Whoop, trigger for more suicidal thoughts from our Seaweed brain, she's definitely going to be dealing with heaps of trauma after all this- and I don't plan on just forgetting about it later she will still deal with the fallout of what she's gone through, though it'll lead to some good hurt/comfort scenes later. Anyways my guys. Also, Drew is exactly the type of bitch who cares but pretends they don't. Anyways please do read and review.
Percy hadn't planned to fall asleep like that, she really hadn't, but she did- and she only woke up when she heard the door opening and closing again.
She opened her eyes slowly, blinking when her gaze landed on Drew, who's eyes narrowed slightly when she saw Percy. "He hit you again."
"I hope he never comes back." Percy whispered the words, "But he will. Won't he?"
"Yeah. He will." Drew moved towards her quickly, crouching down with a frown on her lips as she reached out gently, brushing her fingers over Percy's cheek, "Jeesh he really dug his nails in didn't he?"
"Yeah." Percy closed her eyes, turning her head away slightly. "Is it true?"
"What?"
"Apparently he has our wedding planned for the day I turn sixteen."
Drew was silent for a moment before she responded, "Yeah. Yeah it's true. That's what he's got planned."
"I don't want to marry him."
"I know princess." Drew sighed, "I know." She shifted, sliding her bag off her shoulder and setting it down next to her as she reached out and grabbed Percy's
hands, "Look at me-"
"No-"
"Percy please-"
"I'm never getting out of here am I?" Percy's voice was tight, "I don't... he's never going to get away. Everyone tried to warn me he'd get to me eventually if I wasn't careful I- I have my dagger, I have my dagger I could- I could kill myself. I could kill myself I'd rather die than that-"
"Percy we both know you'd never do that." Drew shook her head, "Now look at me princess, just-"
"I-then you could do it! Please Drew please I can't do this I can't! Please just kill me!"
"Percy-" Drew's voice was sharp, "Percy fucking Jackson look at me right now-" and Percy's eyes snapped open against her will and she swallowed hard as her eyes met Drew's.
"Why did you-"
"Breathe." Drew shifted slightly, squeezing Percy's hands once before she let them go and she grabbed her bag and opened it, pulling out a familiar strip of braided denim, holding it out, "I've got some stuff for you-"
"You- my bracelet-" Percy had to force herself not to snatch it back as Drew fastened it around Percy's wrist next to the silvery band that Alabaster had
slapped onto her. "I don't understand."
"Yeah, well what's new there?" Drew dipped her hand into the bag again, this time pulling out a familiar looking watch, which she helped fasten to Percy's
other wrist before she tugged out a familiar locket and fastened it around Percy's neck. "There. Looking better already."
"Drew I don't-"
"Just do as you're told." Drew rolled her eyes, "And stop asking questions." she reached into her bag again, pulling out a black leather jacket, "Put this on-"
"I- O-okay." Percy swallowed hard as she shifted, leaning forward to let Drew help her slide the jacket on. "But I don't understand- I'm not allowed to wear anything other than the chiton's because of-"
"Pockets." Drew's voice was tight, "I already know that dumbass." once the jacket on Drew rose to her feet, looking around, "Where's your dagger?"
"I- under my pillow."
"Perfect." Drew moved to the bed quickly locating the dagger and moving back over to Percy, sliding the dagger into one of the big pockets of the jacket before holding her hand out, "Come on."
"Drew what are you doing?" but Percy did accept the other girls hand and she pulled herself to her feet.
"What did I say about asking questions." Drew rolled her eyes, "Just act like I'm using Charmpeak on you okay?"
"Okay." Percy blinked slowly as Drew towed her to the door and unlocked it- and Percy felt her heart pounding harder, leaping into her throat- and when Drew
stepped out and tried to pull Percy towards her the daughter of Poseidon faltered- it was stupid- she'd tried so many times to force her way out over the five days in which she'd been locked up in the stupid room, but now that she was about to step outside she felt a rush of terror.
What if it was a trick, what if this was some ploy by Alabaster to hurt her- to break her- then Drew was looking back at her, and Percy swallowed hard, staring into the other girls deep chocolate eyes.
And there was no deception in them. "Princess." her voice was soft, "I need you to trust me."
There was a long moment before Percy gave a slow nod, and she let Drew pull her over the threshold of the room, out into the hall.
Percy was shaking slightly, but she didn't have any time to pull herself together because Drew was dragging her through the halls- and Percy kept her head down as they moved, while Drew kept her head held high.
They were walking for a while before a voice stopped them and Percy tensed, looking up slightly, there was a boy looking at them with a raised eyebrow- a son of Hermes if Percy had to guess- he had the same eyes as Luke.
"Drew, what are you doing?"
"I'm following Alabaster's orders." Drew didn't even hesitate, "He wanted to make sure his future Queen's wedding gown will be ready- he wants me to make it personally so I need to get measurements and things. It'll be easier in my room where I have my things. You know how it is. Alabaster put me in charge of her, as long as I'm using my Charmspeak she's secure, I'd like to see her escape."
"Right." the boys eyes flicked up and down Percy curiously. "So this is the infamous Percy Jackson. She doesn't look so tough."
"Yeah, well," Drew smirked, "I know how to work my magic."
"You're terrifying Tanaka. You know that? Can you make her do something?" And Percy really, really wanted to punch the guy.
"Hm, let's see." Drew's voice was thoughtful, "Percy. Kneel for me." and Percy felt her legs bending against her will and she let out a pained noise when she hit the ground with a crack. Though truthfully she was almost grateful, Drew was able to make it feel like it was what you wanted- she'd done it once, to show Percy and it had been horrific, the way her mind had become warped- she preferred it when Drew did it and let her keep her own sense of self, even if it meant that she came down hard and painfully.
The boy whistled lowly, "Now that's good. Bet you could have a lot of fun with that."
"If I wanted to."
"You're scarier than any monster."
"Of course." Drew sounded amused, "You know me- a beautiful monster, now come along princess, I wouldn't like to keep you out of your room for very long. Get up."
And then Percy staggered to her feet, which didn't feel great- her knees were hurting a lot, and then she was being dragged along again- and Percy realized with a start that Drew was shaking slightly as they made their way through the halls of the palace.
She knew better than to try and ask what Drew was planning- deep down she was pretty sure she knew what was going on, but she couldn't dare to let herself believe it. Drew might almost be a friend- but... she'd be risking everything if she did it, why would she even consider doing that?
They passed several more demigods and monsters- but no one questioned Drew.
Clearly they had all been told that she was to be given free reign when it came to Percy while Alabaster was away.
And then they were stepping outside of the black castle- and Percy could hear Atlas' furious yelling, but it sounded somewhat distant, and when Percy looked around questioningly Drew shook her head, "We're around the back of the palace." she said curtly, "Nowhere near Atlas, he can't see us."
"Right." Percy relaxed slightly, "That's good." she swallowed hard, "I- Drew-"
"Come one." Drew dragged her along- they were on a rocky ridge on the outside of the palace, and Drew pulled her along to a somewhat sheltered alcove-
and Percy found her gaze drawn towards the cliffs, towards the sea- freedom.
She must have zoned out or something, but she was snapped to attention by an ear piercing whistle and she jumped, her eyes wide, "Drew what-"
"Trust me." Drew's voice was sharp- and then less than five minutes later a shape was flying through the air towards them, and Percy let out a sharp gasp.
"Is that-"
"A pegasus." Drew laid a hand on Percy's shoulder, "I'm getting you out of here Percy-"
"But- you'll get in trouble." Percy stared at Drew.
It was one thing sort of suspecting it, but having Drew outright tell her- that was something else, "You'll be punished."
"I'll tell them you broke free of my control and made a run for it and I lost you- I need you to punch me."
"But-"
"I'll be punished but they don't need to know I actually helped."
"You could come with me-"
"No Percy-"
"Pease Drew." Percy grabbed Drew's hands, "Please. You're my friend, you're the only reason I haven't given up- you'll be accepted."
"I can't come with you right now." Drew's voice was tight, "I'm sorry Percy but.. you have to go alone."
"I don't want to." Percy's voice crackled, "Please Drew please don't make me leave without you I-" Drew really had been the only reason she'd stayed sane. It might have only been five days- though from the look of the rising son it was the sixth day now, it had been terrifying, and if Percy hadn't had someone there... she shook her head. "Please please Drew- why can't you come."
"I just can't." Drew turned her head, the pegasus had arrived- it was a beautiful one, a dappled tan coat, and it seemed pleased to see Percy.
"My lady, do you need a ride?"
"I-" Percy swallowed hard, "I will- Drew please-"
"Percy, I'll find my own way. You need to move fast, the extra weight would only slow you down princess-"
"I can't go without you-"
"Yes you can. And you're going to Percy." Drew's voice was sharp and she pressed her lips to Percy's forehead, "You can't stay here any longer. It'll break you. And this is probably the only chance you're going to get to escape so you need to take it."
"B-"
"Percy. Punch me and then get on Lady's back." Drew's voice was filled with the magic of her Charmspeak- and Percy let out a choked sob as her body started move without her permission, her fist drawing back before flying forward, smashing into Drew's cheek hard enough that her head snapped back and she stumbled, then Percy turned and she hauled herself up onto the back of the pegasus.
"Promise me you'll leave. Promise me you'll come to camp."
"I can look after myself loser. Better than you can anyway." Drew flipped her hair over her shoulder, "I have everyone wrapped around my little finger. Now go and save yourself. Go back to your stupid camp. I'd travel over the sea in case there's any monsters that come after you, you're more likely to survive if you're near the water."
"Why? Why are you doing this for me?"
"Because, you idiot. You're my friend." and then Lady was taking off and Percy gasped, grabbing onto the Pegasus' neck as they took off into the air, soaring towards the sea.
Percy twisted as they flew, her eyes focused on the figure stood in the shadow of the palace- and as they flew away she got smaller and smaller, until Percy couldn't make her out at all and Percy shifted, looking forward instead of backwards, staring out over the sea towards home as they flew, her heart rising when she realized that it was really happening- she was free- the rush of that thought was exhilarating after she'd started to believe that there was no chance of escape for her.
She let out a bright laugh, leaning forward over the Pegasus' neck. "Take me home Lady."
"Of course my Lady!" the Pegasus sounded happy- but that changed less than ten minutes later- they were flying high in the sky, the sea a distant field beneath them when it happened.
Percy felt a shock of pain run up her arm and she cried out, gaze snapping down to her wrist- to the silver band around it which was glowing suddenly- and a horrifying realization filled her.
It was enchanted- somehow it was enchanted and now that she was escaping- there was another wave of pain and she let out a scream at the burning sensation- and there was a heavy feeling on her chest- like a metal band was wrapped tightly around it- she couldn't suck in air, she couldn't breath.
"My Lady what's wrong?" the Pegasus' voice was panicked, but Percy couldn't answer because she was already falling, sliding off the Pegasus back, fingers scrabbling desperately at the band around her wrist, gouging into the skin around it as she tried to tear it off, chest already burning as she tried to suck in air as she plummeted, falling so fast that the air whistled past her.
And as she felt herself passing out the last thing she felt was the sensation of hitting the water.