Solangelo 1

Part 4

NICO

I wait until I can see Will have his time in the spare infirmary bed. He passes out almost as soon as his head hits the pillow. He snores softly.
I open the curtains confidently and nod to the two random Athena kids on duty. They don't question my walking out - If anything, thankful to have one less person to look after.
It's early morning, long before anyone else in their right mind is awake. I don't even know where I'm going.
I make a quick stop in the Hades cabin for a change of clothes, but don't stay. The place still freaks me out.
I make my way to the edge of the forest, lying in the shadows of the trees. I stay there for a long time. Trying to forget the moments in Tartarus. Trying to forget the conversation with Will. It doesn't work.
Around an hour or so later the tree nymphs wake up and start to get curious. As soon as the first one tries to start braiding my hair I give up and walk back to the main campground.
I have nowhere to go except back to my cabin until people start to wake up.
I get to the porch, and find Will Solace curled up on the bench outside the cabin. I freeze, unsure what to do. I seriously consider just going in and locking the door.
'Will.' I say. He doesn't stir. I say his name louder and louder, and resort to having to prod him awake before he stirs. He's a heavy sleeper.
'What?' He says, jolting awake.
'You okay?' I ask, unsure why he's here.
'Where the Hades did you go?' He says suddenly, standing up. I only then realise how much taller he is than me.
'The forest.' I say, confused.
'And you just happened to leave while I was asleep? And not tell anyone?' He asks. I stand there, awkward and unsure what to say.
'You said I only had to stay for three days.' I counted,  'I stayed for three days.
'You slept for three days. You are not cleared to leave the infirmary.' He says.
'I'm not cleared?' I repeat, 'are you joking?'
'You think I'm joking?' He says. I do not.
'Look, I'm fine.' I say, just needed a good nights sleep.
'Uhuh? Is that right?' He asks, vaguely sarcastic.
'That's right.' I say.
'So that broken rib is just fixed now?' He says, crossing his arms.
'Broken rib?' I ask, 'what broken rib?'
'And all that internal bleeding just fixed itself?' He goes on, ignoring me, 'and how's that stab wound in your back? All better?'
'How do you know about that?' I ask again, confused.
'I'm a child of Apollo. It's what I do.' He says, his voice becoming frustrated, 'but you know what? If you're fine, then that's great. You would know. Besides, I've got sixteen other patients who actually give a damn about getting better.'
He turns and storms off before I even have a chance to reply. He leaves me standing on the porch of my cabin, unsure what to do next.