Freak || Percy Jackson x OC

One Hundred and Forty-Three: The next day, the motherfucker was dead

SEN

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Sen's hands shook as she picked up the cap. It looked like it had been stepped on by a huge muddy boot. After all that she'd gone through today, she couldn't stand the thought that something might've happened to Grover, too. She felt hot tears streaming her cheeks. She wanted to scream.

Then she noticed something else. The cave floor was mushy and wet from the water dripping off the stalactites. There were large footprints like Tyson's, and smaller ones- goat hooves- leading off to the left.

"We have to follow them." Percy said. He was right beside Sen, and for the first time in her whole life, she wanted him to go away. "They went that way. It must have been recently."

"What about Camp Half-Blood?" Nico said. "There's no time."

"We have to find them." Annabeth insisted. "They're our friends." She snatched up Grover's smashed cap and forged ahead.

No matter how much Sen wanted to find Grover and Tyson, every single step felt like it was forced. She had to give herself new, microscopic rewards just to keep going.

One more step, and you'll be safe. One more step, and you are allowed to shed one tear. One more step, and you will be fine. You're strong. You can do this.

The tunnel was treacherous. It sloped at weird angles and was slimy with moisture. Half the time, the group was slipping and sliding rather than walking.

Finally, they got to the bottom of a slope and found themselves in a large cave with huge stalagmite columns. Through the center of the room ran an underground river, and Tyson was sitting by the banks, cradling Grover in his lap. Grover's eyes were closed. He wasn't moving.

"Tyson!" Percy yelled.

"Percy! Come quick!"

Everyone ran over to him, which caused Sen more pain than walking did. Grover wasn't dead, thank the gods, but his whole body trembled like he was freezing to death. She realized that she couldn't see anyone else's souls. She wasn't using her powers.

She looked around. Ethan was nowhere to be seen. It had to be him making that happen, right?

But for some reason, she knew it wasn't Ethan's fault.

"What happened?" Sen choked out. It felt like someone had a rope around her neck and was pulling so she barely got any air, but she had just enough to keep on living.

"So many things." Tyson murmured. "Large snake. Large dogs. Men with swords. But then...we got close to here. Grover was excited. He ran. Then we reached this room, and he fell. Like this."

"Did he say anything?" Percy asked, his face laced with worry. Sen touched one of Grover's curls. Her hand shook like it did when Thalia used to shock her.

"He said, 'We're close.' Then hit his head on rocks."

Sen put a hand on Grover's chest. The only other time she'd seen Grover pass out was New Mexico, when he'd felt the presence of Pan.