seconds went on. We wanted to speak to each of other, but neither of us knew how.

I turned my attention to the stars and wondered if this is how Jason or Gwen felt during our first adventure. Constantly having to think of ways to pry more information out of me until I fully opened up. The idea made me feel bad. Right now, I wanted to hear more from Sam. To understand why he was so upset, but he stubbornly remain closed off. It was frustrating. Jason and Gwen likely felt the same way when trying to reach out to me.

I recalled my conversation with Mr. Parker. The risks needed to be taken in order to forge a stronger relationship.

I took a deep breath and took a page out of Jason's book. "So Sam, why did you take the job of Praetor when you never wanted to be?"

Sam blinked, probably not expecting a direct question like that. "Oh, uh, don't worry about that. I was just upset is all, with everything going on, y'know?"

I had to suppress a frustrated sigh, he was playing hard to get. "Sam, if you didn't feel that way, you wouldn't have said it. You can tell me Sam, I'm not going to judge you."

Sam smiled dryly. "If that's the case, you wouldn't be asking me at all."

I punched his arm. "Stop being annoying. I'm just trying to help."

Sam rubbed his arm. "Ow. Has anyone ever told you your a jerk when you care about someone?"

I smiled. "Yes many times. Now come on, spill the beans."

Sam continued to rub his arm. "Spill the beans? Okay."

He farted. A really nasty fart.

I punched him again and stood up, pinching my nose. "Oh my gods, Sam!"

He laughed. "Nah that was a wet one. Consider it pay back for punching me."

I put my hands on my hip. "Okay, now that we are even, can you start telling me about that sad stuff your referring too?"