Percy vs Nico - Percy Jackson

Chapter 19

Nico's POV
She was hovering over me, waving the flashlight in my face. I was disappointed to see that it was still dark, I had planned to at least sleep through the night.

"Didn't you like, die?" I ask her.

"The grass is an illusion," She said through giggles. "It makes you see things that relate to your past." She was now skipping around me.

"Huh? That doesn't make any sense." I replied.

"You'll see," She answered, her face now getting in my business as she looked me dead in the eye. "Got any food?" I could feel her breath on my cheeks as she exhaled at my silent response. Her face lifted from mine and continued to slip around me.

"How long, have you been here?" I ask her, trying to pick the most appropriate questions.

"I don't know, what about you?" She asked back.

"I don't, really know either." I replied. It seemed like only a few days had gone by, but who knew how long it had been. Besides, time is different in the Underworld. Wait. "How did you get in the Underworld?" I ask. She looks at me blankly.

"The Underworld? What's that?" Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion. My face tightened.

"Where do you, think we are?" I asked her.

"Texas. The town carnival, me and my brother entered the grass maze together. I haven't seen him in a while, i'm sure he made it out already." She answered. Texas? Why did she think we were in Texas.

"You have a brother?" I ask her.

"Yea! His name is Barry, but I call him Bear." She responded with a subtle smile.

"He came in the maze with you? Are you sure he made it out?" I ask again, trying to not make it look like an investigation. She had stopped skipping around me a while ago but that question made her plop down on the ground next to me.

"Yes, silly. Don't you remember?" She says wrapping her small arms around my bicep. Her cheek was pushed up against my shoulder as she stared off into the distance. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable, I didn't enjoy physical touch with anyone, let alone a stranger. But I could tell she needed it. So I let her snuggle up to me.

"No I don't, please remind me." I ask, going along with the skit. Hoping I can get some more information about this girl.

Percy's POV
When Chris headed over to the beach with some other Hermes children, I decided to speak to Chiron. I was getting nervous about Annabeth and decided to check if Chiron knew anything. I knocked on the door and it opened straight away, like he was escorting me.

"Hey Chiron, I was just~" I started.

"Wait, let me guess," He barged in. "You're here about Annabeth?" My face scrunched in suspicion as he smirked. "Knew it." He said and turned inside, I followed. "I'm surprised it took you this long to ask." He told me.

"Where is she, is she safe?" I asked.

"Yes, she's doing a quest." He replied. A quest? A quest? She didn't even tell me, why didn't she tell me? I hope we're still friends. Oh no. What if she doesn't like me anymore after what happened. What have I done.

"PERCY!" Chiron yellled, leading me out of my thoughts.

"Uhm- yes, hm? Sorry." I stumbled.

"I was saying," He dragged out the last word.  "If everything is alright, Annabeth should be arriving back on Wednesday. WEDNESDAY? This can't be happening, what am I gonna do? It's Sunday! I have to spend 3 whole days without her company, oh gods. I'll have to~ ugh. I'll have to make friends?!?