Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Upon getting to camp, the brothers were ecstatic and excited and it was admirable to see somebody who's life hasn't been sucked our from this place yet.

Grover messaged Percy not long after we got there because he hasn't been responding to anything and we were worried. He seemed really tired earlier. Out of it.

Just... Not great. But when he gets sick, it usually hits him pretty hard.

It was a relief to hear that he had just fallen back asleep.

It wasn't a relief right around dinner when we were all hanging out together and my phone rings with a call from Rome. Everyone is still here, at camp. Jason and Piper because they just haven't left, Annabeth because... Things are going in with her family, I guess, and then Hazel and Frank to see Nico. Just to stick around. Clarisse transferred to a college around here, too, because it's cheaper.

So we're all here.

And Percy's boyfriend is calling me unprompted after hours of no contact.

So I answer. Putting him on speaker.

"Rome, hey!" I said as were just about to leave for dinner, sitting around in Nico's cabin. "what's up? You like, never call without texting first."

"Oh? I... Thought I sent a text," but immediately Quinn and I noticed how distracted he sounded. "Sorry. Um... You're still at camp, right? With Quinn and Logan?"

"Yeah, why?" I responded, hesitant because I don't know why he'd ask. I don't think he can get in. "did Percy decide to come after all?"

But the question caught him off guard.

"Wh... Oh, no, no," Rome puts an emphasis on thar last no. "Um— I'll be there, though, pretty soon. I think Sally said we're just a few minutes away? They have to talk to Chiron and Mr. D and I'm just with so... Is it dinner time there? I'm starving."

This didn't make any sense in a matter that could be good, though. Sally, Paul, and Rome, but no Percy?

Why would Rome come to camp?

"Oh, uh, yeah, it is, we were about to go to dinner," I told him. "We'll meet you by the entrance of camp! Or, I will, at least, I don't know about everyone. But... Just to clarify, Percy isn't there!"

"N... Nope," and I think I almost heard his voice shake. "I uh... I'll explain it to everyone at dinner, don't worry."

"O... Okay," I figured. "See you soon."

"See ya."

And he hung up, prompting Clarisse to look at Grover, who hummed in response.

"Anything from the link?"

But Grover shook his head.

"The link has been... A lot less intense and harder to decided anything about since right around... June?" Grover figured. "It's possible that anything I've tried sending his way just isn't going through. There's like, a wall there now, in a way? I can only really sense things when they're like... I don't know, it's random and usually if his emotions are super intense. I haven't had anything for a while from it. And even with the whole emotion sensing... I don't know, probably because of what happened in July, but he's put up a wall to that, too. I can't tell anything through it anymore."

So that feels like really fucking bad.

Telling them I'd meet them at dinner, though, I made my way to Thalia's Tree and got there a minute or two before Rome, Sally, and Paul did, all looking a bit stressed. Which...

I'm anxious for what Rome has to say.

I let them in, though, behind the border, and Sally and Paul thanked me before walking towards the big bouse and Rome just seemed to be anxious and tired.

"Hey," I said, nudging Rome after we watched Sally and Paul walk away to their own situation. "Do you want a hug? You seem anxious?"

Accepting the offer, I hugged the giant himself as he seemed to relax a little bit, exhaling a breath I'm sure he's held for a while.

"Okay," Rome said as he pulled away from the hug. "thanks. I'm starving, though, where... Where do we eat?"

So I guided us through camp, pointing out things here and there on the way to the pavilion, where the others were either getting their food or already sitting down. Camp is still... Not done so the table rule? Doesn't exist. All of our friends are there and even Will is, sitting next to his boyfriend.

We got the food and I explained the sacrifice thing to him and walking to the table of course, he brought attention because half of the people maybe saw him once but they don't know him.

"Did we have three recruits today?" Will questioned. "All from one school? That's a lot."

"Wh— oh, no," Grover told the son of Apollo. "He's not a recruit. He's here with something with Percy's parents."

After telling their names to Rome, people flash a smile or small wave as it's now his turn.

"Hi, thanks," he said after Reyna had said it was nice to meet him. I think Annabeth being here... Made him anxious. Even more so than before, at least. "I'm Rome, uh, Percy's boyfriend. I'm mortal but... I don't know, I found out by accident so now I'm here."

And while most oekole knew, there were a few who didn't have social media or anything to like, find our.

"Percy boy..." Reyna's voice drifted for a moment as she glanced over at Annabeth, who wouldn't look at Rome. "Cool! Where uh... Is he, then? Is he with his parents wherever they are here at camp?"

"Oh, uh... No," Rome said as he sat down next to me and also next to Quinn. "he isn't at camp at all. His parents just have to talk to Mr. D and Chiron. He's uh..."

Thinking for a second, you could see how tired he was. It was pitiful.

"He's on his way to a psych ward for either 3 or 7 days, they're not really sure yet. Sally and Blowfish are here to tell them about meds they're prescribing and diagnoses and where he is and like... Yeah. I'm with in case they ask for like, witness questions because I ended up having to call an ambulance to bring him in and yeah."

"Wh..." Nico's response was pretty similar to my vrsins response. "I'm sorry, what? What... Happened? He was sick, did he have a fucking seizure or something?"

"Hm? Oh no, no seizure just..." Percy's boyfriend went on, shrugging. "a really bad mental breakdown. For the second time in two days. That's why we weren't in school. He had a breakdown last night and between how thin of ice Paul is on with Goode I guess and Sally couldn't get anyone to swap or cover for her, I offered to stay back and... Glad I did because he's still alive. Doesn't want to be but... He is. So... That's what's going on right now. It's not good but... It could be worse."

As if that makes it feel that much better.

•••
Percy Jackson

Stupidest shit in the world is that they took my sweater strings.

Like I get it but... I liked playing with the plastic ends.

The grippy socks were cool, though.

After being showed around and told what to expect which... Was for everything to be very controller which I wasn't excited about but it was uneventful since I got there after dinner. Just talking with my case worker and getting ready for bed because it was late and I'm tired.

They let me bring my sketchbook, at least, since it's not wire bound. I had to use crayons, though, which... Is something I usually don't do but it wasn't the worst thing that could happen.

So I was in my pajamas, just drawing to try and wind down a bit, when I was reminded about the mental link I have.

Hey, Percy, can you hear me?

Naturally, I jumped, because it scared the shit out of me.

I feel like this is against the rules.

Wh— yeah, why? You scared me dude, what the fuck

Sorry sorry, I just wanted to check in. The link has been super like, dilluted at least on my end for a while so I wanted to see how you were feeling after not feeling good this morning and the recruitment being fast and the attack and whatever.

Is that all? Just curiosity?

Well I mean we saw your parents come in around dinner so... Just want to make sure that nothing serious is doing on. Rome was with, too, which felt really weird.

They went to camp?

Yeah! I don't know what it was about but they had to talk to Mr. D or Chiron about something? Did you get new meds finally? You had an appointment recently, right?

For a diagnosis but I don't know what the results are yet, I'll get them in the morning I think. That and any new meds so yeah my parents probably got the list tonight since I'm a minor still. How's it going with the brothers?

Good! They were claimed by Apollo so that was fast and they're having fun! Rachel being here seems to help, I think. Having someone familiar.

Sorry.

What? Oh no, don't apologize, Percy! If you aren't feeling good and think you might get others sick you were smart to stay home! I know it feels like it sometimes, but you don't live here year around.

The gods just really want me to.

Who knows, man, it's their problem. But anyways, feelin better? Worse? The same? Is there anything I can to make it better?

Right now? Jack shit, dude. Um, currently it's about the same but it got bad after you left, I dunno.

How so?

Just... Overwhelmed? I don't know, G-man, it just... Was bad and I feel so bad for Rome for having to witness it because I lost my mind and they were the only other person at the apartment so they had to make sure I didn't do anything stupid and yeah.

Oh?

Yeah I'm in a psych ward now. For like, 3 days. Maybe a week, who knows.

Oh, damn, dude uh... What happened?

I just got overwhelmed, don't worry about it. I should've waited on school for a little while but I didn't. This last year was just a lot and suddenly going back home to normal is just like... Culture shock in a way.

What a fucking lie, but whatever. If he couldn't tell, which I try to make it so he can't, that I was suicidal, I wasn't telling him through the mental link.

That feels like saying it over a text. Even worse because now he's have to worry about dying even though like... I don't think it's strong enough to kill him anymore.

Hope it's not.

He'll find out from Chiron or from Rome as it is. I told Rome that he could tell them why I was here just... Don't go into detail about what the breakdown was over.

I'm terrified of them saying that I'm turning into Luke.

That's fair, I guess I never thought about that.

Yeah. I'm kind of tired, though, it's been a long day. I'm going to try to sleep.

Okay! See you later!

Yeah, maybe.

Hoping he was gone, I just returned to my doodling before a worker knocked just to ask if I needed anything before bedtime and jokingly I said some serotonin would be good and she did not think it was funny.

She wouldn't miss me.

Finishing up on the page I was drawing on, I put it beside my bed and just laid there for a minute.

I want my boyfriend here.

Even if it's not physically just... Even on a call.

At least he chuckles at my jokes.

Hey are you still up?

Hm, oh yeah! What's up?

Is Rome still at camp?

Yeah, he's staying here for the night! Why?

Can you tell him that I said thanks for staying behind today and also love you and goodnight?

Aw, yeah I can tell him.

Thank you.

F

or a short while there was a pause and I was almost asleep when I heard him again.

Rome says that he loves you too and misses you and that he wants you to get a lot of rest so you can feel a little better tomorrow.

My eyelids were already so heavy, though, so I let myself give in and sleep.

I was exhausted.

Waking up the next day wasn't great but it wasn't like would've had a way to die so it wasn't a let down.

Then again, I also woke up like twice in the middle of the night. Once from a dream or nightmare or whatever, a mix of things I remembered and things I don't so maybe they haven't happened yet.

The other time I just heard somebody else walk down the hall and it started me awake.

"Good morning, Percy," the attractive young man in my room was alarming. He was definitely a worker but like... I think he was pretty fresh out of college. There's no way he's 30. "You have an appointment with a therapist in a half hour, okay? Breakfast will be served after your appointment."

Slowly, I nodded my head as I sat up and noticed that I hadn't even put my sketchbook back in my bag last night.

Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I grabbed the bag that had all of my stuff in it and grabbed an outfit that Rome definitely packed. It was one of his sweaters (not a hoodie) and then just a comfy shirt and then a safe pair of jeans I usually fall back on.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love my boyfriend? Because it's a lot and I would've found a way to die when I turned 16 if it wasn't for him and Rachel.

After getting dressed, I tried to calm down my hair a little and make it so I didn't feel gross before somebody came and got me for the appointment.

It was just a few halls down, but still. I probably would've gotten lost, I'm not all that smart, after all.

Reminding me to breathe, the same dude who woke me up opened the door for me to go into the room labeled as private and I walked in as he went off in another direction. Other people to tend to, of course. I'm not the only one here.

"Percy, good morning!" I was met with a woman that was younger than my mom but old enough to have graduated college and been out for a couple years. She was wearing a plain mustard yellow sweater with black pants and also heels which... Is impressive. Heels are scary. Her hair was short, almost like mine, but she had brown hair.

She seemed very calm, and the room was more dimly lit than the rest of the very bright ward so that was nice. It was calmer. So when she extended her hand out for me to shake, it was okay.

"I'm Dr. Pasio, but you can call me Analea if you're more comfortable with that," she introduced herself, standing so we could shake hands before sitting back down. "Please make yourself comfortable, there's plenty of room to do so. I will be your therapist for as long as you feel comfortable having me as a therapist, okay? To clear anything, I am aware of the gods, although I myself have no ties to them. Can you tell me a little about yourself? Whatever you're comfortable with, whether it just be how you're feeling today or a mini catch up story or whatever you're ready to talk about. Does that sound okay? We have an hour and a half today to talk or do whatever it is that you need to feel comfortable."

Nodding my head, I noticed she said comfortable a lot.

"Um... Yeah," I responded as I took to the couch because it seemed the softest and it didn't disappoint. I'd take a nap on this if given the chance. "My name is Percy, you know that. Um, I'm here because I had a really bad meltdown yesterday and I admitted to being suicidal but I don't feel that way right now."

"You don't?"

I shook my head.

"Nope, not right now," I confirmed for her. "Not to say that I'm in the best of moods but like... I don't want to die at this very second. Um... The sweater I'm wearing is my boyfriend's, actually, and I think that helps a little because I miss him. Um... But yeah, don't want to die at this second, but death has always been... Weird... For me. The last few year, at least."

"Weird how, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Well when I found out who my dad was, Poseidon," I was pretty plain about it. "people treated it like a bad omen and I found out a few years after, when I was like 14 that because Zeus's daughter, who was 15, joined Artemis Hunt to get out of the great Prophecy so she wouldn't die, that I was going to die when I turned 16 so I had two years to like... Cope with that and then I obviously did not die so... Now I'm here and I don't know how to feel about it."

•••
Rome Ramirez
(Last night at camp)

Although still concerned about Percy after you know... Everything, Logan and Quinn were having the time of their lives here.

They let me stay in Percy's cabin, which was very nice. Rachel brought us over after dinner and it...

Was empty.

Like he had things in the cabin, but there wasn't anyone else in here.

"Where are the other Poseidon kids?" Logan asked as he closed the main door behind him. "don't gods have like, a ton of kids or something?"

"Oh, uh..." Rachel looked over towards one room and saw that the door was closed. "Yeah, Poseidon doesn't. The Big Three— Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades all only have two kids right now. So Percy isn't here, obviously, and his brother Tyson is like never here. I've met him maybe twice for just a short while each time. They're like... A year apart? Tysons younger but he... Lives with Poseidon. Works in his kingdom and stuff. He's a cyclopes, too, so... He's actually in California I think now, but... Either way, he's not here. Never is. So their cabin is empty most of the year, as it Cabin 1— Zeus. Thalia being in the hunt she stays in the Artemis cabin and Jason is new to here so... He'll leave soon for mortal schooling anyways. That or go back to Camp Jupiter, he's technically Roman. Nico will hopefully stay, with Will here, but who knows with him."

"Why... Wouldn't he stay?" I questioned. "his Mom is dead, right? Percy told me about me a long time ago because his parents talked about adopting Nico. Where would he go?"

But Rachel just shrugged.

"I don't know where he goes but... He doesn't tend to stay in one place for super long." The Oracle host explained to the rest of us as she tried to think for a minute, looking around the room. "Um, I didn't know Percy yet when they recruited Nico and his older sister um... I forget her name, from Maine. But within the first few weeks of them being here there was a quest, which is how Percy and I first ran into one another when I was with my parents at the Hoover Dam and He was on a quest and there was an attack and that was terrifying for me. But either way, by the end of the quest Nico's older sister was dead and he ran away after finding out, I don't know any specifics because Percy hates talking about it and Percy was the last person to see him before he left. Um..."

Rachel shrugged.

"I mean he has a younger sister now and a boyfriend so his chances of staying are higher," she justified. "And if Chiron keeps him in school he almost has to stay but yeah. He's never been a big fan of camp, I don't know why really, I've never been that close to him. Percy would know more than me, I came after that but... Yeah. This is Percy's cabin, his room is the second to last on the left, Tysons is to the right of his but it might be empty so... Make yourself at home, Rome. The other two will be in cabin 7 with the rest of the Apollo kids and you know where I am so... If you need somebody you know that's closer, Nico is in either 7 or 13, depending on the night, Leo is in 9, and Grover is further out than I am so..."

Thanking her, I told her I'd try my best as they left for her to help them get to their cabin and I let myself just look for a little bit.

You could tell that it's been a while since this place has really been lived in. He stayed for a couple days at the start of August I know but... That's not a whole summer.

He still has a lot of stuff up and around, though. A lot of photos. Some I recognized people in, usually ones with Annabsth or Grover or even Rachel in a few, but a lot I didn't.

There was two different ones of us that I thought was sweet and another one of the team freshman year. One was just us on prom night, after State, when we slept over at my place and then another was the summer he stayed home and we went to Montauk with his family right before the wedding and it was a lot of fun.

The note under the photo caught my eye, though.

Final family vacation to Montauk with Mom, Paul, and Rome.

Which, in hindsight... I noticed it during the trip and I asked about it but he had just said he didn't sleep well. But he was coping with his own supposed death.

That was like... A big goodbye for him.

And he didn't say anything during it.

Walking over to his room just because I was curious, I noticed a piece of paper on his dresser and I peaked just not thinking it was all that important. A note to himself be forgot to throw out.

I was incorrect.

How am I supposed to go back to my life after this like nothing happened? When we can't afford help and even if we could, beyond meds, I can't even get help because of my fucking dad.

How am I supposed to go home and tell my parents that it sucked but I'll get better? What an I supposed to tell them when they ask where I've been? What I've been doing.

How can I look them in the eye and be honest about it?

If Rome didn't assume my death and move on, how am I going to look at him to know? I miss him so much but I don't think he'd ever want to look at me if he ever found out what happened this year.

He can't know but... I know. I know that it's been almost a month and Annabeth still can't look me in the eye. The others still hesitate around me.

How am I supposed to go to school after this? Go home tomorrow and... I'm so excited and I'm also terrified.

I hope it'll get easier. I don't know what I'll do if it doesn't.

Try to kill myself, probably. I doubt I would but... Bad days are bad days. They happen, right? Today was bad but... It's been a lot of bad lately so maybe it'll finally be good.

It needs to be good there. Because if it isn't, I can't come back here. Mentally.

I just need a break.

And that one conclusion just... The one that if it didn't get better he'd probably kill himself and...

That means it hasn't gotten better since he's gotten home. Even if he had good days, overall it's been bad.

Really bad.

Why wouldn't Annabeth be able to look him in the eye?

What severe thing would happen for that to happen? Like, something definitely happened over this year with them. That was obvious when they broke up the fake relationship.

There was something more than just me being a mortal to that cut in Annabeth's voice.

"Who would know..." I whispered to myself as the answer followed shortly after. Somebody that I knew was with them this last summer.

Nico was around. Even if it wasn't the whole summer, he'd definitely know what happened.

So I sent him a message asking if I could come ask him some thing about this last year with Percy and whatnot and he said yeah, he was in Cabin 7, Apollo. Him and Will were just hanging out but they're not doing anything so I could head over.

Walking down to Cabin 7 was a pretty fast walk and Nico met me outside and let me in, which was very nice. He had just been sitting with Will and then Logan and Quinn because of course they have a million questions and he told me they had asked about Percy so it worked because they were probably wondering something I was.

Which... No, but I get where Nico was coming from.

"So what's your question?" Nico asked as he rejoined his boyfriend on the bed. "If it was before like... Three years ago, I can't promise an answer."

"It's not that old," I reassured the son of Hades. "um, so you weren't there for Annabeth and Percy getting into the fight that broke up their fake relationship and I think also ended their friendship potentially but um... i know that a small part of it was that I was a mortal because Percy was terrified to tell anyone at camp because I'm a mortal. But there was like, something else and I just saw something in his cabin and he's mentioned it once before about something that happened that he was just waiting for that and she hasn't looked him in the eye for like a few months and it bothered him a lot. Do you know that was about at all? It would've definitely been when he was missing."

Nico's expression gave away that he knew exactly what I was asking about.

"How familiar are you with Greek mythology?"

"Pretty decent, why?"

"Have you ever heard of Tartarus?"