The Mark of Janus (Book 2)

Chapter 14

I couldn't shake the horrible feeling I had in the pit of my stomach. I had been visited by Janus yesterday. Today was the day. That's why Charleston felt so scary to me. Today was the day. And now, we were sitting in the mess hall, only minutes away from our destination. It would be lying to say I wasn't scared, that I had accepted it. I was scared out of my mind, and totally not ready. But I doubted I would ever be ready.

I grabbed a Dr. Pepper from the mess hall, and started heading up to the deck. Jason came out from his room, in jeans and a t-shirt. I grinned, grabbing him by the shirt, and kissing him passionately. I didn't know how I was going to say my goodbyes without telling anyone.

He smiled at me and I pressed my face into his neck. "I love you." I whispered.

He blushed. "I love you too."

I grinned, holding his hand as we walked up onto the deck.

Annabeth stood next to Percy, smiling. She looked so happy now that they were back together. And I swore that if anything happened to them I was going to come back from the grave and kill whoever messed it up.

"What are you going to do when we're gone?" She asked him.

"Jump into the harbor." He nonchalantly said. "I want to try and communicate with the local nereids. Maybe they can give me some advice on how to free those captives in Atlanta. Besides, I think the sea might be good for me. Being in that aquarium made me feel... unclean."

"Have fun." I shrugged. "I'm gonna stay on the ship with the coach."

"Try not to kill him." Jason chuckled, kissing me again. "See you later."

I bit my lip. "Yeah, later."

As soon as they left, I sent the coach to watch his MMA tournaments below deck. I paced back and forth along the length of the ship, trying not to think too much. It was hard. I mentally decapitated myself in a million ways. I kept tensing my shoulders, then realizing they were tensed, and untensing them, trying to appear relaxed.

After about an hour of pacing, a small ripple of light appeared. I turned my head and saw Janus, sitting on the guardrail. I continued pacing.

"What are you doing here? Is it time?" I choked on my words a little.

"Not yet." Both heads seemed sad for once.

"Then why are you here?"

"I thought you might want some company."

I turned to him, tears welling up. "I'm scared."

He nodded. "Makes sense."

"How do I say goodbye to them? They're my family. I've never even met my mom. I have so many more things to do."

"I've never died before." He shrugged.

I took a shaky breath, and started to count my steps.

Another hour passed and Janus stood. "I'll see you later."

I wiped away a tear. "Yup. Later."