Author's note.

Well, this is my first time doing this, so I apologize for any mistakes, rated T to be safe. Enjoy

I do not own any of Percy Jackson and the Olympians characters , those belong to Rick Riordan.

Chapter 1

It was a rainy morning outside Annabeth's house, the noise that the raindrops made when hitting the window of the thirteen year old's room was enough to make her upset. Annabeth never liked the rain much, she preferred to go out on a sunny day with her parents and her two three year old twin brothers to play in the Central Park, or visit the museum, or watch a Yankees' game or anything else rather than stay on bed watching the window, doing nothing, her alarm clock showed that it was still 9:22 AM.

Despite of all this, it was a peaceful morning, her mom got a break at the university and her dad was doing his work as the city's district Attorney at home to spend more time with their family. Everything seemed pretty ok, when suddenly someone broke in, shooting the doorknob, the girl was scared of the loud 'bangs'. That was the noise of a gun, killing Annabeth's parents, attracted by it, the girl runs downstairs and sees the image that would traumatize her forever, her mother had two holes in her chest, Bobby and Matthew were both lying in a puddle of blood, her father still seemed to be alive though, bleeding from his left leg. Annabeth couldn't move she only managed to scream at the scene

"Looks like I ain't done here". said the killer with a menacing grin, hearing this, Annabeth's father menaged to push the man, and turned to see his beloved daughter for the last time and scream.

"Annabeth, get out of here, NOW!". And with that the girl turned and ran towards the kitchen to try escape trough the window from that horrible psycho, she heard a thump from behind her signaling the end of her dad's, Frederick Chase, struggle.

She stood in front of the window, warm tears streaming down her face, she tried to open it with all the strength she had, she saw the reflection of the murderer pointing his gun at her direction behind her, his face was bloody, his green seaweed eyes were vague maybe because the reflection wasn't perfect. Even though she didn't know his name, Annabeth would never forget his face, those terrifying green eyes, raven colored hair and slender figure. It was useless, the window was locked, so she turned her head to face her death, to face her murderer, he then pulled the trigger and the bullet passed trough Annabeth scratching her neck. First there was an unbelievable burning pain, then blood started to come out, the girl put her hand in the wound, she could not even manage to cry because of the amazing amount of pain in her neck, but then there was nothing, no pain, no sound, nothing, she drifted away, her vision becoming blurry and then black.

Am I dead? This is it?. She thought. What a way to go I guess. It was all black for some time, but then she saw light, a white light, ethereal, shapeless and frail, the light started to get stronger to the point that it was blinding her, it then was taking form, it shaped into a room with white walls, a window, a chair, a vase with flowers, it then took the shape of her aunt Athena. Annabeth realized that she was in a hospital alive, she still felt the pain in her throat, her aunt half asleep took notice that her niece was waking up.

"Annabeth, my dear, you woke up". The girl could see that some tears streamed down her aunt's face. "I'm sorry dear, but your parents and your brothers... they didn't make it". The girl was speechless. Is this a joke?. She thought, there were tears starting to form on the corner of her eyes. Athena paused, pondering on how to deliver the other news.

"Well, furthermore, as you may know you were lucky the bullet didn't fully hit you. But...". the dark-haired woman sighed. "The wound can't fully heal, which makes you unable to use your voice." Annabeth froze at those words, it was almost like she couldn't understand them. She wanted to say that it was impossible but when she opened her mouth no sound came out, only pain.

"Now, now darling. There's no point, try not to force your throat too much". Without being able too speak, or scream, Annabeth resorted to the only thing she could do, cry and sob. Athena felt so bad for bringing such bad news to her niece, it was hard to believe in all of this herself, but it was the harsh truth that the world had presented to them, in a attempt to cheer the girl up Athena hugged her.

"Shhh, it's going to be okay dear, don't worry, after the doctors say that you can leave I'll take care of you, you'll come to live with me in Oregon". The girl was still sobbing uncontrollably, some time passed and Annabeth was starting to stop shaking. "Remember? Astoria? You used to love there, right?". And with that Annabeth's sobbing was getting weaker.

"I've already packed your things, they're all in my hotel room, but I've brought something that might make you a little better". Athena opened her purse and took a cap from it, it was Annabeth's Yankees cap, that thing was old and washed-out but it held so many memories, Athena put it on the girl's head and smiled. "Go Yankees, better?". Annabeth forgot about crying for a moment, she looked down and then to her aunt and mouthed a thank you.

"Don't sweat it". Athena then got up from the chair she was sitting, gathered her things and turned to Annabeth.

"I'm going back to my hotel to finish some work, I'm sorry I can't stay longer". Figures. Said the girl mentally, her aunt has always been a busy person, she works for a big company called Olympus Corp. Annabeth never understood what her aunt does there, but by the amount of money she makes it was clear that she was quite a deal. "I'm coming back tomorrow, do you want me to bring anything for you?". Yeah, my family back. Thought Annabeth depressed, but as much as amazing aunt Athena was, she couldn't bring back the dead, so she just shook her head.

"Okay then, I'm going". Athena opened the door that leads into the hospital's corridor and looked back to the girl.

"And Annabeth, they caught that monster, he'll pay for what he's done". Annabeth wasn't angry at the man, she was mostly scared of him, like a bunny was scared of an eagle, he haunted her thoughts, after Athena left, the girl thought about what happened she tried not to cry again but she couldn't help herself, she eventually went back to sleep and wait to get better so she could leave that small room.

Four days later

The doctor was clarifying Annabeth's condition to them, well at least to Athena, the girl was more focused on thinking about the nightmares that haunted her for the past four nights, the image of the killer with her family laying on the ground, dead, and she was just frozen there, being only able to watch that cold-blooded monster, surprisingly enough he was weeping, it seemed that he was relieved but at the same time in pain, what could this mean? What was this dream trying to tell her? That he was innocent?. No, that can't be it. She thought

"Annabeth, Annabeth". Athena was talking to her.

"The doctor is going to remove the gauze now, you ready?". Annabeth nodded a yes, and so the doctor removed the cloth leaving the girl to look herself at the mirror. Annabeth looked where the scar was, it wasn't hideous but it wasn't pretty either. It looked like a red streak that started at the left side of her throat all the way below her lower jaw there was also a small difference in the volume of flesh compared to the right side of her neck like a piece of it was torn out, and it was. Annabeth grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from the doctor's desk.

"Can I borrow a scarf?" she showed the paper.

"Oh, sure". Athena answered, picking one out of her purse, she handed her black and yellow striped scarf to Annabeth, the girl wasn't comfortable showing her scar to the world, showing her sad past, the scar was merely a symbol of shame that she wanted to hide from the universe.

"We ready to go?" Athena spoke, Annabeth nodded a yes.

"Well I gave you all the instructions regarding her injury, if she starts to present too much pain, here's a list of painkillers she can use, and as soon as you're able don't forget to check a specialist". Said the doctor handing a sheet of paper to Athena.

"Thanks". She said as she was took the paper and put it in her purse.

"You're welcome, good luck you two".

Two hours later

Annabeth was at the airport wearing her cap, some old jeans, a keep calm T-shirt, a Gap jacket and her new scarf, it was summer and fairly warm, so some people were giving her weird looks because of the way she dressed, she didn't mind though, it was better than showing that scar to them.

"Hey dear, it's time, we gotta get on the plane". Called Athena, the girl nodded a yes. She took one last glance at New York city, she said goodbye to her old home, her family and her old life. Annabeth followed Athena into the plane, to a new place, a new start.