Chapter 10

"You have to, Seaweed Brain."

"But –"

"Percy. You said it yourself, even Paul is concerned. You have to talk to her." Annabeth wasn't backing down. This time, she was being adamant if it killed her.

"Fine," Percy sighed. He approached the candy counter, where Sally was counting up the cash in the register. "Mum?"

Sally glanced up, distracted. "Oh. Percy. What's up?" She continued madly counting the cash.

"Mum, we need to talk," Percy told her. Annabeth felt a surge of pride. Be brave, Seaweed Brain, she whispered silently.

"Ah!" Sally exclaimed, dropping a handful of change. "Sorry, Percy, I'm kind of busy right now. Can you – can we talk later?" she added, ducking down to retrieve the change.

Percy's shoulders slumped and he turned to go, but Annabeth gave him her best 'don't-you-dare' glare, and he inhaled deeply, turning back to the counter. "No, Mum, it can't wait," Percy responded, swallowing. "We – I need to talk to you. About dad."

"Paul?" Sally asked, surprised, turning to enter the storeroom.

"No, Mum!" Percy almost-shouted. Sally stopped and turned around in shock. "It's about my dad. My real dad. Poseidon."

Annabeth watched as both Sally and Percy stiffened at his name. "No, Perseus," Sally replied, her expression stony. "Conversation closed." She spun around and began walking again.

"Mum! I know you're still not over him!" Percy cried. Sally stopped cold. Annabeth bit her lip, wanting so badly to jump in, but knowing Percy had to handle this himself.

"What?" his mum whispered. Annabeth could see her hands shaking and twisting nervously.

"I know you're still not over him," Percy repeated, enunciating each word clearly. "I know it's been bothering you. Mum, it hurts me that you won't talk to me about this. I love you! Why can't you trust me, and just – talk to me?"

"Because it hurts, Percy!" Sally cried, her hands still shaking. "It hurts, and I don't want to talk to you about it for a number of different reasons!" Annabeth glanced backwards; the shop was still open. She quickly crossed to the front and flipped the sign so it said, Back in five minutes instead of Open.

"Please, mum," Percy pleaded. "I think – you need to talk to someone. If not me, then Paul. If not Paul, then someone who can help you. Not a shrink, just someone like a counselor who will listen to you on an unbiased level, and can just – listen to you, Mum. Someone who doesn't care if you rant for a whole day. Someone who can help you."

"Help me?" Sally shrieked. "I don't need help! I don't need anyone, or anything! You're trying to get rid of me! I – I don't need you! I – I – I – I – I –" By this time, Sally had spun around, and now her eyes were darting about like a woman gone mad. Annabeth began to feel slightly afraid of this unbalanced woman, and even Percy looked slightly unsettled.

"Mum, calm down," he tried, but she slapped away his outstretched hands.

"Get away from me!" she hissed, her eyes suddenly focused, and furious. They soon lapsed back into madness though, and Annabeth sucked in a terrified breath.

Percy backed away, his face hurt and confused, and suddenly, Annabeth had had enough.

She backed away from the scene in front of her – Sally had barely noticed she was there before, she doubted she noticed her leaving now – and once she was outside the candy shop, she took out her mobile with shaking fingers, and dialed an unfamiliar number. The operator answered after one ring.

"Yes, hello," Annabeth answered in a rush, her voice shaking with fear and nervousness. Am I doing the right thing? she wondered, feeling a dart of guilt. She pushed it away. "My name is Annabeth Chase, and I need services."

Which service? Fire, ambulance or police?

"I don't know," Annabeth answered shakily, looking through the window. She could vaguely make out Sally dashing around the store, throwing soft boxes of jelly beans at a fearful and worried Percy. "Which do you recommend for a person I think needs a psychologist?"

What do you mean? How is she acting?

"Someone who is yelling, and throwing things, and slapping people's hands away," Annabeth explained, hastily. "She is – her eyes are darting around weirdly." I would recommend ambulance, then. A pause, and then: What address are you at?

Annabeth gave the name and address of the candy shop.

Thank you. A pause. They should be there in five to ten minutes. Please stay calm. Everything will be fine.

"Thank you," Annabeth whispered, pressing end and sliding the phone back into her pocket. She thought better of it, and pulled it out again, dialing an extremely familiar number.

The person on the other end picked up immediately. "Dad?" Annabeth whispered. "Are you at home?"

"Annie? Are you okay?" Her father sounded worried, but she knew that that was only because she was whispering.

"I need you to come to the candy store," Annabeth told him urgently. "That's where Percy and I are. Percy's mum is – she's yelling and throwing things. She seems unstable, Dad. Please come!" She began crying silently, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Of course," her father said instantly. "It's 'Sweet on America', right?" "Yes. See you soon, Dad," Annabeth said quietly, hanging up the phone and sliding it into her pocket.

She stared through the store window, and, upon seeing Sally next to the door, beginning to throw huge boxes of candy canes at Percy, Annabeth began jogging towards the door, intending to help him.

Next thing she knew, she felt like she was flying backwards, and then a searing pain shot through her skull, and arm.

She began hearing sirens pounding through her head, and the fiery pain grew hotter in both her skull and arm, and then all over her body.

She felt her throat start to burn too, and couldn't figure out why. She started screaming to stop the pain, and then realised she was already screaming, with tears pouring down her face.

Screeching tires, slamming doors and voices yelling all around her confused and panicked her for a while, and then she heard a familiar voice: "Annie! Wise Girl! Annabeth! Hold on! You'll be fine, don't worry."

Percy.

Annabeth felt herself struggling to get to him, but strangely, she felt as though she was detached from her body. Annabeth heard more yells, and then a sharp pain in the crease inside her elbow.

Percy's voice began to sound slower. "Don't worry, Annie... Don't worry, Annabeth... Don't worry... Don't... Worry..."

Percy, she tried to say, but she was already gone.