Percy Jackson and the Dark Elites

XXXXIII

Piper

Piper couldn't get that conversation out of her head. The rational part of her knew Percy was bluffing. He was losing control. He freaked out when he realized she was charmspeaking him. He was trying to pull a power play in that situation. 

Yet, the really scared part of her thought it might be real. This wasn't the Percy she had known and loved. He was terrifying and manipulative. He dropped Jason from a great height and then abducted him. 

It was the little things that affected them all. Like when he grabbed at the cuts on his arm. When he looked to the ceiling and said, 'Chaos, help me'. Was that some kind of slang? Or was it an honest prayer? 

After Percy's talk with Bianca, he sat down against cell and closed his eyes...

"Guys," Piper called, "He was doing that when he first woke up."

Frank grabbed her hand. "Wait until Bianca leaves," He whispered. 

"I heard that," She announced from the back of the room. "My hearing is excellent. Remember? Besides, you swore on the River Styx to involve me in all conversations regarding Percy."

They stared at her. 

Blaze was the one who spoke up. "Is that how you usually comfort each other?"

"What do you mean?" Bianca asked.

"When you and Percy get confused, do you usually speak to each other in that way?"

Bianca narrowed her eyes. "I guess,"

Blaze hesitated. "It's not impossible that Chaos has... Conditioned you to condition each other, you may not realize it... But the way you and Percy were talking was a little off. Now he's closing his eyes, like when he tried to get control of himself earlier. When he was trying to rationalize against what Chiron was saying." 

"You think I—" Bianca rubbed her arms lightly, "Brainwashed him somehow? Are you insane?"

Annabeth "It wouldn't be too far-fetched if Chaos had a series of code words for you to brainwash each other."

Bianca scoffed. "No." 

"Are you seriously trying to tell me that that," Annabeth pointed at Percy, "is a normal response to everything we just told him. He's compartmentalizing the information we gave him. He's disassociating himself. When he wakes up, it's going to be even harder to convince him of the truth."

"You don't need to," Bianca retaliated. 

"Hey, calm down." Piper intervened. 

"Do not charmspeak me!" Bianca yelled. 

Chiron put his hand on Bianca's shoulder. "If we're not trying to convince him of the truth, what are we here to do?" 

Bianca clenched her jaw. "I said we needed answers."

"How's this any different?"

"This is just you trying to jump in!" Bianca pushed his hand away. "You're just... using him. He doesn't deserve that." 

Chiron furrowed his brow. "We're not using him. Let me show you."

He turned and addressed the group. "We'll set up a rotation to keep watch on him. Blaze, I want you to start. Everyone else, you will not discuss this subject without Bianca present. We did swear. Get some rest. I'm going to take Bianca to the Big House. I want to show you some photos."

Frank let go of Piper's hand once they left. "He's right. No discussing it. Piper, you should get some sleep. Maybe..." 

He looked at Nico.