Hundred Twenty-four

"Blaze," Thalia whispered, her eyes wide and disbelieving as she stared at him, almost unable to comprehend that he was truly in front of her.

After countless days of worry and fear, the sight of him alive and well flooded her with a profound mix of joy and relief. Without a second's hesitation, she rushed toward him and leaped into his arms, tears flowing down her cheeks.

"Oh my God, Blaze!" The fabric of his shirt muffled her voice.

Her arms wound around him, cinching tight as if she could make up for all the distance and time that had separated them. But beneath the surface of her elation simmered a torrent of anger, an emotion that soon surged to the forefront. She pushed him away abruptly, a growl escaping her lips. "What the hell?"

"W-what?" Blaze stammered, taken aback. Yet, instead of the response he had hoped for, Thalia's clenched fists found their way against his chest.

"You're an idiot! You're cruel!" she spat, her eyes blazing with an intensity of fury that was frightenin