Eleutheromania

14)

LEO DOCKED THE SHIP AT A pier in Charleston Harbor, right next to the seawall. Along the shore was a historical district with tall mansions, palm trees, and wrought-iron fences. Antique cannons pointed at the water.

I grabbed Leo's face. "Take care, alright."

He nods and puts his hands on mine. "I'll be fine. I'm going to stick with Jason and Frank."

I smiled. "Don't mess with Frank. Be civil. One hit and you'll be knocked out."

His nose scrunched, which I wouldn't help but kiss. "I'll be fine. I'll be back. Promise."

I kissed his forehead and hugged him soon letting him go. I walked up to Jason. "Please—"

"Yes, I will okay. What's gotten you like this anyways? You are usually okay with him going somewhere."

I was annoyed on how well Jason knew me. "I'll say it later, but please."

He waved me off. "He'll be fine. We'll be back by sunset."

By the time Annabeth came up on deck, Jason, Frank, and Leo had already left for the museum. I stood with Percy. He was leaning in the starboard rail, gazing over the bay. Annabeth started walking towards us and I took it as a moment to give them alone time.

Soon enough, it was just Percy, Hedge and I alone on the ship. I went to Percy grabbing his arm. "Before, you go in the sea, we need to talk."

I saw Percy's face drop and he nods. "Listen, about what happened at the aquarium—"

"Yes, we need to tell Annabeth about it and it was just to save my life, nothing more," I interrupted him. "But this is something different. Come, better we go somewhere else."

We went into my room. I closed the door and locked it in case coach came barging in. Percy sat on my desk chair looking at the paper that was on my desk.

"I had a dream," I began. Percy faced me. I leaned again the wall looking at the floor. "It began with Gaea talking with me. I was in this dark, foggy place. I couldn't distinguish anything. She told me that my father was on her side the whole time. She also told me to look around, and that was the place I would end up in if I don't choose her side."

"But you won't right," Percy said.

I hesitated. The thoughts of me being in Tartarus was so clear. I never want to go there.

Percy stood up. "Alister, come on. What was the place even? You have been through so much and now you will give it all up."

"Tartarus," I mumbled.

"What?" Percy frowned.

I faced him. "That's where I'll end up. In Tartarus."

Percy opened his mouth, but then he closed it.

I shook my head. "You don't understand, Percy. I was so hopeless. I was dying with no one with me. Every single monster that I killed was there to take revenge. Everything that I believe I did good, is biting back at me. I was dying, Percy. I felt it." I blinked quickly shaking my head. "I was so weak. I am so weak and everyday proves that."

Percy grabbed my shoulders. "Hey, look at me," I faced him. "You are not weak, you have never been weak. You have made sacrifices like the rest of us. We have all been through some shitty stuff, but we are still here. We will continue fighting no matter what. All those who have died will not die for nothing. We will finish this. You will never end up in Tartarus, I promise."