I don't own PJO P.S. Mr. Smiley is happy again see... =) He says thank you to Melbel10 and SonOfHestia-11!
Chapter 10
Right after Zoey's I.M.
Zach's POV
I turned back to my computer to shut it down. I felt angry that someone would do that just for a stupid joke. Everyone who I worked with knew how sensitive that subject was for me.
My hands were shaking as I gathered the papers off my desk and placed them in my briefcase. What would all my old friends say if they saw me now? Sixteen years old and I'm already head of my mother's business. I shook my head and laughed bitterly.
As soon as I was out of the building I walked to the apartment that mother had gotten for me to stay in. once inside I locked the door and changed into more comfortable clothing. It was nearly three in the morning, and I wasn't the least bit tired. So I sat down on the couch and flipped through the channels on the TV. Finally I settled on a sports network, but my mind kept returning to the conversation I had with the girl.
She could have been Zoey at fourteen, but she wasn't. She couldn't have been. Zoey died in her sleep the night I was claimed by my mother. I saw her; I felt for her pulse and found none. Or was I only imagining it? I couldn't have I decided. My mother wouldn't lie to me like that.
I fell asleep on the couch sometime later.
I began to dream. I saw my father and Annabeth my step-mother in two separate spaces. They were younger, either in their late teens or early twenty's. There was a line of mist in between them. Annabeth was crying, and talking with a sixteen year-old girl with striking blue eyes that wore mostly black clothing.
My father was talking with my mother. Except that she didn't look like my mother now. I focused in on their conversation. "I don't understand." My father explained, "Why isn't she happy for me? We're best friends, and I love you."
"I don't know Percy. I'm truly sorry that she can't see us happy together." Athena placed her hand over his.
Then suddenly I couldn't hear their conversation any more, and I was listening to Annabeth's. "I thought he loved me." She sobbed. "How can he want to be with her? She's horrible! She doesn't even love him. I just know it."
"Shh. It's going to be ok. Maybe you'll meet someone better. What about that guy at your work?" the girl asked trying to comfort Annabeth.
"He's ok I guess." Annabeth sniffed, "He's just not Percy."
Both scenes faded and a new one was took its place. Annabeth was wearing a white dress smiling. Then a man who I assumed was either her husband or boyfriend came into the room. "Michael, come on." She said taking Michael's hand.
"I'm coming." He laughed and followed her.
The scene changed again and Annabeth was lying in a hospital bed holding a baby girl. She looked up at Michael smiled. "She's beautiful." He breathed. "What are we going to name her?"
"Is Thalia alright?" she asked.
"Of course, but why do you want to name her that? Isn't that the name of Zeus's daughter?"
"Yes it is. She was my best friend. She died in battle as a true Huntress."
Michael smiled. "Thalia it is." A knock sounded on the door, and my father came in a moment later.
"Congratulations Annabeth." He said smiling.
"Thank you Percy."
My dream changed again, and Percy was standing beside the girl from before. She was lying in a hospital bed, and holding a baby boy. A knock sounded on the door and Annabeth came in with little girl around two. "What's his name?" Thalia asked.
"His name is Zach." My father said.
The room faded and when it came back the only difference was my father was in different clothes, and I was there at the age of two. "Can I see her now?" I asked.
"Of course." My father said and held me up to see my little sister.
"Zoey's so pretty." I said. Then the room faded again.
I was in my father's room. He was still in his work clothes, and he was talking with my mother
"Who are you really Alicia?" he asked. "I know you're not the woman I married. I can see that now."
Alicia smirked, "Of course I'm not. I never wanted to marry you. I was only protecting my daughter."
"You're…? No." Percy said he face becoming slack. "No, it can't be."
"I see that the spell has finally worn off." Athena smirked.
"Why?" my father asked his voice becoming strong.
"I could never let my favorite daughter marry a son of Poseidon." She sneered.
"What about Zach and Zoey?" he asked angrily.
"Zach posses most of my qualities while Zoey is more that filthy sea dog, I have plans for my son. I could care less about the mutt."
"How could you!" he shouted at her standing. "They both love you!"
"They don't know me. They won't remember me. Not until the time is right. Aphrodite has played her part well."
"You brought her into this?"
"Of course, and now she owes me a favor." My father looked confused. Then realization dawned on him.
"Michael was one of Aphrodite's sons." He whispered.
"Oh look the seaweed brain has finally figured it out." She laughed. "Watch out Percy." She said before turning into her true form. A loud pop was heard, and then she was gone.
The room disappeared, and I could see a casket, and Annabeth and Thalia. They were both crying. I saw the man lying in the coffin and realized that Michael had died.
My dream switched again, and I was standing in my father's book store on Mount Olympus. He had started it in remembrance of Annabeth after she had died.
My whole family was there. Zoey, Thalia, Annabeth, Father. I watched as one by one they slowly vanished into golden dust until only Zoey was left. Zoey then began to age right before my eyes. She was no longer the ten-year-old girl I remembered, but the one I had seen in the Iris message. She was dirty, and wearing a torn white dress.
"Look at what you have done!" she shouted at me tears in her eyes. "How could you trust her over me?" I tired to protest, but was cut off, "You have left me here to die! The one whom you have loved is not a hero but a monster." She sang, "Remember Zachery Jackson. Remember what you have done. I am dying because of you." Then Zoey was gone and she was replaced by golden dust.
Well now you know more about Zach and Zoey's past! Tell me what you think.
~chocoyum4~
