A Son Love & Doves

Chapter 13 (42) Lost Then Captured

Percy POV

At the edge of the dump, we found a tow truck so old it might've been thrown away itself. But the engine started, and it had a full tank of fuel, so we decided to borrow it.

Zoë drove. She didn't seem as stunned as Bianca or Grover or me. Thalia was
definately not in a state to drive, she did send one of the biggest bolts of lightning at Talos sending him crashing back into the junkyard.

Even then it took Zoë and I together to stop Thalia from rushing off in the direction Y/n got batted in. Of course I wanted to go after him, but it seemed he wound up miles away, and he probably would be dead. Pretty sure Zoë would have stopped me aswell, and probably in a less friendly way than Thalia.

Though one good thing came from it, he blinded Talos. Since half of Talos' face was deformed it meant only one eye worked, the eye Y/n stabbed and took out. Which meant I didn't have to go under the maitenice hatch in its' heel. Also with what Thalia did I'm pretty sure their would be a big hole in its chest.

"The skeletons are still out there," Zoë reminded us. "We need to keep moving."

She navigated us through the desert, under clear blue skies, the sand so bright it hurt to look at it. Thalia sat up front with Zoë. Grover, Bianca and I sat in the back, leaning against the tow winch. The air was cool and dry, but the nice weather just seemed like an insult after losing Y/n.

I saw Bianca's hand closed around the little figurine that had cost Y/n's life. I still couldn't even tell what god it was supposed to be. Nico would know.

I wanted to believe that Y/n was still alive somewhere. But he had got hit full force by Talos, I don't think he could take such a hit and survive for long after.

"It should've been me," I said. "I should've stopped the giant."

"Don't say that!" Grover panicked. "It's bad enough Annabeth is gone, and now Y/n. Do you think I could stand it if..." He sniffled. "Do you think anybody else would be my best friend?"

"Ah, Grover..."

He wiped under his eyes with an oily cloth that left his face grimy like he had war paint on. "I'm... I'm okay."

But he wasn't okay. Ever since the encounter in New Mexico - whatever had happened when that wild wind blew through - he seemed really fragile, even more emotional than usual. I was afraid to talk to him about it, because he might start bawling.

At least there's one good thing about having a friend who gets freaked out more than you do. I realized I couldn't stay depressed. I had to set aside thinking about Y/n and keep us going forward, the way Zoë was doing. I wondered what she and Thalia were talking about in the front of the truck.

"I'm sorry." Bianca said gaining both Grover and mines attention, "If I didn't take this figure then Y/n would still be here."

Grover looked at her hand just now noticing the figure she clutched. Grover looked conflicted for a moment before sighing.

"You should apologize to Thalia after the quest." Grover told her, "Even if she denies it or just doesn't realize she really likes Y/n."

Bianca nods and I see her glance towards the front of the truck. I would be lying if I said I would want to be the one telling Thalia why Talos got activated in the first place, with what she did to Talos and all.

Zoë POV

"Y/n made a valiant sacrafice." I told Thalia.

"He's still alive." Thalia insisted, "I know it."

"The prophecy said one shall be lost in the land without rain." I reminded her.

"One would also be captured." Thalia countered, "They could be the same person."