Persephone's Cage [Connor Stoll]

chapter twelve

Lilly sat in the passenger seat of the red honda civic, Connor driving. She held a newly potted Aiden-Flower in her lap, unable to move her gaze from it. Her hands shook violently, silently crying. Connor had let her cry on him for an hour, before mumbling they had to go.

The pomegranate sat in Aiden's old bag, which sat at Lilly's feet. "I'm really sorry, Lilly." Connor spoke quietly. "I knew how much he meant to you."

Lilly sniffled, fingering the soft petals of her dead friend. "I've lost another brother." She choked out. "It's my fault. I tried to call out to him to tell him to stop. He didn't have a weapon. He never carried a weapon."

A soft object wrapped around her hand. Connor quietly held her hand, rubbing his thumb on her knuckles. "His sacrifice won't be in vain." He said. "I can promise you, we'll get justice. But I need you to be strong, now. We have to finish the quest."

Lilly nodded, squeezing Connor's hand for comfort. "Yeah. I..I can do that." Their eyes met, as he was stopped at a red light. Her eyes were ringed with red, and were severely puffy. Lilly could see the heartbreak in his eyes. "That bad, huh?" She tried to chuckle, but it was just another sob.

"So, I figured it's late, so we could rent a hotel room for the night." Connor suggested.

"I don't have enough money for that." Lilly sniffed, still holding onto Connor's hand. She didn't want to let go.

Connor smirked, and fiddled with his pocket with his other hand, driving with his knees. Fear spiked in Lilly's heart, watching the son of Hermes mess around. Though, his dad was the god of traveling. He must've been protected on the road.

The boy pulled out a hunk of money, and it looked like one hundred dollar bills. Her eyes widened. "I did a bit of..borrowing." He winked at her, pulling into a random hotel driveway. "I'm sure Medea won't mind."

A ghost of a smile lingered on Lilly's lips. "No, you're right. She won't mind at all." She continued the joke, causing Connor to smile at her. Seeing his smile seemed so different now. Before, it used to infuriate her. He always seemed cocky whenever he smiled, but now, it brought her a sense of comfort. She wanted to stare at it all day long.

The two managed to get two single bed rooms, Connor figuring she wouldn't want to share a room with him. She only shrugged, bidding him a goodnight before walking into her room.

It wasn't anything special. A single twin bed lay in the middle of the room, with red bed sheets that had gold intricate designs on it. There was a bathroom, a mini fridge, a TV, and a counter with a coffee machine.

Lilly sat her and Aiden's bag on the bed, and gently placed the flower of her friend next to the coffee machine. Instead, she held the piece of fruit in her hand, her blue eyes staring at it. Aiden had died for them to get this. It almost didn't feel worth it.

With a heavy sigh, she placed it back in the bag. She opted for a shower. It had been five days since she showered, anyways. It felt like years. She let the warm water cascade down her body, watching the dirt and blood change the color of the water. It made her sick.

After her shower, she dried her hair a bit, as much as she could with a cheap hotel towel. She moved the Aiden-Flower next to her bed on the nightstand. She played with the petals once more before sighing. "I'm sorry I didn't try hard enough." She whispered, and closed her eyes. She prayed for sleep.

***

Sleep wasn't an option. Connor had been in and out of sleep for the past four hours, and the most he had gotten out of it was a dream of a certain blonde girl. One where she was smiling and returning his feelings.

It was true, Connor Stoll had been in love with Lilly Dixon since he was fourteen. It was hard to keep his feelings under control around her, but the last thing he ever wanted was to creep her out or make her uncomfortable.

She had never shown to have any interest in him, therefore he kept his distance. He opted for longing stares and small conversations, but that was it. Now that he thought about it, it was probably creepier that way.

A soft knock was heard at his door, and he furrowed his brows. He stood up, grabbing his knife in his hand just in case. Looking out the peephole, he muttered a curse in Ancient Greek, as he swung the door open.

Lilly stood there, her face tearstained once more. Her dirty blonde hair was a mess and tangled, and her blue eyes were watery. "Um, I'm sorry, did I wake you?"

Connor instantly shook his head. "No, I was still awake." He mumbled. "Come in." He ushered the girl inside, leading her to his bed. If it were under any other circumstance, Connor's heart would be beating out of his chest and he would be freaking out. But now was definitely not the time.

"I'm sorry." Lilly apologized again. "I had a nightmare about...Aiden. He blamed me for his death and..said he hated me." She choked back a sob, and Connor wrapped his arm around her.

"Aiden would never think that." He whispered."Aiden was your best friend, he would never hate you." He reassured her.

Lilly looked up at him. "Do you really think that?"

"I know it." Connor brushed some of her tears away, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "You can stay here tonight, if you don't want to be alone. Your stuff and the pomegranate should be safe in your room."

The daughter of Apollo nodded. "I'd like that." She squirmed out of his one arm hug, and lay down on the tiny bed. Connor followed suit, his shoulder pressed against hers. Now Connor's heart was beating fast. Laying next to Lilly made him feel over the moon. He just wished it was under better pretences.

They were silent for a while. Connor wondered if she had fallen asleep, until she spoke. "Did I ever tell you about the day Aiden took me to camp?" She asked quietly, to which he shook his head. She turned over on her side, and he followed suit. They faced each other.

"I was twelve, and he was my satyr." She began, avoiding his eyes. "I lived here in Chicago in a suburb. It was just me and my mom, and Aiden was my only friend. See, I got bullied quite often. I really don't know why, but I guess that's just how it was."

She sighed, but continued. "I was walking home with Aiden, and he was telling me what I was. He said it was time for me to go to camp, but I just told him he was crazy. So, I ignored him and didn't go to camp immediately. That was my worst mistake.

"I was sitting in my room, drawing. Aiden was with me, telling me how good I was. We heard a noise coming from downstairs, and we looked at each other. My mother screamed." Lilly was on the verge of tears again, and Connor placed his hand on her shoulder, rubbing it gently. She nodded in thanks.

"My mother screamed. We ran downstairs, and there was a giant hole in my wall, and a hellhound in the living room. It attacked, going for me and Aiden. However, my mom pushed us out of the way, and gave us a head start. I was frozen in place, and I watched as the hellhound began to eat her. Aiden screamed at me to run, which I finally did.

"We ran and ran until we got far away. I felt horrible, because I didn't do anything to help my mom. She risked her life to protect me, but I didn't help her." She gulped. "After days of walking and hitchhiking, Aiden took me to camp. And I never doubted a word he ever said since." She finished, and Connor felt like grade A garbage.

"That's why you were scared of Mrs. O'Leary that day." Connor frowned. "Lilly, I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

Lilly smiled sadly. "It's okay. I honestly forgave you for that a while ago." She admitted. "Connor, I've never hated you. I'm sorry I was always so rude to you. I wish I could take it back."

"It's okay." Connor spoke. "I honestly forgave you for that a while ago." He mimicked her higher pitched voice, causing her to laugh. It was like a melody, and it soothed all his anxieties. He was glad to make her laugh at a time like this.

"I'm glad you're here with me, Connor." She closed her eyes, and soon soft snores came from the girl. Connor brought her closer to him, wanting to protect her from all the evils in the world. With a sigh, he looked up at the ceiling.

"I'll keep her safe. I promise, Aiden."