Sadie

I will admit… becoming a wanted criminal has always been on my bucket list. However, it isn't really as fun as it looks in the movies. After all, I wouldn't describe getting shot as fun.

Ah, I should probably start at the beginning.

Amos assigned Carter and I to scout an abandoned building on the upper east side of Manhattan. For some reason, there had been reports of missing artifacts, and they were all traced back to that building. So, Carter and I took a bus to the location. When we arrived, I didn't realize how dilapidated the building would be. It appears to be an old apartment building of some sort, about six stories high. It's hard to tell because some of the upper levels have collapsed onto the remaining floors.

"Yikes," Carter says. "What happened to this place? Maybe water damage—no, a fire… Maybe even an earthquake."

"Whatever it may be," I say, "This would definitely be my last choice for a secret hideout."

Carter smirked for a moment, then returned to his focused mood. "Let's make sure nobody's inside first, and then we can go in. You can search the backside, and I'll search the front."

"Ugh," I sigh. "One day you're gonna drive me bonkers with all these plans."

"Sadie, just go."

I make my way to the rear of the building and peer through the cloudy windows. It's completely empty inside, with nothing but a small desk and a couple of dead potted plants. I make my way around looking through every window, finding nothing of interest. When I'm done, I meet back up with Carter and report my findings.

"I didn't find anything either," He states. "Also, there are no signs of any magical protections or traps, so we should be fine."

We approach the front entrance with caution, moving slowly up the steps. Carter turns the doorknob and it opens, unlocked. It's somewhat dark inside, so I grab a torch (flashlight, whatever) from my bag to illuminate the room. Everything is covered in a thick layer of dust, and there isn't any sign that anyone has been here recently.

I notice a basement entrance on the far side of the room. "Hey, why don't we check out what's down there?" I say, pointing to the stairs.

"Good idea," Carter replies.

As we make our way over to the basement entrance, I hear the faint wailing of police sirens outside. It probably has nothing to do with us, I think. Then again, Isn't breaking and entering illegal? I push those thoughts away. Nobody saw us outside, so we should be alright.

We walk down the stairs into the basement, which is pitch black compared to the first floor. I swing my torch around and gasp at the sight. The room is filled from floor to ceiling with crates of what I can only assume are precious artifacts.

"So this is where they've been hiding their stuff…" Carter trails off in awe. He walks over to a large nearby crate and begins to pry it open. However, the second his hand makes contact with the box, I hear the police siren again. This time, it sounds like it's right outside. Carter notices too and freezes. He turns back to me.

"Do you think—"

"THIS IS THE NYPD! COME OUT OF THE BUILDING WITH YOUR HANDS UP NOW!" A megaphone from outside cuts Carter off, and we stare at each other in a panic, unsure what to do.

After a brief pause, Carter looks at me gravely. "We need to run. When I say, we'll both sneak out the back and get as far away as we can."

My heart is beating a million miles a minute. "Okay," I say, mustering all of my courage.

We tiptoe our way up the stairs onto the first floor. Thankfully, the windows are so filthy nobody can see inside.

"Alright," Carter whispers. "On my count, I'll open the door and we run like hell." His look may be assuring, but I can tell he's just as terrified as I am.

"One…" He places his hand on the doorknob.

"Two…" I steady my breathing, preparing for what will come next.

"Three!"

Carter flings the door open, and we sprint down the back alleyway like our lives depend on it (probably because they do). Just when I think we're in the clear, I hear shouting coming from behind. I make the mistake of turning back, which causes me to slow down and fall behind Carter. I spot two officers, pistols drawn. I don't even have time to react before what happens next.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

I turn into a narrow alley to avoid the gunfire, losing sight of Carter. I do the only thing I can think of, and transform into a kite, rising up into the air. I hope Carter's okay, I think to myself.

I'm not even 50 feet into the air when something punches through my right wing. The pain is searing, and I begin to spiral uncontrollably towards the ground. Through my spinning vision, I spot a dumpster up ahead. It takes all of my strength to use my uninjured wing to steer myself towards the dumpster. I crash into the trash bags headfirst, dazed but alive. I transform back into my human self, and with much effort (and cursing), I climb out of the dumpster.

I look around in a frenzy, unsure of what to do. So, instead of formulating a logical plan like someone I know, I decide to start sprinting away from the crime scene. I zig-zag through alleys, avoiding main streets where I can be spotted easily. After a few minutes of heading nowhere in particular, I'm hit with a realization: Percy's lives in this area. With a destination in mind, I pick up my pace as much as I can.

Around 15 minutes later, I arrive at Percy's apartment building. It's good timing too, because my adrenaline is starting to wear off, and the pain in my shoulder is ever more present. I make my way into the building, one hand on my shoulder, the other against the wall for support. After what seems like an eternity of an elevator ride, I make it into the hallway. The world seems to tilt and sway, and I feel lightheaded. Slowly, I make my way forward, stumbling along the wall. Finally, I reach the door to the apartment. I knock, leaning on the doorframe to steady myself. I wait a moment, and when nobody answers, I knock louder. Panic rises in my throat. What if they're not home?

Thankfully an answer to my question comes in the form of Annabeth opening the door. She looks dumbfounded, to say the least. I compose myself and act as if everything is normal, so as not to worry her.

"Erm, hullo," I say. "Carter and I were doing some reconnaissance in the area, and I thought I'd stop by." I smile to help reinforce the act.

"Sadie, I haven't seen you in a while. I've missed you." Annabeth embraces me in a hug, and I can't help but wince when she pulls me in. She notices immediately, and scans me up and down.

"What's wrong?" She asks, a concerned look on her face. Before I can answer, her eyes shift to my shoulder, her eyes widening in horror.

"It's fine," I say, attempting to calm her down. "Carter and I may have… uh… encountered some not-so-friendly policemen." This only seems to make her panic more, but before she can say anything, Percy appears from behind her.

"Sadie? What in Hades are you doing here?" He notices my shoulder wound.

"Your shoulder…" He trails off. "Are you okay?"

I begin to reply, but a sudden wave of pain makes me recoil. The room tilts and spins, and I can hardly form coherent thoughts. It takes all of my willpower to stay conscious. Before I can fall on my face, Annabeth puts my arm over her shoulder and she and Percy guide me towards a couch. At one point Percy accidentally nudges my wounded arm, and my vision explodes with stars.

They lower me onto the couch in a sitting position. I hear Annabeth speaking, but it sounds muffled and far away as if she's in another room. I must look like death because she appears to be on the verge of tears. The face she's making would be laughable if the situation wasn't so bleak. Through my fog, I remember why I'm here and realize that I'm putting Annabeth and Percy in danger. I plead with Annabeth to not call 911, and she promises not to.

Annabeth receives a towel from Percy and holds it against my shoulder. I cry out in pain. I'm sure I'm going to pass out now. I can only catch pieces of what Annabeth is saying to me.

"… Have to stop the blood flow… hang in there…"

Percy says something to Annabeth, and they slowly lay me down on the couch. I sink into darkness, dreaming of falling through a black void.

I awaken to Annabeth patting my shoulder.

"Hey," She says softly. "I'm going to stitch you up now, okay?"

I still feel foggy and weak, but the pain isn't so bad now. I nod, which makes the room spin.

Annabeth looks over to Percy. "Percy, help me take off her flannel."

Together they slip it off slowly, and I see Annabeth cringe at the sight.

She composes herself and looks at me solemnly. "Okay. This is going to hurt like hell, but I need you to stay still or else I'll tear the skin."

I absolutely hate needles and will do anything to get out of a doctor's appointment. I'm terrified of what's going to happen next, but I know there's no avoiding it.

"Alright," I say, "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

Annabeth glances at Percy. "I need you to hold her down, and keep her in place." Percy moves over to me and places his hands on my arms. He looks about as frightened as I feel.

I watch as Annabeth moves the needle towards my skin, and I can't help but yelp and thrash against Percy. It feels like forever as Annabeth inserts the needle into my skin over and over again. I cry and scream and try to break free, but Percy holds me down with his iron grip. Just as I'm about to beg for Annabeth to stop, she pauses.

"Please tell me it's over," I say shakily.

Annabeth looks grim. "Unfortunately, there's one last part. I have to disinfect the wound."

Oh, God. I don't think I can take any more. Despite my doubts, I tell her to go ahead. Annabeth grabs some gauze and alcohol and tells Percy to hold me down again. This time, the pain is worse. I shriek at the top of my lungs, thrashing against Percy. Thankfully it's over fast.

Annabeth says something to Percy and he leaves the room. My vision is blurred with tears, and my shoulder is throbbing more than ever. In the midst of my pain, I think of how much I must be worrying Percy and Annabeth.

"I'm really sorry I came here," I blurt out. "I didn't mean to—"

"Don't apologize," Annabeth cuts me off. "You needed help, and that's what Percy and I are here for."

I can feel myself crumbling. "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—"

My voice cracks, and I fall apart. Annabeth wraps her arm around me, and I sob into her shoulder. I don't know where Carter is, and if he's okay. I hope he's okay. I'm definitely not. As I cry, one thought repeats in my head:

I want my mum. I want my dad.

It's been eight months since we saved the world and saw them. They promised to keep in touch, but I haven't had as much as a dream or some sort of message from them. I miss them so much. Why did Mum have to die? Why did Dad have to host Osiris? Why can't I just have my parents back?

I just want my parents back.

I drift off at some point. I dream of chasing after my mum, but every time I reach out to touch her she dissolves into mist.

I awake to the sound of a doorbell. Through my grogginess, I hear people talking in the distance. I make out Carter's worried tone in an instant. I breathe a sigh of relief and prepare myself for a lecture. I look over as Percy leads him into the room. His breath hitches as soon as he sees me, and he swears under his breath.

"What's all the fuss, brother dear?" I say, trying to downplay the situation. The last thing I need is Carter fretting over me in front of Annabeth and Percy.

"Oh I don't know," Carter replies sarcastically. "Maybe just the fact that you got shot and we are wanted by the police."

"Well, I'm sure we'll be fine," I say nonchalantly. "It's not like they can find Brooklyn House."

"That's not the point," Carter says, raising his voice. "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!"

My exhaustion turns into anger. My brother has the audacity to search the city for me and start rambling on about this and that when he finally finds me. I can't believe I was worried about him a moment ago. I want so badly to snap back at him, but I stay silent. We can continue this later, without company present.

"Whatever," I say. "Let's just go."

Carter looks taken aback. "Sadie, you're not in any state to—"

"I'm fine," I interrupt. "Just help me up."

At the moment I feel anything but fine. My shoulder is throbbing and I feel weak. I'm not even sure I have the strength to sit up, much less stand. But, I just want to get home at this point, so pretending I'm okay is my only option. I doubt I'm fooling anyone, though.

Percy and Carter help me stand, and a wave of dizziness nearly knocks me over. Thankfully I have an arm around Carter to support myself.

"I guess this is goodbye," Annabeth says.

It takes me a second to form a coherent sentence. "Thanks for patching me up."

"No problem," Percy replies. "I just hope the next time we see you is on…" He pauses awkwardly. "...Better terms."

We exchange awkward grins, and I try my best to put one foot in front of the other. Carter and I stagger into the hallway. I see spots dance around in my vision, and I'm not sure my legs can support me for much longer. At some point, my mind succumbs to the fog, and everything fades away.

I come to in the infirmary of Brooklyn House. Why am I in the bloody infirmary, I wonder. My shoulder throbs as if on cue, reminding me of today's events. Even with my memory intact, I can't exactly understand the why behind what happened. It's frustrating. I sigh deeply, sinking into the mattress beneath me.

As if sensing my consciousness, Carter strides into the room, concern etched into his face.

"Oh good, you're awake. I have a lot to discuss with you."

His urgency surprises me. "Wow, so not even a how are you feeling, or I'm glad you're okay?"

He sighs in annoyance. "Sorry, it's just really important. It's about those cops that attacked us."

Carter pauses for a beat, allowing me to absorb what he just said. I nod for him to continue.

"They didn't attack us because we were trespassing. In fact, what they were doing wasn't of their own free will."

I take a second to attempt to piece everything together, but it proves to be useless. I look up at Carter.

"What do you mean?" I ask slowly.

"They were brainwashed. Someone didn't want us snooping around that building. They wanted us dead."