I listened to Fingers Crossed by Billie Eilish for this chapter.
As Percy and Grover carried Luke out, everyone stared at them, wondering why they were helping him.
When they reached the infirmary down in New York, the head healer came up to them, saw Luke, and proceeded to explain why they couldn't take him.
"There are so many wounded that there are no beds left. Even if there was, we're out of supplies. And even if we had a bed and supplies," she growled, addressing a now unconscious Luke, "I wouldn't helpyouno matter what!"
As they reluctantly carried him out, Percy looked at Grover helplessly. "What do we do now? He's going to die if we don't get him some help soon."
"I don't know. Maybe we should find Hermes, since he's the god of medicine. He would help Luke, right?"
"Yeah, but I can't find him," Percy worried, as he checked on Luke's pulse. "Let's find my mom."
Almost on cue, Sally walked up with Paul. "Oh my goodness! He needs medical attention, Percy. Why aren't you at the infirmary?"
"I know, Mom. They won't take care of him. This is Luke Castellan. He defeated Kronos, but he's still hated by everyone."
Sally's eyes went wide. Paul looked confused.
"Well then, we'll show people there is such a thing as forgiveness," Sally said after a while. "Follow me; we're going back to our apartment."
When they reached the apartment, Sally proceeded to tend to Luke. Annabeth, Grover, and Percy crashed on the couch and proceeded to explain to Paul.
"So you're saying Sally's helping a murdering traitor who let the god of chaos possess him on purpose just to get back at his dad for ignoring him all his life?!" Paul exclaimed when they finished.
"Pretty much," Annabeth agreed sadly. "He had the right motives but went about it the wrong way. And now he's defeated Kronos and become a hero again."
"Ok, I trust you, Percy. If he pulls something and hurts Sally, I'm warning you now. I will kill him, demigod or no."
Meanwhile, Sally stitched and bandaged Luke's gash and fed him some ambrosia Percy had given her.
As she was wrapping his hands, Luke woke up. Acting on instinct he grabbed her hands and held her still, wincing at the pressure on his burned hands.
"What happened, who are you, and where am I?" he demanded.
Though slightly afraid of the demigod holding her down, she answered calmly. "You're hurt from defeating Kronos; I'm taking care of your wounds since the others wouldn't. You're welcome, by the way. I'm Percy's mom and you're at our apartment."
Luke let go of her and asked her curtly, "Why?"
There was more to the question than met the eye and Sally recognized it.
"Because we forgive you. It's as simple as that."
"Nothing's ever simple. You shouldn't be helping me." Luke said, relinquished her hands. "But thank you anyway."
"Why not if you're truly sorry? Everyone deserves a second chance."
"Tell that to the gods. I'm not worth it." he said bitterly.
"And why would you say that?"
"Hmm, I don't know. Maybe because I murdered so many people and tried to destroy the world? I'm no good. I'm a monster and you should have stayed far away."
Sally couldn't let him believe that about himself.
"Luke, you can't be a monster if you're sorry. A monster has no feelings and doesn't care about anyone. You obviously do."
"Well, maybe," Luke admitted.
"Good. Now rest and I'll go get the others. Is that alright?"
"Yeah, but if Hermes is out there, I don't want to see him, please," he begged.
"He's not. No worries," she said soothingly as she left the guestroom she had put him in.
When she came out, Thalia had appeared in the living room, and was pacing back and forth. When she saw Sally, she walked up to her.
"Will he live?" she asked nervously.
Sally raised an eyebrow and looked over at Percy who was mouthing the word "girlfriend" over and over behind Thalia's back. She turned her attention back to Thalia.
"Yes, but it was a close call. He'll need a lot of rest and try not to get his blood pressure up, if that's even possible with what's happened."
Thalia nodded her head. "Can I see him?"
"Sure, go ahead. But not long."
Thalia was already gone. She hurried into the room and stopped abruptly in the doorway at the sight before her. Luke, tall strong Luke, was lying helpless in a bed, gravely wounded. But what made tears spring to her eyes was that Luke was gasping for air, trying not to cry but failing.
"Luke" she said softly.
Luke quickly turned to look at her.
Should I keep writing this? Let me know. Favorites, follows and comments keep the plot bunny going!
And yes I did just give you a cliffhanger.
