Changing Fate

Disclaimer: did I forget this in the last chap? Well you've probably figured out that I'm not Rick Riordan. I may aspire to be a writer that good, but I'm not. So all rights go to him for PJO and his characters. I only made up this storyline...

AN: Hey!

*the following note is an explanation of some things that you might be confused about. I just wanted to clarify this stuff 'cause sometimes, the plot makes sense in my head but i don't know if you readers get it at all.* So, you probably realised the doctor that recognised Percy was Ethan, right? Yeah, well, just wanted to say that the fact that Ethan (at the time, Andrew Jacobs) was working in the hospital was mentioned in chapter 2. Even though it pays badly, he needs money to survive, like everybody. Annabeth just happened to be taken to the hospital he was working at. Ethan hadn't planned that at all, But that isn't to say he won't take advantage of it... *evil chuckle*

Chapter 7: Nothing mattered anymore.

"There are four questions of value in life.

What is sacred?

Of what is the spirit made?

What is worth living for?

And, what is worth dying for?

The answer to each is the same.

Only Love."

-Johnny Depp

Third person POV

Ethan couldn't believe his luck. He'd thought this stupid job had been a curse, it'd turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Admittedly, it was a very good disguise. he'd turned up to the hospital expecting another tedious night of trying to act like he cared about other people's problems, but once he arrived, he realised that this could be a very important night. There he was, Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon. Looking at his face as he walked by, something snapped in his mind. He had unfinished business. There was something inside of him, hot and bubbling like boiling water, that told him he had to hurt this guy. Yes, he had to hurt him bad, and then dance on his grave. He formulated a sketchy plan in his head quickly. Maybe, after all the bad luck with the failed ritual and the Amphisbaena, he had finally run into some good fortune in the form of this green-eyed demigod.

Now he was standing in front of the guy, watching as he destroyed him.

"Dead?" Percy's voice was hollow. Ethan was glad he had a medical mask on to hide the maniacal smile of glee that sprang up onto his face when he heard the pain in the other man's voice.

"I know it must be hard. I know you'll learn to deal with it."

"Hard? Deal with it?" Percy echoed Ethan's words lifelessly.

"I've dealt with grief before." Ethan lied convincingly, "I often find it's best to take a long walk and just think about the person you've lost until you no longer feel like crying."

Percy nodded.

"I'll come with you. I wouldn't want you to get injured further and, after tonight's ordeal, it is my legal responsibility as a doctor to come with you."

Another nod. Ethan had to stop himself fist-pumping or doing a little satisfied dance on the spot. He wasn't quite sure why he was so happy. Maybe it was that, after these four years of bewilderment and amnesia, his future was laid out clearly in front of him.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Percy wasn't quite sure why he let the doctor- was his name Andrew?- walk with him. After all, he should have been suspicious of the fact that he didn't take his doctor's mask off. He should have wondered why the guy didn't give him specific details about Annabeth's death. He should've thought twice about why Andrew decided which way they'd walk rather than letting him wander aimlessly. But he wasn't suspicious, he didn't wonder, he didn't think twice. He didn't think, didn't question, didn't even feel. He knew no emotions, he'd forgotten them all. The only thing he felt at all was numbness. Cold, dead, numbness. He let Andrew lead him down the various streets, not hearing the sounds of traffic, or noticing the flashing lights, he just let his feet carry him. That it was past midnight didn't even register in his brain, time was irrelevant. Everything was irrelevant without her. He wondered, what was the point of this walk again? His brain was frozen, running on a go slow. The connections were made as slowly as dial-up Internet. Eventually, he remembered he was meant to be reflecting on Annabeth. Meant to be thinking over the life she'd lost, all the experiences she hadn't had, all the times he hadn't told her he loved her, all those kisses they'd missed, the wedding aisle she'd never walk down. That was when the tears came, he was a warrior, a hero, he wasn't supposed to cry. But there he was, the saltwater rolling down his cheeks, walking the streets of New York City, grieving for the girl he'd loved with all of his heart. They came up to a bridge, bright lights shining along its metal bars and cars speeding to and fro through its many lanes.

"George Washington Bridge." said Percy glumly, trying to hide the tears by wiping them away with his jacket sleeve. He'd been across this bridge with his mom before, when they visited New Jersey. The Hudson river that the bridge spanned reflected the city lights and sparkled. Nothing should sparkle like that thought Percy Not when Annabeth isn't here to see it.

Andrew led Percy across the footbridge that ran alongside the lanes of traffic. They made their way about half way across, avoiding the late night cyclists. Percy didn't know if they were in New Jersey or New York anymore and, if he was honest with himself, he didn't care. Andrew stopped, looking as if he wanted to admire the view. Percy, lost in thought, walked straight into him. He hurriedly tried to move away, apologising profusely, but couldn't. The other man had a grip on his arm like iron from Hephaestus' forge.

"Uh... Dr Andrew your holding my arm. Please let go, I think your cutting off my circulation."

Andrew laughed a cruel laugh, his visible eye glittering with... Was it malice?

"You still think I'm Andrew?"

"Who else would you be?"

He pulled his doctors cap from his head and let his blue surgical mask fall from his face. Black, tousled hair fell around his eyes and Percy noticed his mouth was twisted into an ugly smirk.

Percy's blood ran cold. "Ethan?"

That cruel, mirthless laugh again. He let go of Percy's arm, dropping it like it was red hot.

"Jackson. I thought you were meant to be smart... Oh, right, that was your girlfriend, but she's dead now, isn't she? Such a loss..."

Percy tensed, his well calloused hands clenched in fists at his sides,"Don't you dare speak about her that way. She doesn't deserve your sarcasm."

"And what if I don't care?"

"Shut it."

"Sure, she might've been a daughter of Athena, but she didn't have much else going for her, did she? Wasn't the prettiest."

"I'm warning you, Nakamura, if you don't shut the hell up, I'll kill you. I swear."

"Someone forgot to take his happy pills. You're quite aggressive, but I guess she liked that in you. Always had weird tastes, that girl."

The logical part of Percy'a brain told him Ethan was goading him, told him that Ethan wanted a fight. Of course, the completely irrational side of him told him that he was facing an unarmed enemy who was making him angry as hell. Percy had never been much for logic. Besides, you tend to lean toward irrationality when it's half past twelve at night and you've just lost one of the most important people in your life. Needless to say, Percy was a man of action. He didn't draw Riptide, just raised his clenched fists and growled a low savage growl in the bottom of his throat. Anger coursed through each and every vein in his body. Nobody treated the memory of his Annabeth like that. Nobody. The anger gave him a burst of energy, and for one shining moment, he felt like he could do anything in the world. He ran straight for Ethan, wishing to maim him as severely as he could.

His fist collided with the other man's chest but Ethan held his ground like it didn't surprise him. His hands lashed out, quick as a whip, and he had his arms on Percy's shoulders. He used Percy's momentum against him and soon had him pinned up against the bridge's railing. Percy struggled. But he could already feel the energy of his anger seeping away like water recedes after a flood.

"In the week you've been away from that wretched camp you've gotten a but rusty, Jackson." snarled Ethan.

Percy glared at him but Ethan's words rang true. He'd been foolish, reckless and enraged. Percy continued to struggle trying to pull his arms free from where they were pinned.

"Why do you keep fighting? It's a lost cause, She's gone."

She's gone. The words clattered around Percy's brain, echoing and causing him pain as they sunk in. The last of his will power seeped away, he went limp.

"Do your worst, Ethan. Hurt me, kill me even. I just don't care anymore. Nothing matters."

"As you wish. Good luck with your life - or death, as it may be." He smiled a dark, psychotic smile, grabbed hold of Percy's unprotesting form. With strength that Percy didn't know Ethan possessed he lifted him up until he stood on the bridge railing. Percy looked down at the water swirling below him, knowing what was next.

"You finally get what you deserve, Perseus Jackson." said Ethan, and pushed, it was only light but it was enough. Percy was sent tumbling, head over heels through the open air. The wind rushed in his ears. The last thing he saw before he hit the water was Annabeths's face, smiling with a halo of golden curls. "Forever." he whispered, but nobody heard. And then, there was darkness.

DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNN!

Before you yell! Wait! The death of my second character is not the end of my story. I'm not one of those writers who kills off all of the characters and then says, 'sorry, i couldn't be bothered finishing'. That's why, to prove that I'm dedicated, I've put the next chapter up as well. So think about this logically (lol, unlike Percy did...) and just read chapter 8. Come to think of it, you mightn't even be reading this... You've probably started reading chapter 8 already...

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this chapter, review or PM me if you liked it.

Peace, Love and Pretzels

Alice (\_/)

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