a/n: okay, so i WAS gonna have Malcolm die, Buuuuut a certain person was not too happy about that -_- .  (cough Jenny6445 cough)

So horrah, Malcolm will survive but the heroes shall suffer more. >:)

enjoy this filler chapter. (turns out a story can't just be drama apparently.)

jk I love filler drama

Piper pov.

When Annabeth ran to check I just stood there, completely still. I wanted to check, I wanted to help, but I couldn't move.

I watched as the daughter of Athena flew through the door and without looking back, closed it.

 'Yep, she likes her siblings more, not even enough to check if I was coming.' I thought. It felt strange when she gave no second glance and just slammed the door. I know she is worried about her brother, and I don't even know why, 

It still hurt.

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After standing there for 5, 10, 20? Minutes I felt a hand placed on my shoulder. 

"Hey babe?" I heard Jason say. "Are you ok? It's not your fault y'know."

My heart almost shattered. "Are you ok?", "babe", "it's. not. your. fault."! 

I wanted to break down cryin-, no, I was about to break down crying. But not in front of Jason, not in front of him. Whenever he says "girlfriend, "babe", or holds my hand, just ANYTHING that was like a relationship hurt! Every time it happened I wouldn't feel joy or butterflies, I would feel guilt, anger, sadness, embarrassment, and nausea. 

He was my safe place, he was mine, I used to find those eyes beautiful, but it never feels that way anymore. He used to protect me, fight with me, we would save each other, and make battle plans. But what else? We hadn't gotten to know each other as people, I had fake memories placed in my mind by Hera, my mom the goddess of love pushed me, and my friends would say how cute we looked together, but I NEVER had time to stop and think of what happens after. I never knew what we would become after because well, we didn't know if there was an after.

I looked up at him, wiping the tear I hadn't realized had fallen. His eyes were filled with pity and... caution? C a u t i o n?! Does he think I'm going to attack him or something? 

That. That hit the nerve, no it played the nerve like a harp I hadn't realized was fraying.

"I'm sorry," I said looking away from him, then I shoved his hand off my shoulder and found the will to run to get away.

I just ran. I can't remember what happened next, but I think I might've gone to the woods for a bit and claimed a tree that had thick leaves so you couldn't see through. 

I sat there crying into my knees until it felt like there was nothing left in my tear ducts. Normally I would feel lighter after crying for a while, but now my mind felt like lead and my skin felt clammy. But I gathered myself together and climbed down the tree.

For once wasn't I surrounded by constant thoughts, I didn't pay attention to every little detail going on around me, there was no mental image or random music playing. It was nothing. I'd always thought it would feel nice, and I still do, but right now it felt like I was floating through a vast ocean of nothing.

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I wasn't paying attention to where I was going but I ended up back at the infirmary. Stupid Fates.

The lights were still on and I heard two people talking. It was Annabeth and Will (I mean of course, who else would be talking when no one else came in).

I knocked on the door, the conversation stopped and Annabeth opened the door. Her expression was a mask of seriousness but her eyes were still worried. Will was filling out papers, his eyes darting from the sheet to a textbook beside his leg.

"Look I, I'm sorry for running away, I could've helped since it was my-" I tried apologizing.

"He's stable," Annabeth stated, cutting me off. Her words were like Zethes' icy sword I destroyed, they quickly and sharply cut my sentence.

"I'm so sorry Piper, but the fewer people in here the better," Will said looking sympathetic (and extremely tired). "But can you do a favor?"

I nodded.

"I think you know her. Jenny? She's just one year younger than him. Can you please find her and explain what happened and how he's doing?" He asked.

I nodded again and turned to leave. Annabeth didn't bat an eye or look up. And I left the room.

I mildly remembered her. She was his friend and sister. She was a daughter of Athena who had already met Malcolm before she even came to camp, so they were great friends. When she came Annabeth loved her quite quickly with her funny sarcastic humor and kindness to others.

As I approached the Athena cabin I saw that all of them were outside doing whatever.

"Spider?" I asked. They nodded. "How big?"

One of them held their hand up in the position of an O. "Around the size of a water bottle base." He estimated. I shuddered. I didn't fear spiders, I just didn't like them.

That's something Annabeth and I bonded over!..... In past tense...

I asked where I could find Jenny and they pointed to a familiar girl resting against a pillar.

She had black hair and was wearing glasses. Jenny currently had her nose in a book, but I couldn't make out the title.

I tapped her shoulder and she snapped her head away from what she was reading.

"Watcha reading?" I asked her. She showed me the cover.

"Keeper of the lost cities," she replied. I smiled and then remembered what I had to do. Even if I could help them but...

Did they? No of course they don't think that!

"Jenny, right?" I asked, and she nodded. "Can I talk to you?" 

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We walked to a patch of grass near the shore and sat down.

"So?" She questioned. "What is it?"

I took a deep breath and told her what happened. How I had made the mistake, his vitals getting low, and Malcolm being stable now.

Jenny looked scared, surprised, anxious, and relieved. She stared at me for a minute before she said anything.

"How did you know?" She asked picking at her shoelace. I gave her a confused look.

"How did you know he was about to die?"

"Oh I-, I had a dream about it," I admitted. Pleasedon'thateme Pleasedon'thateme.

She thought about it for a second before looking up. 

"Thanks for letting me know." She said sadly. Did I say something wrong? This time I decided to check with her.

"Are you... upset at me?" I asked tentatively. She turned to face me and gave a slight smile.

"I mean, as you don't purposely hurt me or others, it's fine," Jenny responded. I breathed a sigh of relief.

The daughter of Athena waved and left. I felt as though I would remember this and cherish this moment of relief. Jenny was nice and didn't judge quickly so I knew why Annabeth liked her.

Annabeth could've slammed the door and it would hurt less... UGH, I need to stop thinking this whenever I think or hear of her!

'But she-'... Part of my brain said. NO be QuIeT!

I headed back to my cabin taking a moment to wave to Jenny on the way back and remembered what she said:

"as long as you don't hurt me or others." They all had it, even if it was subtle.

They all thought I would hurt them. *sigh* I'm so done.

welp. this was long to writ. uhhhhhh. is there any recommendations or constructive criticism?

Stay lovely, butterflies <3