Solangelo 3

ANNABETH

Nico looks disheveled as I help him out of the labyrinth. I can't imagine that I look much better. His clothes are burnt; ash has settled all across his face. He looks quiet scary, and if I hadn't known him I would do my best to avoid him.
'What?' He asks, fairly angrily.
'What?' I ask back, snapping out of my trance.
'You're staring at me.' He says. I try to find something to say, but come up empty, 'just stop.'
'Sorry.' I say. I follow him as he walks in the general direction of the road. We don't talk. I keep thinking back to Jason, then stopping myself. My focus has to rely on getting back. On contacting Percy. I have no clue how long it's been.
'I can see the road.' Nico says, speeding up a little. I lose him for a moment, and when I reach him again he's cursing at a passing car.
'Let me try.' I say, stepping forward for the next car. It grinds to a jolt beside us.
'Hey there, darling, you need a ride?' An old man asks, leaning out the window.
'What day is it?' I ask.
'Uh...Tuesday.' He says.
'Fuck. Fuck.'  Nico says, turning away from the car. He squats down, screaming into his hands.
'Nico, Nico it's fine.' I say, knowing it won't help him, 'get out the car.'
'What?' The man asks.
'I said, get out the car.' I repeat, taking out my knife. He opens the door and stumbles out. I force Nico into the car and get into the drivers seat myself. I speed off, leaving the man on his own at the side of the road.
'It's been nearly a week.' Nico says quietly, 'what if he's...' He trails off, 'I should have been looking for him.'
'Nico, I need you to calm down. We need to contact camp as soon as possible. I need you with me okay? Because Jason...because...' I choke on my words, 'I need you focused, okay?'
'Okay.' He says, looking at me, 'Okay. Yes. I'm sorry.'
'Me too.' I say, 'we'll find him, okay? I promise.'
'Yeah.' He says, staring out the window, watching as I drive far too fast to figure out wherever we are.