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

Chapter 73

Danny:

I lay on my back, staring up at the night sky. The sleeping bag underneath me did little to prevent the jagged rocks from poking at my skin, scratching and digging in- probably giving me bruises. No one had wanted to stay in the cave for a minute longer, so we camped outside. I was cold, the wind was brittle and harsh, and I had used my jacket to wrap Selena up in- covering her face.

Selena.

I closed my eyes and bit down hard on my lip. Willing myself not to sob or scream or whimper. Because of course, nothing else around me really mattered. My skin wasn't just cold, my inside had turned to ice. My heart had hardened; and I wondered if I could ever feel again. And the rocks that dug into my spine, gave me no where near as much pain as the void in my chest. Or the pounding in my head. Or the aching and mourning and grieving that had took over my whole body.

Selena was gone. She was never coming back.

And it was my fault.

Zöe and Damien had tried to comfort me. They'd tried to persuade me not to blame and hate myself, but even their attempts were a little half-hearted.

They probably blamed me too.

And they had every right too.

I looked at them now, Zöe sat propped up against a tree- she was on guard. Damien was already asleep, his head in her lap- hand clasped loosely in Zöe's.

Zöe was very still, only her spare hand moving as it twined itself through Damien's hair.

Despite all of her sadness, she looked at her boyfriend with a passionate affection. Like he was the most important person in the world.

I stayed silent, not letting her know I was awake.

I didn't feel like talking, and I doubted she did.

So instead I sat watching them, Damien's soft breathing and calm, sleeping face. And Zöe's sad, affectionate eyes. Until I eventually fell asleep, having never felt so lonely in my whole life.