Apollo lay on the cool earth, weeping, his body beginning to surrender to the effects of the blood loss and trauma as he sensed himself slipping away. He closed his eyes, not wanting to die, but getting ready to let go when he faintly heard a terrified scream that brought him back from the edge of death. At first, he'd thought it was a trick of his mind, but a second frantic 'Apollo!' from the unrecognizable voice called, coming closer. 'Oh God!' The voice shook. Apollo couldn't recognize the voice, but whomever it was spoke softly to him. 'Shh, you're ok, you're ok...' as they moved to cover him. Apollo hadn't had the strength to pull his clothes back on. He sobbed, humiliated, lying on the ground, half naked, but there was nothing he could do. He could only lay, struggling to breathe when the person standing over him called out 'OVER HERE!'
It sounded as if at least two others were with the unknown voice. As they closed in, Apollo heard them gasp. These voices, he recognized. One belonging to Phoenix, the other to Athena. But he still couldn't place the third voice even though it was starting to sound familiar.
Apollo's hearing began to fade. He couldn't make out the words spoken to him any longer, he wanted to look up but he had no strength to do so. He relaxed, knowing Phoenix was the one sitting next to him, speaking slowly and gently, massaging his back, while someone else came down to him. Apollo whimpered when he was finally moved, pain once again flaring through his wounded body. 'Shh.' Phoenix hushed him, wrapping Apollo in something and gently picking him up.
The group hurried back to a waiting car and quickly piled in. Phoenix cradled Apollo affectionately; going from boss to concerned father in seconds, trying to console him as they drove. 'Shh. Stay with me, Apollo.' Phoenix spoke softly, over and over, gently stroking Apollo's cheek, trying to soothe him. Apollo could do no more than whine in fear and pain, but none the less thankful that if he was going to succumb to his injuries, he wouldn't be alone. Apollo let his head rest on Phoenix's chest, trying to focus on the soft sounds of Phoenix's beating heart, his body continuing to shut down.
The car squealed to an abrupt halt outside a large building and Apollo managed to slightly open his eyes. The light was blinding, forcing him to close them again, knowing he was nearing the end. The movement of Phoenix's walking sent pain shooting through his body, but it kept him from letting go as they entered the building to horrified gasps.
Everything began happening too quickly for Apollo to keep up with. Every touch brought distress, his stomach rebelled, his head pounded as the flurry of activity continued. He tried to focus on something other than humiliation while someone removed what remained of his clothes. A fading thought crossed his mind, 'Not that they'd kept me safe in the first place.'
Tears rolled down as he concentrated on trying to stay awake while the medical team checked every inch of him. He loathed it, he wanted Phoenix to hold him again while he curled up and let nature take over. Apollo had never been so lost and hopeless in his life. Every touch, pain surged through his body. He vomited; however, with nothing in his stomach but bile, it burned. Apollo whined as his body heaved, trying to purge his system; still, there was nothing more to come up. Someone gently lifted his head and placed a towel beneath him as he whined, his cries long and drawn out.
Apollo could barely hear the voices around him barking orders. What could have been no more than minutes, seemed like hours. Someone finally took his arm, a sharp sting followed. Apollo tried to pull away though he was being held firm. Something itched as it entered his body, burning when it travelled up his arm. After a few seconds, the discomfort dissipated and he found himself becoming drowsy. He hated this new state. As if his misery wasn't enough, he now somehow had begun to feel worse.
Even with his senses dulled, he still was able to focus on every touch. He wept silently as they manipulated his body, tending to his wounds, collecting samples of genetic material from his attacker. Someone finally covered him. The small act brought him security, yet he still feared for his life. He drew a deep breath, unable to react to any further stimulus. Apollo felt his body quickly and involuntarily relax as he drifted off; with or without the assistance of medications, he couldn't tell.