Lost

31

Snow fell all around Camp Half-Blood, the weather border not allowing any to sneak in, and that included the snow I brought in with my shoes.

I'd never spent a Christmas at camp, but I knew every Christmas Eve they had a special campfire for the remaining campers. Annabeth had told me about it.

I ran over to the amphitheater where, sure enough, several staggered campers remained as the remaining Apollo cabin campers serenaded everyone with Christmas music.

"Percy?" Will Solace asked as I neared the campfire. He sat along with his Apollo half siblings and he looked to be the only one not singing.

"It's Nico," I blurted out. His eyes widened and he instantly stood up. "I got an Iris message from him. He—he said to go back to Rome."

Will and ran over to me. "We've gotta go tell Chiron right away. He went to bed a few minutes ago, we can probably still catch him."

Together we ran to the Big House and crazily knocked on the door for what seemed like years.

Finally the door swung open to reveal Chiron in centaur form, his tail hair in curlers. "Percy? Will? What are you two doing at my door this late at night?"

We informed him of what had happened as he led us inside and poured us some tea, which neither of us drank.

"It sounds like you need to go back to Rome," Chiron said as he lowered himself into his wheelchair. "Did Mr.Di'Angelo say where in Rome?"

I shook my head as I wrapped my hands around the tea mug for warmth. "No, he only told me to go back. Like he knew we'd already been there."

Will groaned as he rubbed his face with his hands. He looked close to tears. "Why wouldn't he call me? I'm his boyfriend!"

"Probably since you did not go to Rome," Chiron explained. "I'm sure it was nothing personal."

"I'm going then," Will decided as he stood up and pushed the tea mug away from him. "I'm going to Rome, and I'm leaving tonight, if possible."

Before we could stop him he ran out of the room, not breaking his stride one bit.

Chiron sighed softly as he started cleaning Will's tea mug. "I suppose I can't stop you, either, then?"

I nodded. "You're right."

Before Chiron could scold me Will screamed from the other room. Chiron and I peered at each other before rushing outside where the scream had come from.

There stood Nico Di'Angelo, his face bruised and his body badly slashed. Will rushed into his arms and pulled him into a kiss.

"Did you miss me?" Nico asked weakly as he hugged Will back. "Ow, I'm bruised!"

Will nodded as he looked Nico up and down. "Come on, I'm taking you to the infirmary. Right now."

The two walked away bickering, but I could tell it was only playful as both of them were crying.

"I thought he was in Rome," I whispered. "I need to go talk to him, to ask about Annabeth—!"

Chiron sighed. "I know, Percy, but later. He's injured, and I doubt Will would let you through anyways."

"Chiron, I have to."

"Percy, there will be time—" he started, folding his hands on the table. I didn't bother to listen to the rest of his speech. I was already running.