Together

Chapter 18

Percy POV

"About what?" she asks, obviously confused. "I know you don't remember but you said something last night...," I trail off and I see her fidget in her bed and her face turn pink, clearly embarrassed at what she could have said. "You looked tired so I told you to go to sleep, but you said you couldn't because he hasn't beaten you yet," I say and I see her eyes get wide and she puts her face in her hands.

"No, no, no, no, no, no," she mutters. "Annabeth, please tell me you were just delusional," I beg. When I don't get an answer I ask, "Who beats you?" She remains silent. "Annabeth, talk to me, you know you can trust me," I say firmly yet softly.

Just when I think she isn't going to answer, I hear a almost inaudible, "My dad," she then continues, "he beats me every day, I'm not allowed to go to sleep if he hasn't touched me with his belt at all that day." Shocked, angry, concerned, I'm able to put two and two together, "He was the one that threw the beer bottle at you."

Suddenly, I'm aware of her shaking and shallow and quick breaths. "Annabeth, calm down," I say and grab her shoulders. "H-he said I-if I tell anyone t-then he'd make t-the beatings w-worse," she cries and her quick breathing increases. "Hey, hey, hey. Shhh. Calm down....take big breathes," I softly say.

I see her trying to do so, but is struggling. "There you go....shhh," I encourage and soon I hear her breathes even out. I smile and pull her hair back, "Here, why don't you go change," I say, handing her a change of clothes. Silently, she gets up and goes into the bathroom. The door closes with a soft click.

She comes back out and lays down. "Please, don't tell anyone. It'll only get worse," she begs. "I won't tell, don't worry, but my mom went on a business trip for a month, so you can stay over at my place while your concussion heals," I offer, causing her to smile.

-stay smart🙋
Written December 15th
Updated December 17th