Chapter 4 Stinging

Disclaimer: I don't own PJO Rick Riordan does.

When I was finally allowed to get up and walk I was only allowed to slowly pace the room. I was restricted by my strength…and Chiron. Both Argus and Chiron would supervise to make sure I didn't fall or something. Earlier when I was asleep Chiron had to look for human medical supplies, since ours wouldn't work. I was still trying to piece together the puzzle pieces Annabeth had created in my mind. I hadn't seen her since our conversation this morning so I haven't gotten to ask her any of the questions since then. I never bothered asking Chiron what was wrong with her wanting to keep my suspicions to myself. Growing tired of thinking so hard I asked Chiron another question that was eating at my conscious.

"Chiron when will I be better?"

"I'm not sure my boy. Your healing like a regular human would but, you're not completely human, which is why I'm worried. I've been trying to measure how much you heal in every day to get an estimate."

"So what's the estimate so far then?"

"About a week and four days, my boy." I just sighed and went to sit in bed again.

"Percy you don't have to stay here too much longer. I will let you go stay in your cabin in a few days. You won't be allowed to participate in activities though. The only things I will allow are walks; they will help you recover. Please no swimming either." That gave me an idea.

"Chiron have you tried putting water on it?"

"No, my boy. Actually, I hadn't thought of that. How could I not have?" he looked so puzzled it made me lightly chuckle. Argus suddenly jumped up so fast it startled me and he left the room. He came back in the room with a bucket of water and a white shower towel over his shoulder. He sat the bucket down next to the bed walked back to his chair in the corner. Chiron rolled over to me and I swung my legs over the side of the bed.

"What should I do?"

"Unwrap your torso please." I hadn't seen the scar yet and pulling off the wrap DEFINETLEY wasn't a walk in the park. The stinging pain of taking off the sticky gauze that clung to my waist ripped through me, and made me want to through up. When all the gauze was off, most of the pain was gone and the scar went diagonally from my right shoulder to my waist. In parts it was scabbing over, but in others it was pink and swollen. The width of the scar was about one fourth of an inch. My torso was covered in dried and cracked blood. The blood covered skin that wasn't scared over started to bleed.

"Oh wow," I said wincing in pain.

"Percy, I'm going to lightly rub the scar, ok?"

"Ok." I sucked in a deep breath, making me wince, and prepared for the pain. As the smooth cloth made contact with my skin the stinging sensation was once again back. As Chiron ran the cloth along I felt the cool water seep down and make some of the sourness in the muscles leave. I grew tired and almost fell backwards. I put my hands behind me keeping me upright. As he moved the cool towel from my skin I felt the bleeding had stopped and most of the pain had left me.

"Percy my boy, it worked, but not as much as I would like." I looked down and most of the dried on blood was gone. The swelling had gone down and some of the other parts that had bled before were scabbing over. The tired rush washed over me again and one of my hands slipped. Before I could fall all the way backwards Argus had his hands on my back keeping me up.

"Percy I'm going to put fresh gauze on," He said ripping the gauze off the roll. He started at the bottom of my waist and worked his way up. Half way through I saw Annabeth walk by the door.

"Annabeth," I called as loud as I could, and by that standard I was afraid she hadn't heard me. She poked her head back in the door and smiled.

"Hey Percy." she looked down at Chiron working and her smile faded. I winced at the pressure and Annabeth looked away.

"It's ok Annabeth I'm fine." She chuckled without humor.

"Pft, right," she said with loads of sarcasm.

"Annabeth really I'll be fine," I almost missed the last word as Chiron started with a fabric wrap.

"I know that Percy, I just don't like seeing you this way."

"It's not like you haven't already." She faltered for a second. Her eyes gave something away I've never seen before. It's like she really hasn't seen me this way before.

"I'll talk to you later Percy," She replied her eyes watering up as she left. "Get better soon."

"Annabeth wait," I yelled jumping down from the bed seeing as Chiron was done. I took a step and got dizzy leaning back on the bed.

"Percy, I'm done. Leave it; I'll go talk to her."

"Thanks Chiron," I said grateful and laid back down on the bed slowly only to fall asleep again.

A/N: Hey guys, this was another chapter that was redone. I would like to give a MAJOR thank you to percabethatw for betaing this story. I finally I have a new chapter wipped up for you guys and I will have it to you soon. :D Thanks.

Stars