Chapter Seven:
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Last time on: Heroes of the Thirteen Colonies
said shoving him backwards and he stumbled. There was some awkward silence for a few moments where I was just glaring at Jason and he looked so surprised. Finally, Percy cleared his throat and spoke,
"Well if we want to get to camp we'd better head out. So, uh, let's go people!"
~Annabeth~
Least to say, the next ten hours were awkward. Percy continued to carry me, even when I protested that my leg did not hurt (it was throbbing) he would end up "bridal carrying" me. It was humiliating.
I also felt bad for yelling at Jason. But he crossed a line. He needed to understand I would not do anything to this group. I owed them, and I would not harm them on purpose.
We were about three miles (I would guess) from our stopping point the sun was almost fully set and we were in an open valley heading to get back into the woods. Percy was not falling behind, but I could tell he was tired. He was currently holding me and I could see in his face and hear in his grunts as he took steps he was getting exhausted.
I wiggled my legs, my signal for "let me down" and he gladly dropped me, right on my rear. I glared up at him, he had a sheepish smile on his face and offered me his left hand. I ignored it, I was not mad, I was just being stubborn. He offered his arm and I could see he was dreading these final miles as much as I was. I sighed and shook my head at him.
"You are exhausted. Do not pretend you are not, I have noticed. I will be fine and do not worry about Will, he is all the way ahead of us." I said grabbing my bag (which held maps since I did not own anything anymore) and his hand and trudging forward.
I was glad he could not see my face because a tear escaped. My leg hurt like hell. I took quieter, deep breaths as I walked (limped) and Percy was soon at my side. His breathing already better. We walked in comfortable silence, still holding hands. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw percy stare at our hands but he let it go. I was glad, because I did not know if I could make it to camp without a little support (I will deny it later).
"Three more miles guys!" (My guessing game strong) Jason called out, from the very front. I sighed. I was so ready to get to camp and sleep. I closed my eyes letting Percy somewhat guide me as we walked. I opened my eyes and saw Percy looking at me worried. I did not want him to worry, and think my leg was hurting. The edges of my mouth curled up and he turned his head looking forward. I decided to ease the tension, and I just wanted him to stop thinking about my health, and me I guess.
"So other than going to see the 'Gods' about the quest, why are we going to New York City?" I asked. I was genuinely curious. Percy sighed then replied.
"We're hoping you'll be claimed when we get there, also I need to hear the finality of the quest." My brow furrowed. What is with the claiming? "Well it's when you're godly parent takes ownership of you. Basically it's them saying: Hey this one's mine." He said, I realized I asked my question out loud. I nodded then decided to ask my second question.
"Alright, and I thought you already had the whole quest. Well I mean..." I was cut off by Percy. He was just standing still and I ran into him. Everyone else was stopped and slowly pulling their weapons out and I started reaching for my knife. Percy let go of my hand and walked to the front of the group. I slowly followed in pursuit, but only stopped because I heard soft crunches coming from behind me. I knew we were about to be ambushed.
I pulled my knife out and gripped it tightly in my hand, slowly turning around to find five loyalists aiming their guns at me. They were crouched in the tall grass, but their red coats were hard to miss.
Now, under normal circumstances these men would already be dead. But I could barely walk on my own let alone fight to my full potential. I was one hundred percent sure no one had seen them yet and I was not exactly sure what I was doing but one of them spoke up. Four of them continued kneeling in the tall grass and the one in the middle stood. It was so staged looking and made my mouth go sour. I knew this guy was about to talk really dramatically and I really did not want to deal with it at the moment.
"Annabeth Chase. Either you come back with us or you will be under arrest for treason of the British." The middle guy said pointing his gun at me chest. Well damn. I sighed dramatically trying to make the "stagedness" equal and look at the men. They all looked a little hopeful and I hated to burst their bubble.
"Sorry but I..." I did not get to finish my sentence (which had been happening a lot and I did not appreciate it.) because everyone started to gasp and point at me. Great I probably had a bug on me or something. Even the British soldiers had stopped moving and were staring wide eyes at me. What is going on?
I looked around me trying to find what they were looking at. My gaze went up and saw a bright white owl made of light, swirling above me. Soon enough I started to float, which honestly I was not surprised about for some reason. My vision got bright and light literally shot out of my eyes. I did not feel any different, I just could not see or touch the ground. Since when could I shoot light? What is this? After a few moments it stopped and I slowly fell to the ground, the owl, now real, was perched on my right shoulder. Naturally Percy stepped forward. Oh no am I going to get punished (Not that I could not take a punishment but still).
"Presenting, Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena." He announced, everyone bending down onto one knee, bowing their heads. I looked around like "uh hello the British guys are right there!" Not that I was not freaked out about being claimed or whatever just happened but I wanted to stay alive. As if on cue the British got up, out of their daze, and walked closer to us. By now everyone had seen them and were moving closer to me, getting into a battle stance.
"I hate to interrupt... whatever this is, but it is time for Miss Chase to go." The main British guy said pointing his gun at my chest and shooting. Things went into slow motion. I heard screaming (not my own by the way) and my owl swooped in front of me, only to get shot by the bullet. I was too shocked to move and did not hear the second shot until it was too late. The bullet pierced right smack dab in the middle of my chest. The momentum of the shot was enough for me to stumble back and fall into the tall grass. The screaming was intense and loud, (again, it was not my own) I was too mad to notice the pain.
I just wanted to kill some people like the old days. My breaths slowed and I started to cough up blood. I closed my eyes. So this was how Annabeth Chase was going to die? At the hands of a lowly British soldier? I could not let that happen.
But I am so tired!
Shut up.
But nap time!
Shut up.
Now, I will probably be REALLY regretting this later but I sat up, my knife still in my right hand and my chest screaming for me to stop. I honestly do not know what I was doing but my body was doing it. I slowly stood up and (I know this next part is rather disgusting.) reached my left hand into my bullet hole. Tears sprang from my eyes but I tried holding them in. Everything stopped and everyone stared at me and I am pretty sure someone threw up. I was considering it too. I gripped the bullet, gasping for air because it was the worst pain I have ever felt, and ripped it out of me. This was probably the most bizarre thing anyone (including myself) has ever seen. I threw the bullet to the ground, tears streaming my face because it has been a rather bad day, and looked at the British whose mouths were in a huge "O" shape and I charged. As fast as an injured in many ways girl can and plunged my knife into the guy who shot me. He was getting on my nerves. I turned and shoved my knife in one guy's throat and kick another in the crotch, then I stabbed him in the belly. I pulled my knife out of the last guy, sweat streaming my back and face, and my chest crying for me to die. It was exhilarating.
I turned around and found everyone just staring at me. I lift my left arm to say something, but all that came out was gurgling. I frowned and then fell right on my face and chest. This time a loud, painful shriek escaped my mouth. I felt someone turn me over, but I could not tell who it was because my vision was blurry and my hearing was weak. I closed my eyes accepting my defeat (but not really because I still had so much left to do), when suddenly something was shoved down my throat. I started choking and my mouth was shoved closed. I could not breath and I really thought I was about to die.
"Annabeth chew the ambrosia. It'll heal you but you gotta eat it." I could not tell who said it and I tried doing as I was told, but I could not feel my face. The sides of my face were pushed together and my head was lifted into someone's lap. I was having a really hard time breathing and opened my mouth so I could get in more air.
That was a mistake because someone thrusted their hand into my mouth and grabbed the ambrosia. I started choking and coughing. My chest hurt and I just wanted to fall asleep.
My eyes roamed around and I saw blood. So much blood. Is this all mine? My mouth was shoved open and I was too tired to object. I felt crumbles of something, probably the ambrosia, fill my mouth. They were tiny enough for me to swallow and I did. "Good, there you go Annabeth just keep swallowing the ambrosia, this will be over soon." We continued the cycle until it was all gone, and boy did it taste good! It tasted like my favorite food Uncle Fredrick used to make. I wanted more but I knew ambrosia was food of the gods and too much could be fatal. I slowly opened my eyes, things were still slightly blurry but I could see Percy, Jason, Piper, and few others around the edges. Percy smiled weakly at me and grabbed my left hand.
"You can do it Annabeth." He whispered but it was barely audible. Piper was stroking my hair as I realized my head was in her lap. Jason was aiding Will along with a few others but I could not tell who.
"Okay here we go, this is going to hurt but you got this. Deep breaths." Will said, and if you did not know any better it would sound like I was about to give birth. I nodded stiffly and mentally prepared myself. It was not enough. "Okay one, two, three." He said and suddenly there was an intense stinging pain in my Chest. I felt tears continued to grow in my eyes and I tightly gripped Percy's hand tightly. I was in so much pain and I was just so tired. I wanted to scream but nothing was coming out. I heard Will mutter words, but I could not tell what he was saying. My eyes started to flutter closed but Percy was having none.
"No Annabeth! Keep your eyes open. Come on we are almost done you can do it." I wanted to believe him but...I forced my eyes open and focused on his eyes…of coarse.
They really were beautiful. The most intense, amazing eyes I had ever seen. Without warning or thought, the corners of my mouth curled up. For some reason the thought of Percy's eyes were hilarious and soon I was full out grinning. Like an eyes sparkling, nose crinkling, toothy grin. Percy looked confused at first but he smiled slightly back. His eyes were so concerned and for one of the first times in my life, I felt wanted and appreciated, and it was a weird feeling.
"Alright we're done. Good job Annabeth." Will said coming into my view. He looked sickly pale. "We're just going to camp here. We can't lug Annabeth the three miles it's too much strain and since she felt the need to kill those men, she's lengthened her recovery time slightly. We might as well make ourselves cozy." Will continued looking at the group. He turned to look back at me, a small smile on his face. "You're a brave girl Annabeth. I'm glad to have you here." He said and with that I went into a deep sleep.
A/N: THAT WAS THE FUNNEST CHAPTER TO WRITE EVER OMG! I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do! Sorry it got really in deep/weird with Annabeth's um bullet stuff, but it was fun to write so meh! I love you guys so much and have a good week! Also don't forget to follow my Instagram at Lunch1380! Much love,
-Lunch1380
