A/N: Hello! I am sad! My story is almost over. I don't know if this is going to be the last chapter or not but lets see where it takes us.
Silena's POV:
The horses were very pretty. They were black as night and quick as lightning. No wonder they could fly from Camp to Death Valley in under 10 minutes.
We had a hard time helping Dad get on Blackjack. He kept slumping over on his side, holding his wound. Porkie Pie helped Dad on Blackjack's back and Charles sat behind Dad to make sure he didn't fall off. James and I were on the other Pegasus.
Once we checked that we had everything, the horses took flight. It was the most exuberant experience of all. It only took 8 minutes or so to reach camp, but they seemed like 8 years.
I would looked at the clouds and run my hands through them at top speeds. They were not like I imagined but they had a different feel to them. Then I would look below and see the ground so far down. The buildings looked like ants and I couldn't even see the people. Then I would look at Dad. He was really not doing good. He was crumpled on the horse's neck, desperately holding on with so little strength. Charles had a firm grip on his shoulders so he didn't topple over. Dad's hair was whipping back and forth with the wind. His jet black hair blended in with Blackjack's fur making them look connected. His breathing was raspy and quiet.
7 minutes into the flight, I looked down to see Manhattan. I grew a smile thinking, we were home! I glanced at everyone else. James was sitting behind me, hugging me at the waist so he didn't fall off the butt of our horse. If this were someone at school, I would have given a second thought about this position but we have been through so much together I didn't doubt it.
James had his eyes focused on Dad who had another coughing fit. This was the worst one of all. Charles had to hold onto him so tightly I thought he would squeeze out his insides. Dad leaned forward and with each hack that came out of his mouth, a small amount of blood trailed down his chin. Once it ended, he pulled his hand away from his stomach. The wound had started bleeding again, and it was coming fast. The horses started descent.
Once their hooves touched the ground, I took off and started running towards camp. The horses landed on the beach, which was kind of a far ways away, but the Pegasus couldn't go any farther, they were so tired.
"MOM!" I was yelling at the top of my lungs. I stood at the boundary of camp watching for any sign of a blonde, weeping form. Everyone turned to me and then I saw her. My mother opened the door of the big house and peeked her head outside.
"He needs a medic, quick!" She yelled at Chiron and he started gathering supplies. Mom reached me and we started running to where Dad was. After a bit of running, Mom was taking the lead going faster than I had ever seen her run. Once our feet touched the gritty sand, tears started coming to her eyes as she saw the love her life. They had gotten Dad off Blackjack and James was laying his head down on the sand.
Mom rushed over to him and knelt down next to him. She was smiling with salty tears streaming down her cheeks. Dad had his eyes open but couldn't recognize anything. I'm sure everything was blurry for him.
"Percy!" He searched for Mom's hand and she grabbed it happily. "Percy, oh Gods, Percy!" James was doing his best to help but he didn't have enough supplies.
"Annabeth… It's…" Dad tried but was at loss for words.
"It's me, Annabeth. Your going to be fine" Mom reassured him.
Dad smiled and closed his eyes. Then he rolled onto his side facing Mom and coughed, spraying and arch of blood. It went everywhere over Mom's jeans and shirt. Her face filled with horror. Apparently this was not a good sign. She looked at James.
"I think, when he was tied to a rock, this big gash here?' James pointed at the one ripping itself across Dad's middle. "I think it punctured a small hole in his lung." He never told us this, and now I was beginning to worry.
"Perseus Jackson! You are not dying today! Stay with me!" Mom started yelling harshly. I rarely hear Mom use his full name.
Dad nodded as best as he could. Mom leaned in and kissed him on the lips. She pulled back and it looked like she had just applied lipstick. Then Dad's lips became more red as blood bubbled and overflowed and out his mouth. Mom cursed. "Where is that damn Medic?" As if on cue, Chiron and a numerous number of Apollo campers rushed with a stretcher and aide. I watched as they put Dad's bloody body onto the bed and carried him back to the big house. Mom ran along side them, holding his hand all the way.
"Is my Dad going to be ok?" I asked James who was watching him disappear over the crest of a sand dune.
"I don't know." He said. My gut filled with worry. Anger bubbled inside of me as I thought about everything we have done. I traveled across the country to find him and now Dad might die. I didn't want to turn into that kid who lost someone and goes "Emo" for the next few months because they can't move on.
Then I thought about Mom. They weren't just a normal couple. Now that I know, they had a special connection. They have known each other since they have been twelve. All the quests and adventures they have gone on together have grown a more permanent bond. If something happened to Dad, it would ruin her world. She would never get over it. Same thing with Dad.
I wiped a tear from my cheek.
"I guess we better make our way to the Big House." Charles said with his voice cracking.
"Yeah, sure." I walked with James and Charles back to the house. My brother put his arm around me and we walked in silence towards the Big House.
As we walked through camp, people started asking lots of questions. So many were flung at us and it made me feel like I was in the middle of a paparazzi crowd. I couldn't focus on them. All I wanted was to see my Mom and Dad. James gave them a fierce look and they backed off.
He walked with us to the Big House. At the porch, he let us walk in ourselves. He told us that he would stay outside to inform the campers of their quests. He told us we should be with our family.
I nodded and hugged him. He hugged me back and nodded at Charles. We walked in.
I saw Mom sitting on a couch with an empty tissue box. Bianca was sitting with her, her short legs sticking out from the couch, not able to touch the floor. My heart melted and I ran into her arms when she saw me. I cried into Mom's neck and she stroked my black hair. She held out her other arm and Charles joined us, but he stayed strong and did not shed a tear.
"Is Dad?…" I asked
"No. He is down the hall, b-but they w-won't let me s-see him yet." Mom stumbled over every other word.
A door down the hallway opened and we all straightened up. We heard hooves on the wooden hallway and I knew it was Chiron. He turned the corner and Mom held her breath.
"How is h-he?" Mom asked with her hand clapped over her mouth.
Chiron opened his mouth to say what he was going to say.
"He is going to be fine, Annabeth." She let out a long sigh and closed her eyes. She smiled and held us close. I felt so relieved.
"Can I see him" She asked and then rubbed her nose.
Chiron nodded and moved down the hall. We followed him with Bianca in tow.
"Fourth door on the left." Mom thanked him and we approached the door. I couldn't see anything in the room. Mom touched the door knob but then turned around.
"I will get you in a bit. Let me be alone with him." Charles nodded and we stayed behind. Mom walked in and I peeked in the small window pane that was embedded in the door.
Dad had his eyes closed and Mom broke down into hysterics. She rushed to his side and gripped his hand. He woke up and looked at her with his sea green eyes that now had no trace of fear, like I saw at Death Valley. I couldn't hear what he said when he moved his lips but Mom laughed. That was Dad, always making jokes in the dire times. I was just happy he wasn't bleeding and coughing anymore.
She sat with him listening to him talk, drinking in the fact that he was with her. After a few minutes of tears, laughter and smiles, Dad reached out for Mom and pulled her in. She leaned down and kissed him. They stayed like that for a few seconds and then pulled away remembering about us.
Dad looked at the door. He smiled when he saw my face and Charles's right on top of mine, eavesdropping on their moment. Bianca was getting impatient now. She pulled on my tattered shirt and whined. Charles grabbed her with one swoop of his arm and hoisted her up to see Dad. She put a hand to the glass and asked for Mommy and Daddy.
Mom looked at us and then back at Dad. She pressed her forehead against his and whispered something short. Probably, I love you. Next, she opened the door and took Bianca from Charles. He handed her off and we walked in.
"I am so proud of you, son." Charles looked grateful and held his head up high, acknowledging the compliment. Everything that he did really helped. His fighting, comforting edge and just being my brother was such a wonderful feeling that I kept throughout this quest.
"Silena, you are so strong and beautiful too." Dad said, his eyes meeting mine. I had never considered myself as those things, but now I can see what he is talking about. Everyone in my family had green eyes. I was the only one who got my mothers eyes. I always thought she was a model of some sort. I am almost a replica of her, and I am grateful for these stormy orbs that help me see things more clearly.
"And Bianca! You are such a brave little girl." She giggled and climbed onto Dad's bed. He ruffled her hair.
"Kids, let's let Dad sleep, ok?" Mom said smiling at all of us. I know she is happy to see that we are all safe, and under her wing.
We reluctantly walked out the door, but I looked back and saw my two perfect parents laughing with each other. I am so glad my Dad is back.
A/N: Got bored, so why not? I will kill of Percy! Just kidding, I wouldn't ever do that, but I can beat him up haha! Have a wonderful day and don't forget to review! There is going to be one more chapter so stay tuned.