Chapter 6: The Respite

Time seemed to slow as the dagger hurled towards the gorgon. The blade spun vertically in the air making a wooshing sound with every rotation. Stheno raised her shield to deflect the incoming projectile, but she was too slow. The dagger impaled her in the neck, and she sank to the ground, giving a final hiss before turning to dust.

I tried to get up and run towards Thalia but the moment I put pressure on my leg I immediately collapsed to the ground. I did my best to army crawl to her as fast as possible.

I focused my attention on Thalia. It was bad. Like really bad. The bottom part of her jacket was covered in blood from where she was impaled by Stheno. The red scratches on her face contrasted with the paleness of her skin. Her eyes were closed, but she would occasionally open them and look around in a daze. They were glossy and out of focus. Her breathing was shallow. She was as limp as a rag doll. I touched her forehead. Almost as cold as ice. I knew if I didn't act fast she wouldn't make it.

I was worried. Despite my multiple head injuries, my mind buzzed around the thought of losing Thalia. I cared for her. A lot. I imagined what it would be like if Thalia were to die right here. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if that happened. Not just because of guilt but because I would miss her. Genuinely miss her. I would miss her bantering. I'd miss her prideful, energetic personality. I couldn't lose her here.

I took off my jacket and began to put pressure on her wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding. I looked around the emporium and found our back packs that we took off before the fight. I went to retrieve mine as quick as possible. When I returned I saw Thalia gazing out into the distance with her unfixed eyes. I took out the nectar and ambrosia from my backpack and began giving it to her. I knew the food of the gods could work miracles, but even I was skeptical if it would be enough for Thalia.

After feeding her everything I had brought I felt her forehead again. This time it was really warm. I continued to put pressure where she had gotten stabbed. A few minutes later her breathing began to stabilize a little bit. Instead of a snow-white color, her skin was gradually returning to her normal shade.

"Percy?" Thalia croaked.

"Yeah?"

"I… love you."

As soon as she said those words she was out for good, leaving me alone to reflect on everything that had just transpired. We were safe and not dying. Everything was going to be okay. I had given all my nectar and ambrosia to Thalia and didn't have the energy or will power to see if there was any in Thalia's backpack. With my spinning head, numb arms, and potentially broken leg I followed Thalia and drifted into unconsciousness right there on the floor. I didn't know it at the time, but my arm was around Thalia as we both lied there on the cold, dirty floor of Aunty Em's Garden Emporium.

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was Thalia trying to stuff ambrosia down my throat.

"Hold still!"

Thalia must have moved me to one of the smaller rooms of the store while I was sleeping. I was surprised to see that I was resting on a cushion from some patio furniture. The room we were in looked cleaner than other parts of the building. Thalia had propped me up against the wall. She was sitting right in front of me doing her best to help nurse me back to health.

She looked a lot better than the last time I saw her; though that was really easy for her considering the last time I saw her she was almost dead. She still looked really tired as if she could fall asleep on command. The weak winter sun shining through the windows illuminated the cuts on her face from Stheno's sword. Her black hair was frizzy and out of place in some spots. I looked at her abdomen. Her winter jacket was covered in dry blood. I was amazed that she was already sitting up. Despite her crazed appearance when I looked up into her blue eyes I could only see her compassion and concern for me. I wonder if I returned the look.

A smile crept onto Thalia's face. I smiled back. Our smiles turned to grins and then to laughter. Thalia winced in pain and clutched her stomach. We were still so worn out, but we were so happy that we were both okay.

"I thought I was going to lose you."

"I thought I was going to lose you too."

Thalia came close to me and gave me a big hug. I wrapped my arms around her and held her close. When we broke off she grabbed the ambrosia.

"Now I wasn't kidding. Hold still." She started feeding me pretty much everything that was in her backpack. From the looks of it, she must had been feeding me over the course of a couple hours while I was out. I must have looked confused the more she gave me. "You're in really bad shape. Or at least were. Your left leg was almost twice the size of your right leg from swelling. You had a huge bruise on your rib cage from where you got kicked. And don't even get me started on your head. I'm surprised you can even understand me right now, Percy."

My head did hurt. The ambrosia and nectar helped but that was seriously a lot of head trauma in a short amount of time.

"They almost got us." I said.

"I know. That was way too close. We got really lucky when it counted."

"You saved my life." I was still in shock about almost losing my life. I tried replaying the sequence of our fight with the gorgons. It really was way too close like Thalia had said.

"You saved mine too. I thought I was a gonner. When did you learn to throw daggers?"

"I never did. It was luck, like you said." Thalia fed me another block of ambrosia. I was starting to feel warm. "You look like crap." I chuckled.

She's rolled her eyes at me. "Not as bad as you."

When she had given me the last of her nectar and ambrosia she propped herself against the same wall I was leaning back on. We were content just sitting there in silence and letting the food of the gods do it's work. As much as I wanted to, I realized it would be a bit longer before we could leave this place once and for all.

Thalia leaned her head on my shoulder. I felt safe and secure.

"How do you feel?" I asked.

"Like I just got impaled with a huge sword from a lady-snake monster."

"I'll be okay." She added. "I guess I can't say it's the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I'll need to rest some more though. It took almost everything I had to move you here and get you stabilized. We would do more harm than good if we left right now."

I nodded in agreement. "You should sleep then. I'll keep watch."

Thalia moved her head from off my shoulder and cautiously laid down on the large patio cushion.

"Hey before you go to sleep."

"Yeah?"

"About what I said in the forest about us? I... just forget I said anything."

"Okay Percy." She almost immediately fell asleep. I wanted to lie down next to her and crash, but we needed at least one of us to be on the lookout - even if we wouldn't be able to defend ourselves that much. What the gorgons had said was true. The two of us together had to give off a strong scent for other monsters. I hoped we wouldn't encounter any more dangerous enemies on our journey. But given out circumstances, we probably would.

Thalia slept as the sharp angles of the sun became softer. The cold building gradually felt warmer as time went on. It was hard sitting still for such a long time, even with the injuries I had sustained from the gorgons. I was really anxious to get back to where we left off with finding Annabeth. I was still worrying about her, probably even more now that we knew the caliber of monsters that were behind it all. To help calm my racing mind I would occasionally look over at Thalia. She looked so peaceful in her sleep. I knew that things would be okay because Thalia would be right by my side looking out for me.

"Percy?"

I jumped and frantically looked around. Thalia was still sleeping, there was no way it could be her; and the voice sounded just like Annabeth's. It sounded scared and helpless and it was coming from outside the store. I quickly got up from where I was and walked out of the room Thalia and I were in. I was surprisingly able to put quite a bit of pressure on my bad leg but it definitely wasn't back to normal.

"Percy!"

Annabeth's voice sounded more urgent this time as if she was in great danger. I exited the store as fast as I could and uncapped Riptide. The voice led me to the back of the emporium and away from the countless stone statues. I was almost in the forest when I heard Annabeth's voice cry out again, this time in deep pain. By now I was running as fast as I could into the forest. As I rounded a large tree I stopped dead in my tracks. My mouth was left wide open and I put my sword away.

"I see now that you only care about my daughter only under... extreme circumstances, Perseus Jackson."

It was Athena. And she did not look happy to see me. In fact, she looked as if I had just slapped her mother and burned her house down. Athena also looked as if her daughter had just told her that I was considering leaving her for another girl. Or if she had found out herself. She was not messing around. She was wearing her traditional ancient Greek robes and a crown made out of Olive branches. In one hand she wielded a large silver sword and in the other she had a balled up fist. Her eyes were glowing bright like a wildfire.

I gulped. I knew this was bad. I hope she wasn't here to kill me. I didn't even have time to think about how Athena was the one putting Annabeth's voice in my head. It sounded so real.

"I knew something like this would happen if I allowed you to be with my daughter. I should have never allowed it. You can never trust someone of Poseidon's blood." She began slowly approaching me, similar to how the gorgons approached me last night. "My daughter has done so much for you and has risked her life numerous times for your safety. After years of friendship and trust you would leave her after such a short time apart. You mortals never cease to surprise me with your stupidity. You do not love her. You do not deserve to be with her. She is one of my greatest daughters and I cannot stand the thought of the two of you together any longer. Especially after your recent actions with that miserable daughter of Zeus which has caused quite the division between the gods. Now it is clear to me how you really feel and who you truly are."

"I do love Annabeth!" I protested.

Athena's eyes burned brighter than the summer sun. The entire clearing in the forest became so bright I had to cover my eyes. I started feeling really warm and then became hot. Sweat started to drop down my forehead. Any longer and I would be cooked like a S'mores marshmallow.

"Then act like it, Perseus Jackson!" Athena's voice was deep and powerful. Filled with anger. I had to cover my ears because it was so loud and my eyes because it was so bright, but that didn't do anything to help. It reminded me of the time I had sat on my father's throne. Eventually the bright light began to fade. The temperature returned back to normal. I moved my hands from my eyes and cautiously looked up at Athena.

"It is taking everything within my willpower to not incinerate you into a pile of ash this very moment. The only thing keeping you alive is my daughter that you profess to love. She has been taken and her presence is unknown to me. I have tried to find out where she is but her specific location is masked. If you do love my daughter you will continue your quest to save her. Unfortunately for me, you are the only one in a position to rescue her. If you succeed I might consider not killing you."

I made sure to pick my next words very carefully. This was probably my most dangerous encounter with a god to date, and that's really saying a lot.

"I will happily rescue your daughter, Lady Athena." She looked at me with discontent, as if I was a fly trying to fly out of a house through a closed window.

"I do not want to spend a second longer in your presence than I need to. Remember Jackson, the only reason why I am helping is because I love my daughter more than I hate you. I hope you somehow die as soon as you rescue her." Athena paused. Through the anger in her eye I was able to see just a sliver of worry. "I am only able to see the general area where Annabeth is at. She is somewhere in what you mortals call Richmond. That is all I know. You will know what to do once you arrive."

I didn't feel like dying so I just nodded my head. Athena was able to see right through me and know how scared I was.

"This conversation is over. Do not disappoint me." She immediately turned bright and I looked away just in time. All the snow in the area had been completely melted. My legs had turned to jelly. Athena was never a big fan of me, but now I felt like she hated me more than Ares did. I walked over to where she had been standing and noticed a leather pouch on the floor. Upon inspecting it, I saw that there was more ambrosia for Thalia and I. She must really care about Annabeth.

I felt defeated. I dragged my feet on the walk back to the emporium. I wanted nothing more than to leave that place. I wanted nothing more than to be in Olympus with Annabeth. We would still probably be there right now about ready to come back to camp. I hoped she was okay.

I hoped Thalia was okay too. I was pretty sure she was out of the woods, but seeing her flirt with death last night really scared me. I needed her.

All of this was quickly spiraling out of control. What started as a small attraction to Thalia had turned into a life or death rescue quest for Annabeth. I felt like everyone was against us. I felt confused. We still had no idea who had taken Annabeth and why. There were many things that weren't adding up. Maybe Thalia and I could figure it out together now that we had some time to process everything.

I downed some ambrosia during my short, reflective walk. When I walked into our little room in the garden emporium Thalia was beginning to stir, like a teenager having to get up early on a weekend.

I bent down and offered her some ambrosia. She slowly reached her hand out and began eating. It was a lot more than I thought she could handle but she kept on insisting she'd be okay. When I felt her forehead it was burning hot but the cuts and bruises on her body were healing really well. I went to lie down next to her. We were close together and our shoulders were touching. Her body heat felt good after the cold encounter outside. Despite our previous conversation about one of keeping watch, we both fell asleep again. If we were going to go all the way to Richmond we would need to be ready.

The sun was still shining when I woke up. I felt a lot better. I looked over at my legs and they looked the same size. I felt refreshed. "How do you feel?" I finally asked.

"Like crap. Did you leave earlier?"

"I thought I heard Annabeth's voice. When I followed the sound I found out it was Athena. She was not happy to see me but she told me where she thinks Annabeth is at. We should get going as soon as we can."

"That must have been a warm and pleasant conversation. Where is she?"

"She said she was somewhere in Richmond."

"I feel a lot better. I think we can get going."

"How do you suggest we get there. It's at least a couple hundred miles away."

"I don't know. Train? Bus? Hitchhike? We could try to get back to camp now that we know where to go. We're kind of stuck here. You don't think any gods are going to appear out of no where and give us help, do you?" Thalia finished the last of the ambrosia. She still looked rough, but I could tell she was almost back to normal.

"That would be convenient but I've had enough of gods for now. I really hope no more decide to show up."

"Me too. Let's go Seaweed Brain. We have your princess to rescue." Thalia smirked at me. She got up and extended her hand out to mine. When I got to my feet we were still holding each others hand. We turned towards the door and started walking out. We stopped holding hands only until we were outside of the emporium.

Thanks for reading this chapter! If you have a minute let me know what you think so far!