Percy vs Nico - Percy Jackson

Chapter 24

Nico's POV
My chest tightened as I walked out the door, I had to shield my eyes from the sun that had been unfamiliar these last couple... idk. I wasn't quite sure if I was ready to go out yet, I made a quick U turn and headed straight to my bed. I lay on my back looking up at the ceiling, wondering if people would actually want to see me again. If Percy had told everyone, there was no chance anyone would want to hang out with me ever again. "Are you going to send me to tartarus to?" "Ew, don't sit next to that freak!" "Stay away from him, he sent two innocent kids to tartarus." I shook the thoughts away but they just kept coming. My stomach couldn't take it anymore and I rushed to the bathroom. Leaning over the toilet I felt nauseous, like the world was spinning. Every time I tried to get up, I was greeted with the ground. My head felt heavy but weightless at the same time as I tried to make my way back to my bed. I stumble over and bring a cabinet with me. I grunt from the impact of the floor, then glass being shattered next to me. My face stung and I try to get up before I give in to unconsciousness. That's when I hear a knock at the door. Shit. This isn't how I planned my grand entrance and it certainly wasn't how I wanted my first day back to start. I remain on the floor on my hands and knees, gripping my the floorboards to keep balance.

"Hello? Is anyone in there?" The voice at the door called out. I wanted to scream no, go away but keeping myself awake was my main priority. I crawl on my hands and knees, yes it was humiliating, no I will never do it again. Suddenly my head started throbbing, not throbbing, banging, like it was being repeatedly smashed against something. I winced and grasped my head. "Hello? I can hear you, you're not supposed to be in there." The voice claimed and the door knob started shaking. I tried to keep composure so the person about to barge in wouldn't find me hunched over in the fetal position, but I couldn't move a muscle. Then the door swung open, hitting me on the head and I gave into darkness.

Percy's POV
It takes us many turns and many dead ends to realise we were trapped in a cave. It was pitch black and we hadn't made much progress. We thought we had at least covered half of the cave, but there were little openings that lead to more openings that lead to... you get the idea. It had been so long since we decided to give mapping a try, no wonder I failed Geography at school. I would sometimes have to wait for Annabeth to catch up, I would find her clutched up against the side of the cave, catching her breath. She was in bad shape, I was just glad I had her. After finally deciding to get some rest after a long time of searching, I noticed something in the distance. My eyes had adjusted to the dark but I still couldn't see that far, but it looked like something was moving up ahead. I quickly moved over to where Annabeth was lying, keeping my eyes in the distance, wishing I could see in the dark. Then, whatever it was, let out a horrible scream. I felt Annabeth clinging to my arm.

"Come on, we gotta go," I whisper to her, "Slowly."

"Okay." She whispers back, still attached to my arm. We both slowly walk backward, keeping our eyes in the distance where the scream came from. Suddenly Annabeth tripped over and landed on the floor again with a thud. I slowly helped her up but whatever was in the cave with us, definitely heard it. We keep still for a good minute before begging to move again. Without warning the creature lurched toward us, rocks falling, giving us an idea where abouts it was coming from. I squeeze Annabeth hand.

"On the count of three we run?" I whisper to her.

"Run? But~" She stopped as she processed all the possible outcomes of this situation. "Okay." She concluded, squeezing my hand.

"One... two... THREE!" I say as we both begin running, hoping we don't bump into any rocks.