Heartworm (Book 2)

Chapter 6

The night before the race, Percy and Tyson had finished the chariot. And it looked amazing. Tyson had made the metal parts in the armoury's forges. Percy had sanded the wood and put the carriage together. I had painted it blue and white, with painted waves washing over it on the sides and a trident painted on the front.

As we all turned in for bed for the night, Tyson said, "Percy is mad?" I looked over at him. He was scowling at the air.

As if realising he was, the frown dropped. "Nah, I'm not mad."

Tyson lay down in his bunk and was quiet in the dark. His body was way too long for his bunk and his feet stuck out at the bottom, but he didn't seem to mind that.

"I am a monster."

"Don't say that."

"Ignore what everyone else says, Tyson." I told him, staring up into the darkness, listening to the distant lapping of the waves down at the beach.

"It is okay. I will be a good monster. Then you will not have to be mad."

"It's just..." Percy started. "I've never had a half-brother before. It's really different for me. And I'm worried about camp. And another friend of min, Grover... he might be in trouble. I keep feeling like I should be doing something to help, but I don't know what."

Tyson said nothing.

"I'm sorry." Percy told him. "It's not your fault."

A deep rumbling sound came from Tyson's bunk. Tyson was snoring.

Percy? I spoke in our heads, not wanting to wake Tyson.

Yeah?

I'm sorry for giving you such a hard time lately. I get what you mean about not knowing how to help.

Percy was quiet for a few minutes and I thought he'd fallen asleep like Tyson.

I kinda deserved it. I shouldn't have taken it out of Tyson. I want to help Grover, but I know Mr D won't give me a quest and Annabeth's mad at me so I can't ask her for advice. Percy explained.

First off, I think you should try and patch things up with Annabeth after the race tomorrow. We need her by our side. I paused. I think we should wait for a quest. For now at least. We'll take things one day at a time.

Yeah, I guess that's for the best. I heard Percy yawn from his bunk.

I smiled, tiredly. Goodnight, Percy.

Night, Cassie.

- - - - -

The dream started out like all the others. I wasn't even sure if it was a vision of real life, or just my brain finding a way to cope with everything.

The clouds were grey and stormy, blocking out the starry sky, but no rain fell. The deck was empty this time. The was rising on the horizon.

And there he stood.

His back was towards me like always. He gripped onto the railing of the ship, staring out to the sea. I walked over and joined him, leaning against the railing. I looked over at him.

Since last summer, he'd gotten taller and leaner. I came up to his shoulder now. His sandy blonde hair now clipped short. His blue eyes were void of emotion. Dark bags hung from his eyes. I couldn't see his scar from where I stood.

"Why'd you leave?" I asked. He didn't respond. He never did. I figured my brain created these dreams just I could vent, say all the things I never got the chance to say.

"Why wasn't I enough?" I knew he would answer, but it still hurt. I sighed and turned back to look out to the ocean. "I hate you." I whispered, my lip wobbling. "You left me. I should hate you. I do hate you."

Who am I kidding? In my dreams I could admit it.

"And I... I love you." A single tear fell down my face. "I hate that I love you. I really do. But, I can't stop." More tears followed. "You're my other half." A wet laugh escaped me.

"I keep thinking of how things could've ended differently that night by the East River. I keep asking myself, what could I have done differently? How could I have helped you? How could I have made you accept my help?" I chuckled, lowering my head. "And all I can do is just dream about saying all these things to you." I huffed.

"Camp's gone to shit by the way." I often told Luke about my life in my dreams. I'd tell him about my day, moaning about school. I didn't see why I shouldn't do that when I was at camp. This Luke wasn't real. "Chiron's gone. Some dickhead is in charge now. Tantalus." His name rolled off my tongue and I pulled a face. "I got a half-brother too. You already know Tyson though. He's a sweetheart, bless him."

I glanced at Luke. He blinked, not taking his eyes off the horizon. "I know you can't answer, but please tell me you had nothing to do with Thalia?" I got no reply. "Her tree's been poisoned. The magical barrier surrounding camp is failing and Tantalus doesn't even want to keep patrols on the border." I hissed out the cursed man's name.

We stood in silence for a few minutes as I tried to collect my thoughts.

"I miss you." I admitted, then laughed. "Gods, what am I even doing? I'm talking to a mirage of Luke to keep myself sane. I can't even admit I love him when I'm awake." I groaned, burying my face in my hands that leaned against the railing. "How to get over you? That is the question." I lifted my head, looking at him.

Even in a dream he was still handsome. I looked away.

"I can't keep this up - loving you. I mean, we're on opposite sides for gods' sake!" I fell silent again, mulling over how I could ever stop loving Luke.

"I'm sorry." A voice whispered. My head moved so fast I almost gave myself whiplash.

Luke had turned to look at me, a hand still on the railing.

"I didn't want it to happen like this." He told me. I took a step back in shock.

"You can talk." I whispered. Luke nodded. "Why haven't you said anything before?" He smiled sadly at me.

"I was afraid." I took a step towards him. I placed a hand on his scarred cheek, running my thumb over the jagged white line. He leaned into the touch. "I love you, Cassie." I gave him a wobbly smile. "You're my other half." He whispered, pressing his forehead against mine. A strangled sob escaped me.

It had been so long since I heard him say that, even if this wasn't real. It certainly felt real.

"You're my other half too." Luke smiled, his eyes gentle instead of cold.

He pressed a gentle kiss to my lips and tears fell down my face. My stomach flipped.

I was utterly in love with this boy. The same boy who had broken my heart. I tried not to let myself hope for more. Luke was on Kronos' side and if I couldn't change that, there would no future for us