A/N: Hello there. It's me, obviously. I'm updating earlier than the last time. Know why? It's not only torture on your to wait and know what's going to happen but also to me, as well, which is why I finished and am uploading this chapter now. But a little word: this is, by far, the shortest chapter I've ever written, but everything you guys need (and I need) is here, so you don't have to worry. And please don't be frustrated. I know I kept you guys waiting for a long time but I'm trying to balance my time.

At the end of this chapter, another conflict will begin. (Huh. It's not enough that a beloved character is suffering and now I'm going to add another one? What's wrong with me?) Said conflict will make this story more intense.

graceless angels: That question is answered in this chapter. :D

inkling13:I'm glad I was able to accomplish what I've been aiming for: to make you guys feel like you're in their situation. truthfully, if I am the reader, I would be confused about that matter, too. Hell, as a writer I am! I guess we'll all just find out as the story progresses. :D

MidnightBoredom:Good to know that even when I'm writing a fanfiction I still managed to put myself in it. :D

CimFan:Okay, cool. I was afraid I upset you or anything. Anyway, that's good to know. And yes, my sister's okay. Healthy as a horse. :D

Severe Critic:Thank you for taking the time to let me know what you think and point out your reasons. I appreciate them. Like what I mentioned above, I have no idea who Percy will choose. One chapter I was determined it's going to be Reyna, the next it's Annabeth. Now I don't know. I guess we'll just let Percy decide, huh? Anyway, I'm going to ask your permission. What you wrote about "A LITTLE PAIN . . ." may I use that in a future chapter? Thank you! :d

DON'T JUST READ, LEAVE A REVIEW!

NEVER LET ME GO

Chapter 13: POWERLESS

PERCY

Noah had fallen asleep on top of me, his face buried at the crook of my neck. There were dried tears on his face and some mucus on his nose. I listened to his breathing as I repeatedly brushed the hair out of his face. He squirmed a little and snuggled closer to me, his arm draped across my stomach. I kissed the top of his head and played with his fingers, remembering the days when he was a baby and I would carry him. He would always end up having some of his fingers in my mouth and I would bite them softly and he would giggle.

I sighed as I stared at him. My back hurt terribly, but I didn't care. I knew whatever Noah was feeling was a whole lot worse. Yesterday night Dr. Mears had performed the bone marrow aspiration. Noah was crying the whole time, screaming as the needle pierced his spine. I stayed with him, with him squeezing my hands tightly. Seeing him being hurt almost killed me. I had to summon all willpower not just run away and hide, knowing that Noah was counting on me. The whole time that I was there I was biting my lower lip so hard that it started bleeding. It felt like it took them forever to harvest the bone marrows from him. He was trashing round, begging me to make the doctors stop. I held myself back. I knew how much we needed whatever it was that Dr. Mears was doing. He grew weak each passing second until he passed out from exhaustion and pain. I watched as Mears's assistant withdrew the needle from Noah's back and dabbed a tissue on his skin.

I leaned down and kissed his forehead, unable to keep the tears anymore. "I'm so sorry," I whispered. "I'm sorry I can't do anything. I'm so sorry. Please don't resent me. Please stay strong for me. I need you."

"Percy," Dr. Mears called. "We're ready for you."

I let go of Noah's hand and followed him to the next room.

I felt the needle burying itself in my spine. The pain was intense, targeting even the most remote corners of my brain. My body shuddered involuntarily. I was biting my lips so hard I felt blood running down my chin. Black spots were dancing in and out of my vision. If I was almost crying out loud from the pain, I couldn't even begin to imagine what Noah was feeling when it was him.

I could barely stand when it was done, which lead me to putting Noah into a wheelchair. I was afraid that if I tried and carried him, I would end up dropping my son. I wanted to sleep as soon as I lay down beside Noah on his bed, but found that I couldn't. I just stared at my son and watched him sleep. My thoughts were foggy and I couldn't think straight. My body wanted to shut down but my brain refused to. It seemed like my mind just wanted to lie there and watch every small movement that Noah made.

The door opened and Reyna came in. On her left hand was a paper bag with food while on the other was a bottle of water. "Hey," she greeted, placing her purchases on the table beside Noah's bed. "Have you eaten?"

I shook my head as I slowly lifted myself up, setting Noah slowly back on the bed. He mumbled in his sleep and turned his back on me. I hopped on my feet but almost tumbled down. Reyna managed to grab my arm before my head hits the edge of the bed. "Whoa," she exclaimed. "You okay, Perce?"

I nodded as I sat down on the couch, putting my head between my knees. Truthfully, I wasn't okay. I was having difficulty breathing and my vision was swimming in and out of focus. "Yeah," I answered, my voice hoarse. "I'm fine; don't worry."

"When was the last time you slept?" she asked. I felt her sitting beside me and soon enough her hand was on me, massaging my back.

"Two days ago," I answered, setting myself against the backrest of the couch.

"What? Why?"

I don't know why that made me chuckle. "We're in a hospital, Rey. You know me; I hate this place."

"That I can understand but you could've slept the day before," she pointed out.

"We were having a fight remember?" I reminded her. "I couldn't sleep the other day. I just kept on thinking about what I did and how hurt you were." I looked at her. "About that, I just want you to know how thankful I am that you're here for me. Please know that."

Reyna sighed, stood up from the couch and knelt in front of me. "It doesn't matter what happened the other day. What matters is today."

I looked down. "I'm so sorry for hurting you."

Reyna grabbed my hands and squeezed them. "Look, Perce, I'm not saying I've forgiven you because the truth is, I haven't. I can't shake the picture out of my head . . . the picture of you kissing her. But this isn't about us, or me, this is about Noah. I can set aside my personally issues because right now what matters is that boy we both love."

I nodded. "Thanks."

She gave me a small smile before standing up. Reyna grabbed one pack of food and handed it to me while keeping the other one for herself. She sat beside me and we ate in silence.

Reyna cleaned up when we're done. While she was busy, I let my eyes travel to Noah. He looked so small lying there on the bed. Even from where I sat, I could see bruises on his pale skin beneath the hospital gown he was wearing. There was a smudge of blood on his back, right on the spot where he was injected. I could feel my lower lip trembling as I was reminded of the reason why we're here. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, forcing myself to stay calm and strong.

I heard the door opening. I assumed it was Reyna so I opened my eyes, but it wasn't her. It was Mom and Paul. I called them yesterday while I was still waiting for the result of the initial examinations. Paul had to attend an out of town seminar and brought Mom with him.

At the sight of my parents, my earlier resolve nearly broke. I stood up and hugged Mom, who was already crying, her face flushed. "Oh, honey," she whispered in my ear. I clung to her tightly, reminding myself of the days when I was younger and she would remind me that she would always protect me no matter what. I could remember the days when I felt scared for no apparent reason and she would give me a hug and everything will be okay. I was counting on her every second of every day to make me brave.

This time it was different.

There was someone counting on me. I couldn't very well depend on anyone when there was someone drawing his strength from me. I had to stand up on my own and carry this on my own.

Mom broke our embrace. "How is he?"

I couldn't answer. I was afraid that if I opened my mouth to speak I would end up screaming. Good thing Reyna stepped in and answered her question. "It's APL, Sally. Acute promyelocytic leukemia. Cancer of the blood and bone marrow." Mom covered her mouth with her hand to cover the sound of surprise that was coming out. Paul held her shoulders as she cried softly. "The doctor performed bone marrow aspiration to make sure but it's as good as confirmed."

"Can they do something about it?" asked Paul

"Well, they harvested some of Percy's bone marrows, as well to see if they're a match," Reyna explained. "Once sure, they would do transfusions."

They went on and discussed possible ways to help Noah. I, on the other hand, felt detached of the moment. Hearing those words again made me feel like I was slowly drowning, but not in water, in hard packed dirt. Solid earth closed before me, enveloping me in its crushing force. Everything was slowly turning to black. To darkness. To emptiness.

Loud knocks on the door made me look up. Dr. Mears came in. "Percy," he greeted. He looked at my Mom and Paul but didn't question who they were. "I have the result of the test." I stood up, wary for unknown reason. "Come with me to my office." He didn't wait for my answer and just turned around, leaving the room.

I looked at my parents. "Mom, can you stay here and look after Noah?"

She nodded. "Of course."

"Rey, will you come with me?" She didn't answer but took my hand. Together, we exited the room and went to where Dr. Mears's office was.

He was sitting behind his desk, browsing through his files. He looked up when we entered and removed his eyeglasses. "Please sit down."

We did. Dr. Mears took a deep breath and handed me a folder. I opened it and read what was written. I had no clue what to look for. I had no idea what the words mean. I looked up at him, suddenly impatient. "I have no idea what these words mean, doctor. Can't you just be straight with me? When can we do the transfusion?"

"That's the thing, Percy, we can't."

"I-I don't understand."

Dr. Mears leaned forward. "Percy, you and Noah aren't a match."

"What? That – that's crazy! I'm his father! How can Noah and I not be a match?!" Reyna grabbed my arm to calm me down but I couldn't swallow back the panic that was threatening to take control of me. "There's something wrong with the result. There must be something wrong. I mean, that's impossible! You must've screwed this up! You must've done something wrong!"

"Percy, the results are accurate," said Dr. Mears. "If you sit down, I can explain why."

"No – "

"Percy," Reyna interjected. "Please."

I wanted to throw a fit. I wanted to trash the whole place down. Noah and I weren't a match? What kind of cruel twist of fate was that? Why wouldn't the world let me save my son? What kind of harsh reality is this? But I also knew I couldn't. If plan A didn't work, I had to come up with a plan B. I sat down and took a deep breath.

"Every child inherits two sets of chromosomes containing human leukocyte antigens, or, HLA, as we call them. And there's only one in two hundred chances that a child isn't perfectly compatible HLA match with his parent." Dr. Mears exhaled loudly before proceeding. "Unfortunately, this is one of those rare events."

I let that sink in. Dr. Mears had said that Noah could still be cured, given that I would be able to donate my bone marrows and white blood cells to him. What's going to happen now . . .? "Does that mean . . . Are you saying that Noah's going to die?" I asked, my voice low. While asking this, I was suddenly hit with the idea of living without my son. I couldn't. It would be impossible. There would be no life left for me to live without him.

"No," Dr. Mears answered.

The effect of that one syllable word was instant. Hope suddenly sparked in my chest. "What? Is there any other way?"

"I think you're forgetting something very crucial here," Dr. Mears pointed out. "Even when you and Noah aren't a match, it isn't the end of the road for us. There's still someone who can help him. Someone who is a part of who your son is." Realization suddenly hit me with a jolt of clarity. I wasn't the only one who could help Noah. I wasn't the only one who could . . .

Dr. Mears looked me in the eyes. "Percy, where is Noah's mother?"

[Next - Chapter 14: STAND BY ME]