𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋

꧁𝐋𝐄𝐎 𝐜𝐡𝟓𝟖꧂

Leo

The loud engine spluttered and creaked beneath my fingers. My head still hurt from the department store with the telkhine days ago, the back of it pulsing like an angry machine. I slammed my hand into a pipe, frustrated. After the war, cabin 9's little project had been to improve the speed of the ship, make it the best we could. We obviously hadn't expected something else to come so soon, but it had been something kind of fun to work on, as there was no time pressure or stress.

Now there was a lot of stress. Running the whole thing on my own was insanely difficult, the absence of Festus hung over me like a cloud. Not like the others would care anyway, he was just a machine to them. Worry thrummed in time with my headache; it was as just past midnight and Hazel was still missing. Hazel could definitely handle herself, but being alone in the middle of the night gods knows where...

Then I heard it. A loud thunk on the deck above, followed by a desperate shout. I howled in pain as I dropped my wrench onto my foot. I swore and put the thing into my - finally working - tool belt. I walked out of the engine room, ignoring an exploding minor pipe on the way out. I'd fix it later. I came up into the corridor to find it quiet - everyone left were in their rooms (well, without coach hedge around I wasn't sure if Jason and Piper were sticking to separate rooms). I walked cautiously towards the yelling, slowly pulling out my hammer.

The door flung open and someone staggered down the stairs, screaming Frank's name. A bloodied and dirty Hazel stepped into view and I surged forwards with relief.
"Hazel!" I shouted with a grin. She sighed with relief and ran into my arms. Her cold chin rested on my shoulder, hair in my face.
"You have a lot of explaining to do."
"Frank- where's Frank? Is he okay? Did anything-"
"Woah, woah, woah. Hold your horses."
She frowned, finally pulling away. "My horse isn't-"
"Never mind. It's an expression. Anyway Frank's fine-"
"Oh thank the gods." she breathed, grabbing me again. She staggered back and pushed past me. "Frank, find Frank." she murmured dazedly. The door down the corridor flew open, and I winced as it nearly flew off its hinges. Frank stumbled out, wide eyed. "Hazel!" he shouted, and she sobbed in relief.
They embraced and I smiled, happy to finally have Hazel back. I fought down a vile stab on jealousy in amy gut as they gripped onto each other.

Jason and Piper walked out of their rooms, and joined in the hug, laughing and crying out in relief. Poor Hazel seemed to be crushed beneath them and I could hear her laughs behind Jason's chest. I watched, arms folded and leaning on the doorway. I was smiling, the tugs in my lips aching.

"Someone thinks they're too cool," came a sarcastic voice, and then Piper's arm had extended and grabbed me, pulling me into the group hug. Hazel giggled and Jason grinned, patting me on the back.
We enjoyed the short moment, until Hazel said she thought she was about to be compressed like a pancake, at which we all murmured a sorry with a laugh and let go.

Jason suggested she go to the infirmary, at which Frank immediately agreed. We would meet in the council/dining room tomorrow. I watched the pair go, slip through the door.

"Oh thank the gods." Piper breathed, throwing her head back against the wall. Jason nodded, though he still looked tense. But it was fine now, because Hazel was here, and she was okay. We could relax, even for just a couple minutes.
"We're not having any more of this." I decided. "I'm building an alarm system at the door. I'm tired of getting a jump scares from slime monsters and people going missing."
"Good idea." Jason nodded. It was quiet for a bit, before I realised it was just the three of us. I grinned and they realised it too.
"We missed you, man," Piper said to me, tightly. "Still can't get over you disappearing like that on us."
"Sorry." I said sheepishly, knowing full well I would do it again if I had to. Without a physicians cure.