I sat in the guest room of the Grey family manor. Mindy and Kore were outside with Olive, Stheno, and Euryale. They were sparring. I had watched them for a bit while I worked on my powers. Kore had explained that the more I use my powers, the more control I will have over them. We have been at Grey manor for five days and plants had stopped growing around me while I sleep.

I held a seed in my hand. I didn’t know the kind of seed it was but I had found it on the floor. I squeezed my hand tightly. Grow. I opened my hand wide and smiled as a poppy popped up in my hand.

“Where did you get those?”

I looked towards the door to see Bec. They’re clothes were covered in ash and mud. Athena had decided to train them today. Something about fireballs or fire walls. I wasn’t paying attention.

“On the floor.”

“Oh. Just don’t touch poppy seeds. You know since me and Kore are part poppy nymph? Seeing those feels strange.” Bec said.

“Sorry.” I said. Shrivel up. With that thought the poppy shrank down into dust.

“Athena says we should leave early tomorrow morning. Start packing. A small bag. I already told Kore and Mindy. They should be making arrangements with Athena and Medusa about using their car.” Bec said.

I nodded. My stomach felt heavy. A human life had to be given up for the knife that could kill a god. And Mindy had volunteered. She was going to die soon.

“Bobbie. When we find the knife. The blood of an Oracle would destroy it. Mindy can’t give up her life or else it would be for no reason. I’m going to. Don’t tell Mindy and Kore. They worry too much but it’s not like I want to live. I killed my own mother because I threw a fit. I killed her six years ago tomorrow. My birthday. I can’t keep going on with this guilt. My dad tells me things will change and will be better but I can’t. Bobbie, stop Mindy from giving up her life or else things will stay the way they are.” Bec said.

I stared at them. Then I went over and hugged them. It was the only thing I could think of doing. I couldn’t think of any words to say.

“Listen, I know people shouldn’t just be all like I will die. But Bobbie I can’t go on. And if you tell they will stop me. Athena knows. Medusa knows. I overheard them talking about the Oracle blood. And it can’t be Kore. Kore is- Kore has more of a will to live than I do.” Bec said. I could feel their tears dripping onto my shirt.

“You don’t have too.” I said.

“Yes. I do.” Bec cried.

I took a step backwards, pulling Bec along with me. “How about we lay on the bed? I don’t want you fall down if you start feeling light headed from crying or stress.” Bec nodded against me.

We moved to the bed and I held them closely. They were so much smaller than me and I was pretty small.

“I want to be with my mom again.” Bec whispered.

I had the urge to wrapped them up in bubble wrap and find someone- anyone else to be the one to die. I would even be the one myself if that wouldn’t destroy the knife.

We laid pressed together for a while and I started to zone out. I didn’t even see or hear Mindy and Kore come into the room or notice that Bec was asleep. Until Mindy poked me.

“I’ll go sleep in the room with Kore. I wouldn’t want to move them.” Mindy whispered to me. She and I had shared the guest room since there was only two that Athena said were safe for mortals. What she had meant by that was something I was too scared to ask. I nodded, not wanting to wake up Bec. I looked up at Kore and she smiled at me.

After they left I started to drift off to sleep. But before I could actually fall asleep Bec rolled over to face me and I saw that they were awake.

“I wasn’t asleep. I just didn’t want to face them. Sorry.” They whispered.

“It’s okay. I don’t mind sharing my bed with you.” I said. Bec looked at my face. And then they kissed my cheek.

“I hope you live a long and happy life,” They said before they snuggled closer to my body. “I wish I could have had one. It’s so hard to be happy when death and shadows are always around you.” They kissed my neck.

“Bec?” I asked in alarm.

“Do you want me to stop? Or do you want to have some fun?” Bec asked, kissing my neck again. Their touches stung like the first night we meet but there was a bit of arousing in their touches.

“Keep going.” I whispered. We were both single so there was no harm in this. And they were only about a year younger than me. I barely knew them but for the last couple of weeks I have felt numb most of the time. Between the fake death of my aunt and all the demigod shit and Oracle blood, too much was going on.

I wanted to feel like I was alive again.

I woke up to my alarm going off. Bec was snuggled against me. They were naked under the blanket. I had my underwear on. I nudged them. “Get dressed before Mindy and Kore come in here.” I said. They looked up at me and nodded. Bec rolled off the bed and groaned as they pulled their dirty clothes on while laying on the floor.