Dear Jake,
I know that last letter was dense. Probably confusing, too. But at least now you know a few things (like the fact that I found out about the greek gods before even you did, so now I get bragging rights). There's another reason why I wrote this all down for you instead of talking to you about it. It's not because I prefer to write a twenty-page explanation of everything. It's because Kronos cursed us--Luke and me--to never be able to tell the truth to anyone. I guess he was smart enough to realize that if we could speak the truth, someone could stop him. But, like all rules, there was a way around it. You're the only one that knows all of this, besides Luke and me. You can't tell anyone. It will put all three of us in danger if you do.
Anyways, back to the story. After Luke told the hospital my name and they called my emergency contact--Mom--you guys came to the hospital. I was pissed at Luke for doing that. I don't know if you remember that part. But I wasn't mad that I was returning home with my family. I missed you guys more than anything. Not a day passed without me thinking of you guys. But I didn't want to leave Luke, Thalia, and Annabeth. They had become family to me, too. I knew then that I couldn't stay or go without being brokenhearted either way. So you guys took me home and I didn't protest.
Returning to the life I had before all of this didn't happen smoothly. Kids at school looked at me like I'd come back from the dead. Teachers gave me good grades on everything like they were afraid that if they didn't, I'd leave again and Mom would blame them. Even you guys treated me like I was glass.
Once I got to high school, things changed. People moved on with their lives. They forgot about my running away. Mom, Lana, and Lexi got preoccupied with their own problems too, for which I was thankful. But you never seemed to forget. You acted like me running away was your own fault, and I can tell you've never forgiven yourself for that. It's not your fault, Jake. Blame Kronos. He ruined my life. Not you. Don't ever blame yourself for that.
Three years passed uneventfully. I fell into my usual pattern. Eventually I was able to go a few days without thinking about Luke or Thalia or Annabeth. I almost felt normal again. But there's more to the story, which you know. So let me get started on that.
--El
YOU ARE READING
Heart of a Traitor
FanfictionHelen (El, for short) is ten years old when she learns that the Greek myths aren't myths. She spends the rest of her life running from Kronos, the king of the Titans, and the curse he's thrusted upon her. But how can you escape the ruler of time?
