Take Me Back (Percico) {Collab}

Chapter 6

Song: The Technicolor Phase by Owl City

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Nico's POV

Running in this place was the most exhilarating thing I think I'd ever experienced. It was a struggle to keep my mind focused on the task ahead of me, as the wind whipping through my hair almost seemed to be blowing away my thoughts.

It was a struggle not to give in.

I slowed to a jog when the trees became thicker and began to weave into wide arcs, as though trying to cover more ground. Every now and then groups of people could be found lounging in the afternoon shade. I asked after Percy whenever I encountered such groups, but no one seemed to have any news of his whereabouts, and I soon began to lose hope.

The trees began to thin again, and I leaned back against a thick trunk and shut my eyes briefly, collecting myself. What had that girl — Ankatha... her friend had seen Percy when he arrived here... I mentally face palmed. Why hadn't I asked Ankatha where I could find her friend? Stupid, stupid...

All at once, I sensed a presence near me. I opened my eyes and straightened up, locking eyes with a startled-looking young girl.

I couldn't break my gaze away.

Because wow.

Wow.

Her eyes... I had no words to describe them. They were unlike any eyes I had ever seen before.

"Um, excuse me," the girl ventured quizzically, in a lilting, musical sort of voice. "Are you dead?"

I snapped out of my reverie and forced my gaze away from hers. She was shorter than me and looked to be around my age; her strawberry blonde hair framed her pretty heart-shaped face and tumbled down to her waist. She could almost pass for a mini Annabeth, if not for her eyes.

"Are you dead?" She repeated, reaching up to tap my shoulder.

"A-am I dead?" Gods, her eyes were so distracting. "Oh, um, no, I'm not... I'm not dead..."

A shadow of disappointment wavered briefly on her face, but she brightened almost instantly. "Well, that's okay, you'll die eventually. So what's up? Why are you down here if you're not dead?"

"I'm looking for my friend. Percy Jackson. He died recently and I'm supposed t—"

"Oh my gods!" She interrupted, hands shooting up to her mouth. "Percy Jackson!! I saw him when he came down here!"

Her brilliant eyes sparkled. A rush of adrenaline caught me off guard, and knocked the breath out of my chest. I couldn't breathe. I could only stare. Stare at this beautiful girl. The beautiful girl that will lead me to Percy.

"I- Y- You've seen him?! You're Karasevde?!"

She smiled and nodded. "I suppose you wish to see him," she said excitedly. I could only nod.

She jumped up and started towards the West. I matched her pace, too excited to say anything. Too scared to say anything. I was dreaming. And I didn't want to stop dreaming. But, eventually Karasevde broke the silence. "My friends call me Kara." She spoke, playing with the opal band on her forearm.

I smiled at her. "I suppose I should call you Kara then..." My voice trailed off. She looked up at me, suddenly shy.

"Well, yes. I haven't seen any of my true friends in... Well... Oh, so many years." She sighed, her voice wistful.