Chapter Ten
Any thoughts or ideas about the story so far? You're more than welcome to comment them.
As always, these characters do not belong to me.
Annabeth was walking slowly down an unfamiliar path. She knew she had somewhere she had to be but she couldn't seem to find it. As the path lengthened her panic started. Annabeth never panicked. Something was terribly wrong for Annabeth to panic as she was. Annabeth's shoulders were taut and she knew she was running out of time. There was something Annabeth had to stop. Her panic enriched her fear and her steps became a run. Her run became a sprint as she turned a corner.
There was a figure standing ahead of her. Her footsteps slapped against the stone and alerted the person. They turned. There he was. Same black hair, same green eyes. Even the same jumper, jeans and sneakers he was wearing the last time they saw each other.
Annabeth faltered as their eyes met. Her heart was pounding. He seemed to glow in the faint light, as though he was emitting a light of his own. Annabeth crept closer to him, awed by his presence that she had missed for so long. He was not supposed to be here and yet there he was and Annabeth was not sure whether she was happy or afraid by the revelation. Maybe she was feeling both.
His eyes were trained on her as she walked closer, but he had not smiled nor shown any recognition since he faced her. The pounding of her heart was different now than the time when he had went to kiss her.
Before she could distinguish why, he spoke. 'Annabeth.'
He voice was soft, almost a whisper, so why did Annabeth feel the need to suddenly get to him quicker.
'I've been shot Annabeth,' Percy said simply.
Annabeth was confused. This could not have happened. The Brotherhood was supposed to leave him alone. Not only that, there was supposed to be someone from the agency watching him at all times. He must have been just imagining things. He could not have been shot.
She gazed down to his abdomen where his hand was clasped. How did she not notice it? His posture was slumped, his face pale. His forehead was wringing with sweat. As Annabeth eyes adjusted to Percy's new demeanour, he pulled his hand away and it was stained red. He staggered backwards and Annabeth lurched forward to grab him.
'No!' Annabeth screamed.
His eyes rolled into the back of his head as both of them fell to the floor.
Annabeth cradled his limp body in her arms, her heart stuck in her throat. She placed her hand over his at his wound, wishing more than anything that she could heal him somehow. She shook him, not wanting to believe his fate. Tears ran down her cheeks as she realised it was useless.
'Percy …' she whispered. 'No, no, no NO!'
Annabeth woke with a start, her throat grating as she screamed aloud her last 'no'. She rubbed her eyes, her body shaking. Sweat dripped from her hair and down her neck and she waited for someone to come to her shouts. The minutes trickled by and she knew her nightmare went unheard.
Annabeth rose from her bed. She had seen nearly every way possible for Percy to die in her dreams and it was not fading anytime soon. She grabbed the glass of water on her bedside table she had prepared earlier. She always woke with a terrible thirst ever since her dreams. She gazed into the remnants of the water, trying to take her mind off of her dream.
Two weeks had passed. Annabeth was steadily returning to her fitter self, under the guidance of Thalia. Having Thalia back was a breath of fresh air to Annabeth. It helped the time pass smoother than before but it was not easier as the others had hoped.
Annabeth figured a few hours after Thalia left her in the mess hall that the real reason for her return was to make Annabeth forget about her other friends she made at the high school. She was to move on with her life and career and leave the others in the past. Annabeth had thought about it; of trying to erase the memories she made but knew that was impossible. She would never forget Percy or Silena or even the twins.
Annabeth did, however, pretend to forget about the past month of moping. She smiled at every right moment and even forced out a laugh or two at Thalia's antics. She trained as she used to train; with no feeling or remorse against the pathetic dummies. Yet, Percy was always on Annabeth's mind, even though she tried not to think of him. It was him she was thinking of as she drifted to sleep.
Annabeth sighed, draining the last of her water. She fell back to a restless sleep. By her midday training session Annabeth was feeling her sleepless nights. The session was slower than Annabeth would have liked and Thalia made sure that Annabeth had completed her criteria.
They were walking down the hallway, Thalia talking endlessly about one of her assignments. Annabeth nodded at intervals, not really listening as a few of the pupils ran past them. Annabeth's eyes watched them. Pupils never ran through the corridors. As they turned a corner, another three pupils pushed past them, knocking Annabeth slightly into Thalia.
'What's going on?' Annabeth asked, frowning.
Thalia stopped her story, seeing the frantic pupils for the first time. Her face was impassive, which to Annabeth meant she was hiding something.
'Who knows,' Thalia shrugged but as they turned the corner, entering the lobby to the agency, the answer was there waiting for them.
The pupils were crowding around something or someone while others ran to and from the huddle. Annabeth was able to decipher some of the phrases being called out. They wanted a medic. Annabeth and Thalia pushed through the pupils until they realised who it was and parted for them. They grew silent as Annabeth's eyes fell on Clarisse, holding up a semi-conscious Chris. Annabeth rushed over to see if she could help, Thalia on her heels. He was in bad shape. His face bloodied and bruised. His shirt was ripped in places and covered in dirt, the knees of his jeans torn.
'Out of the way,' Clarisse grunted, practically dragging him towards the infirmary.
'Clarisse,' Thalia warned. Annabeth gazed at Thalia.
'He's … not safe,' Chris stammered out but he wasn't looking at Clarisse or even Thalia. He was staring directly at Annabeth. 'Couldn't … get to him … could be … danger.'
Annabeth came to a halt as Clarisse took him through one of the doors. Thalia came and stood beside her as they watched the door close behind them. Annabeth breathed in and out slowly, Chris' words still on her mind.
'What assignment was Chris on?' Annabeth asked Thalia, her suspicion rising.
Thalia faced Annabeth, her face tense. 'Annabeth …'
'What assignment?' Annabeth demanded.
'You must understand …' Thalia reached out and placed a hand on her arm. 'You have to stay here.'
'Like hell I am.'
Annabeth shrugged off her hand, storming towards the main entrance. The Brotherhood had decided to go after Percy again and it could be since a few hours ago, or days or a month and they had kept that information from her. They got her best friend to contain her while they work on the case assigned to her. She had no bag, no weapon and no idea of where Percy was or how she was going to find him but she was not going to stop until she did. Thalia grabbed her arm, making Annabeth face her. Annabeth pulled her arm out of her grasp but remained facing her.
'No, Annabeth. If you go running to him, they will condemn you again, and this time Chiron won't be able to save you.'
'I don't care! Don't you see that? I have to do what's right.' Annabeth had to leave. She was wasting time. Percy could have already been attacked by now, but Thalia wasn't letting her leave easily.
'And what if what you believe is right will cost you, your life here? Your friends? Me?'
Annabeth's face crumpled. 'Thalia, if you were in my position, would you let an innocent boy die?'
'This is more than him just being innocent, Annabeth and you know that,' Thalia sighed, her shoulders slumped. 'I can't stop you but think about what you are doing. This will have huge repercussions not only for us, but for him as well.'
'Trust me, Thals,' Annabeth murmured.
With a small reassuring smile, Annabeth ran from the building, sprinting for a couple of blocks before she slowed to a brisk walk. The obvious place to find Percy was his home but Annabeth couldn't afford to waste more time. She listed the possible locations she could find Percy. His home. The building where he went for his swimming training.
Annabeth faltered, her mind in overdrive. She had to calm down. She was no good to both of them if she lost her way. She continued in the same direction, hailing down a taxi as an afterthought when it came into view.
'You're a little early for leaving school, young one,' the driver told her as she climbed into the back seat.
'I'm sorry?'
'Well it's not even three o'clock yet. Shouldn't you be in school?' The driver frowned at her.
School. Of course, Annabeth thought. She had forgotten one last possibility.
'I was actually wondering if you could take me there now. Last minute deadlines.'
She gave directions to the school and then waited. The car seemed to go purposely slow to Annabeth. She clenched and unclenched her hands on her lap, her emotions erratic. The nerves before an oncoming fight were all too familiar to her, yet it was her nerves about seeing Percy again that was making her anxious. She had the urge to fix her hair and smooth her rumpled clothes. She wondered what he would say to her if she found him. Would he be happy? More likely upset, Annabeth reasoned, replaying their last moment together. Would he even accept her help or would he brush her off?
The car haltered at the front gate, students already milling around waiting for their lift to arrive. Annabeth paid the driver, leaping from the car into the oncoming crowd of teenagers. She pushed her way through, students staring at her as she passed. Annabeth ran past the hallways, glancing into classrooms where students still delved. She ran to the gym but it was empty. Percy was nowhere among them.
Annabeth was running down the hallway that contained her locker when she saw a familiar blonde haired girl, standing beside Percy's locker.
'Silena!' Annabeth called out through her panted breaths.
Silena turned, her eyes widening in surprise.
'Annabeth?' she asked as Annabeth stopped beside her. 'W-wha –.'
'Where's Percy?' Annabeth cut in.
'I … What happened? Percy said you had to leave.' Silena looked concerned, appraising Annabeth up and down to see any differences. Annabeth felt oddly touched by her expression and would have hugged her if she wasn't panicking about Percy's absence.
'I did but right now I need to find Percy.'
'You won't find him here,' a voice said to Annabeth's left.
'He left the school about ten minutes ago,' another said to her right.
Annabeth had no time to ponder the sudden appearance of the Stoll twins or why they were unsurprised to see her.
'Where's Beckendorf?'
'Wasn't here today,' Connor shrugged.
'How do you know Charlie?' Silena asked.
Annabeth ignored her question, her fear making her hands shake. She was too late. She had to try and head off Percy before Beckendorf intercepted him. Annabeth gazed around frantically.
'Annabeth, what is going on?' Silena questioned. 'You just appear after a month and demand to know where Percy is. And now you look practically terrified that Charlie isn't here either. Please, tell me. I want to help you.'
Annabeth stared at Silena's worried expression. Her gaze went to the curious ones of the twins and then back to Silena.
'I can't explain,' she told her honestly, pleading silently that she would understand. 'I need to find Percy immediately. I have to go. I'm sorry.'
She ran off, leaving a bewildered Silena and Stoll twins behind. She rounded the corner and caught sight of the exit when someone wrapped their arm around her waist.
'Hey babe. Where are you going so fast?'
Annabeth squirmed out of Luke's grasp, although he kept hold of her hand.
'Let go of me, Luke,' Annabeth warned.
His friends milled around them, snickering at her.
'Come on, babe. I've missed you. We need to catch up.'
'Seriously let me go.'
'I want something first.'
Luke went to grab her shirt with his other hand. Annabeth had had enough. She had already lost time running through the school and damned she was going waste more because a boy was unable to resist his urges. She forgot about having to be undercover. Forgot about restraining her strength.
She grabbed his wrist, twisting it so he loosened his grip. He screamed at the same time Annabeth drove her other fist into his stomach and finally, using her palm, jammed it hard into his nose.
He collapsed to the floor, holding onto his nose and clutching his stomach. His friends were shell shocked, their smiles frozen.
'Anyone else like to try me?' Annabeth glared at each one of them. They backed away from her fearfully.
'That's what I thought,' she snarled, racing towards the doors.
Just as Annabeth thought she would finally be out of the school, she collided with one of the students. She grunted from the impact, righting herself before she fell. The student, however, tumbled to the ground, his groan deeper than Annabeth's. She had no time to check whether he was alright but he called out to her.
'Annabeth, hey!'
Annabeth swore softly, turning to face Grover, Percy's best friend.
'Grover, I'm really sorry but I have to go and head Percy off before he gets home.'
'He doesn't go that way anymore,' Grover called out to her, rising to his feet.
'What?' Annabeth's mind was racing and she was having trouble processing his words.
'He goes through the reservation park now. Has been ever since you went to that boarding school he mentioned.' Grover pointed to his left.
Annabeth followed his gesture, her heart sinking. Even from where she was standing she could see the park was thick with trees and other plant life. It would be easier to take out a person there with little disturbance.
'Thanks Grover,' Annabeth yelled over her shoulder.
Grover called something else out to her but she was already halfway towards the park. The wind rushed past her ears, silencing any noise nearby. Her legs burned from her lack of training but she could ignore it when she pictured Percy getting pulled away, or tortured by The Brotherhood. Adrenaline coursed through her veins as she entered the park.
Annabeth slowed slightly, gazing around with apprehension. She continued on the main path, although there were several branching paths. The trees surrounding her became denser, blocking some of the sun rays. If Annabeth was planning an ambush this would be the exact spot she would attack. She quickened her pace.
There was someone ahead. Annabeth almost skidded to a stop. Her heart was in her throat. She couldn't stop to admire him when she also noticed other people milling around him, trying to look inconspicuous. To others they probably would have succeeded but Annabeth could spot the differences. There were also innocent people in the park and Annabeth didn't want to get them caught up in the fray.
She pushed her legs to straining point as she tried to reach him. A couple of The Brotherhood agents noticed her, narrowing their eyes in suspicion. She may have been dressed in her training gear but she was running way too fast and way too focused on the person ahead of her to be just a casual jogger. She was still too far away from him to save him. She had to risk it.
'Percy!' Annabeth screamed it at the top of her lungs.
The person ahead of her stopped. They turned slowly as if they weren't sure whether it was their name or not. Percy turned to face her, his eyes alight with surprise as he watched her run towards him. Annabeth saw his mouth form her name, a smile lighting his features. Annabeth was so panicked she couldn't return his smile. Out of the corner of her eyes, the agents started to close in, realising Annabeth was a threat.
Percy's smile faltered when he noticed her expression. He started to walk towards her. Annabeth would have screamed is she had the breath. She wanted him to run far from here, not back into it. His walk turned to a run, his bag cascading to the ground.
The agents reached into their pockets.
Annabeth tried to run faster.
A few of the others were running towards the both of them.
Annabeth was metres from him.
The guns were out and cocked, their barrels pointing towards Percy.
Annabeth lost her breath …
Annabeth heard the gunshots and she was slammed to the ground, her breath knocked out of her from the impact. That was not the amount of force from a gunshot, Annabeth thought dazedly. There was a breath against her ear and she tensed before she noticed someone trying to pull her to her feet.
'Annabeth! We have to go!'
Percy's voice cleared her head. She leapt to her feet, Percy beside her as they ran. Shots were fired and Percy involuntary ducked his head. Annabeth gazed around, counting half a dozen men zeroing in. She had to get him out of here, but this park was foreign to her and she had no way of knowing where one of their safe houses was from their position.
'This way!'
Percy grabbed her hand, pulling her through a wilder part of the park. Annabeth had her doubts about letting another lead but another shot was fired, slamming into the tree trunk beside Annabeth's head. She had to trust him. He trusted her once, didn't he?
The trees felt endless, her adrenaline and the boy beside her the only things keeping her going. The men were closing in on them. Annabeth could hear their footsteps. One of them turned onto their path, running towards them. Percy faltered as Annabeth surged in front of him. No one was going to take Percy; not now.
Annabeth slid across the ground, taking out the man's legs. They both leapt to their feet, the man's nose dripping with blood. He swung, Annabeth dropping to a crouch. She knocked out one of the man's knees and he grunted in pain. He lashed out and jabbed her in the side and Annabeth let herself roll with the force, spinning and raising her leg. She brought it down in an axe kick. The man seemed to bob up and down with the momentum, falling to the ground.
Annabeth went to face Percy and she was grabbed from behind. Strong arms tightened around her, pinning her arms to her side.
'Annabeth!' Percy cried, rushing forward to help.
Annabeth grew frantic. She squirmed, trying to be free of his grasp. Percy couldn't get into the fight. He was inexperienced in combat. Percy ducked to the side, aiming his punches in the agent's ribcage. Annabeth heard the crack of a rib and the agent growled in pain.
He released Annabeth, kicking her out of the way as he aimed his anger at Percy. Annabeth spun as Percy blocked another jab from what Annabeth saw was just a boy around their age. The boy didn't pause or hesitate in his attack, throwing punch after punch at Percy. Percy tried to retreat, his guard falling slightly. The boy landed a blow on Percy's cheek, making him trip, falling to the ground.
Annabeth intercepted the boy's next jab, landing one of her own before stepping away. He rounded on her, but this time she was prepared for him. He swung and missed but Annabeth gripped his arm. She moved in close, using her free arm to work his body. He tried to hit her with his other fist but failed. He wrapped it around her instead, exactly what Annabeth wanted. Using the remaining strength, she hoisted him from his feet, throwing his body over her shoulders. He wheezed once on the ground and Annabeth silenced him with a simple stomp on his chest.
There was a shout and a snarl as another member of The Brotherhood ran towards Annabeth. She was wasting time. If she continued to spar with them, more would just appear. As he neared, Annabeth bent her knees, prepared to strike. He swung wildly, his rage dispersing his accuracy. Annabeth deadened his right side, hitting the points of the nerves before darting away. The man snarled again, limping toward her. She dived forward and swiftly deadened his other side. He fell to his knees. Annabeth watched as he pitifully tried to attack. She put him out of his mercy with a knock to the head.
Annabeth watched as Percy rose slowly to his feet, his eyes wide. Annabeth suddenly grew shy. She understood what that must have looked like to him. He could have passed Annabeth's confession of being an agent as just an excuse to leave or even a lie. Now, however, he just witnessed her as she truly was; a strong and undulating agent that could beat grown men with her bare hands. She was anything but the regular teenager she was pretending to be. He could not hide from the truth any longer. It was up to him to either accept or reject it.
Annabeth looked away, not wanting to see his verdict. She heard him take cautionary steps in her direction. Her eyes were downcast but she saw his hand gently pry her fist open. His fingers wormed through hers. She felt the rough calluses of his palms as he squeezed her hand gently. She looked at him through her eyelashes. He did not look frightened or angry. He was smiling softly in thanks at her. Annabeth released the breath she didn't realise she was holding.
Percy started to run, leading her through the park. She let his hand go out of necessity. If she was to fight she would need both hands and a clear space. If it was possible the trees were even denser, almost blotting out all light. Branches tried to snag Annabeth, snapping or ripping her clothes. Annabeth daren't slow down even though there was a searing stitch in her side.
Percy tilted his head to face her as men appeared in her line of vision. Annabeth ducked as shots blasted through the park. Annabeth's ears were ringing as the bullet narrowly missed her head but her focus was on Percy. He weaved to the left and Annabeth fell into stride with him, looking for an escape. She was focusing on the amount of agents as another round of shots fired.
Annabeth weaved again, brushing shoulders with Percy. He grabbed her, pulling her towards what Annabeth saw was a ridgeline. She gazed at him and he gazed back, his green eyes steady. He did not look afraid, just determined. If Annabeth did not fear for their lives, she would have been amazed. He looked more like the agent leading the stray girl to safety. She hoped she looked as in control. In that moment, she realised she trusted him.
'Jump!' he yelled at her. So she did.
Annabeth heard more shots being fired as they leapt for their lives down the ridge. She automatically tucked into a ball as they tumbled. Annabeth shut her eyes as she plummeted senselessly. She was hit, battered and pummelled as she fell. She smashed to the ground, her face upturned to the sky. Annabeth stifled a groan, the light blinding her for a few seconds after she opened her eyes. She sat up, clutching her head with one hand. She wanted to lie there and rest, let her battered body ache until she was numb from the pain but there was still the matter of being chased by The Brotherhood.
She rolled to her feet, her first few steps unsteady. Percy was sitting metres away. Light scratches lined his face, one of them against his cheek bleeding feebly. He was glancing down at his legs when he sensed her. His eyes met hers as voices shouted faintly above their heads.
'We have to get out of here,' Annabeth said, business-like.
She watched the ridgeline above them, seeing a few of the Brotherhood members gesturing to go around and find a safer path. They didn't appear to see her, the denseness of the undergrowth and ground dwelling ferns protecting them. Annabeth saw they had a small gap of time to escape.
'There's a problem,' Percy pointed out but not his usual sarcasm.
That should have been Annabeth's first hint, but she ignored it. A few of the agents ran along the edge. Annabeth was glad they had stowed away their guns.
'We can't make our way back up there without being spotted,' Annabeth muttered, her arms crossed in front of her.
She frowned, turning to her current surroundings. She could see no direct path or gap in the trees that would suggest civilisation on the either side. She knew they couldn't be more than a few hundred metres from the city and yet the view she had, suggested they were lost in the middle of a forest. Annabeth had to commend the amount of land the council managed to preserve but it did nothing to help them.
'It's not that.'
Annabeth stop inspecting routes and face him. There was an odd hitch to his voice. Through her agitated wandering she had ended up closer to him and she noticed the differences in his demeanour. His face was pale, his lips set in a tight line. There was sweat forming on his temple and from his expression he was by keeping something at bay.
'I've been shot Annabeth,' Percy said softly.
Annabeth's insides froze. Her latest dream flared up in her mind; his bloodied hand revealing the wound leaking out his life. Annabeth felt herself grow cold. She rushed to his side, pulling at his shirt. She came to prevent this. How could this happen? How did she not notice? She grew frantic, feeling his skin around his chest and abdomen, trying to find the point of entry.
'No, Annabeth,' Percy panted, resting one of his hands on hers. She paused, her eyes full of questions. 'My leg. It hit … my leg.'
Annabeth drew her eyes to his left leg, the end of his jeans blackened with dirt and blood.
'Oh,' Annabeth murmured embarrassingly.
Her face grew hot and she refused to look at Percy's face and she pulled his shirt back down. She shuffled back, gingerly lifting the leg of his jeans. He was lucky they had only hit his calf muscle and not any major organs. The skin around the entry point was already a deep purple. Annabeth lifted his calf up slightly to get a closer look. He gasped through his teeth. Annabeth saw the trouble he was going to withholding just how much pain he was in.
'Sorry,' Annabeth murmured.
''S alright,' Percy muttered. He stifled a gasp as Annabeth prodded the muscle, testing the amount of damage. 'How did you find me?'
'I went to the school first,' Annabeth admitted, glancing up at him. 'I ran into Grover and he told me. I couldn't bear …' Annabeth shook her head. 'Why are you walking through a place like this? There are too many places you could be taken,' she chastised.
Percy smiled through his pain. 'Maybe I just wanted to see you again,' he whispered seriously.
Annabeth gazed into his eyes. They were soft but no less intense and Annabeth felt drawn to him. The world around them faded. Even the threat of the Brotherhood finding them was a small pinprick in her mind. She moved in closer, until she was kneeling beside his hip.
'I'm not worth that,' she whispered also.
'You are to me.'
Annabeth found herself leaning towards him, her eyes fixed upon him. He sat himself up a little straighter. He propped himself on one of his elbows, his other hand rising to rest against her cheek. She could feel the heat coming off his hand and she closed her eyes at the sensation. When she opened them she noticed him staring at his hand. As he pulled it away Annabeth noticed the drying blood clinging to it from where he pressed it against the wound.
It was as if the spark Annabeth felt connected the two of them had suddenly switched off. Percy slid back down slightly, his hand clenched beside him as he breathed through his teeth. Annabeth dithered at his side before shuffling back down to his leg, placing her hands out in front of her.
Annabeth saw the blood was on her hands and began to panic. Percy's blood was on her hands, literally. Her stomach churned as she continued to stare at her hands. She realised they were beginning to shake. She was not supposed to be behaving like this. She had seen blood before. She had even once had to pressurise a wound that was bleeding out. She heard her uneven breaths and then the thudding of her heart.
'We have to get you to a hospital,' she heard herself say.
Annabeth ran her hands on her training shorts frantically, turning her head trying to pick a which way was to the city.
'No, we can't,' Percy replied. Annabeth shot him a bewildered look. 'If we show up with a bullet wound it would lead to awkward questions.'
'Oh …'
It was the second time in a matter of minutes that Annabeth felt nonsensical. She had been on adrenaline since she had left the agency and now that she was with Percy she was acting like a mindless fool. She was definitely changing and was the consequences resulting in her endangering the both of them?
Annabeth was tempted to shake her head to knock the sense back into her. She softly inspected his leg once more. She cleared her mind, focusing on the problem. She ripped her shirt at the seams, tearing a decent size length that would substitute as a bandage. Percy was breathing hard, still refusing to yell in pain. Blood was already starting to seep through the bandage, even when Annabeth removed one of her shoelaces and tied the makeshift bandage firmly against his calf.
'That'll do for now but it won't last,' Annabeth stated.
'You did great,' Percy murmured encouragingly, even giving her a small smile.
Annabeth couldn't return his smile.
'Do you know anyone that will help us, well really, me?' Percy asked her.
Annabeth just stared at him dolefully, her brain slow to work. She went to rub her eyes but realised they were still covered with Percy's blood.
'Um … A board member specialises in healing and medicine. He will help us and thankfully he lives in the city,' Annabeth murmured, raising her eyes to his.
'A board member?' Percy looked at her as if she sprouted horns. 'The people that wanted you to kill me, will help us?'
'Yes. He doesn't take part of the committal sentences that pass judgement. He is more like an advisor nowadays. Please Percy, we need to move and fast before you pass out on me.'
'I'm alright,' Percy mumbled stubbornly. 'Wouldn't he refuse to help then once he realises who we are?'
'Nar. I don't think he was present for my hearing. We should be fine.' Annabeth hoped she was convincing enough.
She took another glance at his leg, getting worried. 'We can always deal with that later if necessary but right now, you need to get help and fast.'
Percy nodded, his face still pale. 'I think I know the way back.'
He tried to rise to his feet. Annabeth hurried to support his weight when he stumbled. He gave her a grateful smile but then pushed off of her, standing on his own. Annabeth frowned as she followed behind his hobbling frame, darting her eyes between him and their surroundings, watching for the Brotherhood pupils.
They continued in silence for about fifteen minutes, until Percy's leg gave way. Annabeth grabbed him before he fell. She threw his arm around her shoulder, propping him against her.
'I can do it on my own,' Percy grunted although he didn't move from her side.
'I know you can,' Annabeth said gently, coaxing him forward. 'But at least let me do something to help. After all, I was the one that got you into this mess.'
'You came back,' he replied softly and Annabeth felt his eyes on her. 'I thought …' whatever he was about to say he thought better of it, giving his head a slight shake.
'They wouldn't tell me anything of you,' Annabeth mumbled, her heart stammering. 'I was in the lobby when they brought Chris, um, the agent watching over you. He warned me you could be in trouble and well I … I couldn't let them attack you.'
'You're in trouble again.' It wasn't a question.
'More than likely,' Annabeth said dismissively. 'I'm starting to not care what they say.'
Percy shook his head. 'You shouldn't think like that.'
Annabeth would have shrugged if she wasn't trying to hold Percy. 'I can't believe you are trying to defend them.'
'Well if I get in their good books, I may live,' Percy smirked which turned to grimace as they began to trudge up a slope.
'I am not letting you die,' Annabeth spoke with conviction.
She hoisted him closer to her. Even with his bravado Annabeth could feel his grip loosening, his body sagging. She was beginning to struggle. Her shoulders ached as Percy leaned more heavily against her with every metre they gained. Annabeth cursed herself for not continuing her fitness in that month she was moping. His feet were almost dragging along the ground now which began to worry her. She glanced down at his leg. It was beginning to seep through her shoe lace, blood trickling down to his shoe. Annabeth shifted him slightly and he straightened with a grunt, mumbling an apology.
'It's okay, Percy really,' Annabeth assured him, urging him further through the park. 'We're nearly there, right?'
'Yeah …' Percy said vaguely, lifting his head.
Annabeth was watching him shrewdly that she momentarily blinded her vision to her surroundings. A noise reached her ears that sounded incongruous in the quietness of their section of the park. She frowned, trying to decipher the sound.
'Annabeth!' Percy yelled in warning but it was too late.
Annabeth managed to turn slightly in the direction but was instantly attacked. Her breath was smashed against the back of her throat as she was driven to the ground. She had let go of Percy, which made her panic because she had to help him and now she couldn't see him. She landed on her back, her breath getting slammed out of her mouth in a hoarse scream. Her chest was still for a moment and as it tried to function properly, Annabeth felt as though she was suffocating. She grasped for the air around her, at the same time trying to roll to her feet. She managed to get to her elbows and knees but as she went to stand on her feet, her arms gave way and she was once again on her back. Percy was still in need of her and in desperation she tilted her head to find him.
Percy and the agent were grappling together. Annabeth zeroed in on the agent and understood why she felt like she was hit by a mountain. He towered over Percy, his face set in a permanent scowl. His arms were as thick as one of Annabeth's legs and his chest could match the size of the tree trunk beside him. Annabeth felt the blood drain from her face as she watched Percy pull away, giving him enough time to place himself between the agent and her before the agent charged.
The agent tried to get a clear shot to Percy's body but every time he went to swing, Percy would move so he would just hit the air. The agent pushed Percy away, breathing heavily from his efforts. Percy staggered on his injured leg, watching the attacker with a fierce determination Annabeth had only seen on her fellow agent's faces.
She watched amazed as the agent advanced on an unruffled Percy who dodged a punch intended for his temple. Percy swung his fist before the agent had retracted his arm, landing it on his cheek. The agent recoiled but Percy threw another punch, clipping his ear. His next punch was aimed at the sternum. The agent knocked Percy's side. Percy darted away, his steps lumbered from his injury. Percy blocked the agent's knee which was intended for his stomach but missed the low kick to his injury. Percy yelled in pain, giving the agent the time to jab Percy in the chest again. Percy took a few steps back from the blow. He lifted his arms in a defensive stance, trying to balance on his right leg. The agent grinned at Percy's struggles and Annabeth wanted more than anything to fight but she was still struggling to breathe.
Percy limped forward, dodging under a punch and then straightened, smashing the agent's nose. He clipped the agent's ear, sidestepping and uppercutting into his rib cage. He darted back out, knocking his jaw. The agent swung desperately, but Percy fended it with a simple swat of his hand.
Annabeth noticed the strategic placement of Percy's blows; the agent was discombobulated. He staggered in front of Percy, trying to focus on him but unable to. Percy charged forward finishing the agent with a front kick.
Annabeth tried again to rise and managed to lurch to her feet. Her chest felt as though it had been caved in and her every breath was a new punch against it. Percy was standing on his feet but swaying dangerously, his eyes on the agent moaning a few feet away. Annabeth stood beside him, placing his arm back over her shoulder. He leaned gratefully into her, turning them both away and began trudging to the edge of the park.
'I wasn't going to let other people fight for me,' Percy explained. 'I wanted to learn to defend myself.'
Annabeth nodded in understanding, not trusting she could speak yet; her chest was still causing her a lot of pain. Silence fell between the two of them, apart from their panted breaths.
'I saw you fall and I … I snapped,' Percy continued. 'I just felt the urge to protect you and that probably sounds stupid for someone in your line of work but –.'
'Don't … think your … stupid,' Annabeth wheezed out. She coughed to clear her throat. 'You saved my life. And I used to think you were just another subject but now I know I was wrong and idiotic because you aren't just of anything and I'm sorry I thought that –.'
'Annabeth its okay,' Percy interrupted, smiling slightly.
'You had to know that,' Annabeth mumbled.
'I already did.'