I opened my eyes. There was whiteness all around me. Was it snowing? No, I could hear people next to me.

Blinking, I tried to sit up. I think there were bandages around my head.

"Careful," I heard Grover say, "You don't want to fall." I turned towards his voice, and in an instant, I remembered everything. Annabeth. Kronos. Luke. The Labryinth. Argh....

"Grover," I said, "Is Annabeth all right?"

Grover hesitated, and then said, "She's in the bed next to you. She's still unconcious. It's been almost a week- you got a pretty good hit to the head."

"Damage report, please?"

"For you, a hit to the head, concussion, and," Grover swallowed, "Your eyes."

"My eyes?" I asked, "What do my eyes have to do with anything?"

"They're hurt. Badly. And," He rushed on hastily, "For Annebeth, broken arm, broken rib, concussion, minor internal organ damage, first and second degree burns, minor bruises and cuts."

I was stunned. I didn't want to know how it had happened, any of it. I guess I was lucky to be alive- that was a death blow. "And Luke?" I asked, "Did you get him?"

"No. He escaped."

"How are you and Clarisse?" I asked him. I felt ashamed. I was worrying so much about Annabeth and myself, I didn't give a thought to Grover and Clarisse.

"Clarisse broke a rib. After you went down, We tried to take down Kronos, but he escaped. I chipped my hoof, Clarisse broke a rib, and she sprained her ankle running back to tell Chiron and Mr. D what had happened. Now, you should have some Ambrosia and Nectar."

Grover stuffed it into my mouth before I could argue. I swallowed hastily and said, "Grover, when will they take my bandages off?'

Grover said, "Well.... Percy...." He hesitated, then said, "You don't have any bandages on."

I spit out the Ambrosia.

"WHAT? But I can't see!"

Grover said sadly, "I know. You're blind."

*

I was discharged from the hospital a week later. I clung to Grover's arm like a child to their mother.

"I hate this," I muttered as we walked into the pavillion for dinner. "Everyone's looking at me like I'm a freak."

"Well," Grover said, "You are the first half-blood to survive more than a week being blind."

"The other ones?"

"Moving on."

We sat down at my table- Grover came with me; he was my guide. I was being taught how to react to blindness. I already could sorta read braille- hey, being dyslexic would never bother me again!- and I could tell directions by a clock face.

"How's Annabeth?" I asked. "Is she OK?" Grover had visited her today; I wasn't allowed in.

"She's..... well......" He hesitated. "She's living- for now."

For now. Didn't like the sound of that. "But you have Ambrosia!" I protested. "And Nectar!"

Grove smiled at me. "Well, we're not miracle-makers. We couldn't cure you, could we?"

I didn't answer.

We ate in silence, Grover helping me with my sacrifice and my food. The pizza was easy enough to eat; the string beans and porkloin were harder. At least I wasn't still in the Hermes cabin- I used up way to much of the table space.

"So," I said, "When is Apollo coming?" Yes, the god of Music and Healing was coming. I knew he didn't really like me too much, (He favored girls) but he was trying to get my eyesight back- as a favor. Joy. That's another god I'm in debt to.

"Uh.... tomorrow afternoon....."

"Grover. What are you hiding from me?" I asked.

"Nothing!" He squealed. "Nothing at all!"

"Grover, you're a really bad liar."

Grover was silent for a moment then said, "Well, the last time Apollo tried this..... um, it wasn't pretty."

"And... what exactly does that mean?"

"Well, one of the people died, another was able to see immortals-Apollo used too much power- and went insane, and the third had....uh..... a slimy ending."

"Slimy ending?"

"Moving on!"

OK, I know this is short and boring. But I got a review and a PM telling me to continue, so I'll try! The next chappie will be better.