Nico's Return

Dealing with the Devil

Nico's POV

I have been back at camp for about 2 weeks now, and there is yet to be any suspicions. And if there is, people just think it's because I came back from the dead. It doesn't matter anymore anyway.

"You coming Nico?" Reyna calls.

"In a second," I respond.

She and Thalia take Addy and Bianca to the dining pavilion, for Addy's birthday. Everyone is going to be there so it's the perfect time. I hear my cabin door shut, and I stand from the bed I was sitting in. I walk over to my dresser and begin sifting through the drawers until I find what I need. I pull them out and conceal them in my leather jacket. Leaving me cabin, I begin to walk to the dining pavilion. When I get there, I see everyone sitting and eating. Reyna beckons me over, but I shake my head. Instead, I walk over to Percy's table where he is eating with Annabeth and Zöe. Percy sits next to Zöe, chatting quietly with Annabeth. I come up behind him and go to whisper in his ear.

"I'm so sorry about this, I have no choice," I tell him.

He turns around, confused. I quickly pull out the dagger concealed in my coat and grab Zöe, holding the blade to her neck.

"Nico! What the hell!" Perch shouts, fear in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, so sorry," I mumble.

Everyone sees what is happening now, and I hear horrified gasps. People try to come up and stop me, but I press the dagger harder against Zoe's throat and she cries out in pain.
Reyna stands, coming toward me, "Nico, leave the child alone."

I shake my head, "I can't."

"Yes you can, just put the blade away and set her down," she tries to soothe.

"Reyna you don't understand, it's her life or everyone's," I say.

"What?" She asks.

"I-I made a deal to get back here, but I didn't know what my end was until I had agreed. Someone, something, told me he could get me my life back if I did one task for him. I asked him what happened if I didn't, and well, he said everyone dies. Every single person here and Camp Jupiter is dead. I fucked up, but her life isn't worth everyone's, she will die either way," I explain, pleading for them to understand.

"Nico, there has to be another way," Annabeth stutter, "give us some time to figure it out."

"No! I have to do it today! I put it off! It's now or everyone dies," I scream.

Before anyone can try and protest further, I slice the dagger against her throat, killing her immediately. I let the fragile body fall to the ground as I hear screams of anguish. I quickly take the blade and then it towards myself. I look to Reyna, hate burning in her eyes. The last thing I will ever see is my best friend hating me and an innocent child I murdered lying dead in the floor. I close my eyes tightly as a tear escapes.

"I'm sorry," I mouth, and drive the knife into my chest.
"Everyone stop!"

So I know I said I would make this chapter longer but I didn't, sorry.