As promised, chapter 21 one week early. Enjoy.
Chapter 21: So that's what happened
Percy scanned the rows of books blandly. He tried to look at least interested while at the library. Why Rachel needed to go to the library? Well a school project. So naturally Percy got dragged along too. It was his job.
He sent a discreet look back at Rachel perched at a table while several books lay open in front of her. She insisted on having her space. The morning after Rachel's drugged out kiss, Rachel had crawled down the stairs sheepishly. She had remembered everything making an awkward between them. That morning had consisted of a lot of quick glances, mumbles and then eventually a vase being chucked at Percy's head. Now Percy couldn't come within a three meter radius without being shot a warning look.
He went back to scanning the cheap wooden shelves looking at book after book. His eyes tired from staying up all night while his arms felt like concrete hanging down from his shoulders. Truthfully he couldn't sleep. The words that he spat at Annabeth haunting his head. He called her nosy. The way he said it made him want to bang his head against a wall and scream. She didn't deserve that. She didn't deserve any of that. Why had he been such an idiot?
All that night Percy had brainstormed on any reason, any reason at all on to tell Annabeth about her past, about him and her. Nothing came though. He threw the notebook against the wall and tried to sleep. But sleep dwindled from him. Almost as if sleep evaded him just to let him be tortured in his reality.
Now he was looking at row after row of books. Trying to forget that he had made a sticky mess that would probably hang over his head for the rest of his life after he left.
After he left.
Such a weird concept to think. After Rachel was safe Percy would be gone. He'd have to leave his friends, and now what he considered a home without an explanation. Why had he let those wonderful idiots into his life?
Science fiction, Fiction, biographies all passed. He scanned again on the next level.
Chase.
Printed neatly on the bottom of a book were the words 'by Athena Chase' in gold lettering.
Chase? Percy pulled out the book and examined the bland blue color. A book about the complexity of cells in the human brain or something. But Chase? Any relation to Annabeth?
Eagerly Percy tore through to the back of the book looking straight at the Author's mini writer's biography. He skipped the paragraph and let his eyes bore into the picture at Athena chase.
Soft brown hair inlaid with curls, a sloped nose, tan skin, Thick full lips. All the features resembling Annabeth's, but the big giveaway was the eyes. Athena Chase's eyes were stormy grey piercing the page but soft and docile at the same time.
This had to be Annabeth's mother. The likeliness was jaw dropping. His pulse quickened and his mind got jittery. Slowly, his sagging shoulders perked up while the sleepiness was replaced with eagerness. He needed to examine this.
As Casually as he could, Percy walked through the library and took a seat at one of the computers.
He opened Google and typed in: Athena Chase.
After a few false leads he found a sparse Wikipedia page.
Athena Chase: Scientist, author and Former Brain Surgeon
Percy ripped through the page with curious eyes. This had to be Annabeth's mom. He read the brief summary of her life hopefully.
Athena Elizabeth Wilson was born and raised in Chicago Illinois. She grew up with her parents who were both doctors. Athena excelled at school and quickly became a Surgeon to fulfill her parents wishes.
His eyes read hungrily gnawing off the important lines and storing them in his brain.
Athena was married to Fredrick Chase near the end of her medical training. The marriage suddenly broken when Athena found Frederick cheating. She quit her job as a esteemed and famous brain surgeon then started pursuing her less successful career as a Scientist. Athena (Keeping her name Chase) gave birth to one daughter, (father unknown) and named her Annabeth Marie Wilson.
Percy stopped short. He stared at the name in deep contemplation. Wilson?
But back on the island Annabeth had said her last name was Chase. Annabeth knew her last name.
That's when Athena began her illegal work with Ronald Ginls. She conducted many experiments in the basement of a apartment complex without consent of the land lord. Ronald Ginls was found and shot dead but Athena fled with her daughter Annabeth. They hid in Indonesia for nearly a year before both mother and daughter were killed in their home by an drunken fisherman
Percy stared at the screen blankly. This couldn't be right. Annabeth is alive.
No Annabeth Chase is alive, in the records Annabeth Wilson is dead.
Percy's mind started going a million miles a minute.
What if Athena went back and hacked into the system? If she accessed the online copy of Annabeth's birth certificate than alterations might have happened. She could have easily changed Annabeth's last name and switched out her fingerprints with false ones. So when Annabeth appeared on Fredricks door he probably brought her in to find out who she was. Annabeth popped up in the system as an unregistered child. But why would Athena do that?
Probably to protect Annabeth Percy figured out slowly. A drunken fisherman didn't kill her. Athena knew what was coming and did what she had to in order to save Annabeth. So Athena changed Annabeth's name and identity, she probably found a way to fake Annabeth's death too so whoever was chasing them would never get Annabeth. Or would at least give up on chasing Annabeth.
But how had Annabeth been transported to the Chase house?
who actually murdered Athena Chase?
And what was this 'illegal work she was doing?'
Percy rubbed his chin in thought as he stared wonderingly at the screen.
This Ronald Ginls guy deserved a closer look. Percy typed in his name slowly.
Ronald Ginls had little to no information on him. He had an obituary written about him but only had some sappy lines about resting in peace. But other than that all it stated was he was a scientist interested in the effects chemicals had on the human body.
Ronald….. Ron.
This was the guy Annabeth talked about so often. Percy realized with horror. He was dead before they even reached the islands and Annabeth didn't even know about it. She can never find out. He decided quietly. If she remembers her past and finds out her mom and Ron are dead it will crush her.
Inquisitively Percy scoured the internet. But the internet gave him limited amount of information. None of it ever mentioned Ron and Athena's work together and what they were doing that was illegal.
"You done Percy?" Rachel came up beside him and peered over his shoulder.
Percy closed all the tabs shakily.
"Ya I'm done, are you?" he asked quickly.
Rachel rolled her eyes "Of course I'm done."
"Good, let's get going."
Percy checked out Athena Chase's book. It might hold something. A secret maybe on what exactly she was doing when she has to flee. Maybe even how Annabeth lost her memory.
That night Percy pulled out the notebook from in between the mattresses. He smoothed down the wrinkled page and uncapped the blue pen.
Going under the category 'Reason not to tell Annabeth' he gently wrote an aching number
4. Annabeth's mother and loved father figure 'Ron' are dead. If I tell her and she remembers she'll want to know where they are. She's better off not knowing
Percy put away the notepad and lay on his back staring at the ceiling. Annabeth could never find out. Should never find out.
-{:oOo:}-
"I need to Piper! I was an idiot!" Annabeth ranted while lying on the couch.
Piper looked unamused being interrupted from her magazine while she slouched in one of the bean bag chairs.
Fish was curled up under the coffee table while she looked on with big puppy eyes at the two teenage girls.
"I mean, I was just worried and then BOOM I started yelling!" Annabeth continued and rolled onto her back.
"Was what I said justified? Did I over react?"
Fish seemed to sense her distress so she bounded up onto the couch and licked Annabeth's hand.
"What's Fish doing here?" Piper raised an eyebrow while ignoring Annabeth complaints.
"My family should be getting back right about now soo…" Annabeth trailed.
"So you came to my place just to hide from them?" Piper flipped the page in her magazine.
Annabeth groaned "No! I came because I don't know what to do with Percy! What if i just totally wrecked our friendship, what if he doesn't accept my apology."
Piper rolled her eyes "You're just drama queening."
"Excuse me?!"
"Listen, if you're actually Percy's friend than you'd be talking to him right now because all you would want is for him to know that you're sorry. You wouldn't care about his reaction to your apology."
"But-"
"No buts Annie! Friends say sorry and stand by eachother. That's how it works."
Piper stared Annabeth down intently. Not angrily, not glaringly but dominatingly. Piper knew she was right.
Her eyes were more of a purple blue today with hints of gold and amber stuck in between while her hair was up in a ponytail braid.
"Unless." Piper whispered.
Piper's eyes widened and she clapped a hand over her mouth. "Omigosh Annie! You like Percy!"
"What!?" Annabeth hissed.
"You care about what Percy thinks of you! You care enough about him that a little apology isn't little to you anymore! It's a big deal because you really want him to know that you're sorry but you're also worried about him!"
"What?... Piper you're not making any sense" Annabeth wrote off. Her cheeks inflamed and her heart pumping.
Casually Piper flipped the page of her magazine "Say what you want, but your crush will only grow deeper."
"I do not-"
"Oh yeah I forgot to tell you. I kissed Jason" Piper smirked, her eyes dancing.
Dang Piper was sly. Changing topics into something she knew Annabeth wanted to sink her fangs into so Annabeth wouldn't have the last word in the argument.
Annabeth shot up suddenly "You did?!" Taking the bait eagerly.
"hmmm mmmh" Piper looked at her coyly trying not to smile even though it was already written on her face.
"And!?" Annabeth pressed.
A huge smile spread over Piper's face "He asked me out after that."
"Details. Now" she demanded.
"Well it was right after you and Percy had that argument. Hazel and Frank went off on a date and Leo drove Calypso home so it was just me and Jason in here."
Annabeth nodded to show that she was following
"And so he was just about to leave when I just leaned in and kissed him." Piper melted in her beanbag while her face burned "Dear Venus, it was everything I dreamed. Anyways after that he confessed that he was waiting for me to make the first move because he didn't want me to think that he liked me because my dad is famous. Then he kissed me and-"
"- whoa, I get the image. Making out half the night, got it" Annabeth closed her eyes.
"So, he's officially my boyfriend" Piper finished a little giddily.
"It's about time." Annabeth pointed out. Piper just rolled her eyes as she bit her lip.
Silence followed as Piper continued to flip through the magazine. Annabeth stroked Fish's fur thoughtfully.
Her mind returning to the matter with Percy. She tapped an anxious beat out on the sofa. Well Percy did only live two blocks away. Should she drop him a visit?
The minutes ticked by as Annabeth's agitation built up.
Finally she hopped off the sofa
"Fish stay" she ordered the puppy bouncing around her feet.
"Where are you going?" Piper asked while tossing the magazine onto the table.
"To apologize." Annabeth stated automatically. "Its really not that late, He still should be up."
"Well if he isn't up he'll get up because you look hot." Piper smirked.
Annabeth waved Piper off with a sarcastic eyeroll. The only thing that had changed was the season. Since it was getting hotter Annabeth was wearing a pair of sneakers and a t-shirt plus some shorts effectively showing off her tan athletic legs and collar bone.
Slipping on a light hoodie and leaving it unzipped she waved to Piper and pressed the elevator button.
"This should be quick, keep an eye on Fish for me." Annabeth commented.
She was confused when the elevator opened full of people.
"Anna! Whaddup!" Leo passed her "Oh, and whiddle Fishy wishy is here too!"
Annabeth rolled her eyes at Leo. Hazel and Frank had already taken to the couch and fought over the remote like lovebirds.
She waited till Jason and Calypso hopped off then she strode in and pressed ground floor.
Jason held the vator door open.
"Where'ya going?" the smile taking over his face suggested that he was thrilled to be in his girlfriend's apartment.
"To apologize to Percy" Annabeth muttered.
Jason's smile disappeared "What? at this time of night? Are you walking?"
Annabeth nodded.
"Then I'm coming with you."
Typical Jason. A born gentleman.
"No Jason, I have to talk to Percy alone."
"But Annabeth! Downtown at this hour?" Jason's electric blue eyes were searching her eyes.
"I'll be fine. It's only two blocks." She insisted.
"Well alright." He broke in. "But only because you say so."
Jason released his arm from the elevator and the doors slid shut.
Annabeth was thankful she brought a hoodie. It was chilly enough she liked to have her arms covered but warm enough that she wasn't cold.
As she passed under each streetlight she watched her shadow grow, shrink and curve around her. The dark starless sky was a dank sea of cloudless night.
She walked slowly down the sidewalk watching as she passed the cracks and reciting what she was going to say to Percy.
The Winaro building was in sight, just a bit farther up. As she got closer dread filled Annabeth's empty stomach.
What if Percy wouldn't listen to her? What if she had really hurt him?
Wait.
What was she thinking? Percy was the one who had all the freaky bruises and that cut...
She stopped and stared accusingly at the building. Should she just turn back?
"Aren't you a pretty thing" a voice slurred down her neck making her hair bristle.
Annabeth spun around on her heels.
A hand grabbed the front of her shirt and reeled her in like a prize in a claw machine.
*WARNING: Intense suggestive theme. Assault Suggested. Please Refrain from reading if sensitive to this topic.*
Four men looked down at her all grinning sickly. They varied from tobacco stained teeth to different lengths of upheaval hair. Two of them had beer bellies and nearly all of them had greasy stains on their various shirts. They were probably buddies. In their mid 30's perhaps.
Annabeth grit her teeth and punched the man in the stomach.
"Let me go." she demanded angrily twisting in his hold.
A fitter guy smirked at her and grabbed her neck roughly.
"She's got spunk." he grinned. Either they were drunk or close to it. Annabeth could tell from the piercing stench of alcohol rolling out of their mouths like sulphurous clouds that made her nose burn. She choked, her throat gagged and wheezed just barely being able to get enough air. The pain snaked around her neck as his hand bruised and pinched her skin.
Eyes swimming, her vision blurred out of focus and mushed everything together.
"Stop." she wheezed barely loud enough to hear. Desperately she pinched and grabbed at the hand, but her efforts were fruitless.
She felt herself be pushed and dragged. Hands skirted under her shirt touching her hips and sides. The anger built up in her stomach as she felt the unwelcome fingers.
With doubled the effort, she kicked hard in any directed and clawed at the hand on her throat.
The hands fell away but only to slap her across the face stingingly. She hit the ground hard and dazed, breathing heavily while trying to regain her bearings.
Before she could scream the hands were back around her neck, and tickling her at her legs and thighs.
Where was her hoodie? Her bare arms slapped and punched anywhere but the hands tightened around her neck even more like a threatening noose.
Fear tugged and skittered around her stomach, replacing the anger slowly and desperately as she sunk into panic. Her head woozy and unclear from the lack of oxygen. Another hand grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head.
She felt her shirt be jerked and a resounding rip met her ears.
Cold air blended with hot breathes flooded her exposed stomach along with more sweaty palms going higher and groping more. Her head wrenched as her hair was yanked free from the ponytail and was stroked and played with. Cruel hands skirted under and squeezed her butt then tried to go under the shorts.
Annabeth thrashed and as punishment, the choking hands tightened again cutting off air while the hands kept running over her body. Rough hands tugged at her shorts but Annabeth bucked and kicked. Dry lips traced and sucked down her collarbone making bile boil in her stomach as they sucked her skin hungrily. Hot tears leaked from her eyes that stared into the fuzzy darkness.
It was dark, why was it so dark?
More paralyzing terror iced her veins as the beltline slipped over her hips and down a few inches exposing more skin. In a sudden movement her shorts were at her ankles.
Clawing and kicking Annabeth tried again to free herself. A tingling pain induced slap crossed her cheek again leaving it hot and red followed by an unexpected punch to the gut winding her further to the point of blacking out. The lips viciously licked and sucked down near the top of her breasts before shoving their way up. A darker shadow fell over her eyes as the owner of the lips bent down and violently forced his mouth onto hers moving with lust. The rancid taste of alcohol and saliva was administered as he forced his writhing tongue into her mouth. She tried to bite him but the hands were quicker and tensed around her neck forcing her to sit still. His teeth nipped icily at her lips.
Stop. She shrieked in her mind. Stop touching me, Stop!.
The fear was unbearable. It crawled on her skin like the hairy legs of a million spiders. Oddly shame was present too. Ashamed that this was happening to her. That somehow she did something to deserve this.
But yet the hands continued rubbing against her skin as they feasted their darkened eyes on her near exposed body.
She couldn't scream, couldn't see, couldn't move. All she could do was feel and hear. Feel the cold air on her stomach and shoulders, feel the grimy hands touching her skin, feel the fear that layered like solid anvils in her heart. Hear the eager pants and chuckles of her attackers and the tinkling sound of belt buckles being undone.
Ohhh, a cliffhanger.
If you want an explanation on why I wrote this chapter, than please look below.
Other than that, SHOUT OUTS!
CursedLove7: Thank you for giving me the best PM ever. Seriously that was awesome. Thank you sooo much :).
Annabeth and Percy Jackson: This has been LONG overdue. Your reviews are always well thought out and you show that you've paid attention to every detail. Not to mention that you've been reviewing from the VERY BEGINNING! Honestly, you rock and I love to read your reviews every time.
UnicorndaTurd: Your response to my response in my chapter was hilarious. I could imagine you just randomly jumping in a park, or street or even a walmart.
Last Chapters Trivia Answer: Hera (geez I need to find harder questions.)
This Chapters Trivia: In 'The titans Curse'. Luke tricks Annabeth into holding the sky. How?
(pssst. Hey you. How much percabeth do you want in the next chapter? please tell me. I can add more maybe... but you need to tell me how much)
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I should probably explain this situation. I guess I was compelled to write this scene in a very intense and morbidly detailed way. Partially because that is what it is. Rape is a horrendous and soul shattering thing.
I've seen so many videos on feeds about victims finally opening up and how broken they felt.
But it wasn't only the videos that inspired me to write this.
Roughly 6 months ago I was up really late (reading fanfiction :P). It was 2 a.m and everyone was asleep except for me. Suddenly the doorbell started ringing like crazy while someone was simultaneously knocking.
Now, my room is closest to the front door. And when I heard this, you better belief I almost shat myself. Who else would be at the door at 2 a.m except some psycho killer?
Suddenly the ringing and knocking stopped, and it sounded like someone had collapsed against the door. She started sobbing into the door.
That's what I remember the most. The girl on our front door sobs because they sounded so desperate and scared.
That's when I was finally able to kick my ass out of my bed and get to the door. By the time I looked out, she wasn't there. She had run down the street because she saw a car. She got picked up by an ambulance and a cop.
Later we learned that this young girl had been beaten and raped and had rung the doorbells on my entire street, but no one had woken up.
I really regret not going to the door faster.
I thought that I might be able to illustrate the horrendous feelings victims get into this story. So I picked a character and rolled with it.