Hey guys, I hope you enjoy this chapter, as I said Clarisse gives some good advice from time to time, and Annabeth and Rachel both wish they could murder Alabaster. Read and review!
It hadn't been a long talk- but Percy's talk with Clarisse had helped her, which was why when she headed back towards the Big House and she spotted Chiron, Annabeth and Rachel talking on the porch she squared her shoulders and moved towards them quickly.
Rachel spotted her first giving a small wave, and that made Chiron and Annabeth turn their heads to look towards her, Annabeth smiling too, and Chiron giving a small nod as she jogged the short distance and took the steps up to the porch two at a time."
"Hey Percy- did Mrs O-"
"She's fine." Percy gave Annabeth an apologetic smile, "Sorry for interrupting you but- I gotta say something before I get- before I can't make myself say it because I just talked with Clarisse and it helped because- well because she gets it and-"
"Gets what?"
"I-" Percy could see Chiron tensing, his eyes narrowing as she took a deep breath, "Triton only found me a week ago when my escape attempt went wrong-"
"Escape?" Rachel frowned, "Percy wha-"
"Alabaster." Percy swallowed hard. "Alabaster captured me after we blew up Mount St Helens. He took me to- I was on Mount Orthys for about a week-"
"Oh gods-" Annabeth's voice caught, "Oh gods Percy you- he-"
"Percy-" Rachel looked horrified- and Chiron closed his eyes, a pained look on his face- though he didn't look surprised.
"I- He had me locked up for a week. I was too weak to escape and I didn't have any weapons or any pockets for Riptide- he wasn't stupid. He knew what he was doing, he knew how to keep me where he wanted me."
"Percy-" Annabeth looked like she wanted to cry.
"There was a demigod- he assigned her to be my caretaker. She- she kept me from breaking down. It was- I won't lie I struggled- like. Like a lot. And then he left, and she brought me my things and a jacket and she got me onto her Pegasus after she snuck me out of the palace. She saved me- only Alabaster had put this bracelet on me and it was enchanted- which is why I ended up falling into the sea and Triton found me."
"Thank you." Chiron's voice was very careful, "I know it must have been difficult for you to tell us that-"
"I-" Percy took a deep breath, "Like I said I just talked to Clarisse. She- she told me not to be ashamed. And- When I told my dad and Amphitrite about everything that happened they both made it clear that none of it was my fault and all- and that it didn't make me weak but it's still hard."
"Percy-" Annabeth was suddenly hugging her almost too tightly, "Percy gods- did he hurt you? I mean-"
"He-" Percy let out a slow breath, "Yes. He hit me around a far bit. And he kissed me a few times- I'd try and fight him off but it never did much good."
"I'll kill him." Rachel snarled the words, her eyes shining with anger "I'll kill him- how dare he. How dare he do that? That's assault-"
"So was him physically hitting me whenever I tried to argue." Percy pointed out. "I don't think he really cares about if it was assault or not."
"Is he- is he why you cut your hair?"
"He liked playing with it. And pulling it." Percy admitted, "So- I had some help and I cut it. It was just- it was the only thing I could do to have any kind of control so-"
"It was brave." Rachel declared, "And like I said before, you look real cute like that."
"You really do." Annabeth nodded, "Thank you. For telling us."
"I- Clarisse was right about- I shouldn't feel ashamed but- but I do sometimes when I think about it. I feel stupid and weak even if everyone keeps telling me I'm not but- I was kind of hoping- kind of hoping talking about it like this would help."
"I hope it has." Chiron's voice was careful, "I truly am glad you told us- it's good for me to know."
"I'm glad you trusted us enough." Annabeth's voice was soft, "I- I'm glad that you're willing to talk about this type of thing-"
"I just- don't expect me to- it's not easy for me to talk about. I don't like talking about it. I don't like remembering it. But I know it is important and-"
"It's okay Percy." Chiron held up a hand, "You don't have to say anymore. I'm sure we all understand. But it is good you told us- bottling it up and refusing to acknowledge what happened would only cause problems later I'm sure. It's better for us to know- it's unwise to try and ignore such trauma- I have no doubt that if we did there would be something to trigger it. No. No it's much better that we know."
His eyes flicked between all three girls. "Now I believe I should go and make more preparations. Annabeth- you may leave whenever you wish but I would like to be informed."
"Of course." Annabeth nodded, and they watched Chiron go before Annabeth turned to look at Percy, swallowing hard, "Are you- are you really okay?"
"I am. I think." Percy gave a tight smile, "It- there's gonna be moments that aren't so great- probably days but. I'll get there. I'll deal. I just- please please don't ask me about any of it. I don't.." she shook her head, "It's hard enough saying what I've already said. If, I can handle telling you more than I'll tell you when I feel ready. You know the important stuff. The little details can wait."
"If we'd have known-" Rachel's voice was tight, "I saw you getting blown out of the volcano I didn't- I didn't see-"
"I'm glad you didn't." Percy shook her head, "I wouldn't have wanted anyone to see me like that."
"What-" Annabeth took a deep breath, "What can I do- to make sure- to make it easier for you."
"I don't know." Percy admitted with a weak shrug, "I feel like 'Don't hit me' is a bit obvious huh-"
"I would never-"
"I know Annabeth." Percy's voice was almost amused, "I know Wise girl- and I love you I don't think you'd ever hurt me but- I dunno what to tell you."
"You'll tell us if you think of anything right?" Rachel's voice was soft. "I don't wanna do anything to freak you out either."
"I will. I promise." Percy brushed her hair out of her face. "Hopefully I won't need to though. Now- I know you guys are worried but could we maybe stop talking about me." she hesitated, "You guys seem to actually be getting along okay now-"
"Yeah-" Annabeth gave a tight smile, "Well, I was pretty traumatized by the time I reached your place and Rachel was already there and she'd told Sally. We bonded over it. Kind of."
"We both spent several nights cursing you for being so dumb." Rachel's voice was playful, And talking about how ridiculous you are-"
"I feel very attacked, my girlfriend and my friend being friendly- suddenly I regret hoping that you two would get along-"
"Well maybe if you hadn't gone and blown yourself up-"
"I was in a very stressful situation- and technically Leo and I both blew ourselves up together so it was a collaboration-"
"That doesn't make it any better!" Annabeth threw her hands up, "You- you're ridiculous Percy you know that"
"But you love me anyways."
"Ugh, I don't know why." Annabeth huffed.
"Because she is loveable somehow?" Rachel's voice was light. "Infuriating and ridiculous but loveable."
"I can accept that." Percy let out a breath, "I really am sorry that I scared you guys-"
"Percy you didn't ask for- what happened to happen." Annabeth's voice went soft. "You went through something horrible, you don't have to apologise for anything to do with it okay?"
"I- right." Percy gave a small sigh "It does feel stupid- you have to admit. Chiron and my dad both tried to warn me that he'd get me and I wouldn't be able to escape someday-"
"But you did escape." Rachel pointed out, "Or you wouldn't be home-"
"Yeah, but I kinda don't know if that counts." Percy shrugged, "I only escaped because someone else busted me out-"
"It's still an escape." Annabeth slid her arm around Percy's waist.
"Yes, and I ended up nearly dying again- though-" Percy hesitated, "It was pretty cool getting to see Atlantis-"
"I still wanna do that Halloween costume idea-"
"What idea?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow, glancing between Percy and Rachel.
"Oh, Rachel suggested going as roleswapped and genderbent Eric and Ariel- y'know, since she's got red hair and I'm- well, Posiedon's daught. I'd be mermaid Eric and Rachel would be human Ariel."
"Really?" Annaneth gave Rachel a look that made Rachel shrug unashamedly.
During the two weeks in which they'd believed Percy was dead they'd bonded a lot- in a weird way. It wasn't really a rivalry between them anymore- both of them had known that Percy would never ever cheat on Annabeth with Rachel- and they both also acknowledged that as wonderful as Percy was, the girl was as oblivious as a five year old when it came to certain types of things- Annabeth though, was not oblivious- and she didn't exactly approve of her new friends attempt to get Percy to wear a couple costume for Halloween.
"I thought it was a fun idea." Rachel remarked.
"Not bad I guess, but a bit awkward because I'll probably be around for Halloween." Annabeth gave Rachel an almost smug look that made the red head roll her eyes with a faint grin.
"We'll have to figure something else out." Percy grinned. "We could all go together-"
And Annabeth and Rachel looked at each other again- sharing a moment of 'Why is she so blind?'.
"We'll see." Annabeth tightened her grip on Percy's waist slightly, "So you were saying about Atlantis."
"Oh- yeah! It was so pretty." Percy was successfully distracted, and she quickly started describing the beautiful palace to her girlfriend- since she knew the other girl would have found the architecture fascinating- and sure enough Annabeth did, pestering Percy with questions- and Rachel even joined in from time to time as they headed off the porch and away from the big house towards the cabins.
Soon enough they were heading into the Cabin, and Percy sat down on her bed, crossing her legs as Annabeth started rummaging through Percy's things.
"As much as you look like a goddess in that chiton you should probably get changed into something more normal looking." Annabeth tossed some jeans and a camp tee and Percy, who caught them with a practised ease, hugging the clothes tightly.
"Oh normal clothes how I've missed you-"
"You are such a dumbass-"
"Yes, but you love me anyways."
"Hm, I dunno." Annabeth gave Percy an amused look, "Maybe I plan on leaving you-"
Percy gasped, pressing her hand over her heart, a wounded look on her face, "Why Wise girl you betray me-"
"Yes, yes I shall leave you for Rachel, clearly she's less likely to give me a heart attack-"
"Sounds like a plan." Rachel snickered, a grin on her lips.
"Okay- okay but what makes you think Rachel isn't just as bad as me-"
"I'm not-"
"She threw rocks at Alabaster." Percy pointed out, "Literal rocks, at a demigod who can use magic-"
"To save you!" Rachel yelped, "I was saving your butt-"
"Yes, and I appreciate it but it was a batshit crazy thing to do- and you stabbed Kelli- that was pretty crazy-"
"Oh gods." Annabeth groaned, "I'm having to go on a quest with three reckless idiots-"
"That's just mean!" Rachel complained, "I'm not reckless-"
"You lied to skeleton monsters to protect us within less than five minutes of meeting us- for all you knew they could have been able to smell us but you lied to them."
"Oh gods." Rachel blinked, "I am a reckless idiot aren't I?"
"Yep." Annabeth looked amused, "And I get the feeling that now that you're one of us there's no escape. You're one of the gang now-"
"But Leo and I are still the leaders of the reckless dumbass club right?"
"You exploded a volcano while you were inside of it." Annabeth gave Percy a scathing look, "I seriously don't think it's possible for anyone to be more of a reckless dumbass than you."
And as Rachel flopped onto the bed next to her laughing at the look on Percy's face, she felt lighter than she had in a long time.