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I refuse to think about why he’s blurry, and why my face feels hot, and why I’m choking on nothing.
“I get it.” Zeus squeezes my shoulder. “I understand. I have to ask you a question, though, if you’re okay.”
This is the kindest lie he could’ve offered me. “I’mfine.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, asshole. I’m f-fine.”
“Okay. What do you think about getting changed and coming back to the family room? Daisy’s asking for you.”
15
DAISY
The moodin the family room is tense when Hercules comes back with Zeus.
My mom pats my hand and stands up without a single second of hesitation, and then he’s back at my side, his fingers intertwined with mine.
That feels better.
Everything else is getting worse.
I can feel the nightmare coming, but it’s in this bizarre holding pattern where it’s at the edge of my consciousness. Sitting there. Not getting any closer. Not backing off. I didn’t know it could stabilize like that. I don’t know if that’s a good sign or a bad sign.
Hercules leans over and rests on my legs, his hand still in mine.
I can reach his hair with my free hand. I’ve been playing with various curls for a few minutes before I realize he’s asleep.
Zeus seems to understand it at the same time. I don’t know how he could, since there’s literally no light in here. Maybe he can feel it.
Wouldn’t be that weird, all things considered.
“We have to talk about an alternate strategy.” Zeus sounds like he’s at a party that’s happening in a library.
“Why are you whispering?” Poseidon asks.
“I’m not whispering, I’ve lowered my voice, because Hercules is sleeping.”
“How the fuck do you know that?”
“Is that really the most important thing, Poseidon? Jesus Christ.”
“Fine. What do we need an alternate strategy for, prick?”
“For the mountain. We might not be able to go.”
My dad doesn’t move. It’s the exact opposite of a startle, which is how I know he’s genuinely surprised. “Why?”
“Hercules has a problem with it.”
“With the mountain? He’s been there. We’ve all been there, even me.” Poseidon might be more shocked than my dad. My dad and Zeus sometimes joke about how he wouldn’t visit the mountain for years at a time. I thought they were exaggerating, but…maybe not.
“He has a problem with the helicopter flight.”
There’s a beat of silence. “What?”
“Poseidon, would you shut the fuck up? Or at least talk a little more quietly so we can have this conversation?” Zeus’s party voice frays a little at the edges, but he holds on.
