―i| end of the world

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
[ tw: brief mention of sexual assault ]
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THE END OF THE WORLD STARTED when Nico di Angelo showed up at her door, asking if he could borrow Mrs O'Leary for something very important (which he didn't want to tell her).
"I can't tell you much," Nico said, "but it won't take long. She would be home by evening at latest."
 "I don't worry or care about how long it's going to take," Aurelie replied. "I just want her to come back alive and unharmed. I promised Daedalus to keep her safe."
"Nothing dangerous will happen," Nico promised her.
She raised an eyebrow, knowing all too well that danger seemed to follow them everywhere due to their divine heritage (at least for Nico). But it was way worse for Nico since he was a child of the Big Three, not just attracting monsters.
The son of Hades hold up his hands. "Okay, something dangerous might happen, but I promise to keep her safe— and unharmed."
"Can't you tell me at least where you going?" Aurelie pleaded. "I don't know, but I think I'll be more relieved when I know."
Nico tensed a bit, but she still noticed. "Just a short trip to camp, then to my dad."
"Why do you need Mrs O'Leary then,?" she asked.
"I need to take someone with me who isn't familiar with shadow traveling," Nico said evasively. "Just for safety reasons."
Aurelie couldn't shake the feeling that the boy was hiding something, but she also couldn't deny the pleading look in his eyes. She knew she could trust him. The son of Hades wouldn't put Mrs O'Leary in danger. At least not if he could help it.
"No hope in telling me who's going with you?" she asked.
Nico shook his head. "Nope. So?"
Aurelie sighed. "Okay. You can take her with you. But bring her back, di Angelo."
"I will," Nico promised. "Thanks."
She signed the boy to follow her. They walked through the house and into the backyard, where Mrs O'Leary was currently taking a nap.
"Mrs O'Leary," she called.
Her hellhound yawned, then opened her eyes and bounced toward them as soon as she saw them.
"Morning, my girl," Aurelie said. "Can you do me a favor?"
Mrs O'Leary tilted her head as if listening.
"I need you to accompany Nico to Camp Half-Blood," she explained. "Please behave while with him."
Mrs O'Leary barked happily, then licked Aurelie's face.
Nico gave her a last small smile, before he and her dog disappeared in the shadows.
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