The Infirmary

Nico's P.O.V.

A sudden push forced him back onto the bed, and Nico felt the thin metal wires clamp his arms to the bed. Was he still dreaming?

The wires tightened around his arms, and he screamed as he felt them dig into his skin. This couldn't be a dream. This was real. It was all happening again.

Will and Kayla's panicked faces appeared over him. Will grabbed a pair of scissors and attempted to cut the bands off of Nico's arms, only to shout as darkness wrapped around his hand and tried to pull him in. As the spindles of darkness released, they whipped back and slashed Nico right above the eye. Kayla caught Will as he stumbled back, and they both stared in astonishment.

"Someone needs help," Nico pushed through his teeth. The wires dug in again, and he could feel the skin starting to break.

Will's eyes filled with confusion. "Nico, what are you talking about? The only one who needs help is you." Suddenly the hallway was filled with the sound of clatter, and Kayla ran out of the room to help.

Nico started to relax, knowing whoever it was would get the proper treatment. However, just as he breathed in, the wires tightened again. Nico screamed as they dug deeper and deeper. They weren't going to make it. Whoever it was wasn't going to make it.

Screams could be heard from the hallway, and Will looked at Nico with pain-filled eyes before running out to help.

The shadows seemed to crowd the room and fill Nico's lungs. He couldn't breathe. The wires cut, and in a last ditch effort, he tried kicking his feet to escape his surroundings. But it was no use. More wires wrapped themselves around his legs and secured the same hold.

The shadows lifted off of him suddenly, and Nico gasped for air. The wires released. Shouts of joy come from the hallway, and Nico smiled.

His whole body ached, burned - stung. He tried to move, but hissed in pain. Strange - he usually healed by now.

Will and Kayla came rushing in, immediately taking action. "What the hell was that, Nico?" Will asked , brushing the hair out of Nico's face to look at the cut above his brow. "Kayla, apply pressure on his legs. I'll deal with his arms."

"It used to happen all the time. They're usually all healed by now," Nico stated calmly. Will looked up at him in astonishment before pulling up an edge of a sheet and shoving it into Nico's face.

"Nosebleed. Pinch tight." Will commanded, and went back to his work. Nico did as he was told. "What do you mean it happened all the time?"

Nico shrugged. "I was in Tartarus. They had to torture me somehow." His voice came out nasally and pinched. Will looked up at Nico with wide eyes.

"Are you serious? This is what they did?" Nico nodded and Will grimaced before going back to work. Towel after towel was being stained, and Nico frowned. "They healed on their own? This hasn't happened like this before?" Nico shook his head.

Nico felt like he was in a dream. This wasn't his body they were fixing, it was someone else's- he couldn't even feel it. Nico began to feel cold, however was sweating at the same time. Will called for towels and something else. What was it? A cautery pen? That seemed strange to him. Why would he want to draw right now?

Will stopped and looked at Nico. "Nico are you feeling okay?" Nico opened his mouth to answer before closing it quickly. Will grabbed the trash can and held it up to Nico's face as he vomited, pushing the younger boy's hair back. Nico felt himself getting colder, but sweating more and more. The sound of ringing filled his ears and he couldn't concentrate on what was going on.

Will was loud. Very loud. Nico didn't like that. People came flooding into the room. Nico didn't like that either. Will brushed back Nico's hair. His hand was warm.

Nico watched as a needle was inserted into his hand and his legs were propped up. Will swiped at Nico's nose, and Nico realized it was still bleeding-however, not as much.  Will took Nico's hand in his. Warm. He was saying something but the ringing was too loud. Suddenly there was a searing pain in his arm and Nico jerked forwards. Will caught Nico's head and gently pushed him back into his pillow.

The ringing got louder. The room was collapsing in on him. A ring of darkness started closing in. Another searing pain went through his arm but Nico was too tired. It was getting darker and darker. Wasn't Will going to draw?

"Nico?"

That was Will's voice. But where was he? It was dark-Nico couldn't see him.

"Nico? Can you still hear me?"

Darker still. Ringing.

"Nico?"