A Battle For Love

Nico//eight

I was on my feet for hours, switching in between from speed-walking and running. It had gotten dark and my sword was at the ready. You never know when a big monster could attack, and I was too stupid to pack a flashlight. Just like I was stupid enough to think that Will would ever like me back.

My free hand reaches up and touches the bruise that Will left. Why did he have to punch me? I guess physical damage is better than mental damage. But in a way, Will hurt me both ways. All I can think now is the angry look on Will's face when I pushed him. The shock when I told him that I wouldn't care. But that's the problem: I did care. I cared too much.

Why can't I stop?

All caring gets you is hurt. You'll always be hurt in the end, no matter what. You'll always lose the person you care most about. First Bianca, then Percy-even though I never really lost him-and now Will. Forever. I may be the son of Hades, but gods, can't I ever catch a break? A break from heartbreak. That's all I'm asking for. It seriously can't be that hard. I sigh.

I'm scared out of my thoughts of misery when a loud clap of thunder boomed. Then it started pouring rain, soaking me in an instant. "Screw you, Zeus!" I yell. Lightening flashed in the distance but I didn't care. If he had the balls enough to kill me, he'd have done it by now.

I keep walking in the side of the road, wiping my dripping hair out of my face every ten seconds. It was about two miles later when I saw city lights. I picked my pace up to a jog, just wanting to get out of this stupid rain for a second. I would have Shadow Traveled but I could bring myself to do it. The memories of me literally fading into shadows still scared me. What if I actually do become shadows this time? No one would be here to save me. Not that they would.

I eventually come to a small, quaint diner. It only has a few cars in the parking lot. There's a sign on the door claiming that it was a twenty-four hour diner. I swipe my hair back and sheath my sword. Ducking my head, I put the door open, not really caring at that I'll be driving water everywhere.

There's a jingle from a bell when the door opens. There's one waitress behind the maroon bar pouring coffee into a dark brown cup for an old man. Behind the waitress is a good sized rectangle hole in the wall that holds a chef. In the corner of the diner, there's a lonely truck driver in red plaid, half hidden behind a newspaper. In a booth two seats beside him is a not-so-inconspicuous couple making out.

I just stood there on the welcome mat that was soaking the water up. However, when the bell goes off, they all stop what they're doing and look up at me. "Oh honey, why are you all wet?" The waitress asks. Her gray eyes go wide with shock.

"Um," I say awkwardly, "it's raining outside."

"Well, don't be shy, come sit down. I'll get you something warm to drink." I started to protest but she waved dismissively and began bustling about. I walk slowly towards one of the cushioned stools and sit down beside the old man.

The waitress came back with a large mug of hot chocolate. She smiles at me before her eyes flicker down to my sword. Her smile wavers for a millisecond before it goes back to normal. I avert my eyes, reassuring myself that she obviously can't tell that I have a sword strapped to my side. She's a mortal so the Mist conceals it. Conceals it as what, I have no clue, but she can't see a sword.

"You wanna tell me why you were in the rain, sweetheart? Or how you got that nasty bruise?" She chirps while wiping down the bar.

"Um, my friend, kinda punched me so I left." I explained vaguely. I took a sip of the drink and immediately felt better. The hunger that I didn't know about went away and the aching in my feet and head stopped throbbing. The waitress nodded and gave me a look.