Making Things Right: Chapter 1

      *WARNING! This scene takes place after the Giant War has won. This is a emotional scene featuring Pernico. I'm not going to say much, unless you have already read the first sentence of this 1st chapter in this short story. I apologize in advance if some people disapprove Pernico, but don't worry everything gets better!* Proceed with Caution! Thank you and ENJOY!



        “Annabeth Chase, 17, founded dead in her local dormitory at The Architectural Institute of Modern Engineering in Manhattan, New York City, at 3:45 pm today. Police are now ruling the death as suicide. Though the death of Ms. Chase had been ruled, police are saying this does not end the ongoing investigation to find the motive behind the death of Ms. Chase. They also mentioned they will not be releasing the cause of death, due to the request of her parents. Teachers and Students remember Ms. Chase as a charismatic, enthusiastic, outgoing young women and friend, and that has never given any trouble with peers during the school year.  We have interviewed with Ms. Annabeth Chase parents and out of respect, they choose not to reveal their faces in front of cameras. They talk highly of Ms. Chase as a great daughter, always impressing them with her achievements and goals, and loyal to her peers. Many mentioned that Ms. Chase has been seen romantically involved with a young man by the name of Perseus Jackson, 17. Police has already questioned Mr. Jackson earlier today at 4:37pm after Ms. Chase was founded in her dorm. Police Chief Reygon Mictruffer released a statement after their questioning, stating ‘Mr. Perseus Jackson has been released from police custody after questioning. He is not connected to Ms. Chase death and will not be ruled a suspect in this ongoing investigation. He was distraught and sadden in the passing of his partner. We hope you will respect both families as we all mourn the passing of Ms. Annabeth Chase in this community.’ I am Jamie Macendor, with Fox 34 News.”

       Percy couldn’t believe it. Annabeth...gone. Those two word should never be in the same sentence, but yet here they are now. Percy couldn’t sleep or eat for the last three days since the news of Annabeth’s passing. The whole camp held a memorial campfire in honor of her and burned a shroud the night before. Her parents wanted to have her buried in a real cemetery and have a real funeral so other people can say goodbye. Percy was against it but he was too depressed to speak out. Percy didn’t think Annabeth was sad at all, let alone so depressed she would take her own life. They together went through so much, from fighting along side in the Titan War to defeating Gaea with the rest of the Seven. How can she be gone?
        So now here he is, sitting on the beach in the middle of the night, like he has been the last couple of days. Tomorrow was Annabeth’s funeral in the city. Percy could feel hot tears slide down his face and fall onto his lap. There was a crunch of sand and Percy leaped into a defensive stance with his pen uncapped. Nico came over the sand dune and Percy lowered his sword. He slumped back down in his spot and stared out into the distance. Nico sat down next to him.
              “Percy...” Nico started.
              “Don’t,” Percy whispered. Nico nodded and peered out at the ocean with Percy.
              “Have you talked to her?” Percy asked. Nico shook his head.
              “My father wouldn’t let me. He told me not to push it. It is a sensitive case,” Nico whispered grimmly. Percy nodded and started fidgeting in his seat. There was a lingering silence and Nico believed that they both were done with the conversation. Then Percy began to talk.
               “I thought that everything is fine. We had won, I was finally with Annabeth and everyone was safe, but I guess she didn’t see that. I gave everything I could to make it possible to stay with her, but I keep failing. I may be a hero in the Gods eyes, but I’m not a hero if I can’t save her,” Percy whispered and more tears raced down his cheeks. Nico nodded.
               “We had plans, Nico. We had plans to go to college, get married, and have two or more kids. We had all these plans to travel the world and get to listen to our kids first word, and make bets whether our kids would say dad or mom first,”
               “She wanted that, trust me. I’ve been there, Percy,” Nico reached out. Percy jolted up and as fast as lightning, he had his sword pressed against Nico’s throat. Anger surged through Percy’s eyes and his body started shaking. Percy continued to inch the blade closer as he hovered above Nico. Nico stared straight into Percy’s eyes.
              “HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT, NICO!? You don’t know what’s it like for someone you love to be ripped away from you and you never got to say goodbye,” Percy started, but then it dawned on him. Nico looked away and gave Percy a slight shove. Percy fell back effortlessly. Nico dusted himself off and began to get up, but Percy grabbed his wrist. He pulled Nico down and embraced him into a hug.
               “Oh god, Please forgive me, Nico. I didn’t mean any of that! Please forgive me,” Percy croaked. Nico move out of the embraced and bent down to meet Percy’s face level.
              “Percy, you may be a hero in everyones eyes and a soldier waiting for his next battle, but you're still human. You will bleed, breath, and live like a human being. Life and death is just a price we need to pay to balance our existence. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of pain and suffering,” Nico whispered. Percy looked back down and started to sob into Nico’s chest. Nico couldn’t believe it. Percy gripped Nico’s t-shirt and wouldn’t let go. Nico just embraced him into a hug and Percy couldn’t stop sobbing into Nico’s shoulder. Percy couldn’t have cared less if Clarisse or the Stolls brothers popped up onto the dune and mocked him for being a girl. He had been holding this in for so long and the sadness just seeped under his skin.
Nico has never seen someone so depressed other than himself. It was so strange to see the Great Percy Jackson breakdown in front of him. When Percy was done, he gently parted and fiercely wiped his eyes. Nico still had his hands on Percy’s shoulder.
      “Why couldn't it have been me instead of her?” Percy muttered hopelessly. Nico then jumped. Nico just remembered something. A soul for a soul. Nico then spun Percy to look at him.
      “What if I can end your suffering, Percy? How would you feel?” Nico fiercely asked him.
      “I would be the happiest man alive,” Percy answered. That was just the answer Nico wanted. Nico then quickly gripped Percy’s shirt and leaned forward. Nico clasped his lips against Percy’s, and refused to open his eyes in fear that Percy would be disgusted. Nico parted away with his eyes closed.
      “Nico...” Percy whispered. Nico shook his head and looked away.
      “Nico, look at me. Open your eyes,” Nico gave in and turned toward Percy. Percy was blushing but still had sadness in his eyes.
      “I promise to end your suffering,” Nico pushed himself away from Percy. Percy called out to Nico but Nico shifted himself away into the shadow.
      Goodbye, Percy.