Percy vs Nico - Percy Jackson

Chapter 28

Nico's POV
I jolted awake, almost whiplashing myself. I was in the infirmary. How did I get here? What happened? Why am I here? Do people know? I started panicking, my hands clenched the thin sheets around me, I struggled to breathe, everything was a blur and I was so confused. I jumped out of the bed and started running toward the opening of the tent, desperate for air. When I got out the tent I didn't stop running. I ran, and I ran, and I ran until my throat burned and I couldn't move my legs. Then I gave up and sat on a patch of grass. I couldn't breathe, I placed my hand over my chest hoping it would control my heartbeat. I closed my eyes for a brief moment until I heard a twig crack beside me and my head jolted to the direction of the sound. I couldn't believe it at first, who was standing infront of me. The only light in my life. He was clasping on a tree, stumbling and trying to catch his breath.

"You... are... a really... fast... runner..." He said between breaths. I didn't reply. I sat up and just stared at him. His beautiful golden locks stuck to his forhead in sweat, his freckles like constellations, his smile brighter than the sun itself. Will Solace. We stared at each other for a good minute, soaking in each other's presence when someone was running toward us, huffing and puffing. Will looked back to see a boy, who i'm guessing is in the Apollo cabin, slowly jogging up to his.

"Simon?" Will asked. The boy didn't respond, he just nodded his head and leaned over in exhaustion. When he caught his breath he said,

"Sorry, I should have kept a closer eye on him." They both looked in my direction. I let out a forced smile. "You should really go back Will, you still need to rest. We're only supposed to do that during emergencies." Simon added. What happened to Will? What had he done? Why did he need to rest? I remembered how weird it was to be back in Camp Half-Blood. Will started walking back to the infirmary and gestured for me to come with him. I looked around for a second, then I followed.

Percy's POV
I stare at her puzzled look until I realise she wasn't staring at me, she was focused on something lurking in the dark behind me. "Annabeth?" I whispered, "Wha~" I begin to say.

"Don't. Move." She cuts in with two desperate words. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding as my body tenses up. I don't dare to move, neither does Annabeth. I stare deeply into her eyes, knelt infront of her, waiting for a signal to move. Annabeth's eyes widen, I feel a hot breath trickle down my neck.

"Annabeth," I say in the quietest whisper, "On the count of three... we run."

"What?!" She whispers back, a scraping noise on the rocks sends a shiver down my spine.

"Just trust me." I say, "Slowly stand up." I command as she slowly picks herself up from the ground. Her eyes glued to the thing in the darkness that I couldn't turn to see.

"Okay," She says standing still, "Now you." A moment of silence carries between us. "Percy?" Her whisper sounding panicked. I freeze. But not from fear.

"I-I... can't." I say through gritted teeth.

"I'm not leaving..." She says but I don't hear the rest of what she's saying. A painful ringing in my ears begins as I desperately try to move. I grunt against the strength that is keeping me knelt. Black spots cloud my vision, and suddenly Annabeth is in front of me, shaking me. "Percy!" I could barely hear. Shhh, I want to remind her but I couldn't speak. A sharp pain runs down my back, suddenly I could move. I double over in pain, screaming from something ripping down my back. I clutch to Annabeth, trying to be as quiet as I can when another cry escapes my throat. Be quiet, I tell myself. It'll find Annabeth. I force my teeth shut as I whimper infront of Annabeth's lap. She lifts my head up, for a split second I could see pure fear in her eyes as she looked down on me. My face wet with tears, another sharp pain in my abdomen. I reach for Annabeth's arm holding my face and clutch it for dear life. I hear her wince but before I could react the breath spills out my lungs. I lift my head and try to suck in a breath, nothing. Panic fills my brain as I try to breathe again, my whole body shaking. "Percy?" Annabeth asks as I try to suck in a breath. She looks so beautiful, even covered in crimson red. "Percy!" I continue to look at her as my senses get blurry and my chest burns up. If there's something I want to see when I die, It's Annabeth.