HIRAETH

Chapter 28

Percy's POV

I didn't sleep well last night.

I didn't want to become like that.

It just kept on replaying in my head, the horrifying remains of what I was.

I didn't even want to imagine a world with me as the only demigod. Just thinking about it made me feel like I was suffocating.

I had talked to Annabeth. She wasn't sure about helping him.

Him.

Him=me?

I sat up, trying to get it through my head.

He was me anyway. He was here to help me. Then wasn't it right for us to help him?

But we don't want to die.

I pursed my lips. After the war, the last thing I wanted to do was to get involved in another war.

So many deaths.

I got out of the cabin, streching my limbs in the clear morning air. I went to the big house and to the room where Caleb was.

"Caleb?" I shook him. "Wake up."

He sat up drowsily, rubbing his eyes. His hair was a rats nest.

"Breakfast."

He sighed. "I'm fine."

"You sure?"

He nodded and fell back on the sofa. I stared at him a bit more.

"Stop staring at me."

"Why?"

"I don't like it."

"I'm you anyway."

"You said I'm not."

I was silent.

Was he?

"Something changed your mind?"

I scowled at his mocking tone. "No."

He sat up, hugging the cushion to his stomach.

"Can you think about it again? Helping me out."

His eyes met mine, a complete replica.

Would I do the same?

If this happened every night for 5 years, would I do the same?

Images of him crying, choking, and rattling the pills out on his palm scared me. Thinking me doing that-

I never wanted to.

Could I withstand that for 5 years?

No.

I turned around and went out of the big house, not replying to his question.

~

"Percy."

I bit my lip. "I understand. But-"

"Are you an idiot?"

I looked up at Nico. He sighed.

"Look. If we just turn him over, we can earn a few years to get rid of her. But now- we'll all die."

"We might not."

He let out a short, harsh laugh. "You're just afraid you might end up like that, aren't you?"

I flinched.

"Coward."

"Nico."

"What. You know I'm right."