We Say Goodbye To A Friend

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We landed at Crissy Field after nightfall.  As soon as Fredrick stepped out of his Sopwith Camel, Annabeth ran to him and gave him a huge hug.

Annabeth: Dad!  You flew... you shot... oh my gods!  That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen!

Dr. Chase: Well, not bad for a middle-aged mortal, I suppose.

Annabeth: But the celestial bronze bullets!  How did you get those?

Dr. Chase: Ah, well... you did leave quite a few half-blood weapons in your room in Virginia, the last time you... left.

Annabeth looked down, embarrassed.  I noticed Dr. Chase was very careful not to say ran away .

Dr. Chase: I decided to try melting some down to make bullet casings.  Just a little experiment.

He said it like it was no big deal, but he had a gleam in his eye.  I could understand why Athena, Goddess of Crafts and Wisdom, had taken a liking to him.  He made an excellent mad scientist.

Annabeth: Dad...

Thalia: Guys!

Her voice was urgent.  She, Bianca, and Artemis were kneeling at Zoe's side, trying to wrap the huntress's wounds.  We ran over to help, but there wasn't much we could do.  We had no more ambrosia or nectar.  No regular medicine would help.  It was dark, but I could see that Zoe didn't look good.  She was shivering, and the faint glow that usually hung around her was fading. 

Sarah: Can't you heal her with magic?  I mean... you're a goddess.

Artemis looked troubled.

Artemis: Life is a fragile thing, Sarah Wilson.  If the Fates will the string to be cut, there is little I can do.  But I can try.

She tried to set her hand on Zoe's side, but Zoe gripped her wrist.  She looked into the goddess's eyes, and some kind of understanding passed between them.

Zoe: Have I... served thee well?

Artemis: With great honor.  The finest of my attendants.

Zoe's face relaxed.

Zoe: YN... it was an honor fighting alongside you.  And tell Lucas Karula... tell him I said thank you for saving Bianca in the junkyard.

YN: Of course, Zoe.  It was an honor fighting with you as well.

Artemis: I can try to heal the poison, my brave one.

But at that moment, I knew it wasn't just the poison that was killing her.  It was her father's final blow.  Zoe had known all along that the Oracle's prophecy was about her.  She would die by a parent's hand.  Zoe turned to Thalia.

Zoe: I am sorry we argued.  We could have been sisters.

Thalia: It was my fault... you were right about everything.

Zoe: Bianca... it was an honor to call you my sister.

Bianca was crying, but held her hand between hers.  Zoe looked up at the sky and smiled softly.

Zoe: Stars... I can see the stars again, my lady.

A tear trickled down Artemis's cheek.

Artemis: Yes, my brave one.  They are beautiful tonight.

Zoe: Stars...

Her eyes fixed on the night sky.  And she did not move again.  My father appeared over her, giving me an apologetic look.  I nodded to him sadly.

Artemis: Lord Thanatos.

Artemis nodded to him, as the others looked at my father nervously.

Thanatos: Don't be afraid, everyone.  I've only come for Zoe Nightshade.  She will make it to Elysium, I can assure you of that.

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