Daughter of Neptune

YOLO

I awoke with a groan and pushed myself to a sitting position. My muscles were stiff and hurt when I moved them. The stonewalls mad me feel like I was suffocating. They loomed overhead and above them was the stone ceiling. How I hated this place.

Leo was lying on the cold floor in a heap. He had his mouth open and was snoring. Minus the scratches and bruises, he looked like a cute, little boy who was having a nap.

He mumbled and turned over in his sleep so he was facing the wall. I hear the familiar noise of footsteps echoing down the hall. I slide back onto the floor and face the wall so the person won't be able to tell I am awake.

The footsteps stop right outside the door and I hold my breath. That's when I hear it, sobbing, loud and uncontrollable sobbing. I feel obliged to sit up and comfort them but then remember I'm meant to be asleep.

"I'm...So-Sorry." An unforgettable voice says in between sobs. Tom. What is he sorry about?

"I tried. He...wont let you...li-live." A new fit of sobbing racks his body and I hear a small splash a tear hits the ground. I stop myself from moving towards Tom and pulling him into a hug.

Tom stays until he calms himself down. Then he whispers, so softly I only just heard it.

"I love you." I knew he was telling the truth as soon as he said it. There was so much pain in his voice that I couldn't help it. I moved my hand over my mouth to cover the gasp that escaped my lips.

Luckily, Leo stirred in his sleep and Tom leapt up from his crouching position. His footsteps were quick and sharp, which meant he was running down the long hallway. I sit up against the wall and take a deep breath.

Leo jumps into a sitting position and eyes me curiously.

"Did I hear footsteps?" he asks. I shrug my shoulders and lie back down on the floor.

~~~~~

Jason pulled at the wooden lid and it slid off noiselessly. The sun glinted of something metal. The demigods looked and saw inside was a gleaming steel key.

"Is that what I think it is?" Ben asked and pulled the key into the sunlight for a closer inspection. He looked at it for a few seconds before coming to his senses.

Ben glanced at Esme and walked to the door in three steps. The others walked behind him and stood in silence as he slid the key into the keyhole.

It fit the keyhole perfectly and Ben twisted the key to the left. The door clicked open. Ben pushed the door and it swung forward with a metal-on-metal creak.

He turned and smiled at the Jason, Hannah and Esme. They were finally getting somewhere.