So, here it is. This story is based entirely on my personal theories of what will happen in the last book. It's my third PJO fic, just because I find it easy to write in it :)
Enjoy! (Biiiiiiig Percabeth chapter, this one ;))
DISCLAIMER: I don't own PJO/HoO. The pleasure of trolling with its fans rests solely with the one and only Uncle Rick. If I did own it…I shudder to think _
I ~ Annabeth
Annabeth was blind. She couldn't see a thing. Everything was dark and hot; the air was heavy and pressed down on her like it was alive. Somewhere close by she could hear Percy fighting, his familiar grunts and gasps of effort oddly comforting. There was something else too. Cackles and shrieks of malicious laughter were all around her. But Percy was there. He would protect her.
Suddenly, all was quiet. She could still hear the occasional cruel laugh, but Percy wasn't there anymore. He wasn't dead; she would know that instantly. No, it was worse than that.
He had simply gone. Percy had left her.
"Percy?" She stretched her hands out in front, trying to feel her way. "Percy? Why did you leave me?" Never had Annabeth felt so heartbroken, so betrayed. Tears pooled in her sightless eyes, tracing lines down her cheeks. "Percy!"
She started to panic. What could she do? "Percy!"
She couldn't even see, much less walk, fight, run, find food. Monsters were everywhere in this forsaken place. She was going to die...
...and she was scooped up. Kicking and protesting, Annabeth was carried a short distance, then carefully laid on the stony ground. Something touched her forehead, and then Bob the Titan was staring down at her in concern, his broom still poised. "Owie," Small Bob growled behind him.
Annabeth stood up slowly and looked around for Percy. Where was he? Her eyes found him, and her legs stumbled over.
"Percy," her voice filled with relief. No reply. "Percy?" Her hands reached for his head, stroked his hair. His green eyes stared up at her...and straight through her.
"No. Oh, please, gods, no!" He was gone.
Annabeth gasped and jerked back to consciousness. "Percy?!"
"Right here." He gave her a look of concern, his wide eyes sea green and very much alive. Annabeth couldn't help it - she cried.
"Hey," Percy took her in his arms, rocking her back and forth. "Same dream?"
She nodded, unable to speak. Her body was shaking with sobs. She hated feeling like this, so weak and pathetic. Percy must be wondering what in Hades was wrong with her.
"I'm right here, you know that. I'll never leave you again."
"I know. It just feels so real." She twisted around to look him in the eye. "I'm the daughter of Athena. I should be able to control my mind! Normally, when I have nightmares, even about things that have happened before, I know they're not really there. But these..." These pinpointed the greatest fear in her life. If Percy ever...
He kissed her. "It's not your fault. Nobody should have to go through what we did. It was no place for demigods."
She snorted. "You don't say."
He half smiled. "Go to sleep. You need it."
"Do I look that bad?" Since they'd returned from Tartarus, the Death Mist had dissipated and her scars had mostly healed. Both of them were still thin but recovering. Nothing, though, could get rid of the images in her head.
"Of course not," Percy kissed her again. "You're beautiful."
Just looking at him, Annabeth felt tears welling in her eyes once more. He was real, he was alive. He was here. "Sorry," she muttered. "I'm being silly."
"You're not," his eyes were pained. "I wish I could help."
"Well, you know what you could do?"
"What's that?"
"Don't ever leave me, Seaweed Brain."
"Never again, Wise Girl."
Comforted, she let her eyes close and Percy rocked her back to sleep. This time, the nightmares stayed away.
How was that, then? Please review, it took me ages!
Thanks for reading!
•*~Ciara~*•
