A Walk

Just a little context: This is right after Annabeth saved Percy from getting stabbed in the back.

~

"It's okay," Katie reassured her sister. "We're almost there."

She staggered through the elevator doors into the huge penthouse suite, half-carrying one of her sisters. Demigods were sitting all around the room, some catching up on sleep and others discussing strategy. Almost everyone turned around to look at the newcomers as the elevator doors closed behind them with a shudder. Katie was so exhausted all she could do was gesture to her sister, almost unconscious in her arms. Immediately someone rushed over and carried her away to treat her wounds.

Finally able to rest, Katie collapsed into an armchair with a sigh. She rubbed her eyes, trying to control her throbbing headache. Growing a jungle from nothing took a lot more of her strength than she wanted to admit. And to make it worse, she had given the rest of her ambrosia to the Demeter cabin at the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. They needed it more than her.

"Here," a voice said from in front of her. "You look like you could use some of this."

Katie squinted and saw a square of ambrosia in front of her face. "Thanks," she muttered and took it gratefully. As she chewed, the delicious taste of freshly picked strawberries filled her mouth. Immediately the pain in her head started to lessen. Katie stood up, and when her vision cleared, realized she was face to face with Travis Stoll. As in, mere inches away from the mishievous smirk that seemed to always be on his lips. Startled, she tried to step away from him only to fall back into the armchair.

"Your face!" he laughed at Katie's stunned expression. "That was priceless! Almost as good as the time we put those Easter bunnies on your roof!"

Katie scowled. "Why, you just wait till—"

"Travis, come on! Talk to your girlfriend on your own time! We're leaving!"

The voice belonged to none other than Conner Stoll, Travis's twin brother. They were just in time to see his smirk as the elevator doors closed and he disappeared from view. Katie could already feel her face heating up.

"Alright, alright," Travis ignored the other part of his brother's comment and instead looked down at Katie. "You want to come with us?"

A red-faced Katie scrambled out of her armchair and followed him into another elevator, slightly suspicious. What are they up to now? "Sure, but where are you guys going?"

"Drugstore on Fifth. Will told us to steal some medicine for Annabeth. She got a nasty knife wound on her shoulder," Travis replied as he pushed the button for the lobby.

"Is she okay? Where is she? I should go see her," Katie frowned and stuck her foot between the elevator doors just as they began to close, concern for her friend seeping into her voice. She was about to step out when Travis stopped her.

"Woah," Travis grabbed Katie's hand and pulled her back around to face him. "Annabeth's fine. She's on the terrace. Percy's with her. I don't think you should . . . disturb them."

All at once Katie realized what he was implying. But she was still stubborn. "Well, I should stay anyways. I need to check on my sister."

"Nope, I know you too well. You and your bad timing are going to burst through those doors and stop them right when they're about to kiss. You're not ruining my bet with Connor, definitely not, missy."

The doors closed behind her and the elevator started going down. Katie huffed. "Oh alright, as long as she's okay. I guess I'll just go with you then, seeing as how I'm here already. Besides, someone's got to make sure you Stolls don't get yourselves into any more trouble, right?"