Forever ● Sequel to Sanctuary

4

I shot up in my bed, gasping and drenched in sweat. I heard someone saying my name, so I looked to my left and found... Leo?

"Finally, you're awake!" Leo said. "You were having a nightmare. Are you okay?"

I process what he said, and how he said it. No jokes, just genuine concern.

I nod shakily, "Y-yeah. Thanks."

He rummages through a backpack he has on hand, and hands me a water bottle. I take it.

"Why do you have a backpack?" I question.

"I'm staying in Bunker Nine for a couple days to finish a prototype. Might as well bring food!" he smiles, but he seems... off.

I nod, but I'm not sure if he sees me in the dark. I don't voice anything, however.

I squint my eyes shut, images from my memory and my dream flashing. My worst nightmares displayed in immense detail, as if I was looking through  a camera with multiple focuses. Being ADHD, I notice them all at once.

"Nico?" Leo asks.

"What?" I snap.

"Okay, fiesty, okay." Leo arrogantly replies.

I push him, but not too hard, "Shut up, Valdez. And get out of my room."

Leo laughs and makes a joke I don't listen to, and leaves. I sigh, taking another sip of the water bottle he gave me.

▪•●•▪•●•▪•●•▪•●•▪

I met Percy in the strawberry fields as we were helping to pick. Percy was eating the best ones, as expected, but I couldn't find the appetite to so much as stare at one for too long.

"I bet it'd taste better if it was blue!" Percy mentions.

I roll my eyes, "You would have to do that with food coloring, which would be disgusting."

Percy laughs, which I tried to listen to as in depth as possible out of admiration, "It wouldn't be that bad."

"Famous last words." I warn.

He laughs, and partway through, I let out a slight chuckle, appreciating the happy moment.

"Well, look at you two love birds!" Clarisse drops her bucket next to mine, picking the bush next to me.

I roll my eyes, "Shut up and mind your own business."

"What did you just say to me?!" she shouts angrily.

I roll my eyes, "You aren't very good at listening, are you?"

She growls, "You wanna fight me, Deathbreath?"

"That is not at all what he said." Percy responds.

"Which proves my point even more, Perce." I reply.

Clarisse growls again and stands up, grabbing her sword. Does she seriously think she stands a chance against me? Idiot. However, before I could act, Percy unhands her with Riptide, faster than I could blink.

She didn't bother me again.

▪•●•▪•●•▪•●•▪•●•▪

"Thanks for back there, but I can handle myself."

Percy winks, "That's why I did it for you. I was honestly scared of what you would do."

I smirked, "You should've been."