Annabeth
It was 4:30 in the afternoon, and Percy and I were spending some time together at his place since Sally and Paul were out on a date, when something… unexpected happened. Recently, we haven't had a lot of opportunities to hang out, so just being around Percy was a nice change.
We finish another episode of Avatar when Percy turns to me.
"Wanna keep watching?"
"Do you even have to ask?" I reply, grabbing the remote off the coffee table and skipping to the next episode.
"Hey," Percy replies. "I was just being polite."
As the opening theme begins, a knock sounds from the door. Strange. Sally and Paul said they'd be home around 8:00, and even if they came home early, they would call first.
I glance at Percy. "Who do you think it is?"
"Beats me," He says. "Probably some salesman or something. Just ignore it."
I nod silently. However, I can't quite shake the feeling that something is wrong. That the person at the door isn't simply a stranger.
The knock sounds again, louder and more urgent before. I get up, too curious at this point to ignore the visitor. I open the door to be greeted by a strange and horrific scene.
In the hallway stands no other than my magician friend, Sadie Kane. She wears black jeans, a maroon flannel, and combat boots (of course). For some bizarre reason, she is covered in a layer of soot and has several white bird feathers strewn across her clothes.
For a moment, I just stand there, taking in the scene.
Sadie notices my shock. "Erm, hullo. Carter and I were doing some reconnaissance in the area, and I thought I'd stop by." She gives me a small lopsided grin.
"Sadie, I haven't seen you in a while. I've missed you." I embrace her in a tight hug, but I pull back when she winces.
"What's wrong?' I ask.
Scanning her appearance again, I notice a dark red splotch soaking the fabric of her shoulder.
Sadie notices my worry, shifting uncomfortably. "It's fine. Carter and I may have… uh… encountered some not so friendly policemen."
Her face is pale and tight with pain.
Encountered some not so friendly policemen? I think. Oh gods, is that a gunshot wound?
Before I can engage in panic mode, Percy walks up behind me.
"Sadie? What in Hades are you doing here?" He notices her shoulder wound.
"Your shoulder…" He trails off. "Are you okay?"
Sadie starts to reply, but winces again, swaying to one side. She leans against the doorframe, teeth clenched. She looks on the verge of fainting.
I lock eyes with Percy, our thoughts identical.
Before Sadie can protest, Percy and I lead her to the couch, her arm over my shoulder, and his arm around her waist. Percy accidentally nudges her injured arm, and she cries out in pain, tears swimming in her eyes. He curses under his breath and apologizes.
We ease her down to the couch in a sitting position.
"Percy, grab the first aid kit and some towels," I say urgently. He dashes across the apartment, so fast that he almost trips over a cord on the floor.
"Sadie, try to take deep breaths. I know it hurts, but I need you to stay conscious."
She looks up, not quite meeting my gaze. Her eyes look unfocused.
My heart pounds in my chest, anxiety threatening to consume me. Will Solace of the Apollo Cabin once told me about hypovolemic shock. Symptoms are clammy skin, confusion, lightheadedness, and eventually loss of consciousness.
Unfortunately, Sadie had most of the boxes checked. As I hold her hand, her skin is alarmingly cool. She takes in shallow shaky breaths and stares off to my left.
"Sadie, can you hear me?" I ask, my tone anxious.
"Annabeth," She mumbles, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't call 911… don'..." She trails off.
"Sadie, you've lost a lot of blood. I'm not sure I have a choice."
"Annabeth, please," she pleads, slurring her words. "They'll find me… find me and hurt me."
She squeezes my hand. "Promise me… you w-won't."
"Okay," I respond. "Fine. I won't."
Percy hurries into the room, his arms full of medical supplies and various towels.
"Here," he says, handing me a towel. I press it to Sadie's shoulder, causing her to moan in pain.
"Sorry," I say. "We have to stop the blood flow. Just hang in there, okay?"
She nods slowly.
Percy sets down the first aid kit he was holding on the floor.
"Let's get her into a more comfortable position," He says.
Slowly, Percy and I lower Sadie down on the couch, putting several pillows under her head. I squeeze her hand firmly, and she squeezes back faintly. She seems to be in a semiconscious state. Her eyelids flutter, and she mumbles incoherently.
Sadie looks so delicate and small laying there on the couch. She's only 13, I think. How does she get wrapped up in situations like this? I recall back to when we first met, and she passed out from using too much magic. Seeing her at death's door scared me half to death then, and it isn't any better now.
After some time, the blood stops seeping through the towels. This is good because we were running out of fresh towels. Sadie is unconscious but stable. I motion for Percy to hand me the first aid kit, and I rummage through its contents. I pull out some stitches, a needle, and some alcohol. I prepare myself, and pat Sadie gently on the shoulder.
"Hey," I say softly. "I'm going to stitch you up now, okay?"
She nods feebly, her eyelids half-open.
"Percy," I say. "Help me take off her flannel."
Together, we slip it off her slowly. Her black t-shirt underneath is soaked with blood as well. I gently roll back her sleeve, revealing her injury. I can't help but recoil at the sight. From what I can tell, it's a gunshot wound. A dark hole around half a centimeter wide oozes blood. The flesh around it is red and inflamed.
I take a shaky breath and steel myself.
"Okay," I pause, looking down at Sadie. "This is going to hurt like hell, but I need you to stay still or else I'll tear the skin."
"Alright," she replies. "I'm ready as I'll ever be." Her voice is confident, but her eyes tell me she's terrified.
I look at Percy. "I need you to hold her down, and keep her in place."
"Got it," he says moving to Sadie's side, holding her arm down with his hands.
With trembling hands, I move in and insert the needle into the skin. Sadie cries out and thrashes against Percy. However, his grip is strong, and he keeps her in place.
12 grueling minutes later, I'm done. It's a messy job, but It'll have to do. My hands are stained with blood. Percy is slightly out of breath, tired from the effort of pinning Sadie to the couch. Sadie lies there in silent agony, tear stains on her cheeks.
"Please tell me it's over," she whimpers.
"Unfortunately," I say, "There's one last part. I have to disinfect the wound."
She sighs, then nods.
"Go ahead."
I grab the alcohol and gauze from the kit.
"Want me to hold her down again?" Percy asks.
"Please," I say solemnly.
He gets in position, and I lean over Sadie. I pour some alcohol on the gauze and press it against her shoulder. Sadie shrieks, louder than before, struggling under Percy's weight. It breaks my heart, but I continue. After I finish with the alcohol, I bandage her wound carefully.
"Hey, can you grab some pain reliever?" I ask Percy.
"Yeah," he nods, moving towards the kitchen.
I look back to Sadie, examining her condition again. She looks weak and pale, and she's clearly in a lot of pain. She meets my gaze, her eyes shining with tears.
"I'm really sorry I came here, I didn't mean to—" I cut her off.
"Don't apologize. You needed help, and that's what Percy and I are here for." I squeeze her hand.
"It's just… Carter and I were scouting a building, and then there were sirens, and they were everywhere… We ran so fast, but we got separated—" Her voice breaks.
Without saying a word, I wrap one arm around her, pulling her close.
Sadie falls apart in my embrace. She leans into me and begins to sob. Hearing her cry is enough to make my eyes water, but I force my emotions aside. I have to be strong for my friend. I have to comfort her.
"Shh, it's okay," I whisper in Sadie's ear over and over again.
I gently rub my hand along the back of her head in an attempt to calm her. She trembles in my grasp, her breathing coming in and out as short gasps.
I hear Percy enter the room behind me, but he stays silent. He sets something down on the coffee table, gives my back a small rub, and exits the room. Percy is probably as worried about Sadie as I am. I saw it in his eyes earlier when I stitched her up.
Seeing this side of her frightens me. Carter once told me that Sadie rarely cries. He also said that when she does cry, it means something is really wrong. What could have shaken her so much?
Sadie and I stay like this for a while, until she drifts off into sleep. I pull away, careful not to wake her. My shirt is soaked with tears, but it doesn't bother me. I get up and wash my hands in the kitchen. It takes a few minutes and lots of scrubbing until most of the blood is off my hands. I'm not sure how Percy and I are gonna explain the bloody towels.
I walk past Sadie into Percy's room. He sits on his bed, wringing his hands uncomfortably. I sit down next to him, leaning close to rest my head on his shoulder.
"She's asleep," I say.
There's a long pause before Percy responds. "I, uh, texted Carter. He hasn't responded yet."
My worried thoughts come spilling out before I can stop them. "Sadie said there were a bunch of cops after them, and they got separated. What if… if he…" My voice trails off. I don't need to finish the sentence for Percy to understand.
"Carter Kane is the best magician I know," He says. "He's a smart guy. I'm sure he's searching the city looking for Sadie as we speak."
"Right," I respond, trying to sound hopeful.
We sit there for a moment, taking in each other's presence. Watching TV with Percy feels so far in the past, yet it was only two hours ago. It's strange how one small event can completely change your day.
Suddenly, Percy's phone buzzes, making us both jump. He picks it up hesitantly, looking intently at its screen.
"It's Carter," Percy says.
I sigh in relief. "What did he say?"
"He said he's on his way."
"Thank the gods he's okay," I whisper.
"See, I told you he'd be fine," Percy whispers back, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
I gaze into his sea-green eyes, savoring his touch. I drape my arms on his shoulders, drawing him closer. Our faces are mere inches apart.
"Always the optimist, Seaweed Brain," I tease.
His lips curve into I smile. "What can I say, Wise Girl? I like to look at the bright side."
Just before I can lean in closer, the doorbell rings.
"Carter," Percy and I say in unison.
Both of us rush to get to the front door, anxious with anticipation.
When I open the door, I'm relieved to find Carter Kane standing there.
We exchange brief greetings, and I lead him to the couch where Sadie rests.
She's awake, but only just. Carter gasps at the sight of his injured sister, and curses under his breath.
"What's all the fuss, brother dear?" Sadie asks.
"Oh I don't know," Carter responds sarcastically. "Maybe just the fact that you got shot and we are wanted by the police."
"Well, I'm sure we'll be fine. It's not like they can find Brooklyn House."
"That's not the point," Carter says angrily. "We had the whole police department after us, and we got lucky. Who knows what could've happened? You got shot, for crying out loud!"
Sadie rolls her eyes in response but remains silent.
I can tell by the look in her eyes she wants to say more, but she holds back.
After an awkward pause, she speaks. "Whatever. Let's just go."
"Sadie," Carter chides. "You're not in any state to—"
"I'm fine. Just help me up."
Sadie most definitely did not look "fine," but I knew better than to stop her.
Percy and Carter slowly hoist her up. Sadie sways unsteadily on her feet, her uninjured arm around Carter's shoulder for support.
"I guess this is goodbye," I say.
Sadie shifts uncomfortably. "Thanks for patching me up," she says.
"No problem," Percy says. "I just hope the next time we see you is on… better terms."
The siblings walk/stumble out the door, and Percy closes it behind them.
"Well…" He says. "Another normal day with the Kanes, huh?"
"I suppose so," I reply.
Let me know if you want me to add a chapter from Sadie's perspective. Hope you enjoyed the story!