A/N: Okay, because I had some free time on my hand, I was able to finish these faster. And I did keep my promise, two chapters were uploaded today.

One thing I cannot do is answer your reviews because these chapters were just so hard to write (you guys will know why) and I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it, but that doesn't mean I'm not looking forward to reading your reviews. Please keep them coming because I need them.

I have nothing much to say, except I need to find a safe house to hide in, just in case you guys try to find me . . . :D

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NEVER LET ME GO

Chapter 29: BEFORE SUNSET

PERCY

"Don't be so stubborn, Dad; quit shaking your head and listen to me for once."

Noah's words rang in my ears. I wanted to forget them but it was impossible; it was like they were demanding themselves to be heard as I maneuvered my car to a parking space near the entrance. I didn't want to listen but I didn't have a choice because he requested me to.

After Seymour left, with Annabeth in tow, I let myself back into my son's room. He was awake and was staring at the door, knowing very well that after he requested his mother to tell me his message, I would be talking to him. I wanted to get mad at him, I wanted to yell and throw a tantrum but somehow, the way he looked at me – sheepish but completely serious – stopped me.

"Hey, Dad," he greeted like it was just an ordinary day. I sat beside his bed, busying myself in rearranging his pillows, not really trusting myself enough to speak. Who knew, I might've ended up screaming my head off if I did try to talk. "Dad, I know you're mad but please, set it aside this time."

"Yes, Noah, I am very much mad," I said, almost tearing the pillow case in half. "You know why? Because every single person around me thinks that I am a bad person when all I'm trying to do is save you. And guess what? I don't care anymore."

"I do," he said softly. "And I don't believe you for a second because if there's one person here who cares the most, it's you." I shook my head and opened my mouth to speak but he gripped my arm tightly. "Don't be stubborn, Dad," he said firmly. "Quit shaking your head and listen to me for once." His eyes, which were very much like mine, bore into me, reaching into the very depths of my soul, communicating. "We don't have much time and I need you to do something for me." He paused. "Will you do it, Dad?" he asked.

I wanted to say no. I wanted to tell him that I was his father and that it's me he should listen to, but how could I deny a request by him? "Okay," I answered simply.

He gave me a small smile. "Find Pierre and Reyna," he told me. "Bring them back here and pack some food and camping gears up."

"What for?"

When Noah answered, he sounded wistful. "Remember where you and Mom met? That summer camp in Long Island Sound? I want to go there."

I sighed. "Noah, I don't think that's a good idea. You're weak and you need to stay here to strengthen for the transplant."

"Did you find a kidney from the other kidney banks? Because if it's Pierre's I'm not gonna accept it," he said, crossing his arms in front of his chest as a sign that there was no9 way of talking him out of it.

I stared at him. "Why are you doing this?"

His expression softened. "You know why, Dad," he answered. "Please, let me have it my way and I swear I'm never going to ask anything from you ever again. And your question will be answered once we're at that camp, so please get your butt out of here and find my brother and your girlfriend."

I gave him a look, trying to say that I wasn't going to do it but he gave me a firm stare. Then I knew no was an unacceptable answer to give. I gave a subtle nod and stood up, giving his head a quick kiss. "Be right back."

Half an hour later found me in front of Pierre's favorite ice cream parlor. It was the same store where I sat back when was a kid while I was trying to find Annabeth. He developed a liking with their raspberry double scoop topped with chopped nuts. That was mainly because of me. During our free time when he was younger, I would bring him here after I picked him up from school.

They were there, sitting at the table near the entrance. Reyna and Pierre. They were sharing a rather large serving of said ice cream. The delicacy cheered my son up when I pushed him to the edge. I approached them cautiously, unsure whether he would go running off again when saw me. The thought of saving Noah tried to push itself into my mind but I blocked it, telling myself that I was doing what he wanted.

Not that I was against it because I knew I seriously need to fix my relationship with Pierre. I just thought he wouldn't believe me if I ever told him I loved him because of what I was trying to do. It was like saying, Hey son, I love you but I need your kidney. Even I wouldn't believe me.

Reyna saw me first. Before, whenever those eyes fall on me, there was always love and admiration. Those were still present but had weakened exponentially. Mostly these days there was just emptiness, and – whichever word is the opposite of recognition. I waited for her to stand up, to greet me with a kiss but instead she leaned forward and spoke softly to our son. Pierre looked back at me. There was a small smile on his face started to disappear when he saw me.

"Noah needs a kidney? He needs a liver? Take mine! Take everything I have, just please stop fighting!"

That was Pierre's voice. There was a sudden stab of shame that was like a cold knife that sank deep into my gut. I almost doubled over as unexpected pain washed through my chest and stomach. Tears stung my eyes as a question bounced inside my head.

What have I done?

I knew that I was trying to save a son but at what cost? Annabeth, Reyna, Mom, Dad, Paul, even Grover and Nico had been trying to make me see what I'd been doing. Not that I wasn't seeing it; I was – I just refused to acknowledge it. Why did it take me this long to open my eyes? Why did I have to hurt my son first, push him until he was almost as broken as everyone, for me to realize the monster I had become?

I slowly fell to my knees – I didn't trust myself to support my weight. Reyna's eyes widened and stood up but Pierre – the boy I'd hurt countless times in favor of his brother – was the one who came to me first. He wrapped his arms around my neck and hugged me tight. I sat up, bringing him with me as I repeatedly kissed the side of his head, muttering, "I'm sorry." I didn't care that a room full of people were watching us; I just wanted to reconstruct the bridge I had destroyed. I just hoped that I hadn't burned it beyond repair.

I felt another pair of arms wrap around us and I knew it was Reyna. I knew what I had done was unforgivable and I would do everything in my power to rebuild what I trampled. Did I still deserve a chance after what I have done? Would they give it to me?

Right then, I didn't think about it too much. I just held onto them tight, not wanting to let go; because who knew, I might have to open my arms later on and set someone else free.

ANNABETH

"What else are we going to bring?" I asked.

"Just some extra blanket, pillow, a book and, of course, food," Noah answered from the bed. He was propped on some pillow as his eyes followed my every movement. "It's not like we'll be staying there for long."

I had spoken to Seymour and he had given us permission to take Noah to our summer camp, as he requested. "At this point, I don't think it's a bad idea," he had said. "I believe its best we let Noah experience these things and give him what he wants." He didn't need to voice it out but I knew the underlying meaning to his message.

It was hard not to cry thinking this must be it.

"Do you think they'll let us in?" Noah asked.

"What?" I inquired as I stuffed another towel into my duffel.

"In the summer camp," he repeated. "Do you think they'll let us in? I mean, it's not summer. Not for another month, anyway."

"They just call it a summer camp but there are others who stay there year round," I informed him. "Besides, your Dad and I knew the guy who runs it and I've already made arrangements; he's expecting us."

"That's good," he commented."

I zipped the bag up and sat beside my son. "You sure you're up for this?" I asked him.

He nodded enthusiastically. "Of course," he said. "I've always wanted to visit the place where my parents met." He smiled at me. "And you're going to take me to the spot where you and Dad found Mrs. O'Leary."

"It's on the beach side of the camp, Noah," I answered. "I'm not so sure that's a good idea."

"Oh, come on, Mom," he whined. "I know what Seymour had told you; he said that it is a good idea, didn't he? I mean, before I raised this to your attention I spoke with him first, and guess what? He agreed that a trip to the camp won't hurt – "

"A trip to the camp is different than a trip to the beach," I pointed out.

He grinned. "I told him about the beach and he's all for it," he shared.

"I – " I wanted to come up with a solid reason not to let him near the beach. His immune system is not working anymore and who knew what type of disease he can get if he tried to go into the water? But then I thought back to what Seymour had said. I had to let him experience this things. Didn't my son have to give up a normal childhood because of his condition? He had only been to the beach once and that was back when he was still five.

Noah, sensing his victory, smiled and gave me a small kiss on the cheek. "Thanks," he said. "Love ya."

I smiled as I returned that kiss, one on his forehead. "Don't you want to invite . . . now what's her name?" I asked, teasing him. He had been talking about someone named Ellaine who he shared a class with.

"Ellaine," he shared. "Her name's Ellaine, and she's incredible."

"Ellaine," I repeated. "Why haven't you introduced your girlfriend to me?"

"Mom!" he protested. "She's not my girlfriend," he declared. "I mean, I like her and all – she's very nice, pretty and has a beautiful smile but she's with someone else; she has a boyfriend."

I could tell he was sad, but not to the point that he was that serious about it. "Well, it's her lost," I said, comforting him. "She ignored a very special boy." I gave him a smile and he grinned back at me.

There was a knock on the door and after a moment, Seymour came in. I knew that at this time, he had already finished his shift. He wasn't even in his doctor's lab coat anymore. Throughout the years, he had grown attached to my son and him to his doctor.

"Hiya there, sailor," he greeted my son.

"Hiya there, cap'n," he said, mimicking a pirate's voice.

"I heard you're going to that camp, and to a beach," Seymour said. "As your doctor, I wouldn't have allowed it, but then I wasn't your doctor when I allowed it." He approached my son's bed and gave him a fist bump. "You enjoy your day and bring me a girl." Noah laughed. "I prefer brunettes," he added.

They smiled at each other and I knew from the look on the doctor's face that his affection to my son had grown deeper that a doctor-patient relationship. His smile slowly melted off his face and his expression became serious.

"Look, I'm going to be frank with you, Noah," he said.

"That's how I want it," Noah pointed out.

"With what the tests show, I can say that this might be your last chance to go out so I suggest you enjoy it, okay, champ?"

Noah nodded and leaned forward. "How long?"

I wanted to scream to drown out the sound of whatever Seymour's answer would be. Seeing this, my son's hand closed around mind and gripped it tightly. It's okay, he mouthed to me. It's okay.

Seymour took a deep breath before answering. "If it continues at this rate," he began, then paused, looking first at me then to my son. Noah gave him a nod, smiling. "It could happen today."

[Next - Chapter 30: NEVER LET ME GO]

. . . which is uploaded right after this one.