**Song: Sign of The Times by Harry Styles**
**Luna's POV**
Here I am, bag in hand, walking out the door. I think about the family I was ditching. I guess they will just go on with their life like me with mine. I'll see what this witch wants, help her, then get back to camp with all the idiots who are probably still on that ship right now trying to come 'save me'. I don't need them. I don't even need the lecture back at camp. I'll make it, just wait and see.
I guess it's goodbye. I leave the house in the moonlit darkness, enjoying the comfort of midnight. The calm atmosphere, the stars, everything really. It's the best time for me to head to Circe's island. The moon smiling at me with it's crescent beauty. Everything is going to go great.
I walk to the shore, trying to map out the distance in my mind. I made sure to eat food today, hoping that I would have enough energy to make it halfway across the Atlantic Ocean. It's going to be a fun time for me.
I take a deep breath, then two, then three. I finally work up the courage to shadowtravel to Circe's Island. What was that warning Solana told me? Oh, nevermind. I'm fine. I wait as the world turns grey, then black, then back to grey as I find myself on Circe's Island. The place looks like it's busy being restored. I guess that's what happens when Percy Jackson bothers you. Your home is turned to rubble, your belongings gone as you weep there in silence. I guess to some it's the best place to be. I begin to explore, hoping to seek out where Circe is.
I guess when someone warns you about imminent death (or something) you begin to start becoming paranoid. I completely wipe my mind of the others. I need to be fully here in order to help Circe with whatever shit she needs. It's fun, I guess. I wish Solana was here, though. She was normally my rock in these times when I need to run into the woods for hiding, but for once she is the thing I'm hiding from.
I begin to walk through the old halls of Circe's palace, if that's what I should call it. I don't really know at this point. All I know is that this quest needs to be over soon. Then I can leave this fucked up place behind. Maybe go see the world? Who knows where life will take me. Probably back to camp, but a girl can dream
I go into the clearly rebuilt palace. On my way in, I walk by old piles of rubble. Clearly took a beating from water damage. Percy, what did you do this poor lady? You could have at least left her home.
"Circe? You here?" I call out as I step over a fallen pillar.
"Hello? Oh my dear, I'm so sorry. I have forgotten to clean up." No dip sherlock. I put on my most convincing smile as Circe steps out of the other room, beautiful brown hair swishing in the wind. It's very pretty for a supposed 'witch'.
"Hi? Are you Circe?" I ask, trying to sound as friendly as possible. I didn't think having autism would do over well with this type of lady. She seems like she's judging my every word, waiting for the mistake. Waiting for me to screw up for her to make me the next ingredient in her potion.
"Oh, yes my dear. Did you get my distress call?" She asked, clearly waiting for an answer. For a split second I began to overthink before I quickly blurted out
“Yes! I have been looking near and far for you. I’m a HUGE fan.” I began to make this excited face, hoping she would buy it. “Turning men into guinea pigs! Great idea! They definitely deserve it!!”
“Thank you! I really take pride in that! Too bad Percy Jackson and his little girlfriend, Annabeth, had to ruin it.” I thought what to do. I could agree or say I didn’t know him.
“Oh, that idiot? He is one of the worst men out there!” I put on this convincing look and tried to look as innocent as I possibly could. Circe smiled.
“Well, come with me. We’ll get you some food, and I’ll explain why I need help.
We head into her dining room with it’s cracked walls and old-fashioned dining table. For some reason though, it’s beautiful. Like, utterly beautiful. She beams as she notices me gawking at it.
“You like it? It is another one of the things I take pride in. Surprisingly, the silk tablecloth wasn’t damaged whenever this place collapsed.” I nod my head in agreement, making sure to nod exactly 3 full nods, then half of one. This is the best way to nod for showing innocence. It normally works whenever I lie about stuff. “Come sit, please. For dinner we have homemade burgers.” I love hamburgers, so I happily sit right next to her at the table. I take a few bites, and it tastes like heaven. Is this what nectar tastes like to the gods? I hope it is, because that would be so cool.
“This is very good.” I tell Circe, making sure to use the appropriate length smile and eye shape. I finish my food, drink the sweet tea on the table next to me, and then politely dab at my face with my napkin to show that I really enjoyed the meal. Sometimes dining with an immortal is very meticulous. “So, what do you need help with?” I keep my voice in a calm, controlled manner while making sure not to press for information.
“It’s simple. I need your soul.” Warning lights flash in my mind.
“W-what?” I would normally stim in this moment, but I was currently being faced with ultimate doom. For some reason, I feel like taking a nap. Normally adrenaline doesn’t affect me, so it’s probably just the social exhaustion, but at a time like this? Autism is crazy.
“You’re already halfway there already, silly. I just need you to help rebuild.” I should be acting right now, but something hangs up in my mind. What did she mean, halfway there…?
“Halfway there?” I decide to inquire after a good few minutes of puzzle pieces trying to click into place.
“Have you ever heard of Ricin poisoning?” A thought in the back of my head pops into place. It’s a poison made from castor oil. It causes many different side affects until it eventually kills you. Oh non. That’s why I’m feeling so dizzy and tired now.
“Haha, humans are so… funny.” She clearly saw a look of pure terror on my face. I don’t know what it looks like, but I don’t even care right now. Right now, all I want is Solana. To be here. To help. I just want a hug from her right now, and I’ve never been the type of person for hugs. A tear slides down my face. The last time I saw her, I snapped at her. Tried to get her to stop bothering me. Now, all I want is to be with her on my deathbed.
I collapse into a chair and begin to think. What will happen when I die? Will they even hold a burial ceremony for me? Are they even coming right now? I can’t even grasp onto how the others will feel. What will happen to me? Will I be conscious forever, forced to work for Circe and her evil mind? Everything is growing harder to handle as my consciousness fades. I need to take a moment to chill, but I can't possibly do that at a time like this.
“You” I start, though my voice is barely above a whisper “won’t have the satisfaction of winning.” I didn’t even know if that was true. Maybe I would, but I doubt it. After all, I was alone. Nobody was there to hear my body fall as I slowly die. I can't even imagine what they'll go though when it's been months searching for me to no avail. As the sun rises, I become drowsier by the minute. Just as my eyes begin to close, I see the others running towards me.
“Solana” I say weakly.
“LUNA!” Is the last thing I hear Solana yell before I slip into an uneasy unconsciousness.
ns216.73.216.13da2
and then Add to home screen.