Chapter #13; Part 1 : Knives And Pens

~Alone at last, we can sit and fight.

And I've lost all faith in this blurring light,

But stay right here we can change our plight.

We're storming through this despite what's right.

One final fight, for this tonight.

With knives and pens we made our plight.

Lay your heart down the ends in sight.

Conscience begs for you to do what's right.

Everyday it's still the same dull knife,

Stab it through and justify your pride.

And I can't go on without your love, you lost, you never hold on.

We tried our best... Turn out the light,

Turn out the light.~

NICO POV

Capture the Flag. I hate it. Then why, you ask, am I heading in the direction of the forest to play? Because I was being forcefully dragged there against my will. Simple as that. Jason had me by the arm, a determine expression set on his face, as my heels grazed the ground beneath me while Piper- unfortunately an Aphrodite girl -tried her best to give me a reassuring smile. She was most likely creeped out by me, so I bet that smile was hard to come by. Anyways, I struggled against the lightning god's grip and mumbled some profanities under my breath along the way. How dare he force me play this childish game?! How dare he make me go out in public at all? Especially when I still have Aphrodite voodoo magic on me from a few days ago and look like some kind of wannabe hipster model!

I swear I lost all feeling in my butt because of these pants. Man, you'd think I can barely walk, but this dark denim fabric seems to adjust whenever I move. The only difference in my outfit since the day I left the Aphrodite cabin was the colour of my button-up. It changed colour every morning. Today it's a rich red and to top it all off, instead of the original bow tie, they gave me suspenders. Can you believe that? No one wears those anymore. Well, not me, anyways. Ugh, I wouldn't be caught dead in this attire. Gross. Not to mention I look awful in red. But one thing they seemed to spare me- the shoes. Beautiful new, black polished combat boots. I admit I might be in love with them. But combat boots with suspenders? These girls really are crazy.

It's like they want people to know I'm gay.

"Teams will be picked in ten minutes! Make sure everyone who's playing is present and let's get this party started!" Some Hermes kid began shouting and whooping, earning back my attention.

People around my age began cheering and running around, trying to get their friends to play. I grunted as Jason stopped moving and patted my shoulder with a look of accomplishment. He's such a determined guy that it's hard to not do whatever he asks. Except in this case. I really didn't want to leave my cabin at all today. I was actually planning on seeing Bianca again tonight. I've been visiting her lately and I can say it's been making me feel a bit better, even though my heart feels heavy whenever I see the pale glow of her face. She also makes me feel like a dumbass, but let's overlook it since she's the one forever floating in the fields of Asphodel- unless she's in Hades' palace.

"Alright, listen up, nerds!" An angry looking Ares senior yelled from the middle of the crowd. "You will be split up into two teams by cabin: Team Red and Team Blue. When I say your cabin name, get your scrawny little butts over on the right side. Blue is down by the river- south -and Red will be in the direction of Zeus' Fist- north. Rules are: Don't cheat, don't use anything besides a sword, fight fairly, don't stab, don't step outside of the forest boundaries, don't kill anyone, blah blah blah... and don't be a bunch pussies-"

"TERRANCE!"

"-Ahem. After I name off the teams, you will have ten minutes to get your armour on and hide your flag. Do I make myself clear?"

Everyone nodded and shouted their okays. The Blue Team ended up being: Aphrodite, Zeus, Poseidon, Hephaestus, Demeter and Dionysus. The Red Team: Hades, Ares, Apollo, Athena, Hermes and Hecate. I seemed to be stuck with no one I knew, but very good cabins. Jason turned to me and gave me an apologetic look. I just rolled my eyes and dragged my feet over to my team while fastening my black iron breast plate and tying my arm plates to my forearms.

Once I finished fastening up all of my armour so that I was covered properly, I lifted my head as one of my teammates began handing out red markings to everyone on the Team Red. I grabbed it and scoffed. It was paint. Why did I have to ruin my helmet, even for an hour after it most likely magically disappears, with gooey red gunk? Yet I still smeared it in a line down the middle of my black iron helmet and followed behind some Apollo guy as we made our way deeper into the forest with our flag.

A sudden thought occurred to me: Poseidon. That Ares guy said that the Poseidon cabin was playing, which means Percy is here. Oh gods. My eyes widened and I felt my heart beat pick up. I cursed under my breath and decided I'd just guard the flag. Wait... He's the son of Poseidon, he's too good. They'd have him try to take the flag himself, so I'd better try and do an outfield task. Yeah, maybe I won't have to see him at all. I can't really stand to see him after I practically just left him after his girlfriend broke his heart and said that a creepy Hades child might love him- Yeah. Not gonna happen. I bet he hates me anyway... No matter how much I want to deny it, the thought of Percy hating me makes my chest hurt. A lot.

And I don't think it's heartburn.

"C'mon, Hades! Pick up the pace!" Some blond kid from Hermes called out bitterly, shaking me from my trance.

I jogged up to them as they hid the flag in a small clearing so they can see if anyone approaches them. Looks like the Apollo cabin, the Hermes cabin, and the Hecate cabin were to go after the flag. Smart. They were the fastest and more ideal demigods to go run after the flag and sneak around. Plus, Hecate is really good at distractions and Hermes is quick. Apollo is great backup if they get caught or surrounded. Athena and Ares are guarding the flag, and I can't help but pity whoever is going to attempt at stealing our flag. If it's Percy, he will have to go through his girlfriend. Not good... And she's currently giving me the cold shoulder. Although a couple glares were directed at me every once in a while.

I was to go scout and wander our boarders in case we have any invaders or surprise attackers. Yup, the job of the son of Hades is incredibly important. I sighed as we heard a horn sound in the distance. Battle cries immediately irrupted from all around.

"Take your places, don't get distracted, and do you job! Make sure you come on strong and don't let your guard down! Keep your eyes peeled, attackers! Defenders, stay strong!" Annabeth was shouting as the team broke out in a sprint. "And Nico... Just... Don't mess up." She waved me off carelessly.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes, jogging off into the forest. Maybe I can just slack off. Hopefully I won't have to do anything at all while we're out here. I just wanted to go back to my newly built cabin (thanks to Leo's magnificent job of blowing it up, repairing it while I was kidnapped, and then blaming it on a flaming meteorite from Tartarus, even though that's more than impossible because Tartarus is an endless pit in the centre of the Underworld). I sighed once again as I kicked a pebble with the tip of boot, just wandering around the Red Team's side of the forest. It was a bit dark, since the trees blocked out most of the sun, but you could still see people clearly. I felt a cold shiver run up my spin all of a sudden, but ignored it. I'm used to be cold all of the time, so I didn't pay it any mind.

I kicked my legs out aimlessly, and began pulling at the stupid red shirt around my torso. It itches. I groaned in frustration then gave up, throwing my hands up in frustration. Ugh, this is so annoying! I mentally cursed Jason for pulling me into this. That damned boy was gonna get it someday, and I would gladly watch as he suffered. Plus, it's not like I could miss it, being the son of death and torment and all, I can kind of sense it. The suffering, I mean. Anyways... Enough with planning Jason's funeral, let's speak of the miniature river I suddenly came across. It's more like a stream, but it was just as refreshing.

I sat down on the river bank and ran my fingers through the cool water as my other hand held my head up in boredom. So I began thinking. Annabeth seemed fine today. How come she's not miserable like most chick flicks play off a couple after a breakup? Isn't she supposed to be sitting in bed with swollen red eyes, a tub of ice-cream in her lap, a tissue box by her side, while she screams at a television screen that's playing a romance movie? I don't get girls. Maybe that's why I'm not attracted to them... Hm. Could be the boobs, too. They're weird. I scrunched my nose up in distaste as I shook my head, trying to rid my thoughts of my turn-offs.

Now Percy... Don't get me started on him. Seriously. I'm not doing this. I could drone on about him forever and I just don't feel like it right now.

I lifted myself back onto my feet- quite clumsily -and brushed the dirt off my butt. And then another shiver ran up my spine, making me shudder slightly. Okay, this time I felt a presence. Watching me closely. I bit my lip and turned around on my heels slowly. No one was there. I took a few steps towards the trees, away from where I was sitting just moments before. Then I heard the smallest crunch come from behind me, near the river, and swirled, unsheathing my iron sword, curled my other fist close to my side in defence, and crouched in attack position. Hopefully I looked as menacing as I feel.

My eyes widened.

Of course...

~~~

End of Chapter

Wattpad hates me -.- I've been sick lately, so forgive meh! I know it's short and completely awful, but I've already been writing the second part and I'm hoping it will make up for it! ;D Love you loads, cupcakes
~Curly Xx

-Nico's Suspenders Though