Tears Flow, but Love Still Spreads

Chapter 1

Percy's POV

I sighed and glanced up at my bedroom ceiling. The nausea was back. Every day for the past week, it would come right when I wake up. I tried to sit up, but I immediately fell back on my pillow, my head spinning. I also missed the last week of school, out sick. I tried using my supply of nectar and ambrosia, and strangely, it didn't help at all. My mom was really worried about me, but that's just her.

I rolled over helplessly in my bed, trying to fight the familiar urge to cough, though I couldn't hold it in. My dry coughing echoed in the small bedroom.

Today was the first day of camp. My mom had strongly suggested that I stay home until I feel better, but I refused and told her I would still go to camp even if there was a sword sticking out of my back. But now, feeling horrible, I wasn't so enthusiastic about going to camp as I should have been. I thought maybe Chiron could help me. He's a healer, and he would know what to do. It probably isn't serious. That's exactly what I said to my mom to try and reassure her that my going to camp was fine. I think that helped.

Slowly and painfully, I rose out of bed and trudged into the kitchen. Mom was concerned as usual. She wiped her hands on a dish towel and came over to feel my forehead. I retracted quickly. Her hand felt like ice.

"Honey, you're burning up!"

"I'm fine," I mumbled. I was afraid she would totally restrict me from going to camp.

"Um, no you're not." She said. "You look terrible." And feel terrible too, I thought.

I coughed a few times before I said anything. "Don't worry about me, mom. Annabeth will be here soon. Just let me get ready."

"But don't you want some breakfast?" She asked

"Not hungry." I hadn't been eating a lot, either. For once, food was the one thing I didn't want to think about. Once in my room, I began stuffing any clean clothes I could find into my backpack. Then I got dressed into my most comfortable jeans and a dark green t-shirt. I finished packing early, so I plopped down on the couch, breathing heavily from standing for so long.

I started wondering whether I was ever going to feel myself again, because it had just gotten worse every day. My fever came in swings, on and off, and at that moment it felt like it was 150 degrees in my living room. Maybe Annabeth would know what to do. Heck, she knows everything.

Annabeth's POV

I rested my face against the glass window in the taxi, wondering if the driver could possibly move any slower than he already was. Impatiently, I drummed my fingers on the backpack sitting on my lap. Even at this ridiculously agonizing pace, I knew we were close. I had been to Percy's apartment before.

After what seemed like an eternity, the driver pulled up beside a tall, brick building that I recognized all too well. I thanked the driver and paid him, even though I would have been here earlier if I walked.

He drove away, leaving me on the curb. I shouldered my backpack and buzzed the button so the door would unlock. Once inside, I took the elevator up to Percy's floor. I thought I was going to go insane being in a cramped space with that cheesy jazz music and all. Finally the doors opened and I thankfully stepped out.

I found his apartment number and stopped in front of the white door. My stomach had a flip-flop feeling, like going down a roller coaster. Nervously, I pressed the glowing yellow button that was taunting me. I heard a ding-dong from inside and a weak groan as someone got off the couch. Percy opened the door and he didn't look too good, as if he hadn't slept in days. There were bags under his eyes and he seemed so weak, like he was going to collapse any second. Instantly I knew something was wrong. I frowned. "Percy, are you ok?"

"I've been sick," He stated.

"Sick? What about nectar? Didn't you have any?"

"That didn't help."

I rubbed the crest of my nose and bowed my head. Why did the nectar not help him? It can cure anything! If that wouldn't help… what would? "This is bad." I said quietly. "We need to get you to camp. Now."

I brushed some hair away from his face then put my hand on his forehead. He flinched. His temperature was definitely over 100. (A/N: Fahrenheit! I'm American!!) "Get your stuff. Let's go." I said anxiously. I wanted to get him to see Chiron as soon as possible.

"Ok, ok!" he said. "Hold on I need to say bye to my mom."

He went to the back of his apartment where his mom was washing some dishes or something. Percy talked to her, and she seemed to be pleading with him not to go. He reassured her with some sort of gesture, and they talked a bit more. Finally she gave him a hug and Percy looked embarrassed because it lasted a little longer than a regular hug. He grabbed his backpack and closed the door behind him. I helped him into the elevator, and we began our passage down. It wasn't so suffocating with company in the elevator this time.

Percy leaned heavily on the wall, and suddenly let out a spasm of coughing. I put a hand on his shoulder to support him. "Hey, are you alright?" I asked with concern. Percy didn't stop coughing for a while.

"Never better." He said with sarcasm.

* * *

I needed to get Percy to camp as fast as I could, and the only way I knew was the Gray Sisters. But with Percy in such a weak condition, I decided a rough ride like that was not the best way to go for us. Instead, I called for a taxi with a driver that looked 100 percent human. If I even saw so much as a blood-thirsty glint in his eye, I would call another cab. But this guy was surely normal.

We clambered in the car, me first, then Percy after me.

Our driver turned around in his seat. "Where to, miss?" His voice was friendly, and he looked very plain.

"Long Island Sound." I replied. I expected him to look surprised at such a far destination from Manhattan, but he didn't seem to mind.

"Alright, then. Here we go." The cab rode off quietly through the city.

The drive was extremely long and very boring. I mostly sat there staring at Percy. He was relaxed in his seat with his eyes closed. I watched his chest rise and fall with every raspy breath he took. His arms were folded across his stomach, and his cheeks were slightly red from his high fever. Every now and then he would cough in his sleep, so hard it was painful to watch.

I wanted to sleep, but my mind wouldn't let me. I was too worried. Chiron would have to be able to do something. But some part of me doubted Percy would get any stronger.

I worked hard on it! So tell me if I should continue! I welcome suggestions of what you think I should put in the next chapter. And please review, it always puts a little bit of pleasure into my life when someone reviews my stories! I know that sounds cheesy, but deal with it I like cheesy stuff like that