Invisible String (Percy Jackson)

Long Story Short

Ana opened her eyes slowly, the light harsh on her throbbing head. She looked at her surroundings. She appeared to be in some kind of medical wing. It was obvious, the white beds and instruments everywhere. Ana sat up slowly, careful not to hurt herself any further.

There was no one around, all of the beds unoccupied, a single chair next to her bed, vacant as well. Ana wasn't exactly known for her patience, so she stood up. As she began to walk around she felt a sharp sting on her ankle, but she chose to ignore it, heading towards the door instead of tending to her injuries.

"Hey, stop!" a boy stopped her as he walked through the door. The blond rushed to her side when he noticed her limp, helping her to the bed. "I'm Will, I'm your doctor."

As Ana got settled in, she looked flabbergasted. Her doctor? Will looked no older than sixteen.

"I know, I'm young. But I'm a son of Apollo so it helps," he explained, making Ana chuckle a little. Only to stop when he looked absolutely serious.

"I'm sorry, what do you mean by that?" she questioned.

Will looked uncomfortable. "I see Chiron hasn't come in to explain anything yet, my bad."

"Chiron, as the trainer to the heroes?" Ana was so lost, was this a role playing kind of camp?

"Yes, you know your stuff," Will responded, going back to looking at her ankle without saying another word.

"Could you explain a little more?" she pleaded, wincing at him putting a cream on her foot.

"Sorry, but I'm not allowed. He'll be here soon to clarify. Until then, eat this," Will told her, shoving a piece of food towards her.

"What is it?" Ana asked, sitting back.

"It's ambrosia, it will heal you, but only if you're a... Never mind."

She was well aware that ambrosia was the food of the gods, was that what Will was implying? Ana took a small bite out of it, and then a bigger one. It was delicious, it tasted like cookies, and not just any cookies. Ones her friend used to bring her, ones his mother made. This brought a question to her mind, where was Percy? Of course he'd ditched her here.

"It's good, right?" Will spoke, knocking her out of her own thoughts, nodding her head.

"One question, how did I get here?" Ana questioned, head thrown to her shoulder.

"Percy carried you here, says you collapsed in the middle of the walk up the hill," he explained, taking off his plastic gloves. "When he got you in here he refused to leave. Chiron made him go away and take a shower, he stunk."

Ana wondered why he had wanted to stay, it was obvious he didn't remember her. "Wait, how long have I been out?"

"About two days. Grover, his friend, even had to bring him all his food, he didn't want to leave your side. It seems you made quite an impression," Will laughed, turning his head once he heard the door open.

A half man half horse showed up. Chiron, she supposed.

"Hello, Ana. I'm glad you're finally awake," he said with a smile. "Will, I suppose she's taken care of."

"Yes, Chiron. Medically at least. She has a lot of questions."

"That is what usually happens. Not to worry, I can answer them."

Ana wasn't sure what to say, all of her questions too mixed up in her head to be able to put together a sentence.

"How about I begin and you jump in later?" Ana nodded firmly, making Chiron chuckle. "You are in Camp Halfblood, home of demigods. Yes, that means one of your parents is a god. In your case, your father, am I correct?"

Yet again, she nodded firmly. This was a lot of information, especially after a head injury.

"Here, you are safe from monsters. But if what Percy says is true, you've never had much of a problem with them," he said. Will got closer, intrigued by what Chiron had said. "Could you tell me more about that?"

"Well, I've seen them all my life, yet they never saw me. Until a week ago, that's when they started attacking," Ana explained, receiving hums from the centaur. "But whenever they get close, they sort of, banish."

"Yes, that is what Percy described. Has it happened to all of them?" Chiron inquired.

Ana nodded, looking at the ground.

"Thank you for telling me, that will be all my questions for now. Do you have any?"

She shook her head, unable to think clearly.

"Okay, Will, can you get Annabeth?" Chiron asked, looking at the boy pleadingly.

"Of course," the boy said, walking towards the door. "Chiron, she's here already, and so is Percy."

"Not unexpected, send them in," he laughed.

Will left, waving goodbye to Ana with a smile, which she reciprocated.

"Hello, Ana. I'm Annabeth, and you know Percy," the blonde girl told her, putting her hand out, which Ana shaked.

"Hey, how are you?" Percy asked, quite worried, sitting down on the chair he had lived in for the last couple of days.

Ana looked at him, the boy looked as if he wanted to say so much more, but held back. Just like she was. "I'm good. Thank you for getting me here," she said courtly.

Percy smiled at her words, and was about to say something before Annabeth began to speak.

"Ana, I'm going to show you around and explain everything about camp," Annabeth explained, starting to walk towards the door.

"About that, can't I show her around, Chiron?" Percy begged, but received a shake of the head from the older man. "Oh, come on, I'm the reason she's here!" He said in a manner that Ana could only describe as whining.

"Percy, no. Annabeth has been here longer and is more equipped to do the tour."

"But I-"

"Give it up, seaweed brain, he said no," Annabeth spoke with a roll of the eyes.

Ana got up and followed the girl, saying a thank you to Chiron and a polite nod to Percy, who looked defeated. She felt slightly bad, but it was Percy, he probably deserved it. And she was definitely thankful she wouldn't have to be alone with him for that long.

Ana didn't want to remember the past, and she sure as hell didn't want Percy to.