Seeking Happiness

I paced the room. Back and forth, back and forth. Thalia lay in her bed sleeping as always. It's so infuriating. Nico finally learns how to work the balance and he and Percy go missing. Jason and the little guy Leo came home without them. They were just as confused as we were that the others weren't with them. The fact they didn't know where they were was definitely not a good sign. Annabeth has tried to contact them every night for the past few weeks.

There's only a week left until christmas, and theres nothing sadder than a stocking with a name stitched in it, the name of a person you don't even know is alive. I was helping Frank watch the twins and I just kept staring at it. Percy's stocking. It was white, covered in green anchors and trees. It was stuffed with blue candy and little toys that I'm sure were bought with the kids in mind but he would play with none the less. My heart ached for his family. They were happy, they were probably the happiest little family I've ever seen. I couldn't help but somewhat feel responsible for their misfortune.

I miss Percy, the little brother I never had. If he ever makes it home I swear that I'm going to hang out with him more often. I taught him how to fight, maybe he could teach me how to fish. As juvenile as it may sound I hold a grudge against my dad for never teaching me. I'm sure its not that hard but I had refused growing up to ever learn. I always heard stories at school of father son fishing trips, and thats what I wanted more than anything. To spend time with my dad. I wondered if Percy would ever get the chance to teach Noah how to fish. Im sure Noah was born with the knowledge. But I could still picture it. Percy and Noah's annual father and son fishing weekend.

They needed to hurry up and get back here. If not for their families than for Thalia. She didn't have much time left. I sat down next to her and watched her. I watched her continue to slip away from me. I watched a girl who was fought a multitude of battles against deadly monster lose to an illness. The girl I love is slipping through my fingers... again. A tear slid down my cheek and landed on her hand. Her hands were so pale and cold and so unlike her. I took them in my hand and attempted to rub some life back into them.

Jason came by earlier to visit. He tried to keep his emotions from leaking into his voice as he talked to her. He always talked to her. He would talk for an hour or so every day about what he did that day. Today he seemed eager to tell her about his new plans with Piper. They weren't making a fuss of it but they were going to be getting married soon. A small ceremony in New Elysium town square. He told her she needed to get better so she could come see. I pitted him. He has to know deep down that without Nico's help, there's no way she's going to be able to go to his wedding.

After he left Leo came by, which really surprised me. When he first entered the room he froze and stared at me. No doubt he was remembering his death right about now. He nodded in my direction before taking a seat by the foot of her bed and he too began to talk.
"Hey there Thalia. Long time, no talk. Do you remember the day we sat out in the woods and talked about how you had given up immortally so you could stay here with us? That was the moment I realized how great of a person you are. You had what most people dream of. A life that never ends. Yet you were so willing to give it up... for us. A handful of misfit demi-gods. You were really nice to me. And I will never forget that. When I died I know it was you who kept the group going. The one to step up. I'm gong to make this promise to you now Thalia, I'm going to do anything I can to make you better. And if olympus forbid, I can't help you. Then I will do the next best thing, and I will take care of those you love. I will make sure Jason keeps smiling. I will make sure Annabeth keeps her edge. And most of all I will help Luke to forgive himself. We all know none of this is his fault, and it's about time he admits it to himself."

He looked at me with a knowing look that an old wise soul might have. He was almost daring me to argue, but I kept my mouth shut.

He turned back to Thalia and gave her hand a squeeze. But the amazing thing was... she squeezed back. She squeezed his hand. She was responding.

Notes