Percy's POV:
"Wait- Stop- No- Put me down cockroach!" I am screaming and thrashing over the shoulder of this lady. My head and arms are on her back, and she is trying to hold my legs still. Man is she strong! Where my energy and vigor came from, I have no idea. None whatsoever. My brain is going a mile a second figuring out nothing. Maybe it is straight up desperation. That doesn't mean it hurts any less talking. It's like sand is pouring down my throat.
"Perseus! Seize this at once!" She ordered, but that only made me kick and scream even harder. My knee hit something solid, and I heard her grunt. I tried pushing on her back to move forward, but her grip maintained. It doesn't help that I feel incredibly weak. And sick. If I throw up, I'm definitely doing it in her back.
"No! Let go you cow!" I heaved through my clenching teeth. A sharp tick punctured the back end of my tongue. Don't know what it is. But there is definitely something oozing into my throat.
"You don't have to fight me! I'm an ally! It's impressive you got this far on your own, but enough is enough!" Damn, is that her attempt to calm me down? Cause there is no way that that is going to work. If my mothers couldn't calm me down after my bath in lava, then this is nothing. I mean it, I will go all the way kicking and screaming. I won't make it easy on anyone. Especially not this iron gripped women.
"OOoo praise! That won't help you witch!" Sarcasm leaked out of my voice. Though it left me in a coughing fit. And a throat dry. Sand doesn't quite cover the feeling. More like burning coals
"Everyone will be thrilled to know you're finally awake. Don't you want to see your friends again?" What kind of incentive is that!? I can see my friends anytime I want! But that is not the issue I'm currently dealing with. 'Mmm I love the smell of strawberries. Wait! No!' The sweet smell tickled my nose. I kicked harder arching my back to move as much as I can. It didn't help.
"No, I don't wench!" She stopped and my hands slipped down her back from the suddenness of it. My face hit her back and it felt like my nose just hit a rock. Seriously, what is up with her!? Gods! I'm tasting something metallic in my throat. Warm and liquidly. Why oh why can't I keep my damn mouth shut? I know! Because I'm a stubborn idiot. With a death wish.
"Why?" Her voice dropped a level. She readjusted me over her shoulder, but I know exactly she stopped. Tt. What's with all these damn questions anyway? It's not like we know each other. I think I recognize her, but honestly everything is still a bit jumbled.
"What's it to you Alpaca hinny?" I scoffed, like she knows anything about me and my friends. Although I have been seriously lacking in the whole staying in contact department. Very little since leaving camp. Sooo yea, a little while. I think. Maybe be longer because it is feeling warmer than the last time I could- you know- feel.
"Nothing." Well, that wasn't very convincing.
"Liar, you feral hog." She swung me over her shoulder and plopped me on the ground. A dull ache washed over me. She dropped me right into the shade of some damn big house. That or the shadow is just very long. Meaning it is morning. Wonderful, what a great way to start the day. 'Great! My cynicalness is seeping through.' I sang to my self.
"Oh for the love of- seize the name calling!" She stepped on my sternum to keep me from moving. My face placed perfectly along the shadows edge to be blinded to her features. Planned or not, this psychotic boulder remains a mystery. Or I'm those damn mushrooms again. I'm never trusting tree line alpine Nymphs ever again.
"Not until I recognize you. Harlot." I heaved again. Man does my throat hurt. The muscles in my neck and especially around my throat are definitely swelling. I think I've got one sentence in me before I go silent again. I better make it count.
"I'm sorry? Perseus we've met before. A few times in fact." She tilted her head to the side, but that is all that I made out. She may be right though. About meeting before. But honestly, I'm getting nothing from her. I blinked long and hard, but that only scrunched up my face. "Come on stop playing..."
I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Just a squeak. Huh, guess I was wrong. I don't have another sentence in me. Well, calling her a harlot is as good an end to a conversation as any.
"This is not good." She rubbed the bridge of her nose together releasing a short sigh.
Now that I can't talk, walk, breathe, or anything that requires even the tiniest bit of work. I'm going to zone out. And leave all the questions and crap for a later day. Hopefully the day after the day where I can do something. Preferably sneak out. Before life decides to start running again, I'm going to make sure some people are not dead. And safe. From a distance. If I can manage. Don't want to attract unwanted attention to the wrong place. Like my family's secret little clearing, or a famous house... Yea, I can do that. I can watch over them and not get involved... Gods, I hope I can. Or remember to.
The amnesia is a roadblock of sorts, or perhaps a screen that reaches from ground to sky, because I have a sense of it. So I am aware when I am forgetting, when there is something close yet hidden, yet I cannot in that moment fathom what it could be. It's as if I was following a bread crumb trail and it ends, so I stop. So that gives me some ideas as to what is missing from my brain, because if one always got stopped when travelling south, you would know that the blocks are to the south, even if you have no clue as to what they are.
At first the most important memories burned the brightest. My earliest memories. Things that not even the gods themselves could force from me. Then things just sort of were kept blocked off. I guess I was a bit too presumptuous in thinking I remember everything. My name is even alluding me a bit. Well, the certainty, that is. She kept calling me Perseus, but that doesn't sit quite right with me. I know things are missing, but I don't know what...
I remember the deal; I don't remember with whom. I remember my family being in danger; I don't know from what. I remember wishing for death; I don't know why I'm not. The cold, the pain, I remember that. Not the where, why, with whom; or who did it. Nothing that gives me a reason to sleep better at night.
I do remember the moon. I definitely remember the moon. It was soothing. I heard it saying, 'I can feel the pain that swirls in your brain, all the stories you keep telling as if they hold answers. They don't. People do things because their emotions are driving them that way... all those things that hurt you... had nothing to do with you at all... and perhaps that's even worse. Please, just please let me take some of that burden. It's not all on you.' I refused. I know that because I can't let another person die because of me. Not again.
In the end, I remember talking before I lost it all. I remember not being able to see first, then couldn't smell, then I couldn't feel. Which may have been a blessing. I couldn't hear next; I couldn't hear a friend trying to keep me together. The last thing I remember is tasting blood pooling in my mouth.
Now I don't even know where I am or who I'm with.
I need something familiar, something to ground me. A tether that anchors me before I drown roaming free. Drown... Hehe I can't drown. Not in water at least. Water sounds so satisfying to me right now. The chance to swim and truly feel capable again. I can swim forever, dive forever, be there in the underwater world forever. Whenever I sink the air bubbles cling to me not letting me go. I don't need them to.
There is something about the motion of it that becomes natural. A part of me that feels water is my heaven. The rush, the strength, the knowledge, everything coming together like it is a part of me. The tug of control that makes me feel wanted. The streams of clean water calling out to me to help me. To take me away for a little peace. The ever-present clench of my abs gnawing at me to do something with this anchor.
The more I think about it, the more I feel my family coming closer; I just want to go home.
"Perseus!" - "Percy!"
Annabeth's POV:
"This is all my fault." I said letting my head dwell in my hands while the councilors gather in the Big House. All are here anyway, except for the Ares cabin. The other campers headed towards breakfast who were ordered by Chiron not to leave the pavilion. This is just one big mess after the other. Oh my gods, I can't believe this is happening now of all times.
"Did you know this was going to happen?" Chiron rolled up to the couch and lifting my chin up. He's so kind and caring even after everything's he's been through. Even trying to look after me when he knows that I'm the one to blame.
"No. But-" He cut me off.
"Did you put somebody up to this?" He isn't accusing me. That is not what he's trying to do. I know exactly where he's going with this.
"Of course not-" He cut me off again. What a di-
"Then stop blaming yourself over things you can't control." Chiron seemed to be fed up with all the self-blame. The logic is all there, if it weren't for me then certain dominoes wouldn't have fallen. And it all sprang from trying to be nice. Now that is ironic. It's outlandish that I would even attempt something along the lines of kidnapping. Let alone get someone else to do it. IF you want the job done right then do it yourself... Well, if that thought doesn't make me suspicious, I don't what will.
"I called Zoe away. And it's not like I can blame the coma patient that's currently missing, now, can I?" I doubt Percy woke, saw he was safe, and decided, 'Nope. This simply won't do. I want to get tortured again instead.' Like come on - That's insane. His body is still not fully healed. Let's not forget the rehab afterwards if the whole normal healing process keeps up.
"Ooorrr. Just hear me out. The same thing happened to Percy as Nico a few months back. The circumstances fit." Travis Stoll plopped down on the couch next to mine munching at an apple.
"That was at night dip-" Connor Stoll snickered before being caught off. Surrendering his hands before folding them behind his head. Taking a seat next to Travis.
"So what?" Miranda Gardiner said wanting to keep those two in line for Katie's sake. She's the year rounder and head councilor of Demeter's cabin when Katie isn't around. Miranda looks a lot like Katie, but her eyes are more foliage green. But she should be able to hold out for a little longer now that summer is approaching. I know she respects Percy. Both caring about nature and all that.
"Maybe he's a freak like Percy. Who knows?" Caster lulled out a bit too much like his father. It's so creepy seeing the three of them together at camp. Then seeing the similarities.
"I do. Kid was mad creepy. Then poof! Gone." Connor thwittled his fingers like spider's legs. Ugh that sent a shiver down my spine. And gave me the feeling something's on my neck. Ewwww!
"Quit being so dramatic. He died. Couldn't handle it. Got in over his head." Pollux, levelheaded as ever. Though very similar to their father, again. Why does everyone want to get a word in this time? Normally it would be arguments with half of them. While the others stayed out of it. It must be the added stress of trying to prepare for war.
"Please don't speak ill of the dead." Chiron sighed. I know full well that he's experienced plenty of death. And it breaks my heart a little every time he tried to keep their memories alive. I know I will try and do the same. Not just for my sake.
"Fine fine. I surrender. But you know I'm right." Pollux waved off. Probably still too tired from staying up all night with me and Miranda setting up Zoe's surprise. My apologies.
"No, you are not. It is a tragedy, and we will consider it as such until new information comes to light." Chiron was not having it. Good.
"I have some information." A few councilors jumped at Zoe's voice. That was neat. I almost didn't notice her come in. And would you lookie here. Clarisse finally decided to join us.
"About Nico?" Lee Fletcher asked confused. Normally he'd take a back seat during all of this. Though in good conscious I doubt he could because he believes he could have saved Nico during his last night at camp. He's definitely hiding something from that night though.
"No. Regarding Percy." Well right to the point then.
"Oh." That's all that he replied with. I thought he'd be more urgent about Percy considering he's the one that warned us about all this... Or it could be that he doesn't want to get hurt by Zoe again. That's completely plausible. "Uhm before we continue, I must confess something. The night Nico disappeared. I *cough* found a steak knife by Percy's bed... And a shadow running away." I almost blew up at him, but Chiron raised his hand stopping me and anyone from joining me.
"Before we dissect any of that. Let's tend to the matter at hand." Oh gods. Why is this happening now?
"Spit it out. I've got things I have to do today." Clarisse sighed dramatically as per usual. She does this every time Percy comes up. I know she respects him in her own convoluted way. Yea, I just don't get it.
"Like what? Split a watermelon with your thick head?" Silena poked at Clarisse. Normally quiet, kind, and caring she always has a bone to pick with Clarisse though.
"Better than filing your nails again." Clarisse glared. Sparks flying between the war child and beauty queen. Per usual. Again.
"Really? -" Silena shook her head. Not too affected by that comeback. I knew it.
"Enough!" Chiron ordered rubbing his forehead with his forefingers. "Zoe if you would?" Chiron waved his hand giving her the go ahead.
"Right. He's awake, conscious, and outside."
"And you left him alone!?" Charles beat me to the punch jolting up and leading us out the door. Not before Zoe turned on her heels and took the lead. Today is just a very strange day indeed.
"Trust me he's not going anywhere. It was like carrying a baby. A weak frail temper tantrum induced baby." Zoe said that. I mean she literally said that. With her own tongue. What? It got even stranger.
"Di-did Zoe just say that?" Miranda leaned over to ask anyone.
"I think she did." Beckendorf, the big guy answered. We are all in complete awe of this. Never before has he, nor I, or anyone, witnessed a huntress sounding so... I don't even know how to put it. It's weird... And creepy.
The steps felt longer and heavier than normal. My anxiety is rising, and I don't know what to do about it. Everything and everyone try to show me that all will be okay, but I'm anxious. It comes as an electrical storm in my brain that, quite honestly, is painful. It's different from a headache and it feels the same as intense- just intensity, perhaps as a sort of frozen panic with nowhere to go. I'm even feeling nervous.
Three months. It's been a while. "Oh, don't get your hopes up. It's not what you expect." Zoe warned us. That did nothing to ease my sense of anxiety. It only skyrocketed my anticipation. It's sinking into my stomach and feeling all bubbly. Butterflies or caterpillars; either or. I don't know.
We rounded the corner.
"Perseus!" - "Percy!" Zoe and I shout before we jump into a dead sprint. Head councilors close by. Percy's laying on the damn ground head swiveled towards the lake, arm stretched out. I can make out that his lips are parted. And I can make out that nothing is coming out. He's reaching out. Calling for it.
A brook crawling up from the bottom of the hill inching towards Percy. The lake reaching out to him. It is wonderful, a mini-river creating mini-gorges without concept of scale. Around it the greenery drinks, leaves become boats and their sound upon the rocks sings with a steady confidence that bends the natural laws of nature. The early morning dew congregating in the brook.
Zoe and I didn't make it before the water caressed his finger. Before it coiled around his hand and up his forearm like a serpent. Before he smiled. Before his eyes widened.
We did make it before it dragged him away.