Death's Door.

chapter fifteen

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: BREATHE

Zeus began to read in a monotone voice once again, causing someone to scoff from the audience. "Try harder!" Apollo called.

Zeus slowly looked up at him, sparks flying off his clothes. "What was that?"

Apollo glanced around, but no one backed him up. He shrugged, and made his way over to Zeus. "I'm reading." He had clearly had enough of Zeus and his attitude. Zeus looked about ready to protest, but Apollo began to read before he could say anything, and the king of the gods huffed and made his way back to his seat. Poseidon and Ares were trying not to laugh, while Hades hid a grin behind his hand.

"And this, Layla, is your room." A man pointed to the door, and Layla found herself looking through the small window on it, quickly taking note that it was an empty room. "All the other rooms have already been filled up, so you'll be alone until we have more space available."

You'll be alone.

Layla quickly shook her head, "No— no, the boys are my friends. I'm sure I could find some room in there, I'd rather not be alone. We were always together before, so it's really no issue—"

The man sighed, interrupting her. "We can talk about this later." He finalized, beginning to open the door. Layla had a very strong feeling that they wouldn't be talking about it later. She pushed down her anger and unease, and kept her lips shut.

Layla let out a small squeak as the man pushed her into the room, and closed the door behind her. She turned to send a glare through the window, but he had already walked away.

Nico glared at the screen, crossing his arms. He didn't like that man, and he didn't like anyone messing with Layla.

The silence was deafening, and the only noises that she could hear were the sounds that came from the vents. The soft air blowing in sent chills down Layla's spine, but she quickly ignored it as she began to look around.

There were multiple bunk beds lined up against the walls, leaving the middle of the room to be an open space. Layla tilted her head at the sight of a sink between two bunk beds, with a mirror placed above it.

She sighed softly, which bed should I choose. The thought rang bitterly in her mind. She could take any one she wanted.

It was strange how unfamiliar it felt. As she looked at the bunk beds, it reminded her of how... far from home she felt—how far from home she was.

"Because she's used to being in the Hermes Cabin." Grover realized.

"Poor Layla."

The empty bunk beds felt wrong. Where was the laughter? Where were the people?

Layla realized that she was getting carried away with her thoughts, and frowned as it dawned on her that she had no idea why it was bothering her so much. She had always had her own room back in the Glade, so this should've been no issue.

Calm down, Layla. Breathe.

She slowly walked forward, and the silence slowly began to grow more unbearable as the seconds passed. Layla let her hands brush over the thin blankets on the bed nearest to her left. They felt rough. The pillow was flat and the blankets were covered in wrinkles, despite the empty room. Had it been used before she arrived? Was everyone from this room now taken to 'the farm'?