Traitors In The Underworld

Chapter 3 Andy

Now Nico killed - excuse me, dissolved-Stephanie, he tried to get the key off the ground. After that didn't work, he told us to stay away from him.

"Why?"

"Just do it!"

So both of us stepped back, Percy and I, while Nico drew his black sword. It was pretty long, and it glinted a little in the darkness, but I still didn't see how it was dangerous.

Nico used the tip of the sword, reaching for the key. When the sword touched the key, the key dissolved. Nico and I winced.
"I didn't mean for that to happen."
I heard a metallic sound, and I spun around when it heard it, thinking there was a monster. Behind us, Percy was holding a key chain and jangling it.
"What does this do?"

****

Nico was chasing Percy, who insisted on knowing what the key does before he handed it over, and still didn't get the key. Percy was fast, and he was in a small cage with both of us. I snagged the key and Percy tried to yank it free. I had lots of practice holding something when Ashley-

My mind clogged with misery, and I felt my cheeks and eyes sting. It didn't feel good to be randomly breaking down, so I brought myself to reality. I pulled the key away from Percy, and Percy protested.

"Hey! That was mine!" I shook my head, and Percy began muttering about thieves.

"There's magic in the key." I saw a mystical figure behind Percy, glowing and radiating power.

"Uh, hi?" I stuttered. The figure solidified into a lady with a cloak flowing behind her. The lady had a stern face, and long brown hair. In her hands was a mistly white ball. Her deep dark green eyes stared intensely at Nico, not saying a word. 30 long minutes passed, and it was completely quiet and then she vanished.

"Oh," Nico suddenly was to the right of me. "I get it now."

The cage was unlocked, I realized when I turned. "Who the heck-" The key was missing from my hands and in the cage's lock. I turned to look at Nico, who looked green. I mean, literally green. His face was the same green as those eyes, and I guess I was staring, because Nico had a confused look.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"N-nothing."

Nico shrugged, and walked out of the cage as if nothing had happened. I stared at him like he was a psycho. Percy followed him, not really caring or unaware of what just happened. I sighed, feeling like I was the only sane one, and walked out of the cage feeling awkward.

All three of us didn't know where to go, but we all were pretty glad we were out of the cage. Except Percy. He kept stumbling in the dark, unsure of where to go. I guess because of Nico and my relation to Hades, we could see in the dark. Then we saw a spark on the ground, and a lizard crawled out, fire on his back. The strange thing was, the fire was pitch black, but it lit up the area and Percy stopped wandering like an idiot. I sat down, weariness taking over.

Nico didn't seem tired, but I guess it was the darkness blocking me from seeing his face. The see in the dark thing only let me see a little enough to see my way. Percy stared at the black fire lizard-gecko. I let my head flop on the ground, but Nico let me put my head in his lap.

I was too tired to think why. My eyes fell closed, and I felt a hand stroke my hair, just like Ashley used to do. I almost could believe Ashley wasn't dead, and we were at home, Ashley babysitting me when Mom wasn't a drakon...

I woke up, and Ashley was watching television. I was in my room, watching television, snuggled up against Ashley. When Ashley noticed I was awake, she smiled and I smiled back.

"Do you want to watch with me?" The volume was so quiet, and thunder flashed outside the window. I shivered, and she pulled me closer.

"You warmer yet?" I sneezed, and Ashley laughed. I remembered when this was, when I had a cold, and Mom had to leave for work. Ashley asked her if she could stay and watch me. I knew how much she cared for me, and I loved her. I felt the warm embrace of Ashley fill my body, and I closed my eyes, sure that she'll always be there for me.

I woke up in the cave, snuggled against Nico the same way in the dream. I felt like even if Ashley's gone, Nico'll be her substitute. No one could fight death, like in that story. I felt pain wash over me. I was here, when Ashley was gone, and I am just replacing her to soon.

But I couldn't worry about what Ashley would say, because a drakon appeared in front of the area we were in. The same drakon my mom turned into. The one that caused Ashley to die, beginning with attacking us. I kind of went a little reflex-crazy, because I slashed at the drakon's hide like crazy. I think that's what got me killed.

Just kidding, I didn't die. But I did get a slash on my face, and my arm and leg were also slashed up. I flew backward, and Nico cried out.

I heard a yell, something about siblings and that was the last straw, before I fell into a dark abyss, and I pretty much almost died.

I wake up to see a big sea-green thing, and I screamed. I realized I was looking at Percy's eyes, but that didn't help.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! WHAT THE HADES ARE YOU DOING?"

Percy stood up suddenly, surprised. "I was just seeing if you were all right?" I didn't relax, but Nico nodded. Since he was my "brother", I trusted him like I trusted Ashley.

I still wonder if that was a good choice.