Ghosts - A Percabeth Story

Dozer. . .

Annabeth ran fast, Percy's ghostly form running beside her. She had found Percy, and that made her happier, though she noticed something seemed different about him. He hesitated before answering, and he appeared almost afraid of her. Annabeth tried to dismiss the thoughts as just being ridiculous, but they continued to nag at her.

Finally, they made it back to the front doors of Hades's Palace. Annabeth stared up at them, thinking. 

"Where do you think he's keeping Nico?" Annabeth asked, more to herself than Percy.

After a moment, Percy answered, "I have no idea. Maybe somewhere where there are no shadows so he can't shadow-travel away?"

Everywhere in the Underworld had shadows of some kind, so it was hardly likely there would be a room with only light. 

"Let's go in and start searching." Annabeth sighed, though her heart hammered against her ribs as she thought about the hooded creature's threat from earlier.

Percy followed, his feet making no sound on the stone floor while Annabeth's footfalls echoed as loud as a giant's would. It was just as quiet as it had been when Nico and Annabeth had first arrived. At each corner, Annabeth tensed, then relaxed when she didn't see anyone.

Suddenly, they heard a shriek of pain. It was weak, but in the thick silence the sound carried. Annabeth picked up her pace, trying to follow the sound before it died out. After a moment, she heard voices as well.

Annabeth and Percy both stopped short before they could run out around the corner and into the open room. It was small, Annabeth could tell by how close the voices were, but she didn't try to sneak inside. She pressed herself against the wall and listened.

"I told you," wheezed a feeble voice she recognized. "I'm not going to shadow-travel you or them."

"You will do as you are told," came a dog-like growl.

Annabeth dared a glance around the corner. Nico knelt at the feet of the hooded creature, his wrists in chains similar to those Percy had had around his ankle in the Fields of Punishment. The hooded creature had it's hood pulled back, but Annabeth couldn't see its face. Many spirits and demons huddled around Nico as well, all of them looking back and forth between the creature and Nico. 

Annabeth quickly jerked back around the side of the corner. Percy peeked around as well, then backed away.

"No, I'm not going to." Nico croaked. His statement was followed by a cry of agony, then hollow laughter. 

"How many times will I need to do that before you obey?" The creature barked and Nico cried out again.

"Okay, I will! Stop!" Nico yelled and Annabeth heard him struggle to his feet. "Go through fast before the doorway can close." He grumbled.

There was a whoop of excitement from the ghouls, and Annabeth heard the creature woof approvingly. There was a lot of shuffling, then only the sound of labored breathing.

"I will be back shortly, demigod. I know you won't go anywhere." The creature growled, then there was complete silence.

Annabeth heard someone slump to the floor. After a moment, she and Percy both looked around the corner again. She didn't see anyone, and the shadows in the room were lengthy now that the demons had taken their lanterns with them.

"Nico?" Annabeth called quietly and walked into the room at a brisk pace. 

Almost as soon as she had spoken, she spotted Nico sprawled across the floor by a particularly dark shadow. He was so pale his skin seemed to glow in the dark.

Annabeth hurried over, Percy following. "Nico," she repeated, kneeling beside him and putting a hand on his arm.

"Will, lemme 'lone." He mumbled and turned his head to the side.

"Nico, wake up." Annabeth said, shaking his shoulder.

"Let me try something," Percy muttered and crouched on Nico's other side. He touched Nico's forehead, then traced his finger down to Nico's middle, where he then thrust his hand through Nico's chest.

"Perc--" Annabeth started in shock, but Nico gasped and his eyes opened.

Percy pulled his hand away and rested it on his knee. "Hey, Nico. Long time no see."

A weak smile spread across Nico's face. "You found him, Annabeth. Nice job." He said and sat up, his hand held to his head.

Annabeth and Percy stood, and Nico tried to as well. Annabeth quickly grabbed his arm and helped him up before he could fall.

"I'm good, thanks though." Nico uttered and brushed her hands away. 

"What did he do to you?" Annabeth asked in concern.

Nico just shrugged, stifling a yawn. "We've gotta get out of here. Dozer's going to be back shortly and demand me. . ." His voice faded. "Anyways, Charon's Ferry is down. Completely destroyed. Take my hands, we've gotta go."

Annabeth pulled away. "Nico, you look awful. I don't think you should shadow-travel." She didn't add that the physical and mental excursion might kill him.

"Who's Dozer?" Percy asked.

Nico face-palmed. "The guy who has taken over the Underworld. Come on, we have to go."

"You sh--"

"Do you have any other ideas?" Nico snapped, staring at Annabeth. The darkness under his dull eyes showed how tired he was, but Annabeth could see he had made up his mind.

"All right, fine." She sighed and took his cold, clammy hand in hers. "I'm ready."

Nico seized Percy's shoulder, and surprisingly his hand didn't go right through him. "Be prepared for the worst," Nico warned, turning to the dark shadow beside him. "I lost track of how many demons I sent up there."