A/N Thank you for the great reviews! And thanks so much to those of you who favourited and followed my story, it means a lot :) In this chapter, I'll be writing about three years ago, when Percy left, so please don't be confused. Enjoy!
Percy's POV
3 years ago
I stumble. I'm so tired, and so hungry, too. I didn't have time to gather that many supplies, except for a few squares of ambrosia, a can of coke, and a few gold drachmas I found lurking at the bottom of my bed. Great preparation, I know.
But I had to get away.
I try to stop myself from going over what happened, but I can't help myself.
I'd been waiting for Annabeth, excited to give her my present. I'd spent days trying to perfect it. She'd wanted a new dagger for a long time, and I'd thought I'd make her a one. I thought she'd like it - celestial bronze blade, with a special enforced steel handle, and 'Annabeth' carved into the side. So I waited for her, after her evening shift on patrol, outside her cabin.
But when I saw her coming, she wasn't alone. Nick. Nick was behind her, too close to her side. I saw them look at each other, and his eyes... even from here I could see they were not his normal murky green. They were... gold. Bright, searing gold - blinding. He locked eyes with me, and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me, and I felt faint, almost as if I could fall over at any second. I was fine a few seconds later, but the only thing I remember thinking was that everything was perfect, and Nick was right. Right about what, I don't know. The feeling wore off pretty soon, and I'm back to hating my dirty little half brother.
I'm sure no one else saw or felt what I did. They all looked fine.
I was so dazed, I didn't see what happened next. Not until I heard a large gasp sound across the whole area. I saw Piper and Jason stood opposite me, and Leo was staring at me, his mouth open. Then they all looked back towards Annabeth and Nick, so I did the same. And I was definitely not prepared.
Annabeth and Nick were locked in a passionate embrace; it wasn't even clear whose hands were whose. I blinked stupidly for a second - and then reality came crashing down on me. My girlfriend was kissing someone else. Right in front of my eyes.
They broke apart, and Annabeth spun round to find me looking at her, and judging from the expression on her face, she had not known I was there. I felt a thousand feelings rush through me all at once - pure anger, loss, hurt, embarrassment and humiliation, and lastly, nothing more than complete and utter betrayal.
I wanted to say something. Anything. Maybe march up to them and cut Nick's head off - that would have felt good, no doubt. But instead, I wiped my face clean of all emotion, handed Annabeth her badly wrapped present, and left without a word.
I found myself at Chiron's place. I guess I needed someone to talk to; I didn't know that Chiron certainly didn't want to talk to me.
I knocked on the door twice, and the door opened to reveal Chiron, rubbing his eyes and yawning.
"Good evening, what can I do for - " he paused to see who it was. When he saw me, his face twisted in disgust.
"Oh, it's you, Perseus Jackson. What do you want? Have you come to steal Nick's glory? Let me guess, it was you who slayed those Kindly Ones, not Nick?"
"Chiron... what the hell are you talking about?"
"Sir, not Chiron! Do not call me by my name! You are utterly disrespectful. And a liar. You know perfectly well what I am talking about."
"No, Chir - Sir, I don't."
I had absolutely no idea what he was on about. I still don't, as a matter of fact.
"Get out. Go away. I have no time for lying, conceited heroes such as yourself," he spat.
He gave me an unnecessary shove on my back, and I tripped down the steps.
I heard the door slam behind me.
My eyes stung, but I'd gritted my teeth and gone to find Jason. I would have looked for Nico, but he's off on some errand for his father, Hades, in the Underworld, so he wasn't at camp.
Whatever pity I'd seen in Jason's eyes when Annabeth had kissed Nick was gone when I went to see him. He had practically the same response as Chiron, and he slammed the door in my face.
I didn't know what had happened, but all I knew was that something - someone - was planting false memories, false ideas, in their minds. I didn't try anyone else. I just went back to my cabin, gathered my things, and walked away from everything I called home. Nobody even asked me where I was going. It was then that I knew that I was no longer welcome.
Now, I'm half asleep and probably walking towards my death. I have no clue where to go, or even where I think I might be going. I'm just walking. Walking on my sore, blistered feet. I have Riptide with me, obviously, but if a monster finds me, I'm a goner - I'm so tired I probably couldn't fight off a chicken.
I spot a river in the distance, and a small village emerges behind some hills, probably only a few minutes walk away. I breathe a sigh of relief. I'm always better when there's water around.
As I get closer to the village, however, it looks deserted - a ghost village. It's all dusty, and quiet, and there's nobody around. What's weird is that all the cars are on the road, as if stuck in traffic. But no one is driving them. And all the shops... they look like they're open. But there's no customers, no shopkeepers. Even all the products are still there; the bakery with its buns and cakes, and as I walk inside, I see that the cash register is open, as if someone was just about to put some money in. It's as if... it's as if everyone's just vanished.
I draw out my pen, keeping it in my hand. I slowly walk outside, out of the shop, away from the village. The river is calmly gliding down the hill, and I make my way towards it, keeping Riptide in my hand, ready for any sign of attack. But no attack comes. This is definitely weird. But is there any point in worrying? I mean, no one would really care if I did die. Well, except mom. And Paul.
Damn. I haven't even checked on them. But they're probably fine. Completely fine. They probably hate me now, too, as a matter of fact. But I decide to send them an Iris message all the same - after I go for a swim. I think I might pass out.
I approach the river. I'm all dirty and sweaty, I strip down to my boxers - making sure that no one's around - and dive into the cool, fresh water. It's ice cold and perfect, and just for a moment, I forget all my worries and fears. The water washes everything away as it surges over me, and I lay back, floating in the cold river under the bright sun. I close my eyes.
And a hand, as cold and hard as marble, grabs my ankle and drags me down.
A/N I hope you liked that chapter! What do you think happened to Percy at the end? And why did everyone suddenly hate him? Please review, review, and yes, you guessed it. Review! I don't even mind a bit of (constructive) criticism, if you have anything you want me to change or improve. Only thing is, I can't make the chapters any longer, as I find that very hard, so if you prefer longer chapters, I'm really sorry! I just hope this length is satisfactory :) Thank you, please review, and goodbye lovely peoples! :)
PS I'm going on holiday for four weeks, so I won't be able to update, but I will try. Just please don't think I've left you - I haven't! So don't leave me :) I will try and update as soon as I can, as I have only given you two chapters, and now I'm telling you I can't update for ages, so it must be annoying. Please forgive me for my utter meanness. Thanks for being the best readers ever!
