Chapter Seven

We Perform a Jailbreak

The next morning, I woke up to Thalia nursing Lucas. I guess I fell asleep despite my best efforts.

"Feeling better?" I inquired

"Yes, and Percy, I should have told you this yesterday, but I wasn't really all there...Annabeth is pregnant."

Oh gods.

"How? We only-once-gods! This can't be!"

Thalia could only sympathize with me.

"Percy, I have to admit something. And if…if we don't get out of here, I need someone I trust to talk to. You want to know why I left the Hunters? And why Artemis didn't kill me for doing so? Because I'm sure you've wondered."

It's true, I had. She continued.

"I…I don't know how to say this. Percy, I… was… assaulted. Sexually. Ah, screw it. I was raped, Percy, okay?"

Like many times in my life, I was at a loss for words.

"Oh gods, Thalia. I'm-"

"Yeah, I know," she said bitterly. "You're sorry. That's why I don't want people to know. All they can do is say 'sorry' but they don't know what it's like. It's hard for victims to speak about it, Percy. Especially a hard ass like me. So Artemis had to let me go. Whether willingly or not, I had broken my vow. But I was ashamed anyway. I couldn't live with the Hunters and have them know. Artemis was compassionate though. She let me free of the vow and let me leave in peace. Don't tell anyone, Percy. Please. I'll talk when I'm ready."

I nodded at we sat in silence.

Months passed. I could tell because Lucas was growing bigger. Thalia had given me only days to live, yet somehow, something, was keeping me alive. Looking back, I believe it was Annabeth. I had to get to her, had to raise my family. Today, however, when the Dracnae slithered down the hall with me, they took me to a different room. This had bigger torture devices, however, it also had Riptide sitting next to a bucket of water. Two mistakes. The monsters went about their usual business until Rachel strode in. The first thing I noticed was that her red eyes were gone. She glanced at me with an apologetic look. The Dracnae stopped. This wasn't a mistake. It was a setup. Rachel was back.

"Yes, Master?"

"Nothing, continue. I just need that bucket and pen from over there. One of you-fetch it for me!" Rachel commanded.

One did so, and handed the objects to her. She uncapped the pen, and the monsters flinched. Rachel leaned back and Slice! The Dracnae exploded into yellow dust. Next, Rachel slashed through my bindings.

"What the Hades is going on?" I demanded.

My response was a bucket of water splashing in my face. There were too many cuts, scrapes, and scars for the water to heal, but my strength was revitalized.

"Percy! I am so sorry. I-I was being possessed. It was on and off, though, never constant. Luckily, I knew and ancient spell. During a period where I wasn't being controlled, I chanted it. I'm free now. Again, I am so sorry!"

Her story seemed very plausible. Perhaps they had been simple possessing spirits. I had been controlled once. It wasn't fun. I got to my feet awkwardly.

"Do you know, possibly, where I could get some new clothes?"

She blushed, as if just recognizing I was naked.

"Oh, um...look! There's some pants over there!"

I put them on. They were exactly my size. I figured they were mine. How, I didn't know.

"Okay, let's roll"

I led the charge to Thalia.

"Get on up, Momma," I encouraged her, "We're breaking outta here!"

"Percy!" She struggled to get up. I helped her. This recent birth was still hard on her. She hadn't gotten any good rest over the last few months. I made sure Lucas was safely cradled, and assisted Thalia the entire way. We had the element of surprise on our hands. No alarm had been sounded. Rachel took us outside to the top of the building.

"This is the only way off, Percy," Rachel informed me, "Usually we have the flying monsters take people on and off. We have to jump."

I looked down. We were in the New York Park. How were monsters so stupid to keep me close to home? I didn't really care, honestly.

"Thalia, can you jump?" I asked nervously.

"I...I don't think so"

"Well..."

Just then, a skeleton guard spotted us. It chattered loudly.

"...you're gonna have to! Rachel go on!"

"Okay, Percy. One more thing. I have a self-destruct sequence I can start. We have one- minute right...now!"

She jumped. The skeleton ran towards us. I took Lucas from Thalia.

"Jump. Try to land."

She did. Swiftly, I leaped myself, carrying Lucas close to my chest. I bent my knees, expecting to land hard. As I hit ground, I rolled onto my shoulder, and came up in a crouching position before falling on my side. I stayed there, regaining my senses. I checked Lucas. He was good. Thalia, not so much. She lay out on the ground.

"Gods, Percy! Help, please. I-I don't-don't think I can make it," she gasped. Maybe it wasn't just rest she needed. She was sick.

"Yes, yes you can! You've got a baby you gotta raise"

I gave her Lucas. She smiled.

"Take care of him, Percy...for me...and N-Nico."

Her eyes rolled back. I felt her pulse. Still there, thank Zeus. Suddenly, a huge dog emerged from a tree with a man riding it.

"Can you smell them, girl? Can you-Percy! Oh, gods! Thalia?! Thalia! What the Hades happened? Is that-"

A giant explosion behind us cut him short. All the mortals who had ignored us to this point fled in terror.

"Thank the gods, Nico!" I gave a brief rundown of the past month's events. His expression got darker with everything I said. The entire time, he was focusing his energy on keeping Thalia alive. Meanwhile, Rachel had run to Camp for help. Nico was in tears when I finished.

"Thanks, Percy. I've never had a greater friend than you."

"You're welcome, Nico. Oh and your son: Lucas Tyler Di Angelo"

He grinned as camp medics rode in on Pegasi.

"Perfect"

When we arrived at Camp Half-Blood, I got many claps on the back and many sympathetic stares. Somehow, everybody knew the story. I put an end to it, however, because my back ached with even the slightest touch. Also, I was tired and wanted to find Annabeth Chiron galloped forward.

"Ah, Percy!" He had a joyous, pained expression "We are glad you are here, but I do fear that you should go to Annabeth! She is at the hospital right now!"

I stiffened.

"What for?"

His eyes had a sparkle.

"Your firstborn is arriving!"

I sprinted for Blackjack cursing my pain the whole way. I didn't want to miss my child's birth.

I ran inside the hospital and to the receptionist desk.

"Where is Mrs. Jackson at?"

She eyed me suspiciously. Without my shirt, I probably looked like I needed to be admitted.

"Who are you?

"Her husband! I just found out! Please!"

She hesitated, deciding what to do.

"Room 238"

I bolted off. Athena, my mom, Paul, my dad, and Annabeth's dad all stood outside the door. My mom spotted me first.

"Percy, thank the gods!" She rushed to hold me. "You're hurt! How did you get here? Where have you been? What happened? Oh...gods, I'm just happy to see you!" She tightly embraced me. She burst out in tears.

"Ow, Mom, sorry, that hurts." But I was glad to see her, too.

My dad placed his hand on my shoulder.

"I never lost faith in you, my son."

"Annabeth will be pleased you are here!" Her dad said.

Athena still looked at me with disdain. She snapped her fingers. A shirt appeared on my body.

"Yes, she will be very pleased." She commented.

A doctor exited the room.

"Mrs. Jackson has completed the birth. Her husband may come in first. More visitors will be allowed depending on her condition."

"I don't know where Percy is."

I followed the woman inside.

Annabeth's eyebrows looked at me questioningly, then shot upwards with recognition.

"Percy! Oh gods!" Her eyes moistened. "You're alive!"

Her words came forth in choking sobs. I rushed forward and hugged her tightly. She returned it, and for a moment all the pain went away. I grimaced and pulled from the embrace. I kissed her repeatedly, our tears mixing together. I could have lived in this moment forever.

"Where's my son?"

Annabeth smiled.

"Daughter, Percy." She corrected.

The doctor returned, and I discovered it was Artemis. She handed me my daughter, and my heart melted away.

"Welcome back, Perseus. For now, I must attend my former huntress."

She gave me a looks as if she knew he conversation I had with Thalia.

I turned to Annabeth for a name.

"Andrea. Andrea Athene Jackson."

"I love it."

Andrea's eyes opened. She took a glance at me before she cried.

"Shh, shh!" I said. "Daddy's right here! There's Mommy!"

I continued.

Hush, Little Baby, don't you cry,

Momma's gonna bake you and apple pie...