Song: Break Through
Artist: Colbie Caillat
*This take place about five or six months after the Battle of Manhattan.*
(Annabeth POV)
I stared out at the glistening lake, my arms crossed protectively over my chest. Lately, I've felt like just falling apart. I couldn't stop thinking about Luke. The chilling picture of him lying, motionless and pale, on the marble floor of the Olympus throne room. The image of that bloody knife grasped in his dead hands had haunted me. How his eyes—his once beautiful eyes—seemed so lifeless and dull.
And how he could've gotten better… I knew he could've given up Kronos's soul at any time.
But he didn't.
Tears dotted my cheeks. I hastily wiped them away. I hated when my body rejected my orders. Was it that hard to not cry? And, in that moment, I knew that it was. It was too hard to keep in my sorrow, my anguish. So I let go. I let the reigns go free. And I cried.
They say time is meant to heal. But all time brings is scars.
I didn't know how much had passed when someone wordlessly put their warm arms around me. Time seemed meaningless now. I looked up to find Percy—surprise, surprise—wrapping his arms around my shoulders, pulling me closer.
I cried into his orange Camp shirt, soaking it. I didn't even pause to feel embarrassed, and that was definitely saying something.
"Luke?" He whispered. I nodded, and he tightened his grip on me. "It's okay," He crooned. "Shh…"
"He's dead," I said, the grief in my voice blatant. "He's dead, Percy."
"There was no other way." He whispered.
"He… he could've… if he was strong enough…"
"But he wasn't," Percy said, very emotionlessly. "He betrayed you, Annabeth."
"I know…" I sniffled and raised my head from his shoulder.
"Can you try to let him go?" Percy sad gently. "I've tried to help, but you know that it's up to you."
I looked out at the lake. The sun was setting rapidly, and a purplish glow descended over us. "I'll try," I said finally.