Persephone's Cage [Connor Stoll]

chapter fourteen

It was safe to say, Lilly did not like flying. The thought of airplanes had always scared her, but actually being on one made her want to scream and cry.

Any time there was any amount of turbulence, she grabbed onto Connor's hand. "If you wanted to hold my hand that bad, you could just ask." He always said, to which she took her hand back.

Connor stole (ironic) more money than Lilly had originally thought from Medea's place, and they were able to afford two plane tickets one way.

"It's weird." Lilly suddenly spoke up. "In a couple more hours, we're going to save a goddess and spring."

"Or die a terrible death." Connor smiled, to which she replied by hitting his shoulder.

"Gods, you're terrible." She muttered. Another bump of turbulence shook their plane, and Lilly held onto hand once more. This time, he didn't make a comment about it, and she didn't bother taking her hand away.

Instead, she took it a step further. With a little hesitance, she intertwined their fingers. "Looks like someone is starting to like me." Connor teased.

"Don't make me regret it, Stoll."

"You didn't deny it!"

"I'm taking my hand away now."

***

Their plane finally landed, much to Lilly's enjoyment. She thought about being cliche and kissing the ground, but seeing as many birds as she did, she didn't trust it.

The warm Arizona weather made her nearly melt, as she was still wearing winter clothes for up north. "It's kinda late now, we should get another room." Connor suggested, looking at the setting sun.

Lilly smiled at the sun, and then nodded. "But first, you're going to have to steal another car. Up for the challenge?"

"Always am." Before they could go any further, multiple little baby figures popped out of the dirt. They looked like...grain? Whatever they were, they were not happy. They began their attack, even attacking innocent mortals.

Screams rang outside the airport, and Lilly hit her sun charm. Her bow sprang into her hand, and she tried to focus on making an arrow of light once more. It wasn't working, and it just made her more and more frustrated.

With a growl, Lilly instead used her bow as the weapon, as she swung it and hit a grain baby. It exploded into yellow dust, and she yelled at Connor. "Find a car! I'll cover you!" He nodded at her, and ran off.

Lilly swung her bow all while trying to form another arrow. She gasped, as one finally formed into her hand. She quickly launched it, piercing another grain baby in the stomach. It exploded.

"Lilly! Come on!" Connor yelled, and she ran off towards him. She quickly jumped into the car, as he began to hot wire it.

"Why didn't you do that before I got in here?" She shouted, watching as more grain babies began to pop up. They were quickly getting surrounded.

"I don't know!" Conner shouted back, and finally the engine kicked it. The boy slammed on the gas, and they raced out of the airport.

***

Lilly rested comfortably on the bed, her damp hair spread around her pillow. Her back was facing Connor, as she tried her best to fall asleep. She had been laying there for about two hours, yet sleep felt so far away.

The motel room they had rented only had one bed, and that meant they had to share it, which was another reason she was so uneasy. She couldn't help it. With her newly developing feelings, she wasn't sure what to do. And she was stressed beyond reason.

Aiden was dead, her dad really did love her, the quest was almost over, either Connor or her could die, they had to kill Landon, then stall a wheat goddess until another god came. And trying to make herself happier than she really was was tiring.

Lilly had always been the girl who was quiet, and uninterested in things. She was moody and seemed bland. Her world had been in shades of gray, all up until she had met Connor Stoll. She hadn't realized it before. He had annoyed her relentlessly with his brother, but it always made her laugh or smile. The colors had been there from the start, but she was only just starting to realize it.

There was no doubt. Lilly had a teeny tiny crush on Connor Stoll. She probably always had, but instead of embracing it, she refused it and claimed she hated him. Gods, she was a fool.

Groans coming from next to her alerted her. She faced Connor, who began to turn in his sleep. Through the darkness, she could barely make out his features. His normally upturned eyebrows were furrowed, and his nose was scrunched up. He grunted, and she saw his fist clench.

Demigod nightmares were always terrible. Lilly sat up slightly, as she touched his arm. "Connor." She spoke, and began to shake his arm. "Connor, wake up." The son of Hermes still wouldn't, and she frowned as he whimpered in his sleep. It must have been horrible.

Shaking him more strongly, Lilly rose her voice. "Connor!" The boy's blue eyes opened, as he sat up. He was breathing heavily, and she saw a bead of sweat drop down his face.

"Aiden." Was all he said, as she realized. It wasn't a bead of sweat, it was a tear. Of course, she wasn't the only one affected by Aiden's death. Why hadn't she realized it earlier? How could she be so selfish, to think only she was suffering?

He faced Lilly, who's hand was still on his arm. Before she realized what was happening, Connor had brought the girl into his arms. He buried his face in her shoulder, as his own shook slightly as he began to cry.

Lilly rubbed his back, holding him tightly. "Hey, it's alright." She tried to comfort him. Her dainty hand went up and caressed the back of his head, lightly playing with his curls.

Lilly had no idea what to do. She hadn't comforted a lot of people in her life, so she was a bit inexperienced. Her mind raced, until a thought hit her. Bringing Connor closer to her, she began to sing a soft tune. A little lullaby her mom used to sing to her when she would have nightmares.

Her voice was gentle and light, and soon enough Connor began to calm down. Yet, his head was still nestled in her shoulder. "I'm sorry." He whispered. "I had a bad nightmare about Aiden. I saw it all over again."

"It's alright. I understand." Lilly soothed. He shifted, and he now sat in front of her. He had tear stains on his face, and Lilly slowly reached out. She brushed his cheek with her thumb. His eyes fluttered shut, as he took a deep breath. "I'm here, now."

Connor's rapid heart beat slowed down, as he laid back down. Lilly followed suit, as she gripped his hand. "I don't deserve you." She just barely heard him, as he was already half asleep.

"No, I don't deserve you." She whispered back, but he was already asleep.