A/N: February's been real crazy for me. Schedule was full and I had so little time to write, which is why this chapter took longer. Hopefully, you guys will deem it worth the wait. Anyway, when I checked this chapter's supposed to be titled How To Save a Life but I accidentally put in Friday Night Bites, and with how the chapter goes, I guess Friday Night Bites is more applicable.

Someone's back story will be told in this chapter. Let's see how you guys are going to react. :D

DragOn Ryo:When I'm writing the chapters, I'm actually imagining it as a movie to better convey the emotions and I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking of it that way. Thanks so much. :D

atalantical:Thank you. Although I think he's too mature, what do you think?

TinaDaughterOfPoseidon23:First, thank you for always taking the time of providing me with a very useful review. Know that it is very much appreciated, because you always breakdown the chapter and tell me what you think about it. To be honest, that one is a bit hard to write. I have to think of how a parent would feel to be in Annabeth's position. Being a guy isn't the problem, it's not knowing how parents handle situations. I had to think about it and watch parents behave to come up with Annabeth's side. Thankfully, it's an acceptable outcome. And thank you, as well, for helping me with the 1000 reviews! :D

It really is unfair most of the time that when someone gets hurt, the ones who inflicted the pain might get away just because they can pull some strings. Although not in all cases. By the end of this chapter, you'll see that those who committed something wrong will always pay for it. I'm not saying you do what the character did, but I guess I'm saying that he will be paying for it.

Hopefully, I don't encounter that "giant scumbag." :D

shira.b:Thank you. I'm definitely well. Hopefully, you as well. :D

Jay:Should I hide now? :D

CimFan:Here she is! :D I was looking for your review because I know you always do every chapter and I was trying to think what happened why there wasn't any review under your name, but thank you very much for taking the time of giving me feedback. You have no idea how much important your reviews are (All of my readers') :

FluppyPikachuLovesYou:As soon as I get the chance, I will. And thank you. :D

Epicator13:Oh, I made a very tough girl cry? Hmm . . . I hope to do it again then! *grins* And I will check it out. Hopefully, my schedule for the next month will be a bit better. :D

WARNING: Violence and swearing at the end of this chapter.

Remember:1000 reviews, please! :D

Songs that you should listen while reading the chapter: The Healing Has Begun and Broken Girl by Matthew West. I listened to these song numerous times while working on the chapter.

DON'T JUST READ, LEAVE A REVIEW!

NEVER LET ME GO

Chapter 22: FRIDAY NIGHT BITES

PERCY

I'd never seen my son as happy as he was until that moment when he was sitting on his bed, holding Annabeth's hand. I came in, somewhat tentative, unsure whether Noah was mad at me for keeping the truth from him. But his eyes brightened up more when he saw me.

"Daddy!" he exclaimed. The obvious joy in his voice brought a smile to my face. "Guess what, Daddy?" he asked me eagerly.

I was smiling as I leaned down and gave his head a kiss. "What?" I answered.

"This is my Mommy," he said, nodding to Annabeth.

Annabeth was looking wary, nervous. I had to pause and think why she would look that way. Then I realized she was scared, afraid of what my reaction's going to be. I have to admit, I was taken aback because of that. Did she honestly think that I would go berserk on her telling Noah the truth? It was her right, it was Noah's right and I wasn't going to be the one to stand in her way . . . but then again I remember I had been – I was the one who tried to stop her from being near my son.

I bit my lower lip as I sat down and took his other hand. I knew Noah sensed the shift in my mood for he leaned a bit closer to me, his eyes boring into mine. I guess nobody could really explain the bond between a parent and his child, how each time you look into your child's eyes your world is suddenly filled with contentment and bliss. How every time you're near your child, you're the best version of yourself. Nobody could really explain the pull, the love and most of all, the intense urge to protect that one person and do anything that you can to make them safe and happy. Along that protectiveness came the guilt every time you d something wrong on their behalf. I knew I shouldn't have kept the truth from Noah, and looking at how happy he was when he found who Annabeth really was, I realized I should've told it to him when she came back.

Maybe I was really wrong all along, too fixated on how angry I was that I failed to see what really needs to be done. I always claim that everything I do, I do because I think it's what's best for Noah, but now I start to see the mistakes I made on his behalf. Dad was right; the shame that came with it was no fun.

I sat down opposite Annabeth, not letting my son's hand go. "I'm sorry," I began. "I'm sorry if I kept it a secret. I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth." I looked up and saw him looking down at me with a kind smile. "Please don't resent me."

"I'm not mad, Daddy," he said, squeezing my hand. "I love you." He then looke at Annabeth, "And I love my Mommy, too."

"I love you, too, buddy," I replied. Noah looked expectantly at his mother.

Our eyes met. I knew Annabeth was on the verge of crying again from how hard she was biting her lips. I knew how much she hates to let others see her crying, and I also knew she understood I needed some time alone with my son.

"Can I talk to him alone, please?" I asked her.

Noah was the one who protested. "Daddy, I just met my Mom and you want her to leave?" he pouted.

I gave her a smile. "No, buddy. I'm not asking her to leave, just some time alone with you. Is that okay?"

Noah shrugged. He looked at Annabeth. "You're not going to leave, Mommy, are you?" he asked her.

"Of course not," Annabeth answered quickly. "I'll be outside, okay?" she said. Then before she could get up, Noah gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Reyna gave me a small smile as she went out of the room with everyone.

When the door was closed, I stood up and sat carefully down beside him on the bed.

"What is it, Daddy?" he asked.

"Nothing," I answered as I brushed strands of hair from his forehead, strands that came with my hand when I pulled away. "I just missed you. And I know that I've been so distant these past few days and I'm sorry. I'm sorry if you felt abandoned. I'm here, buddy. Daddy's back."

Noah just smiled. "Just like my Mommy."

"Just like her," I confirmed. "About that, too. I didn't want to keep it a secret but I don't how to say it. And I'm scared that you will hate me once you find out."

"I don't, Daddy," he assured me. "I don't understand why but I think you will tell me.."

"I will, I promise. Just not now."

"Okay."

I pinched his cheek softly. "How are you feeling now?" I asked.

"Okay," he answered quickly. "Because I met my Mommy."

"You really like her, don't you?"

"Of course; she's my Mommy," he pointed out.

"I know," I said.

"Are you okay, Daddy?" he suddenly asked.

I stopped. "What? What made you ask that?"

"You don't look okay," he shrugged. "And grandma said that you will go home today - "

"I told you, Noah - I'm not going anywhere; I'll stay here with you."

"It's okay, Daddy. You look like you want to sleep. I know you hate hospitals. You can sleep on your bed; it's okay."

"Noah . . . "

Noah rolled his eyes, like him deciding for me was the most natural thing. "Daddy, Mommy doesn't know how to cook pancakes; you have to teach her," he said eagerly. When I didn't respond, he added, "Come on, Daddy. Teach Mommy?" complete with batting his eyelashes.

That definitely ended our argument, as I chuckled, and after days of not being able to smile, Noah joined me.

I still stayed with him after a few minutes, though, until he fell asleep. After a quick kiss and a promise that I would be right back, I stood up and left the room, closing the door softly behind me.

The scene that greeted me wasn't something I ever thought would happen: Reyna crying and Annabeth comforting her. Reyna Rivera is one of the strongest person I'd ever known. She's been the one keeping me together when I clearly lost the ability to. The idea that someone, or something can make her cry that hard, and look so vulnerable, that it made me speechless.

Could it be this situation taking it's toll on her? Somehow I didn't think it was that. Then what could've . . . ?

That's when I remembered. There was only one possible reason . . . the story she told me before we started our relationship, the same story that broke my heart and filled me with rage. That could be the only reason. . . but why would she tell Annabeth?

I didn't have much time to think about it, because she looked up, distangled herself from Annabeth and wiped her eyes dry. Reyna fixed her expression quickly while I saw Annabeth wiping her cheeks.

"Hey," Reyna greeted, smiling. "Annabeth told me you guys are going home for a few hours. That's great; you need to get some real rest."

"But - " I began, but Reyna silenced me with a kiss.

She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against mine. She took deep breaths before separating herself from me. "I'm sorry but I needed that." She paused. "You go now and get some sleep. The next time I see you, those eyebags'd better be gone okay?"

"But, Rey . . ."

"Please, Perce," she pleaded. "Do it for me, alright?"

She didn't give the chance to reply; she broke away from me and went back in Noah's room. I would've followed her, except someone grabbing my hand made me stop. Annabeth was smiling at me, although her eyes were red.

"She's going to be okay, Seaweed Brain; she's a tough one," she said. "Now what about teaching me how to make those blue pancakes Noah is so crazy about?"

Noah's room was remarkably untouched.

Of course, why would it be changed when no one had gone to it except for Mom who only entered here to take Annabeth the dolphin? What changed was its owner, the kid who was supposed to fill this room with happy memories. Memories that he was supposed to laugh at when he's older, only said kid was currently confined in a hospital, fighting a man's battle - a battle he was too young to fully comprehend.

I reached out and picked up the picture that Noah was keeping on his bedside table. It was a picture of us, when his class had an educational trip. The picture was kind of blurry, because it was taken by another five year-old whom Noah forced.

Even though the photo wasn't that clear, Noah's joy was undeniable. It was so real, full of happiness, that I found myself smiling, as well. We wore identical grins - his somewhat a toned down version of my troublemaker smirk - our hair messed up. He had an arm on my shoulder while the other was extended to his side, pointing to a replica of a cannon used during the civil war. I could remember Noah giving me lecture while touring, on how the civil war was the worst war in America's history, not knowing that his mother actually beat him to it years ago. His enthusiasm, his obvious knowledge and health were very evident on the photograph.

That should be the way things were. It wasn't supposed to be him enduring pain that even grown ups would have trouble handling, it wasn't supposed to be him worrying that his life that had just barely began will soon.

I didn't notice that I was clutching the frame too tight that cracks were starting to appear until a hand eased it off of the thing.

I looked up to Annabeth wearing a wistful expression while looking at the photo, a sad smile on her lips.

"Tell me about that day," she requested, taking the frame from my hand.

"That was a very long day," I answered, remembering how exhausted I was by the time we got home. It was a real challenge, even for me, to go around and chase a hyperactive five year-old in the museum and mall. "Noah gave me a very hard time. I guess he was getting back at me for eating his share of ice cream the night before." Annabeth gave a chuckle as she ran a finger across the glass surface of the frame. "It was like having a miniature guy Annabeth with me - he kept on reciting facts about every single relic in the museum. There were actually few instances when the guide stopped and just let Noah do the talking." I paused, then added as a joke, "I'm not sure if it was amazing or annoying."

Annabeth laughed. "He's your son Percy; you should be proud."

"Of course I am," I said quickly. "But that doesn't lessen the fact that I feel stupid next to my five year-old son."

"You're not stupid, Percy," said Annabeth, "you just act like it."

I snorted. "Remind me, then - why did you start calling me Seaweed Brain again?" I asked her.

She smiled. "You got me."

Annabeth kept on staring at the photo, as I stared at her. Time really had aged her, but in a good way. She was more beautiful. And intimidating, might as well add that. Her grey were sharper, and even after the hard time that we're all going through, more brilliant than I could remember. Strands of blonde hair were falling to her eyes. I resisted the urge to brush them away.

There was a great amount of tension between us. I was afraid that one little contact would cause both sides to simultaneously explode, causing everything to clash. I have no idea what could happen.

I cleared my throat as I tore my eyes away from her with difficulty, mixed emotions swelling in my chest.

"You know that day I became certain that Noah is more like you than he is like me," I said. "Whereas educational tours drove me nuts, Noah was very much excited about it. Can you believe that he didn't even sleep the night before and just kept on blabbing about how amazing the tour would be? And he wasn't even the least sleepy the next day I swore the kid would burst with so much energy."

Annabeth laughed, a real pleasant sound that seemed to reach into the deepest parts of my brain, bringing happy memories back.

"Please tell me more stories," she requested.

"Oh the things I can share," I said. "Did you know that my son - my five year old son - shamed me in front of my boss when I accidentally left my laptop open and he saw the report I was writing? He corrected me and said that bioluminescent is spelled with a u and not as bioloominescent. God, I honestly thought Mr. Lynn was going to fire me and hire Noah as my replacement."

"I'm not sure if that was such a bad thing," she commented.

"It is, seeing as though my son would be the one providing for my needs. Really bad," I said.

Annabeth fell silent. For a moment I wondered why, but then I realized what my statement could've meant for her. I didn't know what else to say so I just kept quiet, which probably wasn't the best move.

"It's all my fault," Annabeth said after a moment, her voice almost like a whisper.

I looked up at her and saw tears falling down her cheeks to the framed photo.

"How could this be your fault, Annabeth? You didn't want this for Noah. You . . . you didn't want any part of this."

She looked up and I felt like a steel hand was closed around my throat. "All these years I blamed my father, Seaweed Brain, for making me choose that night. I was thinking that if he didn't force me to make a decision, I would've stayed." She choked back a sob before continuing. "I can't blame anyone else anymore. Because it's not because my father made me choose, or because the pressure to be a better person with you was overwhelming - that's not why son is suffering. He's being punished for every awful thing I've ever done, and it's because of me - everything is because of me."

I reached out and drew her into a hug, holding her shaking body against mine. i didn't say anything. I don't think I had to; I knew Annabeth knew what I was trying to say.

She broke our hug and looked away. "I don't deserve you, or for Noah to even call me his Mom. I don't deserve to be loved."

I extended a hand and turned her face to my direction. "Hey," I said quietly. "You deserve to feel peace. You deserve to be loved, Annabeth."

"Seaweed Brain - "

"No, listen to me," I cut her off. "You were a seventeen year-old girl; none of this is your fault. None of this is your doing, okay? It's not because of what we did five years ago. Why will you be punished for doing something so beautiful, something so perfect? Because if that night was a mistake then I don't I ever want to be right again.

"And this has nothing to do with you leaving. We make our fair share of mistakes and bad decisions but we shouldn't let those define us because we would be given the chance to make it right." I paused, taking in a deep breath. I have no idea where I was getting the words; I just let myself talk. "In this situation, we have to stop asking questions because they are just a waste of time. Live in the moment and believe that everything happens for a reason."

"Like my leaving has a reason?" she asked. "So that you and Reyna could meet, so that you can help her heal."

I paused. I was right, then. That's what Reyna was telling Annabeth earlier.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I shouldn't have brought it up."

"No, it's okay. It wasn't my call in the first place. If Reyna told you about it then I guess I have no reason to hide it." I looked up and saw Annabeth staring back at me. "Let me tell you a story, Annabeth. This is about someone very much like us, someone who's trying to run away from a part of her life."

REYNA

I was twelve. Hylla and I were living with our Mom who got remarried four years after our Dad died. The man she married, who was named Alarico, was nice enough at first. He was a tall guy who originated from Brazil and migrated to Puerto Rico because of his job. I had no idea how she met my Mom and I guess I didn't really bother. Although he was kind, I didn't warm up to him. I didn't really understand until that night.

I was home alone. Mom had a night duty at the hospital while Hylla had a research paper she had to finish, which was why she had to stay late at the public library. I was sleeping in my room, tired from all the activities at school earlier that day when I was roused by someone touching my leg.

"Alarico?" I asked as he sat at the edge of my bed. His eyes were red and the top buttons of his shirt were undone. I had no idea what was going on. My mother said that Alarico would be our new father and since I didn't have that much memory about mine, I thought that what he was doing was normal.

He stood up and sat down beside me, taking his shirt off in the process. "Hey there, my little angel. My sweet, innocent angel," he murmured right next to my ear. I felt uncomfortable so I moved away but Alarico grabbed my arm, pulling me back towards him. He suddenly looked terrifying; his nostrils were flaring and his pupils were dilated.

I started crying. "Don't you dare move away from me, angel. I waited for too long for this moment; I surely will enjoy it." His hand moved up to my thigh and started massaging it. I knew something wrong was going on. A father wasn't supposed to be doing this type of thing with his child, is he?

I tried to push him away, which made him angry and, before I could move, punched me in the stomach. I gasped as sharp pain shot through my insides. My eyes watered and a soundless cry escaped my lips.

Alarico stood up and started unbuttoning his pants. I couldn't move as the muscles in my abdomen clenched in pain. I wanted to scream for my mother, or for Hylla to help me but nobody came to my aid.

He climbed back on the bed with me, completely naked, pressing his bare skin against mine. He smelled awful - a combination of sweat and alcohol. He pinned me underneath him as he started grinding his body against mine. I felt disgusted and I started squirming, trying to escape from what I understood was about to happen. This angered him. Alarico picked up his discarded pants and took something from the pocket. A knife.

My eyes widened as he pressed it tightly against my cheek. "Don't make this anymore harder than it already is, angel. Just follow me and I promise to make you feel good." I closed my eyes in fear.

Hylla please come home. Save me from this monster

Something wet and warm took the knife's place. His tongue. Loathing coursed through me and I struck, raking my fingernails across his face. Blood leaked from four wounds that ran down the left aid of his face. Alarico sat back up, momentarily taken off guard. I took the chance and jumped off of the bed and ran straight to the door. I was a foot away from it when Alarico's arms wrapped around my chest. I struggled and screamed obscenities at him. He dropped me on the floor, and turned me on my back. He laid on top of me again as I tried to free myself. His eyes were devilish as he balled a fist and punched me straight on my face.

I think I lost consciousnesses for a few seconds. When I came to again, my clothes lay in tatters all around me. I was wearing nothing and Alarico was hovering on top of me.

"Please," I croaked as he pressed himself against me. Alarico didn't listen and went on with it, taking me, taking everything that night, not leaving even a shred of dignity for me.

I lost count how many times he defiled me that night, or how many times he hurt me for fighting. I was lifeless on the floor of my room as Alarico repeatedly used me for his pleasure, with nothing but the harsh wind outside offering me comfort.

He left me there, completely naked when he was done with me, after whispering a threat to my ear.

"Don't say a word or I will kill your mother and sister." Then he left, humming to himself.

I stayed there, staring at the ceiling of my room. I hated Alarico, hated him for forcing me to grow too fast in a harsh way. I hated that I could still feel him moving against me. I hated that no one came to my aid, but most of all I hated myself, hated that I was too weak to fight.

Hylla came home later that night. I didn't let her see me that way. I quickly dressed up, hid the shredded clothes and laid on my bed, covering myself with my blanket.

She came in and checked up on me. When she was satisfied that I was asleep, she left and went to her room to rest while I stayed awake the entire night.

Hylla and my mother asked me what happened when they saw my bruised face. I told them it was nothing, that I accidentally walked to my door and hit myself. Hylla teased me while my Mom shook her head.

A week after that my mother was again on the night shift and Hylla had another session with her study group. I pleaded for her to take me with her but she just shook his head. "Sorry, Reyna; no siblings allowed. Besides, it's raining really hard."

Alarico wasn't home when she left but I knew he would be here soon. He knew I was alone. Instead of locking myself in my room, I went out into the pouring rain and hid in the tool shed. I was shivering as my wet clothes and hair clung to me. I didn't care. I'd rather freeze to death than let Alarico defile me again.

Perhaps an hour later, I heard the door of the shed being opened. A gasp escaped my lips, that I quickly stopped by my hand. I closed my eyes and hoped he wouldn't find me.

How did he know I was here?

"Oh, angel," he called in a singsong voice. "Where's my little angel?" I tried to quiet down my breathing as I heard footsteps. I made myself smaller by curling into a ball, which was a complete mistake because when he found me, I wasn't able to fight.

He grabbed me around the waist and threw me hard to the ground. He knelt and placed his forearm against my throat. "You think you're so smart, huh? If you are then you wouldn't have left a trail in the mud." He leaned forward and started kissing my neck. I fought against his weight to no avail.

He was pulling down my undergarments when I heard it. A sound of hope.

"Reyna!" Hulls called. "Where are you? I told you to stay inside!"

Alarico went still. I seized the opportunity and bit hard into his arm. He yowled in pain, moving off of me. He kicked him between his legs and ran to the exit, screaming. "Hylla! Here!"

Alarico's hand grabbed the edge of my nightgown but I didn't let it stop me. I struggled and ran, ripping my dress. "Hylla!" I screamed again.

It was pouring really hear and I lost my sense of direction. I had no idea whether I was running back to the house or what. I kept non changing direction,too, so Alarico would have a hard time catching me.

A protruding root tripped me and I fell face first to the mud. I sat up quickly and tried to stand up but my ankle was swollen. Alarico was already standing in front of me, a cruel grin on his face. I moved away as he took a step forward. Before his foot could touch the mud, he fell to the ground, revealing my sister behind him, a fist size rock on her hand.

"Oh my God," she whispered as she sat in front of me and checked me out. My whole Jody was trembling and my back was exposed to the biting called wind. Hylla seemed to finally understand what was happening. She drew me into a hug as a cried into her chest. "I'm sorry," she said. " I should've taken you with me. I'm so sorry."

I didn't need her apology. I just needed her needed her comfort. But that comfort was ripped away from me immediately. Hylla was wrenched by Alarico. She was thrown to the ground and Alarico repeatedly kicked her while she screamed for me to run.

I had already let him hurt me, I wasn't going to let him hurt my sister, too. I ran to him,climbed to his back and bit hard at the side of his neck. Alarico screamed as he grabbed my hair and flip me to my back. He turned to me but Hylla kicked the back of his knees.

"Reyna, run!" she yelled at me. I stood up and ran. I didn't even make it a few feet when Hylla's scream stopped me. I looked back and saw that Allarico was slapping her.

That sight of him hurting my sister filled me with rage so much I thought I started smoking. He already got away with what he did to me, he's not getting away this time.

I didn't think for a second and ran back to my sister. I was almost upon Alarico when I saw the rock Hylla used. I picked it up and brought it down to Alarico's head. He fell sideways and off of my sister. Hylla stood up and he tried to reach her again but I smashed the rock against his hand. He screamed as his bones break. "You fucking bitch! You - "

I didn't let him finish as I bring down the rock on his face again and again. I screamed as I let out my hatred for this man who had torn me apart. I kept on smashing his face with the rock until Hylla pulled me away, crying. She hugged me and sobbed as she turned me away from the lifeless body of Alarico.

We held on to each other, trying to ground each other to reality after this cruel, cruel night.

The rain kept on pouring down, the water running down my skin. But it didn't wash the blood on my hands that would forever mark me as a murderer.

[Next - Chapter 23: WHEN THEY COME FOR ME]