How to save a life (Percico/pernico)

Chapter 5- Unlikely Companions

Nico's pov

Nightmares. It's always nightmares. They make sure my sleep is restless. They torment me. They make me relive the worst moments of my life and there's nothing i can do to stop it. Sometimes i wish they would kill me. Then i wouldn't have to deal with it. I wouldn't have to deal with anything. But that won't happen. Or maybe my nightmares will kill me. Because that's how I ended up in my current predicament.
When i opened my eyes, I found myself deep in the woods with percy and everyone around me. There were tons of monsters. Immediately i shot up and grabbed sword. Dam that hurt. I probably shouldn't have stood so fast but I didn't have a choice. I saw a Cyclops swing for piper from behind. I ran and blocked him. Piper jumped, surprised to see me up. "You're awake" she said in disbelief. "Why do you sound so surprised?" I asked.
"Well we tried doing everything we could to wake you and it wasn't working. You had a nightmare and shadow traveled us here." Guilt immediately washed over me. I did this. Why do I always do this. I need to stay as far as i can away from everyone. I called everyone together away from the monsters and shadow traveled us back to camp. I collapsed when we landed out of the shadows. I struggled to stand but eventually got to my feet. "I'm really sorry guys. I didn't mean for any of that to happen" I said. Not being able to stand any longer, I slumped to the ground. Percy rushed to me. "It's okay Nico. You didn't do it on purpose. I'm just glad we were there to help you. What would have happened if we weren't there? Is this the first time you've done that?" he asked with a concerned look on his face. "Umm.. Yea." I lied. I didn't need him worrying about me. I didn't need to give him any more problems. He nodded and gave a small smile. I tried to stand again but failed. Annabeth held her hand out and helped me to my feet. "I'll help him back to his cabin. You guys go ahead without me. I'll catch up." why was she helping me? I thought she didn't like me. Annabeth slipped her arm around my waste and started walking slowly toward my cabin. When we were finally out of ear shot, she finally spoke. "How many times?" she asked. I started "i don't know what you're-"
"Save it. I know this has happened before. How many times?" why was she doing this? What does she get out of this? "Too many times to count. What's it to you?" I said. I tried to give her the nastiest glare I could muster but it turned into a small frown as i winced in pain. She gave a small chuckle and i growled. Her expression turned neutral again as we reached my cabin. She helped me into bed. Instead of leaving she sat down next to me. What is up with this girl? "What are your nightmares about that you're thrashing around that bad?" she asked. She sounded like she cared but I wasn't sure. It could've just been curiosity. She looked at me with a soft expression that I wasn't used to and before i knew it I was talking about everything. I told her about Tartarus. I told her what happened to me back there. I told her how they tortured me. How hard it was. How I was so close to going insane and how much it scared me. And before I knew it I was sobbing hysterically. Great. Just great. I was crying in front of the one and only Annabeth Chase. But i couldn't stop myself. "I-I'm sorry" i choked out. But she didn't say anything. She just sat there rubbing the small of my back with her thumb. My thoughts ran all over the place but the one thought i had before i fell asleep was Annabeth Chase. For some reason, she cares. And for once, i was grateful for that.