Empty Closets

Chapter 21 (the big reveal)

Sorry I haven't updated in a while but life's just been so busy right now. School. Hiding (...). Homework. My mom being in the hospital.

I am also sorry that these little note thingys aren't always the most entertaining.

But I just wanted to inform you that I'm gonna have to wrap the story up by I'd say Halloween because I feel like it's getting kinda long. I'll probably write something else. Just not yet.

K bye.

Chapter twentay wan: Bird's Eye View (Percy's POV)

Where am I? Am I dead? I have no idea.

Everything is white. If there's a floor under my feet (there has to be), I can't tell. It's whiter than a girl at Starbucks. Is there even a sky above me? Can't tell; IT'S ALL WHITE.

I start walking around a bit. I hear numerous things, but I don't see those things.

"Jason?" I hear someone say. "How is he?"

It sounds like...

"Nico?" I call out. As a result of not hearing a response, I keep walking around in this sea of white.

"Percy?" Someone else is trying to get to me. It sounds like a girl. I can hear her more clearly than I had heard Nico. Am I not alone?

"Hello?" I keep walking ahead of me, faster this time.

"PERCY!" The voice keeps getting louder. I start running. This voice keeps saying my name as I run faster and faster.

Suddenly, I'm on the ground. I'm pulled up by an anonymous arm. As I sit up and scratch my head, I look up and see an ambitious blonde staring down at me.

"Annabeth?" My eyes widen.

She rolls her eyes. "Who else?"

"No, it's not that. It's just that... you're here too?"

"Looks like it."

"Where are we exactly? Are we dead?"

"If we were dead, I don't think we'd be hearing everything that everyone is saying."

"Oh good; I'm not the only one."

"I think, and yes, I'm not positive, but I think we are in a coma. We're not dead but it doesn't seem to look like we are alive either."

Wow. That makes sense. But what do we do now? When will we get back to life, if we ever do?

My thoughts must've been said out loud because Annabeth says, "I don't know, but I hope we go back to..."

"I don't think people can hear us, but we can hear them."

Hah. NOW who's smart?

Tears threaten to fall down Annabeth's face. "I don't know what to do! I really do like her Percy, but there's Jason..."

I hug her. "Nico's got some powers. Weird ones yes, but they're very effective. One way or another, we are going to get back to camp. I'll get back to Nico and you can get back to Piper. I promise you that everything's gonna work out.

"In this world there are good people. The ones who accept others for who they are despite what they have been through. Then there's the string of bad people. The actual plague. The ones who aren't so accepting of others. They're the ones who live by traditional values, and aren't open about others' lifestyles. And that's so unfair.

As I look at Annabeth, with her tear-streaked face, I can't help but think these things. She has been through so much, and just looking at her going through all of this makes me want to cry along with her. Feeling pain like that is never something someone should have to deal with. EVER.