Heroes Of Olympus: House Of Hades (By Rick Riordan) [COMPLETED]

Jason

As everyone started to speak simultaneously, trying to form their "suspect list", with Gaea being number one, Jason pressed his back against the wall adjacent to a window looking out to the Argo II. He started intently at the Greek trireme, finding himself a little chagrined that the Athena Parthenos wasn't there to peek at him. He felt tired of having this life, of living in this nightmare that seemed too real and that he would never escape from. He felt burned out, frustrated, tired, agitated, angry, broken.

He felt desperate.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he reopened it. He walked over to Piper as he kissed her temple. "I'm tired. You guys take care of the others. You know where to look for me." He whispered.

Piper turned around as she followed him to the cabin door. "But, Jason, what about the--"

Slam!

She sighed as she turned around, looking at the campers that stopped talking the minute Jason walked out. She plastered a wan smile as her eyes fixed on Reyna. "He's fine. He's just...worn out." She reassured the campers, her eyes finally tearing away from the daughter of Bellona.

Her gaze drifted to Hazel with a look like I know. Jason just needs to think about all of this. He's gonna be fine.

Oh, I know he's gonna be; but are you? Hazel eyed her back. Piper nodded at her, taking one deep final breath.

"So," Piper added. "Let's figure out the criminal behind all this fuss, shall we?"

Jason regretted slamming that door right in front of his girlfriend's face.

You're so stupid, man! He thought.

He strolled towards his cabin, stopping a few feet away to see what's left of the Poseidon cabin. Everything is nothing but rubble and ashes. Percy's bunk bed was nothing but burned wood and sooted mattress. The fountain was all that was left, but it was still covered with soot and it was still smoking. The marble was cracking and it was still smoldering because of the poison the Hydra's fire brought with it.

He might not know Percy long enough to know everything about him; who he is as a person and how loyal he is to his friends for it to become his fatal flaw, but losing his cousin stings like a bee. He tore his eyes away from the devastating view as he looked up at the sky, wishing his dad could've at least send him a message, or advice. It didn't matter even if it was just the sound of thunder, or a strong breeze. He just needed to know that Jupiter was at least, there for him as a father.

Before he could start strolling to his awaiting cabin, he saw Nico di Angelo come out from the Zeus cabin as he smiled wanly at him, "Don't worry, I am one hundred and one percent sure that he is alive." He said as he tucked his hands in the pocket of his aviator jacket.

Why was Nico in my cabin? And what was he doing there? Jason thought before giving him a reply. "Yeah, barely."

"Way to be optimistic, Grace."

"Way to be sarcastic, di Angelo." Jason retaliated.

Nico smiled amusingly as he licked his lips. "Get some rest, cousin." He said, as he patted Jason's shoulder, then spun on his heels and walked off.

"That's the first time you called me cousin!" He shouted at him in amusement.

"Sleep!" Nico shouted back, tilting his head slightly, continuing to walk and didn't bother turning around, but the son of Jupiter can still see the smile that tugged on Nico's lips.

Jason smiled. My, people does have a different side of them, don't they?

As he walked back to his cabin and opened the door, he saw a grinning Thalia sitting on her bunk bed. She looked rather tired, but nonetheless, cheerful and happy. Jason smiled back at her as he said, " 'Sup?"