An Assassin's Guide to Family

Chapter 44: Past

——————Percy's POV: ——————

"Annabeth RUN!" I yelled, looking back for only a second all I could see was a wall of monsters, their faces looking nothing short of hungry as they chased us mercilessly.

Bob swung, hitting a monster in the face and sending them flying backwards, making a bowling-like effect happen as a group went down with it.

Annabeth nodded, panting slightly before she picked up the speed, gaining on me as we headed for the elevator, if the plan went right Bob would hold down the lever and Annabeth and I could get in the elevator and leave. Finally leave.

The motivation sparked more energy within me as I bolted forwards, the ground beneath me trying to pull me back, but I didn't let it, I shut my eyes as I focused all my energy into my sprint.

Only a few more steps.

'"Annabeth!" I yelled, I turned back again, trying my best to make sure she was behind me. I spotted her just the second an awful bloody stump appeared in her gut. The world stopped as our eyes met for one painstaking long second, a second before she collapsed to the ground. I put all my force into a turn, quickly going and sliding over to Annabeth who was looking down at the wound in her gut. An arrow stuck straight out. I could feel my breathing pick up to unhealthily fast levels."o-oh gods- shit Annie. Just- just get up, we're close!" I yelled trying my best to keep calm but failing miserably at it. I looked back, we were much farther then my deluded hope had told me. Too far.

I felt my throat clamp tight as I picked her up, a groan escaping her as she shook her head.

"No, no, don't say no. We can make it, I'll carry you!" But even as I said that I knew we'd never make it together, the monsters were already much closer and no matter how many times Bob could punch a crowd down, we'd die if we stayed much longer. A sob escaped me as I looked down at her, my world was crumbling. She was the only one I had left. I couldn't lose her.

"Seaweed brain, let go."

"NO!" I yelled, I was hyperventilating and hysterical at the thought of losing her.

Annabeth smiled and brought her hands up, one on the side of my face, the other playing with my hair. I was crying now, my tears not landing on her due to the fact that they evaporated mid fall.

"Please don't leave me, just try, please." I begged, my voice the most broken I'd heard it. Annabeths lip quivered but she kept a strong face. She moved her hand from my hair and to the side of my face, she watched me, I knew what she was doing, she was memorizing. Her eyes flew over my face as she memorized my features. I cried harder holding her tighter.

"Seaweed brain, don't cry, it's okay. I'll wait for you, but it better be a long wait you understand me?" I shook my head. I wish everything could just go away. Annabeth was the only one there for me when I'd lost everything, and now, now just like everything else good in my life, she was going, leaving me.

"No! Stay! Please stay!" I yelled. Annabeth looked to the side. The monsters were too close, we needed to leave.

"Just go okay?" She pulled me down into a kiss, it was a quick kiss but it conveyed everything in our relationship. Everything that would be taken from me. She pulled back with a smile. "You've always been a good kisser."

The saddest most broken laugh escaped me as I brushed her hair away from her face.

"I love you Wise girl."

"I love you too Seaweed brain" she pushed herself from my grip, "BOB!"

Suddenly a hand grabbed me by my waist, my eyes widened as she disappeared behind me, opening a small vial of Greek fire.

"ANNABETH!" I yelled but she gave me one final smile before tossing it into the crowd.

I tried to yell again but was caught off by being tossed into the elevator. I slid, my back slamming against the metal side. I coughed, my vision going foggy as the wind was knocked out of me. I held out my hand trying to reach out as if she'd suddenly appear beside me, but as the door shut, the lights flickering out, I could only scream to an empty void.

I screamed until my throat went raw, until my vocal cords stopped working and I was forced to heave out my woes in sad gags and breathy sobs.

It wasn't until the elevator jostled that I passed out and stopped calling.

————————

The group had pulled us together for a picnic. I sat to the side, knees pulled to my chest as Jason and Hazel held me in between them, rubbing my back and occasionally whispering helping words into my ears as I kept curled up.

I refused to talk. My throat was messed up so I just signed when I had to speak instead. I didn't do that a lot either.

They'd tried talking to me, I'd only spoken to Jason, and only once. I couldn't manage anyone else.

"-once again congrats Hazel, you did good work." I felt my lip quiver. I wanted to celebrate, to tell Hazel how well she'd done. But I couldn't, I'd opened my mouth to speak to her a while ago but all that came out were broken sobs. She ended up holding me, something I hated.

I needed to be strong. All Id been for the past year was weak. Bruce was right. All I do is run, I was a coward.

I felt another sob wrack through my body, but I couldn't handle anyone else helping me. I would collapse all over again. I quickly untucked, everyone's eyes going to me. I quickly signed.

"B-R-B" before standing up and running off. I ran down the mountain and too a stream. I hopped in with little regard to how deep it was before sinking to the bottom. It was there I sobbed and cried as loud as I could, the water constantly healing any damage to my throat as it happened.

I would never be the same.

I'd never felt more alone.

Never.

—————————
1075 words