Greetings! Well, this is my first story I've written, but with a little inspiration from the lovely author FatomPhan33. She gave me the motivation to publish my works, and if you haven't read her stories, then you are missing out on some AMAZING writing, especially if you love Phantom of the Opera. Anyways, this is it! Ahhhhh! *takes a deep breath* Please enjoy this story and please review; I'd love to know what I can do to make anything better! And now, sit back and relax, and enjoy! -Lilypad009

Perspective

Chapter 1

Leo Valdez downed another glass of whiskey, not even batting an eye as the strong drink coursed through him. It was a much needed distraction from the pain that now plagued his mind. The drink dulled his senses and made his thoughts less organized, but that was completely welcome. He needed to think of anything besides Her; her silky hair, lips slightly parted, reddening cheeks… No! He couldn't focus on that now! He had to do everything to distance himself from the heavy hole in his chest that stung with every breath. So he turned to something that he knew had helped many people forget about life: Alcohol. This wasn't his first time drinking, but this was definitely the most he's had in one sitting. Despite his massive attempt to ignore reality, the pain persisted, along with a pounding head and red-rimmed eyes. Screw love, Leo drunkenly hiccuped in his head.

The bartender shot a concerned glance as the young man wiped his upper lip and slammed the glass on the bar. This particular manager had no problem with underage drinking, but he was worried for the kid; if he didn't pass out soon, he would likely drink himself to death. But the burly barman didn't try to stop him; when he had told the kid to call it quits, the latino turned to him, with fire in his eyes and.. in his hands? The tender held up his hands and quietly whispered, "Take it easy, kid. I don't want any trouble." The barman had dealt with demigods of all sorts, and he knew that he needed to calm the pyro-guy before his bar burnt to the ground. The guy took a deep breath before the flames extinguished themselves, and he shoved his hands in his pockets. "Don't tell me that again," he'd croaked, and proceeded to down yet another shot. After another long minute of gasps and hiccups, Leo looked over to the tender again. "Don' call me kid either," his speech slurring, "I'm eighteen, 'lmost nineteen, I cen' handle ma' whiskey." Leo had roughly chuckled before closing his eyes and chugging down the next glass. Now the guy had drank way above the normal limit, and he only now seemed like he was starting to slow down. The man sighed and turned to his other customers, vaguely wondering what could have caused the madman he saw before him.

Meanwhile, Leo continued to drink. In his opinion, the tender wasn't fast enough with his refills. It seemed too long between the shots, and with every second of waiting for the next one there came quick flashes of the past week's events. …

"Leo?" she'd stuttered, her mouth open in a small 'o', her creamy dress fluttering in the breeze. "Yeah, hey there Sunshine." He'd smiled before holding out his arms. She blushed as he took a few quick strides before capturing her in his embrace. "You've… gotten taller." she murmured as they hugged. His hold tightened. "It's been too long," he breathed into her cinnamon-smelling hair. As soon as he said that, she quickly wriggled out of his arms. "I thought you weren't coming back…" she trailed off. "Hey, when Leo Valdez makes a promise, he always keeps it!" Leo said with a slight laugh as he stepped closer to her. Just as he did, she took a step back. She shifted in her sandals and looked slightly above him. "I didn't think you would come back. Ever. You were gone for good." she muttered accusingly, staring at the clouds above his head. "Calypso, I told you I'd come back for you, and here I am. If you didn't believe me before, well, I understand, but I'm here now," he quickly finished, taking her slender hand. "And that's all that matters." She bit her lip. Overcoming the initial happiness of seeing her again, Leo did a quick evaluation of her behavior: She hadn't expressed how happy she was to see him, she was pale, and the hand that he held was shaking and had gone clammy. Calpyso pulled her cold hand away and tucked her arms underneath herself. "Leo," she whispered, as though she was about to deliver bad news; Leo felt dread coursing through him, what could possibly be wrong? "You shouldn't have come back..."

The next shot had arrived. It took all of his remaining abilities to focus on the alcohol, and with a quick swipe it was burning down his throat. He replaced the glass a little less carefully than before. "Another," he weakly called. He was starting to feel really light-headed now; hopefully he would pass out soon.

The bartender gave Leo a grim look and took away the shot glass and tossed it into the grimy, overflowing sink. There was a slight *clink* as the well-loved cup sunk beneath the soapy tides. Leo glared at the man through a haze of opiates. "'Ey! I wazzin' finished yet!"

The older man sighed, and looked the younger straight in the eyes. "Look, ki- uh, sir," he fumbled, recovering himself and continuing on, "I have a limit to how much a man drinks, and if you drink anymore, you'll kill yourself. Hell, you might kill yourself from the hangover you're gonna have tomorrow," he chuckled humorlessly, "and the last thing we need here in New Rome is more dead demigods," The man's voice took on a gentler tone, "The war already took it's toll years ago, we don't need another tragedy."

Leo bitterly laughed as his hand began to smoke. Her image swam hazily to the front of his head, and all of his pain came back with a vengeance. "The only tragedy here is women," he rasped brokenly; he hoped he passed out soon. "Women and love, love and women, ain't nothin' but bad luck. Damn 'phrodite is probably laughing at me righ' now! I'll drink all the whiskey I can to fo'get, and I will!" His hand had burst into flames, and Leo balled his fist and began to rave, "Gimme' the drink, man! I wanna fo'get! I wanna fo'get! I wanna die…." he finished in a half-sobbing voice; his flame was out. "I'm a goner… I wanna die…." He continued to mutter as he slowly slid from the counter to the floor. "I wanna die… I wanna die…." The barman was yelling something that Leo couldn't understand as he started to black out.

"I wanna die…. I wanna die…"

The last thing he recalled was a lovely voice calling his name.

So what did you think happened on Ogygia? Who is the lovely voice? Will Leo remember any of this in the morning?