Forgotten memories

I meet myslef

When Prometheus finally left, we made our way back to the plaza. The city was quieter now, but it wasn't peaceful—it felt like the silence before a storm, thick and suffocating. Thalia immediately pulled Percy aside, whispering something that looked serious. Grover wandered off toward the corner and, true to form, started chewing on the legs of a chair like it was a snack.

I headed toward the kitchen with Christine, but that's when I noticed something—my hand was still resting on the small of her back. When did that happen? How long had it been there? My heart stuttered in my chest. My face burned so hot it could've set the furniture on fire. I pulled my hand away slowly, like it was something dangerous.

And that's when she realized it too. She froze for the briefest moment, then quickly moved away, heading straight for the buffet the Demeter cabin had cooked up. She didn't look at me once. Not her face, anyway—but her ears? They were red as a campfire.

And suddenly, I felt sick.

Because this... this was wrong.

Christine wasn't just another Hunter. She wasn't just someone I fought alongside. She was my guardian. My mother had practically ripped her from Artemis's Hunt for one reason—to protect me. To keep me alive. To keep me safe. And here I was... taking advantage of that?

I shut my eyes and took a long, shaky breath, but it didn't help. My thoughts spiraled anyway, dark and brutal. What would Mom say about this? The voice came to me instantly, sharp and cold as moonlight: I gave you one of my best Hunters, and you repay me by tainting her? By dragging her down with you?

The thought alone made me shiver, but worse than fear of my mother's wrath was the truth behind it. Christine didn't deserve this. She was supposed to be one of Artemis's chosen, a warrior of eternal sisterhood and honor. And now? Now she was stuck with me—a cursed demigod who couldn't even control his own feelings.

That night, I didn't go back to my old room. I found another bedroom, locked the door behind me, and just stood there for a long time, staring at nothing. My stomach felt like it was full of lead. Because the realization was settling in like a blade between my ribs: I was ruining her life. Every second she stayed near me, her chances of rejoining the Hunt faded a little more.

And for what? For me? Some selfish part of me wanted to hold on, to not let go, to pretend for just a little longer. But if I did... if I gave in... then everything Artemis gave her, everything she stood for, would be gone. Because of me.

And I hated myself for it. Gods, I hated myself.

There was a knock at the door.

I froze.

For a heartbeat, I almost moved—almost opened it. But my legs wouldn't obey. I just stood there, fists clenched so hard my knuckles ached.

Another knock, softer this time. Then silence. Then... footsteps. Slow at first, fading away. Then they stopped. Turned back. One last knock, hesitant, almost... pleading.

And then they were gone for good.

I sat on the bed, my chest burning, my throat tight like I'd swallowed glass. Because I knew who it was. And I hated myself even more for staying silent.

I told myself it was the right thing to do. That opening that door would have destroyed her future. But the truth? The truth was that not opening it hurt worse than anything I'd ever felt.

Eventually, I collapsed onto the bed and stared at the ceiling until exhaustion finally dragged me under.

The next thing I knew, someone was pounding on the door.