Chapter 4

Percy opened his eyes slowly, and moaned quietly. He shifted, taking a few shuddering breaths, as his body was overtaken by sudden heat. He was sweating profusely, and yet was shivering violently, to the point that every muscle hurt. Wincing, Percy slowly pushed himself into a seat position, wrapping his arms around his body, and shivering, when his thick, warm blanket slid off. Looking around his dark room, it took Percy a few minutes to realize it was in the middle of the night.

How long did I sleep? Percy thought to himself, as he slowly crawled out of bed, and made his way to the kitchen, throat burning for water. He felt his way around the table to the sink, and grabbed a glass, quietly filling it with tap water. He didn't turn the light on, for fear someone would wake up. Shivering, Percy made his way to the table, and dropped into one of the chairs tiredly.

What time is it? Percy sighed, setting his head on the table, and folding his arms underneath, closing his eyes, and letting out a tired breath, as he started to fall back to sleep.

Annabeth sat bolt upright on the couch, eyes wide and alert. She gazed around the dark room, trying to figure out what had woken her up, when she heard the quiet sound of someone sighing. Instantly, she grabbed her knife from where it was sitting on the coffee table, and quietly snuck to the doorway of the kitchen. Deciding she wanted to catch the intruder off guard, Annabeth dove in, knife first.

She slashed down when she felt skin, but when she heard the cry of pain, she dropped her knife in horror, and ran to turn the light on.

Sitting on the floor, sweatshirt twisted around him, a long, deep gash on his cheek, was Percy.

"Oh my Gods," Annabeth breathed, dropping down beside her boyfriend, and placing a hand under his chin. "Percy, I'm so sorry!"

Percy gave a quiet laugh, shaking his head, and wincing slightly.

"It's fine, Annabeth," he said quietly. "I didn't want to wake anyone up, so I didn't turn the light on. I didn't know you were in the living room."

Both Demigods looked up, as Paul, Sally, and Grover rushed in.

"Is everyone okay?" Sally asked worriedly, taking in the bright red gash on Percy's cheek. Percy nodded, using the drawers behind him, to help him get to his feet.

"We're fine, mom," Percy promised, looking over at Annabeth. "I just scared Annabeth by not turning the light on."

"But you're okay?" Sally asked again, grabbing a dishcloth from the drawer, and running it under warm water, before handing it to Percy, who applied it to his cheek for a few seconds.

"I'm fine, mom, really," Percy repeated.

"How are you feeling?" Paul asked, noting how Percy seemed shaky on his legs. Percy shrugged, removing the cloth from his face, and placing it on the counter.

"I've been better," he admitted. "I just woke up cause I was really thirsty."

"Do you still have a fever?" Sally asked, pushing her son into one of the kitchen chairs. Percy shrugged.

"I was really sweaty when I woke up, so maybe."

"Let me check," Sally said, leaving the kitchen and making her way to the bathroom, to grab the thermometer. Percy looked over at Annabeth when she sat next to him, and took his hand in hers.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

Percy was quiet for a few seconds as he thought it over, before shaking his head.

"Not one I can remember," he said. "Doesn't mean anything though."

Annabeth smiled at him, placing her hand on his cheek, and giving him a light kiss, pulling away just as Sally walked back in.

"Here," she said, handing Percy the thermometer. Percy nodded, accepting it, and putting it in his mouth, before giving Grover a pointed look. Grover frowned

"Dude, don't look at me like that," he said, shivering slightly. Percy smirked, but didn't say anything. A few seconds later the thermometer beeped, and he took it out, squinting at the numbers. After a few seconds, Annabeth laughed.

"Seaweed Brain, what're you doing?"

Percy shook his head, and handed his mom the thermometer. "Forgot I was dyslexic," he admitted, smirking slightly. Annabeth rolled her eyes, squeezing his hand lightly.

"98," Sally declared, smiling at her son, as she placed the thermometer in the sink. "Completely normal."

"Oh, no Mrs. Blofis," Annabeth said, raising an eyebrow at her boyfriend. "I don't think Percy's ever been completely normal."

Percy gave her a playful glare. "Haha," he mocked. "Very funny. We're all laughing."

"Oh come on, Percy," Sally said, giving him a tight hug, and a kiss on his forehead. "You know she loves you."

Percy sent Annabeth a soft smile. "Yeah," he admitted. "I know."

"Mrs. Blofis," Annabeth said, getting Sally's attention. "What time is it?"

"It's around three in the morning," Sally said, checking her watch. Percy winced.

"I'm really sorry guys," he said. Annabeth hushed him.

"It's not your fault, it's mine. If I hadn't run in, knife first, I wouldn't have woken anyone else up."

"How about it's nobody's fault?" Paul suggested. "Sally and I were already a little on edge, and so we were sleeping pretty lightly."

"And I was only sleeping for five minutes at a time," Grover admitted. "We were worried about you Perce."

"I'm still really sorry," Percy said. Sally shook her head.

"Don't be, honey," she said, squeezing Percy's shoulder.

I know that one was really short. Sorry