Hey my people. I tried to get this out earlier, but I went out with my family so I didn't have the time. :) Oh and Happy Birthday Percy Jackson!

goldenlynx16: You really don't... but you will. *hides behind couch* you will find out today.
LapolloCamper51: TMI all the way! More references coming your way. Pay close attention this chapter.
ImpossibleThings12: I updated today, and more references coming your way. They are so obvious this chapter. XD

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Annabeth watched as Percy walked up and got the milkshake. She watched as he grabbed two straws. She watched as he kept glancing back, almost as if he looked away too long Annabeth would disappear, like this was a dream he didn't want to wake up from.

Annabeth felt the opposite about everything but this. Being with Percy was like taking a heavy dose of Pain reliever. Her bruises stopped hurting, her face didn't sting, she didn't have another violent shaking fit. Annabeth wished everything that happened with her sister was a dream, but then again, maybe everything did happen for a reason, otherwise Annabeth never really would've made it to Percy's place, they never would've had milkshakes.

Percy came back and sat across from Annabeth, staring into her eyes. She stared back into his. The calming color of sea-green staring back at her. She breathed slowly, watching the movement of his lips as he spoke. Annabeth took another sip of the milkshake as Percy said,

"So. Are you sure your boyfriend won't mind you being here with me?"

Annabeth spit the milkshake out, nearly choking on it. She looked up at him as he stared at her wide eyed.

"Boyfriend?!"

"Yeah, you know, the blonde kid with the funny scar on his lip. He was hugging you and you let him touch you without flinching. You seem so comfortable with each other. You're dating right?"

Annabeth burst out laughing, "Oh no. We aren't, we've just been friends for so long. I trust him. He's been there for the worst parts of my life. God no, we aren't dating."

"You aren't lying to me. I seen you hugging and crying into his chest, and when he puts his arm around you, you'd relax. You guys are just friends?"

"Maybe more like brother and sister. But yeah, just friends. So he won't be mad at me for hanging with you. He's into Piper, a girl from our school. He thinks she'll never notice him, but I bet you she already does."

"Oh. Cool." Annabeth smirked, noticing the smile that he couldn't hide.

"And he's not the only one I'm calm around. I haven't had one panic attack or shaking fit since I came by to see you. Thanks, by the way, for earlier. When you covered for me."

"Oh, no problem."

Annabeth's mind flashed to when they were in the hospital. When he was going to say something to her.

"Hey, remember when we were in the hospital bathroom and you said that You wanted me to know something, but Jason came barging in, what was it you wanted me to know."

"That I get the feeling. My Stepfather wasn't the nicest of guys, he enjoyed beer, poker, his fists, and knives. He's gone now though. But I get what it's like to feel powerless, like if you tell somebody, the next beating might be your last."

Annabeth nodded silently. It felt weird, having someone who understood.

"What was the worst time?" It came out as a whisper, but somehow Percy heard her.

"When my stepdad pushed me against the wall, he dislocated my shoulder. I kept it a secret for over a week. It was torture. Every move I made, it hurt more than Hell." he paused before saying, "If you don't mind sharing, what was the worst for you, so far."

"This." Annabeth said, "It's because she went after my little sister. Over ten years this has been going on, but I have never let her touch my sister. The fact that I failed at my one mission and having to see my sister, in the hospital, with all of those IV's and the face mask, It makes me feel like every beating, every smack, punch, kick... None of it was worth it now that she got hurt. I don't know."

Percy reached out his hand, placing it over hers, she didn't flinch or look away this time, "Annabeth. Look at Me." Annabeth looked up, meeting his eyes.

"Your stepmother is a monster, the fact that she started hurting you when you were six, seven, that's horrid, the fact that she turned and hurt a ten year old just to get to you, that's inhumane. You shouldn't go home while she's there, when you do go, get what you need, and then leave, come to my house, or Jason's. Heck I don't care where you go as long as you're safe. You're welcome at my house anytime."

Annabeth stayed focused on his eyes. They kept her calm as He talked, as the memories flooded over her. Annabeth closed her eyes, turning her hand so she was gripping onto his, trying to latch onto another living thing, trying to prevent the memories from flooding back.

To her surprise, Percy held onto her hand firmly, not letting go, he rubbed his thumb over her's, letting her know he was there. Annabeth was grateful for that.

She took a breath before opening her eyes, Percy tilted his head, searching her eyes for the answer.

"Sorry. Uhm. Memories."

Percy nodded, understanding in his eyes. Annabeth looked down to where their hands were still connected, their fingers still intertwined. She looked back up at Percy, a blush covering her face, though you could only tell on the one side that didn't have the bruise.

Percy looked down, seeing what she saw and disconnected their hands, his face speckled red. Annabeth sighed, staring into his eyes again. "Percy?"

"Yeah?" He asked, staring straight back into her eyes. Her eyes of stormy grey.

"How-When did the beatings stop?"

"My mom, she-she never knew, like she knew he would smack me sometimes, but she didn't know it went to full on beatings, I never tried to tell her, I thought she loved the man, the truth was she was just too afraid to divorce him that she kept it going." Percy looked up at the sun, the light making shadows across parts of his face, "When she found out about the dislocated shoulder, she knew she had to get rid of him. She called the Cops and ended up getting a divorce, Gabe went to Jail. We moved here shortly after."

Annabeth's eyes darted to his neck, where a badly covered green and brown bruise sat. She reached out, brushing her fingers over it. Percy didn't flinch. He brought his hand up, pulling her hand away.

"That wasn't from Gabe."

Annabeth tilted her head questioningly and he just shook his head, "There were a few mean people at my old school."

Annabeth's eyes widened in realization, "Why'd you get bullied? You're so-" She trailed off. Percy smirked, "So what?"

"Sweet, caring, understanding."

Percy smiled back at her. "Yeah, well when the word got out that I was-" His voice faltered, "Abused." He seemed to choke out the word, "Some of the kids who didn't like me decided they wanted to see how much I could take. Let's just say, they look worse then me."

Annabeth stared at him. It was hard to imagine Percy, sweet and caring Percy, in a fight. Annabeth heard the screeching of tires behind her and made the mistake of turning around. There, in full fury, was her stepmother.

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Annabeth was paralyzed with fear. Her stepmom was messily dressed (per the usual), her eyes were glassy, And Annabeth could smell the alcohol from where she was sitting.

Her stepmom's eyes held anger in them as she stomped up to Annabeth. Annabeth was half expecting her to slap her right then and there, but then Helen put on the angry mother routine.

"I was worried sick! Where have you been?!"

People turned away, realizing it was just another kid who snuck out or didn't come home.

"I was about to call the cops and report a missing child!"

Yeah, right. Annabeth thought, though her face pretty much radiated, 'Help me.'

Helen grabbed Annabeth's arm, "You are coming home right now, young lady. And you are staying in your room till monday morning."

Room? More like prison. Annabeth's step brothers got better treatment than she did.

The grip on her arm was hard and forceful, it caused the skin nearby to turn an ugly purple color. Annabeth looked at it before she was tugged off her chair and towards the car. She turned to see Percy stand, hastily walking towards her and almost smiled.

She waved goodbye with her good arm and he stopped in his tracks. Annabeth bit her lip, remembering what he said, You're welcome at my house anytime. From a boy who she barely knew, it was a very sweet offer.

She was shoved in the back of the car with an accidental punch in the side. Helen went around, climbing in the front and said, "You are going to hate life when you get home."

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Well, Helen wasn't lying, that was for sure. When Annabeth got back, she found her father wasn't home (shocker) and that the place was a mess. Helen ordered her to clean it up, Annabeth begrudgingly obliged.

She picked up the stray beer bottles and cans, throwing them to be recycled. Annabeth picked up old newspapers and magazines. She threw out garbage, almost an hour later, the house looked spotless.

Before Annabeth could climb up to her room Helen decided that she needed to spill the entire garbage can. Annabeth walked over to it, silently picking up the trash. Annabeth had to gag when she found the condom.

Her stepmom, smashed a beer bottle over her left shoulder, Annabeth scrunched her face up tight as the glass embedded into her shoulder. Her stepmother leaned in close, her voice raspy, "You will regret the day you were born." Helen began to walk away but Annabeth angrily stood.

"No."

"No?!" Helen came at her angrily, swinging and Annabeth ducked.

"I don't have to worry about you hurting Maya anymore. She's with a bunch of doctors who will keep her safe. I don't have to worry about her anymore."

"Are you going against me?!" Helen shrieked. Annabeth nodded, standing up, fully, she wasn't shrinking away.

Helen slammed Annabeth back quicker than she thought to be possible. Annabeth smashed against the wall, a painting falling and hitting her head, but she found the strength to stand. She didn't know how to fight her stepmother, her mind went blank. Helen picked her up by the hem of her shirt, sneering in her face.

"Don't ever defy me you stupid insignificant poor excuse for a daughter. No wonder your father never wants to be around you. You are a constant reminder of everything that went wrong. You really think your father will care once your gone. He wont care in the slightest. We have Bobby and Matthew, they are better than you could ever be. He would rather have your little sister than have you!"

Annabeth felt no tears, instead she felt anger, she poured out everything that her stepmother had ever done to her, she poured her anger into her punches. She kicked her stepmother, angrily trying to hurt her in whatever way possible. Helen dropped Annabeth onto the ground, laughing, "You're even weaker then I thought."

She punched Annabeth's gut, smacking her with her free hand. She grabbed a ceramic plate, smashing Annabeth in the head.

She climbed the steps to Annabeth's room, laughing as she went. Annabeth sat for a minute, coughed up blood, cursing herself. She was an idiot, you never went against Helen, no matter how much you hated her, you never went against her. Her eyelids closed and her head lolled to the side. She put her hand up to her head, where a gash leaked blood. Her blonde hair was soaked in the root with blood. Great, I've always wanted to be a redhead.

Annabeth leaned against the wall, she pulled pieces of ceramic plate from her head, she pulled pieces of the beer bottle from her shoulder. By now both her shirt and hair were soaked with blood. Annabeth regained her strength, standing and using the wall as a crutch.

Annabeth trudged up to her room, to find her stepmother angrily holding a book, it was one of Annabeth's favorites. It was about a girl who was turning sixteen and got dragged into a world of demons and angels. Annabeth loved all of the characters and felt a very special relation to Jace, his father beat him when he was little. Although it wasn't really his father...

Annabeth stifled as scream as Helen pulled out a lighter. She lit the tip of the book on fire and it climbed the pages slowly. Annabeth reached forward, only to have helen smack her with the burning book. Annabeth retracted her hand instantly and clutched the burnt flesh.

She watched in horror as Helen tossed the book onto the floor, where the rest of the series lay in a pile. Annabeth scrambled forward, grabbing as many books as she could hold (They were huge) before they got burnt. She was unable to save the first book, which was personally her favorite, and the last. She poured water on the smoldering floor, tears stinging her eyes. Her books were her life, Annabeth could crawl under the covers after a massive beating and then read a book, forgetting about her life and focusing on someone else's.

Annabeth fingered the ashes in her hands, small pieces of paper were left over, Annabeth picked up one piece, reading it's contents.

"Jace crouched down on the floor beside his friend. His shirt was stained dark across the sleeves and chest with blood, demon and human. When he looked at Simon, Clary saw all that all the gold seemed washed out of his eyes by something she'd never seen in them before. Panic."

Annabeth let the tears roll down her face, she understood Jace, she could quite literally see her life being that fucked up where Percy Jackson turned out to be her brother, but then he wasn't. Percy Jackson.

Annabeth shook the thought away, picking up another charred piece of paper.

"A ghost of a smile passed over his lips, 'Only on alternate Thursday's.'"

"Well Fuck." Annabeth whispered, "Rest In Peace."

Annabeth cleaned up the charred pieces, stopping every few to read them. If it was a piece she could really relate to, she kept it, shoving them in her scrapbook where her stepmother could never find them. Annabeth poured the rest of the remains in the garbage can, whispering goodbye to them.

On her way back up the stairs, Annabeth found her stepmother's door closed. Inside she heard several sounds that need not be described, including, but not limited to:

Moaning
Screaming
... thudding

Annabeth walked quietly away from the door, and once she made it through the door she grabbed an old duffel bag, carefully packing it with her favorite clothes, there was still some room inside and she put in the School For Good and Evil books inside of it.

She took out a suitcase, half the size of her, maybe a little bigger. She strapped the duffel bag to the top of the suitcase. Annabeth opened the suitcase, putting in the pillow she'd had from when her mom was alive, she put in her favorite snow globe, wrapped in layers of newspaper, her American Girl Doll plus clothes (her mom had bought it for her), A picture of her mom and baby Maya, A picture of her mom, a family photo (before helen), her scrapbook, her other books, the ring her mom gave Annabeth before she died, and her sketchbook. Annabeth packed a few pairs of shoes and a winter coat, along with a sweater. She put a few of her favorite movies in there, a blanket, and a water bottle.

Annabeth crept out of her room, and down the stairs as quietly as possible, she doubted her stepmother could hear her over the racket they were making in the bedroom, but she wanted to be extra sure. After making it to the floor, Annabeth grabbed her spare key from the hook on the wall. She took a breath before exiting the house, looking at it's familiar glow for the last time.

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It got dark outside before Annabeth made it to Jason's street. She was shivering from the cold but wouldn't stop to put a sweater on. If she stopped her step mother could find her. It was so dark that Annabeth cursed herself for not bringing a flashlight. Sure, there were the street lamps, but those weren't enough. A few times Annabeth had to lean against a telephone pole or her suitcase for balance. Her vision got fuzzy a few times and she almost fell several times.

Annabeth turned down a street, realizing it wasn't Jason's and beginning to leave, but she caught sight of a familiar house, Percy's house.

Annabeth was going to walk up, ask if she could stay but shook her head, deciding that was a horrible idea. She didn't know Percy all that well, his mom did seem very nice, but how could she ask them for favors.

Annabeth turned away, walking with the suitcase in tow.

She heard the sound of footsteps behind her and walked faster, who knew what kind of creeps would be out tonight. She heard the footsteps speed up to match her pace and Annabeth resisted the urge to throw her water bottle at whoever was following her. She turned around to Find Percy, following her. She gave him a look like, 'What gives?'

He wrapped his arms around her, "Are you okay?"

"Uh, yeah." She said, trying not to think of the events this evening. She doubted Percy could see the blood on her mouth or the burned skin of her hand. But she knew he would see the blood on her shoulder, especially since his hand was resting on her shoulder.

He pulled his hand away, looking at his hand and saying, "Oh really."

"Yeah. I'm great." Annabeth said.

While looking at Percy her vision got fuzzy again, His hair seemed to smudge together with his face and she couldn't see his features. Annabeth leaned against the suitcase and mumbled, "I was on my way to Jason's house. Didn't realize you guys were so close to each other."

Percy put an arm around her, and the only reason she knew was because she felt his breathing against her neck. Her arm was going numb and she felt dizzy. She leaned against him and said, "Just need to get-to get- to Ja-Jason's house."

She heard Percy yell for his mom. She heard the sound of a door opening and slamming shut before she crumpled and blacked out.

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Hope this chapter was to your liking. Again sorry it took so long, but I was hanging with my family and I had some summer homework I needed to get done. ONLY LIKE 15 QUESTIONS LEFT! See you all later. :)