Don't Fall (PJO FF)

21.) Never Getting "Better"

C H A P T E R  T W E N T Y - O N E

PERCY

I woke up from light shining into the cabin. I rubbed my eyes and looked around my cabin. I froze when I noticed a certain son of Hades sleeping next to me. The memories of what occurred yesterday flashed through my mind and I backed away from Nico, accidentally falling on the floor.

"Oomph," I groaned as I rubbed the back of my head. "That hurt."

"You okay?" I looked up with wide eyes as Nico sleepily looked down at me.

"Yeah. I'm fine. I'm just gonna...get dressed and...stuff." I scrambled to my feet and picked up a few clothes before running into the bathroom. I showered and brushed my teeth, neglecting the mess I call hair entirely. I quickly got dressed and poked my head out the door, checking if Nico was still there.

I sigh in relief when I see no sign of the son of Hades. I slide down the wall and pull my legs to my chest, burying my face in my knees.

"Stupid," I whispered. "So stupid." I scratched my arm, trying to get rid of an itch that wasn't there. "So, so stupid." I didn't pay attention to my nails digging into my skin.

"I hate it. I hate being a werewolf. I hate being...being alive." A knock interrupted me, making me realize just how far I went. I stared down at my arm. "Shit."

"Percy? You okay?"

"Uh, yeah! Just getting dressed." I rushed over to the sink and washed the blood from my fingers and under my nails. I used a piece of cloth to clean up the blood on my arm and wrapped the deep scratches so it doesn't bleed through.

I hurry over to the door and open it to be met with Calypso.

"Hey, Calypso."

"Hey, Percy. You're late you know."

"Shit, I am? Sorry." The two of us made our way to the pavilion.

"Are you okay? You seem a bit out of it."

"Yeah, I'm okay. I just had a nightmare last night. Nico helped though."

"Mm, okay."

We sat down with the rest of our friends. I was too lost in thought to notice the glances they would occasionally send at me. I was just staring at my fingers.

I was clean from this for two weeks. Then it all came crumbling down because I broke a promise to myself. Or...I might. I curled my fingers into a fist. "Shit," I whispered and stood up, walking away from the pavilion and ignoring my friends.

I just kept walking and walking, not caring where my feet take me.

Why'd I have to be such a screw-up?

I don't even want to think about what the pack would say when they find out.

I could try to hide it but everyone knows that secrets are meant to be found out.

When I finally come back to my senses I'm at the edge of the cliff. The same cliff I jumped off of not too long ago. It would be a lie if I said I hadn't thought about doing it again.