𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐕𝐈𝐈.
tail between your legs, you're leaving

ᯓᡣ𐭩

𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐍 pacing back and forth in cabin six for what felt like hours.

They had been expecting Percy, Annabeth and Grover back that day, and they still weren't showing up. It was nerve wracking.

The Athena daughter thought she should kill some time, get her mind off it. What better way to relax than fighting?

Maisie took her daggers and made her way towards the arena. There weren't many people there, since it wasn't very safe to train now, with half the camp wanting to kill each other.

Sure, the supposed lightning thief would be arrested by now, but, still, it rubbed Maisie the wrong way.

She found a training dummy and started slashing at it, throwing her daggers at it, acting as if it were the enemy.

She released her nerves that way for a while, until the dummy's face was unrecognizable. Her stress surely decreased, but it was still there, in the back of her mind.

As she took the, now ruined, dummy back to its place, Luke found her.

"What did that guy do to you?" He joked.

Maisie let herself relax, letting out a small laugh. "He was in the way."

Luke smiled at her, then took her hand.

"Annabeth's back," he said. Maisie's eyes widened.

"Really?" She asked, a little too loudly.

Luke flinched, half jokingly, half seriously.

"Sorry. Really?" She repeated, her voice now back to normal.

"Yes. Her and Grover. Come on." He led her out of the arena and towards the cabins.

"What about Percy?" Maisie asked, concerned about the younger boy.

"Annabeth says he went on a suicide mission."

"Gods. That boy is gonna get killed before his time."

Luke smiled. "Nah, he'll be okay. I know it."

They made their way to the cabins, hands intertwined, as Maisie sped up, eager to see her sister.

When they finally reached their destination, Maisie let go of Luke's hand and stormed inside her cabin. Annabeth was there, unpacking her things.

"Annabeth!" The older girl exclaimed, making her way towards her younger sister.

Annabeth turned at the sound of Maisie's voice, visibly relaxing.

Maisie instantly engulfed her in a hug, holding her tight.

"I'm so glad you're back safe," she said.

"Me too," Annabeth said softly.

When they let go, Maisie spoke. "What exactly is Percy doing?"

Annabeth sighed. "He went to Olympus to give the bolt back. He says there's something bigger than this quest."

"Yeah. I think he's right."

Luke had come to stand by her side now, though he didn't speak. He looked rather serious.

"You must be so tired," said Maisie. "Do you want some food first?"

"Yes, please," the younger girl responded and they all made their way to the dining pavilion.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

There was clapping to be heard everywhere, people cheered, some booed (Ares kids). Most were happy, patting him on the back. Percy Jackson had returned. He hadn't been fried by Zeus.

He walked along the crowd, smiling, looking for his friends.

Annabeth was quicker. She ran up to him, throwing her arms around him. They hugged and Maisie saw Annabeth whispering to him. Undoubtedly about Clarisse.

Luke hadn't ended up telling Chiron about her. They all thought it'd be a mess if they accused her now.

Later, when the crowds had scattered, Percy, Annabeth, Luke and Maisie met in cabin eleven.

"Clarisse stole the master bolt," Percy said.

"It's complicated," Annabeth argued.

"How is it complicated?"

"Everyone was ready to join the war here," Luke explained. "To start fighting each other. An accusation against Clarisse-"

"Without proof," Annabeth added.

"Exactly. Without proof, it would have lit this whole place on fire. But now you're back. You've stopped the war. You've saved the world. Now it's safe to tell Chiron and finish cleaning up the mess. I told him we needed to meet him away from the celebration so we can talk without any of Clarisse's supporters noticing."

"We'll keep an eye on Clarisse while you're gone," Annabeth suggested.

"Yeah," Maisie agreed. "Make sure she isn't going anywhere."

"Great. And we'll meet back here." Luke let out a breath. "Ready?" He asked Percy, who nodded.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Maisie had a terrible, terrible feeling.

It hadn't been long since the two boys left to speak to Chiron, yet Maisie thought her heart would stop from the nerves. Yet again.

But this time, it wasn't just stress. She never truly believed in the theory of Clarisse being the lightning thief. It was too obvious. Surely, she'd be more discreet? Ares wouldn't be so obvious, either.

Maisie had a horrible feeling.

She wanted so badly to be wrong. She couldn't bear being right. Not about this.

She knew another person, a sneakier, smarter and braver person than Clarisse.  Someone more capable of stealing Zeus' master bolt.

She wanted to be wrong. She had to be wrong. There should be some other explanation. Some other camper. Any other camper.

He despised the gods. He hated his dad. He had disappeared during their field trip in Olympus. He gave signs.

Maisie wished she was wrong.

She armed herself with her daggers and silently exited the cabin, staying away from the celebration, as not to be seen.

"Where are you going?"

The voice startled Maisie, making her turn abruptly. She let out a breath when she saw Annabeth.

"Hey, go back to the celebration. It's okay," she reassured her. Her shaky voice probably gave her away.

"Not until you tell me what's wrong." She crossed her arms. Annabeth and her quick mind.

Maisie sighed. "Annie. I don't think Clarisse stole the bolt."

Annabeth's eyes widened. "Really? Because neither do I."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. Isn't it too obvious?"

"Exactly. But... I hate what that means."

The younger girl tilted her head. "You don't think..."

"I think we both know what I think."

Maisie's gaze on her younger sister was serious. This was a terrible matter. Maisie prayed this didn't have to happen.

"I'm coming with you," Annabeth decided.

"Absolutely not." Maisie instantly shook her head, sternly.

"Come on, Maise."

"Annabeth." Maisie crouched so she was face to face with her sister. "I don't know what's going to happen. I'd rather you not see it."

"You think I can't handle it? I survived the Underworld."

"I know. I know. But this is different. Please."

Annabeth looked annoyed. She sighed.

"Fine. But be safe."

"You know it." Maisie hugged her quickly before continuing towards the forest.

She could make out Luke's and Percy's silhouettes. They held swords. They were fighting.

Maisie was right. And she hated it.

She slowly walked to them, hiding behind bushes.

Percy fell. Luke stood over him, his sword, a sword Maisie had never seen before, pointing to him.

She made her presence known. She went to stand behind Percy, making sure the leaves of the bush rustled.

Luke spotted her. His face dropped. She saw his lips quiver as he spoke.

"Maise..."

Maisie went around Percy, stomping towards Luke.

"Don't 'Maise' me, you fucking traitor!" she yelled, pushing him back with all her force.

"Maisie, please," Luke said, regaining his balance, after he had stumbled back from her push.

"No! What's wrong with you? You think this is going to make things right? This isn't the way to make the gods pay. You're better than this, Luke."

Luke shook his head. "This is the right way. It has to be done."

"No!" Maisie screamed again.

"Come on, sweetheart," he spoke softly. "You know something has to be done. You'd be such a great help to our cause."

"Screw your cause. It's not worth betraying your friends for this. Can't you see that?"

"None of this was meant to betray anyone. I want you all on my side."

"You lost that privilege the moment you stole the bolt. We're never going to be on your side again."

Maisie was dangerously close to crying. She took a few steps back, trying to regain her composure.

Luke tried to reach her again. She wouldn't have it. She threw her dagger at him, which he dogged, although he didn't expect it.

His face was full of emotions. One stood out. Realization. He had realized he couldn't get them to join him. He had lost his friends, his sister, his girlfriend. He had lost.

He ran. He ran for the door he had opened. Nobody stopped him. Maisie stood there, watching him leave, in bewilderment.

It was silent once he had gone. Maisie let out a breath. She looked down at her shoes. She couldn't believe what had just happened. She wished the earth would open up and swallow her.

She turned around. Percy was still on the ground. She went up to him, offering him a hand. As she helped him get up, they noticed a new figure in the forest. Annabeth.

She had seen the whole thing. Of course she had. Her and her invisibility cap.

Annabeth ran up to Maisie. She hugged her older sister and Maisie couldn't help the tears from falling.

───────

dear reader!

writing this was sad