Ten Ways To Say I Love You

On Time

I clutched my hair with my hands, nearly ripping it out in my worry.

"Percy, I know you're nervous," My best friend, Jason said. "But we found where they were keeping her. We'll get her back soon.

The girl in question happened to be my girlfriend, Annabeth. About three months ago, she had been kidnapped by a few scientists who wanted to experiment on her. Annabeth could turn invisible at will.

In a world where people only have elemental powers, she was unusual. I had been going out of my mind with worry every since I found out she was in trouble.

I sighed. "Jason, we're so close. We found the scientists stronghold, but what makes you think she'll even recognize me after all this time?"

"Percy, it's only been three months," Annabeth's friend, Piper, added. "She'll know it's you."

"I know. Still, I can't stop worrying." I rubbed my eyes and stared at the metal door of the truck we were traveling in.

"Percy, we're here." Jason said. I looked out the window. You could barely see the compound, for it was camouflaged and hidden by the leaves.

I felt my heart leap into my throat. This is was it. After three months of tirelessly searching for her, I was finally able to be with her once again.

Jason slapped my back. "Ready?"

I took a deep breath."Yeah." I jumped out of the car and snuck around the back.

The rest of the team crowded around me and I gave them instructions.

"Go, take out as many scientists as you can. Clear the area, secure the perimeter, and pretend like I know what I'm doing." I said, looking around as the faces surrounding me.

They laughed once they heard this. "Yeah, we already do that Percy."

I smiled, but it seemed slightly forced.

"Alright then. Let's go."

I entered the compound as silently as I could. I placed one hand on my gun to make sure I could defend myself.

Jason and Piper go ahead of me and scout the place out.

"Hey, a few scientists up ahead. I'll get rid of them." Piper whispered.

She creeps up behind the scientist and shoots them in the back. Relax dear reader, they're not dead, simply knocked out. I'm the only one who has a real gun.

A tarp covers a large, rectangular structure.

"Hey, Percy, Piper and I are going to stand as lookout, ok?" Jason whispered.

I nodded. "Sounds good."

They leave, and I'm glad. They could tell I needed privacy with Annabeth.

I took a deep breath and pull the cloth tarp off. It slipped from my hands in shock.

There she is. Or is it her?

I can't tell. She looks feral. Her hair a mess, her face bloodied and bruised, her arms scratched and dirty.

"My gods. Annabeth? What have they done to you."

I put my fingers on the bars in an attempt to look at her. Now, up close, I saw that it was her. The unmistakable grey eyes. I had spent hours staring into those. I knew them as well as my own.

"Annabeth." I whispered once more.

She started, and lifted her face up off the floor.

"Annabeth, it's me, Percy?" I said, holding out a hand to her.

I saw the flicker of recognition on her eyes and I breathed a sigh of relief. But it's quickly overtaken by something I never thought Annabeth would look at me with.

Fear.

I reached my hand out. "Annabeth?"

She slaps my hand away. "Get away, imposter. Stop. It's not real. Percy's dead. I saw it myself. How dare you try to take his face?" She seethed.

"No, no Wise Girl, that's not true. It's me, Percy. I'm right here."

"STOP!" She screamed, clutching her head. "STOP! That's what Percy called me! You're not him. I saw him die. I SAW IT!"

She curled up into a ball and sobbed into her knees.

It felt like my heart was breaking over and over and over and over again. How could she not recognize the love of her life?

"Annabeth, you have to believe me." I said, reaching in closer. "I am Percy. Please."

My heart shattered with that one word. But what happened next was worse.

Annabeth cautiously lifted her head up from her knees. She came closer to me, and put and hand on my cheek. I thought she was coming back to herself.

Then, quick as a whip, she stole my gun and pressed it barrel of it to her forehead, her finger on the trigger.

My eyes widened. "No! Annabeth, please no!"

She smiled softly, and I got it. That Annabeth smile. One last time. "You know, you seem like a nice guy. A bit like my Percy. But not really like him. My Percy's dead, and this is only way I can be with him once again. Free from the experiments, free from the poking a prodded and blood draws and sleepless night and nightmares and visions and serums injected into me 24/7. It's too much to take."

"Annabeth, look at me. Percy's not dead. He's right here. I'm Percy." I said, holding out my hand.

She just shook her head softly. "No, you're not. I know my Percy. I love my Percy. He's the only one for me. He's the only one who ever will be. And I can't stand another day without him."

She pulls the trigger.

"NO!"

Hello my cookie fam! What did you think? Did you like this oneshot? I'm sure you did!

*Cackles evilly*

I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry for the short oneshots, but you guys got like LONG ones for the past few days, and, like I promised, I'm working on something REALLY big for next month.

So yeah. The gist of this oneshot was kinda Hunger-Games adapted, but with a much sadder ending. What did you think?

*tissues available for free*

*YouTube's boy band signoff*

Don't forget to vote, comment, and hit that recommend button. Please tell me about the grammar and spelling mistakes!

Love from a member of The Illuminae Group

~Vi

P.S. Do you think I should change the title and cover of this book to be a bit more appropriate? If so, leave suggestions for a name! I'm having a hard time coming up with one!