Locked In (A Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

12:30 - 3:00 AM

The MURDERER and the OTHER revealed. Place final bets!
Also meaning this story is basically over. ;(

12:30 - 3:00 AM

Nine students mill around the cafeteria avoiding each other. A sudden clatter and bang alert them all. They notice two students are missing and head off to find the two. They all walk confused and careful as they headed toward the sound. A scream froze them all momentarily before they broke in to a run.

The only paused a for a second to figure out where the sound was coming from. They finally made their way to a classroom. Bangs and screams came from inside. One uncertainly places a hand on the handle and opens the door.

They were not prepared for what they saw. Reyna sitting on top of Thalia. Reyna's hands on the other girls throat. A look of pure fear plastered on Thalia's face.

(A/N anyone see that coming?)

"Help," Thalia croaks. Frank and Percy rush forward to pull Reyna off. Reyna opens her mouth to defend herself but Thalia is faster.

"I was heading to the bathroom when I heard her saying how everyone would find out she did it. Just like last year. I confronted her and she attacked me!" Luke pulls Thalia into a hug.

"Reyna," Hazel says softly a tear forming in her eye. "Why?"

"I bet she killed Zoë Nightshade too," Thalia says quickly. "What else could last year mean?"

"I didn't. She's a lying bitch!" Reyna tries to lunge forward at Thalia but she is held back. Thalia only holds Luke tighter in response. Feigning fright.

"That's enough Reyna," Jason snaps.

"I know she's your sister Grace but she-"

"Enough!" Jason shouts looking ready to attack his one-time-girlfriend.

"I got this," Leo says stepping forward. He fishes in his toolbelt and pulls out a roll of duct tape.

"Oh no. Valdez don't you dare. I will-" Reyna is cut off by a strip of duct tape placed over her mouth. Reyna screams through her gag and attempts to free herself from the boys holding her back.

"What do we do with her?" Piper asks slowly.

"Put her in the office. She can see what she's done," Nico answers coldly. No one protests and more duct tape is placed on Reyna like handcuffs. Everyone pauses confined in their own thoughts. So no one notices as Thalia looks at Reyna. She gives the girl a smirk and mouths: the truth? Or the lie?

They file out the room in groups. Frank, Percy, Nico and Leo bring Reyna to the office. Annabeth brings Thalia to clean her bleeding head. The rest go to the cafeteria.

When the others arrive they all sit in a circle on the floor. And for the longest time no one says a word. They take the time digest what they had heard.

Time passed and eventually they all gathered their sleeping bags and went back to their spots to lay down.

Still no one had said a word. Jason and Luke layed on either sides of Thalia. Jason to make sure his sister was alright and also to glare at Luke from time to time.

Piper layed next to Jason and Hazel who was next to Frank. Next was Leo followed by Percy and Annabeth. Piper kept silently wishing the two would move closer to each other. Next to Annabeth and Luke layed Nico who spent his time glaring at his younger sister and her boyfriend. Frank barely looked at Hazel uncomortable under Nico's gaze. Nico had to hide his victorious smirk.

Time passes. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

"I can't take this," Piper huffs turning on her flashlight. The others click on theirs and stare at her confused.

"Can't take what?" Frank asks.

"This. We all are just laying here trying to pretend none of this happened. But it did ignoring it won't help..."

"She's right," Luke agrees. "Today has been shit. But... shit happens."

"Life is shit," Percy states softly. Some give him questioning looks but he doesn't elaborate.

"Never a truer statement had been said," Nico says.

Silence falls once again.

"Life is shit..." Jason mumbles. "My stepmother hates us because we aren't hers."

Thalia glances at her brother before continuing. "Our real mom was a drunk. She let Jason try and eat a stapler."

"How old were you?" Leo asks with a small smile.

"It's not important."

"I'm glad I'm not the only Cinderella," Annabeth chimes in. "Mine thinks I'm a freak and will corrupt her sons. But my real mom is too busy to even see me. Unless it's to yell at me to work harder."

A short silence follows before Piper adds in. "My mom wants me to be the best cheerleader, but I don't want to. That's why we lost nationals. I sabatoged us in hopes she'd relax. Things are worse this year..."

"My dad thinks I'm not strong or tough enough..." Frank says slowly. "I stole his steroids... He just keeps them everywhere..."

"I found out how my mom died," Nico says completely monotone. "I was in my dads office and I found some stuff. Apperantly my uncle ordered her to be shot. Bianca and I too..."

"I stole stuff." Hazel blurts. Everyone stares at The small girl in surprise. She slowly reaches into her shoe and pulls out a necklace. A silver chain with a black diamond. "I never really had anything nice before..."

Nico stares at his sister and disbelief. He stares at the necklace in disbelief. "That's- that's-"

"Was your mom's..." Hazel says regretting her actions. "I didn't know. I saw you and Bianca arguing about it and forgot to put it back." She explains tossing it to Nico. "I won't do it again."

"Keep it," Nico says seriously tossing it back. "As a promise you won't." Hazel nods and places it over her neck.

"I joined a gang," Luke says. Thalia is quick to smack the boys head. "Ow! It wasn't planned! My dad just ignores me... I though he would notice if I... Anyway I tried to get out of it. It's not exactly easy. Kronos says he's gonna come for me..."

"Nico's right it's not just a bruise," Percy says softly. "My stepdad beats me. Everyday. I never told anyone. He said he'd kill my mom." Annabeth gives him a small hug.

"Atleast you didn't kill her yourself," Leo mumbles. His face void of its usually present smile. No mirth or happiness in his eyes. "She told me not to play with matches. I didn't listen. She died in the fire. My aunt blames me. With good reason... She refused to take me in... I hate my foster families. I've run from more than I can count. I was actually thinking of leaving..."

All fall completely silent staring at one another. One by one the flashlights are turned off as they slowly lose the battle to sleep. Though each feel a bit better they got something off their chest.

~~~~

Reyna sat in the darkness of the principals office. Her hands are duct taped behind her to the back of her chair. Valdez had even gotten some rope from somewhere and had bound her with it.

She did her best not to let her eyes fall on the lump underneath a blanket. The window's shade had opened slightly so the moon shines in right on that spot. Almost like Diana herself was shaming her. Reyna closed her eyes.

She will get her revenge on Thalia Grace. Even if she is arrested. Nothing will stop her. No matter what.

-----
Hey!

Congrats to those who got it right!

One more chapter and then the epilogue!

-Jaz