[Annabeth Chase]

Prologue

"'I Love You' means that I will love you and stand by you even through the worst of times. It means loving you when you are in a bad mood or too tired to do the things I want to do. It means loving you when you are down, not just when you're fun to be with."

Deanne Laura Gilbert

When you think of a fairy tale, what do you think? Riding off into the sunset with your prince charming? A happily ever after? The princess getting saved thanks to her knight and shining armor?

I wish that's what my life was like. Instead, I'm quarantined inside my castle at all times. I could never go outside to sit and read in the garden. Nor could I splash in the waves at our private beach. I wasn't allowed to go out and train with the castle guard trainees. I hadn't felt the warm sun on my face in a lifetime. I missed the sounds of the birds chirping in the garden or the distant crash of the waves rolling in during the high tides. The smell of the roses, jasmine, and lavender in the garden. How I wished just to go outside and run in the forest behind the castle or build explicit sandcastles on the beach.

Instead, I confined myself into the castle's library and my room. The only access I had even remotely close to a fairy tale was my books. Beauty and the Beast was one of my favorites. Once the Beast was murdered did Beauty finally realize that despite his appearances, she loves him. She was rewarded with a handsome prince the Beast once was. Even though the Beast forced marriage with Belle, she loved him on her own time. She wasn't forced to learn to love but gained the love. The Little Mermaid was more like my life. Just plain tragedy. First, she loses her voice after wishing to become a human. Next, she misses her sisters but was not allowed to see them. Then, she has to kill the prince. She doesn't and instead kills herself. Tragedy; no happily ever after. Except, she wasn't forced into love, she fell in love. So much unlike me.

I was never free. I wasn't permitted to go to public school, much like the children in the kingdom. My mother hired a personal tutor for me and I hated it.

I couldn't do things normally like the other kids. I wasn't authorized to get married to whoever I wanted. I couldn't go to school and be friends with whoever I wanted. I wasn't let outside, concluding I couldn't grow my own garden or go meet and greet the kingdom's citizens.

I had no siblings like other families had. My only friends were the maids, as I wasn't granted permission to have friendships with the boys. My mother was afraid I'd pick up a romantic relationship with him. The only man I talked to was my father. That was soon to be changed.

The breeze blew behind me as if to signal to pick up the pace. My arms and legs had goosebumps from the cool night air. The moon shined down onto the town, lighting up the way. The street lamps were in front of every other building, brightening the sidewalks. The town was silent, as it was the middle of the night. My flats stomped against the cracked stone beneath my feet. I wasn't too worried about being quiet as no one is ever out this late.

I continued my tramp through the twists and turns of the town, weaving my way in and out. In the distance, I listened to the coyotes howl into the dead of night. The nearby forest never ceased my nerves when walking alone at night, even with the stone walls around the town. The beach breeze smell of the sea spray flew into my nose, despite the fact the beach was a few miles behind the castle, which was about four miles away itself.

I smirked to myself under my cloak when I heard the hushed whispers of the poor. The satchel around my arm now seemed to weigh a hundred pounds. From what my parents said, what I was doing was wrong. I knew otherwise. The taxes were way too high in our kingdom thanks to all the wildlife in the surrounding area. Not everyone had enough money to pay for that. Instead of putting more money into wildlife companies, we buy more unneeded formal clothes. We never put a penny in to help the citizens with the taxes. It made me livid.

Stepping out from behind the corner I was on, the chatter paused. The peasants all gave me strange looks. I glanced at the perimeter of us then whipped off the black hood of my cloak. As if on cue, all the people around to see me bowed. Nice words of 'good to see you, princess' and 'your majesty' followed.

I smiled and rolled my eyes. "Cut it out, please. By now you all know I think that's nonsense."

They went along with my orders and I searched around the crowd. About an estimated, two thousand townspeople were poor in our kingdom out of our eight thousand. Only about three hundred show up. It hurt me to know that some peasants didn't or couldn't make it. I hated knowing that I was incapable of helping everyone.

The majority of the people around me were older than thirty, but some were in their teens with little siblings around ten. It broke my heart. They were all dressed in rags. Their clothes barely covered anything, except for what needed to be covered. Most were shivering. The clothes by now were all blanketed in dirt, dust, and mud. The colors that used to light up the shirts were now faded into browns and paled greens. They were in tatters, holes, sewed patchwork, and rips everywhere. Some of the shoes were either sandals. Most were barefoot. I couldn't see nearly all of the poor's faces. They were also covered in grime and dirt. Most of the women had already chopped off their hair or had decided to leave it in a rat's nest.

I unclipped the first satchel and set it on the ground. I bent down and lifted up the leather lid. Spilling out came a group of socks. I fit about thirty-two pairs. Knowing that wasn't nearly enough, I reached into the cloaks outside pockets and snatched up another forty in total from both pockets. Next, I unwrapped myself from the second shoulder bag, and out came the food. Bread and some seeds for growing vegetables and fruits. Inside the hidden slots of the cloak, I brought out two mini loaves of bread and ten more seed packs. Finally, the last bag had about two hundred dollars worth of money. Coins, coupons, and dollars. This was a bonus. When I pulled out the money, many gasped in shock. I rarely did this. Socks and money all in one. Only once a month and I did these runs two times a week I did the food.

Waving my hand, I signaled the first few forward. A few coins, a pack of seeds, and a pair of socks for each. The pack of seeds could be replaced with a couple of slices of bread if they wished. The citizens came and went, most of them getting something. I got lots of thanks, which I think is bullcrap. None of these people in poverty deserve poverty, let alone deserve to give me anything in return! I'm doing them a favor for goodness sakes!

When most of the habitats were mostly through, I spotted one of the regulars. Most of the time I saw her here, she was getting food for her two kids. The lady was very kind and continuously stated how sorry she is for needing our food. The lady was in her late thirties. She was one of the poorest women in the town, and I felt truly bad. She was a stay-at-home mom, as her two-year-older daughter and five-year-old adopted son needed care. Her husband worked in the schoolhouse. Not to mention but teachers get fabulous salaries. That just shows you how absurd the taxes are.

"I thank you again for letting me have all your goods because I can't pay for anything other than the taxes." Sally apologized, gratefully setting her loaf of bread in a small picnic basket.

Rolling my eyes, I smiled brightly at her. "Seriously, Sally. How many times do I have to tell you that I am doing this to help you." I sighed before continuing. "Besides this isn't a chore for me. I enjoy helping you all, including when you need it."

I picked up the drained satchels and draped them around my shoulder. I pulled my hood back on so it covered my blonde curls that were easily recognizable. For extra measure, I pat the dust and dirt off of my nightgown. I had to keep it as clean as possible if I didn't want to raise suspicions at breakfast in the morning.

Sally quietly watched me pack up my things. She hadn't cut her hair yet and I was glad she didn't. With a little shampoo, her wavy chocolate locks would neatly cascade down to her shoulders. The times I saw her though, she had her waves in a messy bun atop her head. Even in the dim lighting of this ally of town, I felt her dazzling blue eyes on me, but I ignored them. Sally was a smart woman. She always observed and was outgoing once knowing she could trust the person. Another thing I learned from her was her selflessness.

By the time Sally and I were walking back to her cottage, it was already a few hours before dawn. I knew that I kept the poor up, but I was never free another time to give them any help. If I was going to give them any of my concern or help, I would sacrifice my "beauty" sleep.

"So what have you been up to?" I questioned, kicking a few pebbles with my toe. My cloak resembled a cape as it flowed in the wind. The sky was no longer pitch black with a few stars poking out of the clouds, but it was a lighter blue; a cyan color. It was astonishing.

The older woman smiled slightly as she readjusted the basket in the crook of her arm. Her jeans were holey and dirty, but they were nicer than most. Her white shirt was now a muddy rainbow. Dark green, puke green, and brown. Again, a few holes but her outfit would've been nice if it was clean. Next time I come out, I need to wash clothes for them. Or at least bring them some soap and a few bottles of water. I made a mental note to write that in my planner. "Tyson's doing well. He didn't get as sick as we figured he would."

I beamed and looked into her eyes that shone with the moon. "That's great! I'm glad he recovered nicely. Always remember if any of you need anything, medicine, food, money, socks, just ask." By the way she slowly smiled, I knew she knew I meant everyone I helped. All the families in poverty. Her lips curled up slightly, but her smile was sad. Her smile showed me all I needed to know.

"You know you shouldn't be doing this, right princess?" I mentally grimaced at the 'princess' part. I hated being one. Everyone should be treated with the same respect, no matter the looks, bloodline, or wealth. "If you get caught, you'd be in great trouble, dear."

"Well, I'll get caught doing something right. The taxes are far too high, you know that I know that, everybody knows that. My parents know that but they spend all our money on fancy attire, makeup, shoes, and food!" I spread my hands out gesturing to my light blue nightgown. "This is something that the richer part of town owns for their fancy clothes. This is what I wear to bed."

Sally was like a mother to me. I ranted out all the things I hated about how my parents worked, and how I silently spoke of the things I was going to change when I was old enough to become queen. She listened to me unlike my own mother would. She saw my point of view, unlike my mother. Sally nodded and sent a sympathetic glance at me. Even though my face was hidden under the hood, she caught my eyes. Sally understood. Her own parents passed when she was five. She had lived with a childhood friend for most of her life until she earned plenty of money to live on her own.

The rest of the way to her home we were in silence. I didn't mean to downcast the mood and I felt terrible. As she was about to unlatch her front door, I placed a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you. I hope you're doing well. I'll see you." I whispered as I disappeared out of her sight. When I overheard the door shut and lock behind Sally, I ventured the rest of the way to the castle.

An unsettling feeling began to stir in my stomach. Something was going to go wrong. I didn't think about it being about sneaking out late at night. I had been doing it for months and no one had noticed a thing.

Little did I know, that was the last time I saw Sally in quite some time.

My nerves were racing one hundred miles per hour inside my body. My mother had called me to inform me of a very important event taking place. I had no idea what it could be, and that scared me.

I knocked on the giant oak door that led into my mother and father's room. I stepped back and impatiently waited for my mother's voice to allow me to come in. My hands twirled and twisted behind my back. My ADHD was getting to me.

My heart was pounding in my chest when my mother's muffled voice passed through the door. "Come to Annabeth."

I carefully pushed the door open to reveal my parent's bedroom. The room was almost the size of the library itself. Across from the door, I entered, was the bed. It was in front of a fatter lancet window framing the bed. The bed was up on top of two small steps that curved and ended at the wall on either side of the window. On the right side of the room was one of the many spires that were in the castle. The spire was a circular shape and was full of one glass panes. They were stained glass, a sparkly golden color like the rest of the spires in the castle. There was a bench under the windows, with dark oak wood clinging to the walls, and white cushions tied securely on top. On the walls that were framing the spire, were bookshelves. They lined the walls to the point that it was early impossible to see the cream wallpaper. The shelves were dark oak wood, as was the rest of the wood in the castle.

On the left side of the room, was the washroom. It was huge; holding a double vanity, a shower that was six by three feet, ginormous by all means, and a bathtub that was six by six feet. The door closest to another spire was the walk-in closet. Most likely the size of a guest room. Lastly, a golden chandelier hung above the open area in between the bed and the doorway, along with a spire in the left corner, mirroring the one on the right side. The room was bigger than three peasants' cottages. That made me upset, even if the room astonished me with its skylight from the windows in the ceiling.

My parents sat on the left side of their bed, eyes peering at me. My mother was sitting nearest to the door, unlike my father who was positioned by the headrest.

I regally strutted over, keeping my head up in a challenging manner, meeting my mother's eyes. "You needed me, mother?"

She smiled sweetly at me and patted the spot beside her. That had my brain blare 'red alert!'. My mother normally had me standing in a conversation, not sitting. I immediately followed her orders, attempting for no disrespect. I crossed my legs, straightened my back, and held my kneecaps in my hands. My mother wants me to be lady-like, I will be. Ever since she'd given me that look of sheer disappointment when she caught me sneaking out, all I'd wanted to do is impress her.

Nothing could make me happier anymore. Actually, being able to do common things like the other teens in my kingdom would be better. That wasn't an option anymore, though. My actions had consequences. Being isolated in my own home was my consequence. Too bad I'd still do it over and over again if it meant saving the lives of the people of my kingdom. The future responsibility to me.

"Annabeth, we need to discuss an upcoming matter." My father said, adjusting his footing on the bed. I then proceeded to stare at him blankly. He sighed heavily and pushed his square, gold-rimmed glasses. He appeared alien to me, with his glasses. He always wore contacts unless we had nothing to do and it was a free day. Keep in mind the fact that the king and queen of a kingdom have to be presentable twenty-four/seven, so to see him in glasses instead of contacts was odd to me.

My mother turned her torso towards me and settled her hand softly on top of mine. Her storm grey eyes peered into mine. "You're coming of age."

Time froze. My eyes widened and my breathing increased in speed. No, no, no, no, no, no! This couldn't be happening; I was only seventeen. Becoming queen concluded I needed a king. I was not ready to marry, nor marry someone I just met.

That's how my parents met. It was my mother's second ball that had about ten different suitors each. She met my father and they fell in love quickly. Without hesitation, my mother had chosen him. No man had ever given her as much astonishment as he had. Still, their relationship wasn't all hugs and kisses.

I didn't want to marry some boy that I met at a ball. It was basically my mother choosing the suitors for me, then proceeding for me to choose who I wanted to marry out of thirty different men. Most were princes or dukes, and very few were just sons of very famous and wealthy townspeople.

I didn't want to be forced to marry. I wanted to find someone who I loved and who loved me. From what Silena told me, many of the suitors would be about five or six years older than me (possibly more), and were snobby and self-centered. That only worried me more. I had little hope my mother's choices would be any different.

"What?" I finally asked, wanting an exclamation, saving me from my running thoughts. "Why mother? I'm only seventeen! I don't want to get married!"

My mother held her poker face and shifted so she was facing my father. They had a conversation with their eyes. Blue on grey. My mother's hand was now tightly clutching mine, silently demanding me not to leave. I stayed in position, even with my burning back. I never sat up straight unless I was in front of the citizens or my parents. My back was getting tired.

I understood that most children first in line for the throne normally got married early. That happened to Silena. She got married when she was nineteen, which was two years older than me. Her parents had started to have danced to find suitors when she turned eighteen. I wasn't turning eighteen for another nine months. It takes about nine months for the wealthy citizens to set up for a wedding, but as royalty that could easily be taken care of in a month's time.

That had me worried more than anything. Would my mother force me to choose a suitor after I had denied so many? Would she herself choose a husband for me if I couldn't make up my mind? If I choose someone to marry soon enough would I be able to wait longer for the wedding? What if all the men were a pain in the butt? What if I hated all of them for being stuck up or snobby? What if-

"Annabeth!" My father was now towering over me with my mother at his side. My mother's arms were crossed and her eyes were staring into mine, challenging me. My father to her left was now running his hand through his blonde hair.

"Yes?" I asked, keeping my voice steady. I hated to displease my parents. They expected so much out of me, that when I failed the expectations (even the slightest) they got disappointed. That was the emotion they presented to me the most.

"Annabeth dear, we have no choice. You can't rule a kingdom all by yourself." My father tried to reason with me.

That's when I observed the bags and purple circles under his eyes. His eyes normally matched the sky on a sunny day now reminded me of a dull powder blue. My mother wasn't much different. She attempted to cover it up with her makeup, but anyone with eyes could easily notice how stressed and tired she was.

I wanted to back down and submit to them, but the other half of my brain was not having it. Yes, on one hand, the last thing I wanted to do was to disappoint them or make them angry. Then again, I always hated the first in line for the throne had to marry and have the crown so early.

"Yeah, but what's next? Oh, I don't know! Maybe the fact that I have to have a kid two years into the marriage? I don't want to have a kid so young!" I shouted, moving my hands in motion. I ran a hand through my hair, spewing my curls in all directions.

"It's the law and you know that." My mother cut in; voice hard as steel. Her tone scared me a little, no matter how many times I've heard it in my life. The first time I cried. I never really obeyed my parents when I was younger so that tone was pointed to me a whole lot. Over time, it made me scared less and less but made me want to fight back more and more. When I turned fourteen I began to cooperate more often, so the last time I heard the tone was when I snuck out. That was a couple of years back. The first and last time I listened to her sound so let down in a long while. "I can't do anything about it, your father can't do anything about it, and neither can you!"

"Don't you think I know that?" I cried, standing up and pointing my index finger at them. "I don't want to! Nobody should have to get married this young. No one should be forced to have children within two years of their wedding! Kids in line for the throne shouldn't have to be crowned so early!"

"There is nothing any of us can do so the best thing you can do is deal with it and stop complaining! Isn't that all you do these days? We just can't get a break from this! Your father and I have done everything we can-"

I narrowed my eyes at my mom and took a small step closer to her. My face was burning and I'm positive my ears were steaming. "Bullcrap! When was the last time you ever assisted me with anything? You're always too busy to spend time with me! I can't even go outside for goodness sakes' to occupy myself while you're doing your duties!"

My mother glared right back at me, but her expression remained calm. My father was now standing awkwardly off to the side. He wasn't into this much. He would much rather stay off to the side. He didn't use to be like that. Although recently, he hadn't been shoving himself into a conversation to defend himself.

"Exactly Annabeth! We have our duties! Now you need to do yours!"

With that, she pointed to the door. Being the mature seventeen-year-old I was, I stomped out of their bedroom. I slammed the door behind me, not even bothering to give a quick smile to the maids and servants. In the middle of my storm off, I tripped over my dress. I groaned in annoyance and shoved myself off the ground. In my rush of anger, I ripped a giant chunk of fabric. It was so thin it tore like paper. The front now went down to only about my lower thigh as my hard stomps echoed off the walls. Although the back of my dress was still grazing the floor, I managed.

After all, I always did.

He had the best advice. He was just as fond of the system as I was. The way the townspeople didn't have an even spread of money. How the royals used all the extra money towards all their clothes and jewels instead. It angered both of us, but he had attempted to do something about it. Yes, I strivedto get my parents to use the higher taxes to pay for the overgrowing woods, but they refused. I couldn't do much more about it until I became queen, but he acted on his wants.

I didn't blame him; not one bit. I would've done the same thing if I were a peasant. Although, I would plan for months or years for my action to make sure I wouldn't get caught. He pulled his plan together in a few weeks. I knew it wouldn't end well for him. He didn't listen, which I also wasn't shocked about. He tended to do what he wanted and less of the persuasion of others.

I ran up to the door of his cell and grabbed onto the small bars that allowed me to see the prisoner. My eyes couldn't believe what they saw.

I had to bite my lip to stop myself from gasping when I saw him.

His hair was messier than I had ever remembered it. It was plastered on his forehead and the thin strands were sticking every which way. The guy's eyes appeared to be sunken into his head, but it was hard to tell as he had two very black and swollen bruises around them. Black soot was smeared all over his face and sweat stuck to his forehead. There was dry blood matted into his tangled locks. Purple and blue bruises were littered over his body. His black shirt was ripped with holes and shreds of it missing. The man's cloth that he cut eye holes through was long gone and strewn across the rocky ground. His arms looked no better than his face. Blood, purples, blues, blacks. His skin was pale, not at all like the bronze I remembered. The young adult's pants were dusty and muddy, turning the pure ebony into a carob brown.

I also noted that the teenager's shoes were gone, cast somewhere into the dark corners of the cell. His bare feet were red and dusty as if he just finished walking on the beach.

I detangle my fingers from around the cool metal bars and grab the key labeled fourteen. I jammed the key into the hole, creating a rattle that caused the prisoner to gaze up at me. Out of my peripheral vision, I noticed his eyes widen. The key continued to jam until I ran my shoulder into the door, causing it to slowly creak open. Glancing around, there were no guards in sight. Just what I needed.

Dropping the keys I took three steps flash as a flash and grabbed ahold of his face. The blond winced suddenly, which made me pause and let go. "Sorry," I whispered, peering into his eyes for any discomfort. "Did I hurt you?"

No, Annabeth, I told myself, You didn't hurt him.

He took a deep breath. "You're fine. The guards aren't the fondest of their kingdom getting trash-talked." When I snorted, I immediately covered my mouth with my hand as the blond quietly laughed at me. That gave him one of my infamous glares. He shut up. In the moment of silence, I trailed my gaze over his dirty body. When he saw my gaze, he again sighed. "Hey," He brought his crimson fingers to my chin and pushed it up so I was meeting his eyes. His lips twitched into a small smile while mine formed a frown. "I told you I'm fine. I wouldn't have said I'm fine if I wasn't."

I wanted to argue stating that he wasn't okay, but I knew arguing was not the way to go. So instead, I lightly trailed the tips of my fingers over his nose that was crooked and slanted. My fingers didn't stop, continuing to trace his cracked lips, which were crimson with blood. They were that dry. I brushed my fingers against his chin and down to his neck. I paused when I came upon his pulse. It was faint, much too faint for him to be stable alive much longer. He glanced at me as I sent him one. He looked down while I looked up at him. "What all have they done to you?"

He sighed before weakly lifting his right hand and running it through his hair, constantly getting tangled. "It wasn't as bad as you think it was."

I raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet. My parents had sentenced him to a life-long time in the dungeon for the crimes he committed. Based on what he seems to be at the moment, he's getting beat for it as well. My parents aren't very generous when it comes to civilians breaking laws. Even if it was something little like leaving the kingdom to hunt for food, they were punished. It killed me inside.

"They shouldn't be doing this. Isn't being locked up for the rest of your life enough?" Crossing my arms, I sat back on my ankles.

"Annabeth, stop it. I knew the risks I was taking when I rebelled. I knew the consequences if I got caught." Luke sighed, and uncrossed my arms, taking my hands in his. "You can't blame your parents; they're doing their job-"

Mentally rolling my eyes, I muttered, "They're not doing a good job at it."

"Look at me." I wasn't about to look at Luke; I was so angry. My parents suck at ruling a kingdom. Things were so unfair. Yeah, I get it; life isn't fair. But when life was so unfair that a good chunk of my kingdom's people was living in poverty, it gave a sick feeling in my stomach. I felt my hands clench around Luke's giving away the fact I'm livid. The taxes are too high, the kingdom's not getting the nourishment it needs. It was all because of the expensive dresses, jewels, furnishings, books, food, and accessories. They weren't even the items we needed. If the townspeople can deal with wearing rags, my family can deal with wearing small tank tops, sandals, and shorts, rather than wearing fancy ball gowns that seem to stretch for miles on end. "Stop getting angry. If anything, you're going to prove your parents wrong. You're going to get married and change the laws."

"But I don't want to get married so soon, even if it means proving my parents wrong. I want them to be proud of me. I don't like them frowning down on me as if I'm lackluster dirt." I wanted things to change, but I wished for my parents to approve of me. Oh, how I despised not knowing things. "How am I supposed to do both?"

Luke must've sensed the truth behind the way my voice ended in a whisper. Despite all the hate and distrust, I have behind the way my mother and father run the kingdom, I couldn't make them despise me. "You know you can do both."

"How?" I dropped his dry hands and crossed my arms once more. I raised my eyebrow in a questioning manner.

His icy blue orbs sparkled with mischief. He lifted his hand to my face and lightly flicked my temple. "Use your head. The Annabeth Chase I know doesn't 'not know' things. If she doesn't, she finds out."

As much as I loathed being wrong, not knowing something was a thousand times worse. Luke was right, as much as I did not want to admit it. Any way to please my parents.

Maybe I could pretend to enjoy the balls? Perhaps pick out a suitor after the first one? A man they liked. Possibly I could obey them. Stop complaining and whining about not having privileges. Maybe that will win over their approval? Then I could change the laws in our kingdom without much haste. That was unless the king disagreed. What if the kind disagreed with my decisions? What if he was a snob and didn't agree with me on anything? What if I did all that hard work for the king to veto the law change I requested? What if I ended up making my parents proud of me, but I fail to provide for my people? In the end, I may fail altogether. Terrible king, terrible laws, terrible kingdom, poor people, especially the bitter peasants I helped live in return for failing as a queen and not saving my promise. Speaking of failing, what if I do just that as queen? Will, that earn the disapproval of my mother and father even after the work I put in? Everything would end up crashing in the end.

"Annie, stop it. Now you're overthinking." Luke chided, chuckling softly. Another storm produced from my eyes flew straight through his forehead. "I know you'll do great. Knowing you, you will find a plan."

Nodding, I unhurriedly moved my right hand back into his hair. The blonde was almost invisible, and it was longer than usual. Normally swooshed to the side, but now it fell onto his forehead. My fingers felt dried blood breaking off and daw dirt spewing everywhere. Despite the mess, it still managed to be soft. Playing with Luke's hair calmed me down. "You need a haircut. And a bath." I dramatically sniffed the air, then put my hand in front of my nose. He laughed softly, which made me smile. Just as I was removing my hand from his hair, it got caught on something and yanked on it.

My hand almost hit me in the face with the force of how tightly the material was holding on. A sharp intake of breath caused all my worry to fly to the man in front of me. His eyes were hidden behind his eyelids, his jaw was clenched. All of my previous anger evaporated as I placed my hands on the side of Luke's face. Carefully, I progressed forward and forced his head down. Fresh blood was spilling out of a deep gash on top of his scalp. It was deep and hidden behind his tangles.

"Oh my God. Luke, this is bad. We need a medic." I state, voice hard as steel. My lips formed an upside-down smile. I squinted my eyes to study the cut. Dust, dirt, and various particles were near the edges, some even in the blood. The wound could've gotten infected; it could be infected. This was only one cut; the others could be worse. He needed to see a doctor; fast.

Words: 6,037

[ANY RECONGNIZABLE CHARACTERS GO TO RICK RIORDAN]

-Bookworm-2026