Opposites: The Staff of Light [Book One]

19. Revenge

Colton

"A-Annabeth?" I croaked when I opened my eyes. A brown-haired girl with a red streak on her hair hovered over me, concern all in her eyes. She forced a smile, even though I knew she was near to tears. In her black clothes, it looked like she'd been attending my funeral. "What happened?"

"Shh," Annabeth whispered, slumping back. "Try not to move, alright? It might hurt... a lot."

"What do you...?"

Annabeth was pained. She looked like she'd been trying to hold back her tears. Her face was beautiful, like always, but a scar lined a pale inch upon her cheek. "Just shut up for a minute, please," she pleaded hopelessly. I didn't want to anger her. I immediately shut up, trying to keep my questions to myself.

How did I end up there? Where was there, exactly? What happened to Jimmy and Arthur? I shifted my position and Annabeth's eyes widened when I flinched. She began cursing under her breath after she'd scold me on how stupid I've been. "I'm sorry," I mumbled and Annabeth's eyes went from angered to concern again. "I didn't know you were that serious about not moving. I won't move another muscle—well, at least, until I get better."

I glanced at her and I could see I was in a room with other patients—campers—laid in beds with their head counselors. I found the Second Cohort not too far. Annabeth was angered enough to look at Jimmy. "How could he do this to you," she muttered. "I'd curse that moron for doing this."

"Annie, you gotta relax," I said in a soft voice, though that was the loudest I could. "It's not my fault or your fault that Jimmy and Arthur had those kinds of powers."

She murmured angrily under her breath. "You're right, it isn't our fault. It was the witch's faults."

"No, that's not what I meant." I never should have said that, I haven't known Annabeth that long, but I knew what kind of girl she was. She's got both hard and soft parts. I saw her in both aspects, she only cared too much. "Look, my mom got cursed by a witch and please. Don't blame them. We'd both be in trouble. Annabeth, you've seriously got to relax. It's like this whole incident thing brought you madness."

Annabeth's expression went dark again. Her bangs got into the way of her eyes. "Colton, I like you, but please, don't put this situation from bad to worse." I swore I saw a tear run down her cheek to her chin, down to the bed sheet. I closed my mouth, intently trying not to cause any more trouble. She sighed. I sensed the pain in her. She buried her face in her folded arms on the bed cover beside me.

"You don't know anything of madness," she said sternly. "I've been through so many things in my life and I've never felt so much pain until I realized I nearly killed my mother. I was still very young at the time when I first discovered the truth—on how a witch casted a curse on my mom. All three of her children have gotten the curses. I'm one of them and there was no gift in that package—only hatred. I've never been exposed to anyone like me. I had more problems about social ability."

I thought about that for just one moment. "I-I'm sorry for causing any trouble." Annabeth didn't reply. Almost every pain that made me flinch didn't matter. I only cared about Annabeth—how I hurt her and how I possibly would make up for the extra pain I gave her. She was that apprehensive. I returned her care with that kind of speech, and definitely not the good kind. What kind of person was I?