Born To Die

Everything goes wrong then right

After Percy and his group had retreated, the quiet that settled over the ship was unnerving. The clash of swords, the shouts, and the adrenaline that had once filled the air were now replaced with a tense silence. Luke paced in the billiard room, his face flushed with frustration. His fists clenched and unclenched as he stalked back and forth, kicking furniture and muttering under his breath.

"I had him! I had him!" Luke shouted, flinging a chair against the wall. It shattered with a loud crash, splinters flying everywhere. "How could he—how could they—"

I watched him, my heart racing. This was a side of Luke that few ever saw, one driven by anger and betrayal, not the calm, calculating leader he usually was. He was furious, not just at Percy but at everything. The plan had been so close to succeeding, but it had fallen apart, and Luke couldn't stand failure.

He picked up a vase, hurling it across the room. It smashed against the wall, shards raining down onto the floor.

"Luke, stop!" I called out, but he didn't hear me, or if he did, he was too far gone to care.

Another crash. Another piece of furniture destroyed.

"Luke!" I shouted, more forcefully this time. But he was in his own world, too consumed by his anger to listen.

I stood there for a moment, watching him lose control, before finally snapping. I couldn't let him spiral like this.

"Luke Alexander Castellan!" I yelled, my voice cutting through the chaos.

He froze mid-throw, his hand gripping the edge of the pool table, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. For a moment, the only sound in the room was the ticking of a clock on the far wall.

He turned slowly to look at me, his eyes wide and wild, still filled with fury but now mixed with surprise. No one called him by his full name like that, and I could tell it had shocked him out of his rage.

"Isla..." His voice was low, still rough with anger, but he was no longer throwing things.

I took a deep breath, stepping forward cautiously. "You need to calm down."

Luke's grip tightened on the edge of the table, but he didn't move to destroy anything else. His eyes met mine, and I could see the storm inside him settling, though it was still there, simmering beneath the surface.

"We'll figure it out," I said, my voice softer now, trying to reach him. "This wasn't the end. We're still in control. We'll come up with a new plan."

He stared at me for a long moment before letting out a shaky breath. His shoulders slumped, and he ran a hand through his hair, messing it up further.

"I just..." Luke's voice broke a little, and he looked away, clearly struggling to keep his emotions in check. "I was so close, Isla. So close to everything we've been working for."

"I know," I whispered, stepping closer to him. I reached out, placing a hand on his arm, feeling the tension there. "But this isn't the end. We're still together. We still have time."

Luke shook his head, his jaw tight. "I hate him," he muttered. "I hate him for always being in the way, for taking everything that should have been mine."

I squeezed his arm, my heart aching for him. "We'll get there. I promise."

He finally looked at me again, his eyes softer, though the anger still lingered beneath the surface. Slowly, his hand covered mine, and he gave a small nod.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "For stopping me."

I smiled, relieved that he had calmed down. "Always. We'll make it work. Together."