RECLUSE - (n) a person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people.
MAISIE ELLIOT WAS ANGRY.
Angry at the world.
Angry at the Gods.
Angry at the demigods who seemed to move on too fast.
And when forced onto a quest with three stranger...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
A WARM SHOWER HAD NEVER FELT BETTER
Maisie let herself drown in the hot water that burned away all traces of the battles she's had to endure over the past few days. The first thing Maisie wanted to do when she got back was sleep. Turns out, practically dying takes a toll on your energy. Who knew?
Cora and Parker, after a tearful reunion (all Cora), agreed to give her some space to let her social battery recharge, but she had to promise to fill them all in on every small detail of her quest.
She finally saw Donovan again as well. He was quick to embrace her and drag her back to their cabin so she could shower. He claimed she smelled like actual death, fitting. He had run to grab his hidden stash of candy he collected for her in her absence. He had probably hidden it with the Stoll twins in the Hermes cabin.
Stepping out of the bathroom in some more comfortable and clean clothes, Maisie sat on her bed and wrapped a fuzzy blanket around her. She had just gotten comfortable when she had heard a knock at the door.
Groaning, she sluggishly got out of bed, stomping to the door of her Cabin. She threw the door open, expecting to yell at some young camper who disturbed her peace and quiet, but she was pleasantly shocked to find Leo at her doorstep.
"Leo?" She asked. "What are you doing here?"
"I need to show you something." He said. He had change out of his clothes from the quest and now had on some black sweats, a white T-shirt, and a baggy jacket.
She groaned. "Can't this wait until morning? We just got back from our quest."
"I know—" he stammered. "I just— I need to show somebody. Now." Leo insisted.
"Okay." Maisie agreed, rubbing the tiredness from her eyes. "Let's go."
Leo waisted no time in grabbing her forearm and dragged her towards the woods. He was speeding through the tree line, faster than she could comprehend.
"Hey, Leo! Can you slow down?" Maisie complained. "I literally fought a giant and practically died today!"
Leo froze at that, almost like it was an uncomfortable subject for him. An awkward silence filled the woods, which made Maisie uneasy. The cold wind ruffled her wet hair.
"Uh— sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset." Maisie apologized.
Leo locked eyes with her and it scared Maisie. He looked so sad. Heartbroken. It was a drastic change from the happy, jokester Leo she'd spent so much time with.
"It's just—" he began. "You died. I saw you die right in front of me. I thought we lost you." Leo confessed, looking away from her.
