Percy Jackson Little Sister (Sequel To "Broken" Written by Tyler Jane Smith)

Chapter 48

Damien:

I found Zöe outside on the porch, she was sitting in one of the old worn wooden chairs that Mr D and Chiron sit out on to play pinochle.

Zöe must of bumped into Bianca on her way out, because she was sitting on Zöe's lap while playing with her hair and wittering on.

I hung back to hear what they were saying. “Is it my fault, aunt Zöe? Is it my fault that Charlie is gone?” Bianca was asking, her small hands twitching and her grey eyes stormy. She looked like she'd been crying, a lot.

Zöe shook her head  firmly and took her niece's hand in her own. “Don't be daft, Bianca. None of this is your fault. Nothing could possibly be you're fault, understand that? This isn't because of you.” Bianca seemed to relax with each word, the tension left her small shoulders- but the sadness didn't leave her eyes.

“When is...” She trailed off and hesitated, as if unsure whether or not to ask the next question. But then she swallowed and opened her mouth again. “When is he coming back?” Zöe made a small, sad sound. But then something changed behind her eyes, and she set her jaw.

And with a jolt of horror, I knew what she was gonna say before she said it. “Soon, Bianca. He's coming back soon.” She took a deep breath. “He's coming back soon because I'm gonna go and find him.” And that's when I stumbled away from my hiding place and into their view.

Zöe started, but I was already speaking.

“Are you crazy? Are you actually crazy, Zo? You can't go after him, do you know how dangerous that will be? For hades sake! Chiron's getting the best demigods he knows to help, and you think you can handle this on your own?” Zöe blinked once, as if waking up from a daze. But then quickly she snapped back into focus.

“You act like I have a choice. You act like its my choice whether I go after him or not. But it isn't, I don't have a choice. This is Charlie we're talking about. I need to find him.”