Nico's flashback

So, not a ghost.

No.

Not a demon.

No.

Not a spirit.

No.

But you're familiar with all above.

Kind of. You are alone?

Always. Anytime, anywhere. It's a miserable life sometimes.

I meant the house, but yeah, I'm familiar with this feeling too...

***

Nico tried to control his temper when another one bumped him. On purpose.

Why do you come to school?

I don't know.

Hope?

Of what?

That something will change.

I don't know. Maybe.

She IS the last one in the pythos.

The what?

Pandora's box.

Nico tripped when someone put a foot in front of him. On purpose.

Let me guess. This is going to happen all day.

You guessed right.

I never wished my sword at my side so bad. I'd slice it through these mortals without a second thought.

***

Turn right. That's the street.

To where?

Nico stopped at an iron gate, tall, rusty and heavy.

A cemetery?

Most of times, the dead are better company than the living.

Tell me about it.

***

"Hey, psst"

Should I answer?

I don't think it's worth. Keep your head down.

"Pssst!"

She is insistent.

Not worth.

"Styx, Nico, look at me"

Wait, what?

Did she call you?

Nico was in the last chair, at the corner, and raised his head. A girl from the line on his left and three chairs ahead him was leaning in his direction, staring him in the eyes. Nico breathed in relief and whispered back.

"Hey, Hazel"

She smiled brightly, mouthed 'talk to you later' and turned back to the teacher.

You know her?

She's my sister.

She doesn't look like your sister. Oh, you mean from your world?

She looks just like that in my world.

And she's your sister?

Long story.

Tell me, we have time.

Fine.

***

After the classes were all over, Hazel found him again, when he was near the school's gate.

"Nico! So good to see you!"

She hugged him, and he hugged back.

I missed this.

What?

A hug from a sibling. It's different from other kind of hugs.

I know. They don't judge.

They don't hate.

And they don't ask if you want it or expect you to hug back.

They just hug and hold on, not asking anything.

Just giving support and letting you know you can ask them anything.

I missed this.

Do you have any siblings?

A sister. She died.

Sorry to hear this. I know the feeling, I lost a sister too.

Nico kissed Hazel's head and let go. Her grin was still on, and he felt himself smile a little seeing someone so happy to see him.

"Hey, I need to stay a few more hours, can you wait?"

Nico could see some guys staring at him, just waiting for Hazel to leave.

"No, I can't. I have a few things I need to take care of"

"Are you sure? We can walk together after that. I can leave early, just let me ask Reyna"

"No, you don't need to... wait, Reyna?"

"Yes, Reyna, and yes, Reyna praetor. Apparently she is here too"

"Well, say hi to Reyna for me, but I really need to go. Talk to you later, bye"

Nico left Hazel there and walked away. He sped up. Maybe he could be lucky, maybe those guys didn't see when left...

"Hey, Nanny McPhee! Trying to run away?"

Or maybe he should have known to never trust luck. She never smiled at him in his life, EVER. Why here it should be different? He took a deep breath and started to run. Maybe, just maybe...

***

Nico just saw Hazel two days later, and for that he was grateful. She hugged him, and he breathed hard trying to not let the pain show.

"Nico, are you ok? You seem a little off"

She worries about you, and she means well.

But it means nothing. She can't change it, and I don't want to upset her.

"Nothing much, just didn't get so much sleep these couples of nights"

"Yeah, I noticed the bags under your eyes. What has kept you awake?"

The pain.

The shame.

The anger.

The revenge.

The hopelessness.

"Nothing much. Probably just regular insomnia"

He knew she didn't believe him, but she let it slide.

She mustn't know.

If one of us has to feel pain, I rather be me. She's happy and positive. I wasn't able to protect Bianca, but I will protect Hazel, including her happiness.

Secrets can eat us alive.

I'm more than used to keep secrets.

"Nico? You know you can tell me, right? Anything. I will do whatever it takes to help you"

"I know"

And that's why I won't say a word.

You should get her number.

What?

I know you don't want to tell her, and I agree. But get her number, just in case. You never know.

"Hazel? You have a phone number, right? Can you give it to me?"

Nico saw the discomfort she felt.

"What?"

"I...can't. Give you my number, I mean"

Nico felt hurt on her refusal.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't know how to?"

What?

Right, she doesn't know how to deal with technology. She is from the 40's.

Wait, I thought you're from the 40's.

"How about I help you?"

"You could do that?? Hannah tried, but I still don't get the hang of this"

"Hannah?"

She pointed a finger to her head.

"Ah"

She pointed to his head: "What's his name?"

"Nanni"

"It's nice to meet you, Nanni. I can't hear you, but I bet you're kind just like my brother"

I like her, she's nice.

She's more than nice.

Say hi to her for me.

Flashback over, back to the present

H: We found Percy, and he found the others from the prophecy.

N: Hey, you wrote everything right.

H: It's because it's Reyna, not Hazel. She was staring at the phone, shaking and cursing it. On her old fashioned way, of course.

N: Right, makes sense. How did you find Percy?

H: I have a class with him. Can we give your number to him? We'll give the other's to you.

N: Sure, I guess. But I swear, if they keep sending me nonsense, jokes and cat pictures all day long...

H: Got it, will pass the message.