Sign of the Times

Mr. Forgettable

Annabeth talked with her dad while the rest of us sat in near silence until the pegasus that Artemis summoned came. 

When the pegasus came, only Blackjack would let me near him. There was something about "the smell of death" on me that they hated. 

I told them I would just shadow-travel back to New York and meet them there. Did I think I could do it? No. I think my body would tear to shreds if I tried to right now. They must have figured that by the slight stumble in my step (I fell on my face).

With Thalia's help off the ground, she led me over to Blackjack and helped me get on. Percy walked over to a different pegasus before a warm breeze blew through and a dove flew out of a tree and right at the pegasus's face.  The pegasus let out a loud NEIGH! and quite literally just flew away, the dove following it until we couldn't see it anymore.

"What just happened?" Thalia asked, holding back a laugh. Percy's face heated up. "Well, Percy get on with Emelia. 'Cause I'm not sharing with you and I gotta talk to Annie about something that you aren't allowed to hear."

Annabeth and I gave her a confused look. Thalia flicked her eyes towards Percy then back at me with a wink. 

Oh.

This is gonna be awkward.

Too tired to argue, Percy walked over and climbed on behind me. His arms reached around me to grab the makeshift reigns of the pegasus. His chest was pressed against my back, closing me in between his arms.

We took off toward New York City in silence. Despite the last 12 hours being the most hectic 12 hours of my life, I have had an absolutely crazy life so that is saying something, the idea of sleep was out of the question.

Yes, I held the sky for an amount of time that should've killed me four times over. Yes, I haven't slept in forever. Yes, all I want is to curl up and sleep. 

But the thought of dreams scared me right now. 

After fighting a Titan, having two people close to me die, and my prophecy getting extended 2 years far from guarantees that it would be peaceful. 

Oh, yeah, I was told that I am not dying yet, so Thalia isn't turning 18. Is she dying? Going to Neverland? No idea, but the possibility of her dying is making me sick.

Why do so many people die?

"You left again," Percy said, breaking the silence.

I tensed and leaned forward so I wasn't touching him. If I am being completely honest, it is all just coming back to me. You know, the . . . er, talk we had before I left. 

"I didn't really have a choice, Percy."

"You did though, she would've made it."

I shook my head, a shiver went through my body at the memory of how she was tempting the hand of death. 

"She wouldn't have. The only reason why she lived was because I went there." I tried to keep my voice even, emotionless. I tried to show that I wasn't scared. 

"But, you almost died." 

THAT'S THE POINT! I wanted to scream, but instead went with a simple answer.

"Percy," I said. "I had to save Annabeth."

"You didn't have to save me."

My breath hitched. How could he say that? Does he think I am going to just let him die? Does he think that I would just let anyone die?

"You were going to die, so yes I did," I told him. 

"I told you, we don't trade lives, Emelia. You can't just-"