I watched helplessly as Percy put his head in his hands.

"I'm so fucking sorry," I whispered, rubbing his back. As I was about to say something else, the door creaked open.

"Hey," Nico said awkwardly from the door. "I've got news."

I scooted closer to Percy, giving him space to sit on the bed. "Go ahead," I mumbled, deciding on just holding Percy's hand.

"Well," he started, sitting down, "Piper does have a chance of living." When Percy looked up, Nico shook his head. "But it's about the smallest chance there is.

"It all balances out on her will, if she wants to live or not."

I looked down at Percy and I's hands.

"So, basically, she's not going to make it," I said. To Nico's silence, I kissed his cold cheek.

"It's nothing you could have helped," I whispered, tucking a loose hair behind his ear.

Nico stood up abruptly. "I know that!" he snapped. "Don't you know how helpless I feel right now?"

I looked up into the same shaped eyes we have when we get mad.

"I'm sorry --" I began.

Nico shook his head, his eyes softening. "I didn't, I don't --"

He looked at me, then Percy, and back to me.

"I"m sorry," he said quickly before running out of the cabin.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I felt Percy stand up next to me.

"I need to go out for a walk," he whispered before going outside, leaving me alone.

Why do I keep saying the wrong things?

I thought back to when Piper talked to me in that shower room, the almost nostalgic feeling of cold water hitting my back.

"I'm just a stranger," I whispered. "I can't do anything."

"One attempt!" she pressed. "One little attempt! You might be able to save him, I really think you can!"

"What makes you think a stupid person like me could do anything?" I mumbled. "I nearly died twice this week."

"I just know," Piper replied solidly. "It's a gut feeling I can't ignore."

Are you happy now, Piper? Are you? Answer me, goddammit! Answer me!

But I know you won't. You'll never answer me. I'll never bring you back, and I'll never talk to you again.

I'm so useless.

I stood up from the bunk, and ran after Percy.

I've saved him before, and I'll do it again and again and again if I have to.