Chapter Twelve

"Fine. Be this way. I thought that we can actually become friends. But over this stupid little game, I guess that-"

"PERCY! LOOK OUT!" Annabeth screamed. But it was too late. My car swerved and crashed into something. The glass on our windows broke and shattered. Tires screeched and lights flashed in the night. We came to a sudden halt. I could only remember my vision turning red, and I fell into unconsciousness.

I woke up with sweat on my face. My body aches. I feel dizzy and nauseous. I wasn't able to see my surroundings, but it was visible after a few seconds. A hypnotic beep was right next to my ears. My head was hurting like never before. The room was all white except for a few plants in the corner and some chairs. I was laying down on a soft white bed, my arms cascading in front of me. My left hand was bandaged and in a cast. My right seemed pretty fine. It just felt numb. I was starting to get feeling in my body parts now. My legs burned with an intense pain and my back was cramping. I couldn't hold in the pain.

I let out a yell of pain and doctors came rushing in, my monitor beeping faster and faster. I kept yelling. I was desperate. Desperate to get out of here, desperate to find out why I'm in here, and desperate to escape this pain.

"Hold on, son. We'll get all that you need," a man with a white lab coat on said. He checked on my breathing and heart beats. He looked satisfied. A group of them walked out the door.

"W-what happened," I croaked. It took a lot of my energy and my throat burned like I had swallowed burning ashes. My head hurt every time I move my eyes.

"You got into a car crash, but you're fine. You just suffered from a concussion, broken arm, and a burn on your leg. In a few weeks you'll be good as new." He gave me a reassuring smile.

"C-car crash? I don't remember one. Are you sure?" His brows furrowed.

"Don't you remember?" he asked. I wanted to think, but when I did, my head started to pound.

"I can't. It hurts," I said, defeated.

"Well, you should remember in a few hours. Your concussion was worse than I thought. A good night sleep should do the trick." He started towards the door. "Oh," he remembered. "You had family members here to visit you. They looked very scared. If I were you, I would try to recover as soon as possible." And with that, he walked through the door.

I looked up at the white ceiling. A fan dangled from it and I stared at the turning blades. They looked like knives. Come on. What can I remember? Well, I remember that my name is Percy, I'm seventeen, I have an awesome family, though my dad went missing. I have a girlfriend name Cay Selinski, and I love to swim. Five years ago, I had my first skateboarding lesson, but failed horribly. I can't read because I have dyslexia, and I am impulsive since I have ADHD. I can't believe that I remember this much. Suddenly, my head started to pound again.

"Ow," I tried as hard as I could to not yell. I took in a deep breath. There was one person that I can't remember. Think, Percy, think. Who is it? I remember a pair of stormy gray eyes, intelligent and complex, yet sad and depressed. Beach blonde hair and a nice tan. Athletic.

I found myself mumbling words to describe this person. Strong. Nice. Open. Secluded. Pretty. Smart. Angel. An. Ann. Anna. Annabeth. Annabeth!

I jolted upright, despite all the pain I felt coursing through my body. Annabeth! That's who I was thinking of. But, wait. The doctor said something about a car crash. Car crash. Then, everything came back to me.

Annabeth and I were eating, then, we got into an argument in the car. The last thing I could remember was Annabeth yelling my name, my vision turn red, and nothing. I can't recollect anything after that. Annabeth was in the car crash with me. Oh my gods! Annabeth was in the car crash with me!

I got up as fast as I could, feet on the ground. On my first attempt to take a step, I fell flat on my face. But I have to go check if Annabeth is alright. I have to.

I found a cane in the corner of the room where the plant was and used it. I opened to door and staggered through it. I came to the front desk.

"Excuse me, can you please tell me where Annabeth Chase is? It's really important and I have to see her now." My voice was cracking, but not because it was burning, but because of the sadness of what happened and desperation to see Annabeth. It's my fault that she got hurt. She was right. I should've just agreed with her. I'm a coward. I run away from challenges.

A gray of cold steel eyes looked up at me. It was a lady and she had her hair in a tight bun and wore a nurse's outfit. She looked familiar, but I couldn't remember who she was and where I had seen her before. I was pretty sure my brain was losing brain cells by the second.

"I'm sorry, young man. Annabeth Chase is in surgery. We don't know how long she'll be in there."

My heart sank. I fell to my knees, hearing a few gasps. My eyes were open wide. I was staring on the floor. I didn't care how much it hurt. All I could think about was Annabeth. Suddenly, I burst out into tears, like a five year old. I don't care who was watching me cry. I don't care if I get cardiac arrest. The fact that I had caused Annabeth to suffer was the worst pain in the world.

Doctors rushed forward to grab me, but I jerked away from them. I stood up, wiping my tears from my eyes, and looked back at the woman.

"Please tell me where the room is. Please. I need to see her," I squeaked. Her eyes softened and she took a deep breath.

"She's in room 216."

"Thank you so much. Thank you!" I ran away from the front desk as fast as I can.

"Don't think that you won't see the last of me, Percy Jackson. We will meet again, but keep this in mind. Never hurt her. Never." My eyes widened with shock. I looked back at the lady at the front desk. Her name tag said Halea Paltans. Oh my gods, she was that lady from last year. I thought that I would never be able to see her again. She gave me a heartwarming smile. I smiled back and mouthed the words 'Thank you.' She mouthed back 'You're welcome.' Than, I rushed off.

"Room 216, room 216, room 216..." I kept muttering to myself. I shifted my weight to my good leg. I reached room 200. Then, 205. Then, 210.

"214, 215, 216!" I found it!

I rushed in to find no one there. Blood was on the floor, surgeon masks in the trashcans.

"I'm too late. I'm too late." I whispered those words until I found myself screaming them out loud. Doctors rushed in to apprehend me, but I was too strong. I struggled to get free, but eventually got out of their grasps.

"Where are you going!" one of the doctors said.

"I-I'm looking for Annabeth Chase. She was with me during the car crash. Please tell me where she is. Please tell me," I pleaded. The doctor looked at me. His face flashed a smile.

"She's in room 245. Go." I gave him the same smile I gave to Halea and ran off again.

I was limping, but at least Annabeth made it out of surgery! I can't wait to see her!

I was in front of room 244. Then, room 245. I didn't even knock before I burst into the room to find a surprised Annabeth laying on her bed, eyes wide, looking at me.

"Annabeth. Annabeth! ANNABETH!" You can't describe how relieved and happy I am! I ran forward and hugged her body. Her warmth made me feel like a marshmallow.

"Um..." I got off of Annabeth.

"Annabeth, I can't believe that you're alright! I was so worried! I'm so sorry about what we were yelling about. I'm sorry that I let you get hurt like this. I am a coward. I should've listened. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me, Annabeth. I'm so sorry." I looked at her with sad eyes, near tears. Her cheeks were red and her expression was nonchalant.

"I'm sorry." She looked the other way, staring out the window to find a busy afternoon. I could hear cars honking and thousands of people in New York city scrambling around.

"Why are you sorry? It's my fault. I should be the one saying sorry." I stepped closer to her. She winced. "What's wrong, Annabeth?" She faced me once again, but this time, a familiar feeling of dread washed over me. No, this can't be. No!

"I'm sorry, but who are you?"