{Press Conference}

Thalia pulled up in front of the grand hall, camera flashes hitting her windshield like a thousand tiny explosions. The noise outside was deafening, reporters shouting her name, microphones raised up, cameras clicking nonstop.

For a moment, she just sat there, her fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly as she drew in a deep breath. Her heart was pounding, not from fear, but from exhaustion, getting there she felt tired, so tired.

She had already cried all her ...