In This Together

Chapter 29

Nico

I sat on my bed, a picture of me and Hazel in my hands. I could still sense she was alive, barely there, but alive. I flopped back onto my bunk. I heard a soft knock on the door. Four quick knocks, pause, two knocks. Morse code for 'hi.' Only one person knocked like that. "Go away Will! I don't want your cheery attitude right now!" I yelled. 

I flopped back down and closed my eyes. But, of course, Will being Will, just had to come in anyway. He sat on my bed. I opened one eye and peeked at him. Then I sighed and rolled over. 

"I didn't think you should be alone tonight." He said. I didn't respond. "Look, Nico I know what it's like to lose a sister. Me and my half sister Ariana were really close. Long story short, we went into battle and a cyclops stabbed her. I couldn't save her." 

"Well I'm sorry but that is a bit different from my situation." I grumbled. 

"Care to explain what you mean?" He asked, laying down beside me. The warmth from his body actually felt kinda nice. 

I rolled over so I was facing him. "I mean, I can still sense her soul, she is alive, and I don't know what they are doing to her." A tear rolled down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away, hoping he hadn't seen it. 

"Nico, it's ok to cry." He said, barely more than a whisper. I looked up at him. I decided I could trust him. I let him hold me. I let him rub my back. I let myself cry into his shirt. 

And it felt nice.