We remained silent for a while. I was fighting to keep my tears in check. I rubbed furiously, my emotions a huge mess. "I'm sorry ok", he said with a huff, "I didn't know it was such a big deal to you".

"How could you know", I replied, "You're to selfish". I didn't have to but I was angry. "I said sorry", he said, pleadingly this time, "Please consider it". "Ha", I laughed, it was sharp and empty, "Sorry, sorry that's what everyone says, sorry". "What do you want me to do", he replied exasperated. "To leave me alone", I said turning my back. I knew I was being harsh but I hadn't realized how much it stung till I said it. He took in a breath he wanted to say something but stopped short.

"I know you're angry but that doesn't mean you have to take it out on anyone", Melanie said placing her hand on my shoulder, "We've all had it hard". I look into her brown eyes, which turned red when she's about to transform or use her power or angry. For the first time I saw the worry lines, the crease of her brow. I suddenly felt very guilty, "I-". Sccreeeeech.

"What was that!?", I scream looking around us. I've been so selfish. She was pretending for me. I was very guilty but I needed to focus on getting rid of whatever made that sound. "Harpies", Nico said furrowing his brow. "What do they want", Melanie asked turning to Nico, "Are we invading or something". "I don't think so- argh", he covered his ears as we heard another screech. "Why are they so loud", I asked covering my ringing ears. "I don't know but I would really like to get rid of it", he said slashing one with his stygian sword. Melanie was already winding through the wings of the harpies. I took my cue leveled a blast of electricity at them careful not to hit Melanie or Nico. Nico swung his sword at me, no at the harpies that was behind me. I didn't even notice. I felt my side and when I raised my hand to inspect it, it was crimson, I was bleeding. We'd finally gotten rid of the harpies and Nico rushed to my side.

"How badly are you hurt?", he asked inspecting the wound, "Any other injuries?". "No", I said, we were on the roof of a building, the grifginsvwere restingtheyd also had their share of fighting. Melanie handed a first aid kit to Nico. "Let me see", he said pulling out some gauze. "Its fine really", I said, flinching as I said it, "Its not that bad". "Pfft", they said in unison. "Remove your hand so I can help you", he said gently removing my hand. He cleaned up the wound. He was more gentle than I had thought. "Ok, ok look Melanie's got a cut", I said batting his hand away. "Its fine only a scratch just has to be disinfected", she said cleaning it up. We still need to get to Manhattan, its not too long now. "Who sent those harpies", I asked after he'd finished. They exchanged a look. "We don't know", he answered, "But they clearly want us dead".