You're Not Getting Away From Me

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE: It's Missing

Annabeth's POV

I snarled at Kelli and reached for my knife around my waist. Instead, I just got a fistful of my shirt. That's fantastic. My only weapon was gone. Percy had his sword, though, and it was out for light. He hastily tried to recap it to hide it from Kelli, but she noticed.

"Where did you get that?" she demanded in a faux-sweet voice.

"Get what?" Percy feigned innocently.

"Fine," Kelli growled, momentarily dropping the cheerleader act. She still hadn't lost the outfit yet, though. The skirt part was completely demolished, and the whole thing was painted in burn holes. "I'll let you keep it. Won't do much good anyway." Percy's expression never changed, but I saw his eyes flash with concern. No one else would have noticed, but I've fought along side him too many times and knew him too well.

I hated being in this position. Still sitting down, caught off guard, trapped, weaponless. I was trying to think of a plan, but the situation wasn't looking too good for us. I couldn't see a door anywhere. I couldn't even tell where Kelli had got in. And if Kelli was here, I had to guess we were in California, the place swarming with all of our worst memories. There was no immediate back-up coming for Percy and I, and we didn't have a way to contact them anyway. Unless... No, she wouldn't be coming. Plus, Percy had a sword and I had nothing. So no plan so far.

"Don't worry yet, dear demigods," Kelli cooed. "I'm not going to do anything right now, I just came to check on you. Boss and me will come back later to have fun!" She looked over us both, but I think she lingered on me a little longer. Pure hatred gleamed in her eyes for me, and something that I couldn't quite place shone for when she looked at Percy. I was staring back, trying to figure it out, but she simply disappeared into nowhere. Poof.

Percy and I sat still for a little while in silence, trying to think of something to say.

"We'll have to just fight," Percy voiced suddenly.

I sighed and replied, "Yeah, I don't see what else we can do. But lets check the walls to see if there's any hidden exits or something."

"Sure."

We stood up and Percy grunted. I glanced over at his face just in time to see him wince in the bronze glow.

"What's wrong?" I asked worriedly.

"Nothing." He wouldn't meet my eyes.

"You're an awful liar, what hurts?"

"No, I'm actually a really great liar. Just not to you."

I rolled my eyes. "Perseus, what's wrong?"

"Nothing,"  he tried again. I shot him a look but he still just said "Annabeth, it's fine."

"I don't believe you. But I'll drop it for now. Let's go search the walls."

We walked the little distance to the side of our cell. Well, I walked. Percy shuffled stiffly.

"Please tell me what hurts," I said softly, gently grabbing his forearm.

"Really, it's okay. It's not a big deal."

"Percy." I cupped my hand under his chin, forcing him to meet my eyes.

He breathed out slowly before responding, "My Achilles Heel. It hurts sometimes. Aches, occasionally feels like a pinched nerve. But please don't worry about."

Oh, I was worrying about it. I slipped my hand right up the back of his shirt and placed two fingers on the small of his back, just like I did during the Battle of Manhattan. He flinched, but I wasn't sure if it was from the sensitivity from back when it was his only mortal point, if my hands were just cold, or if it actually hurt. Regardless of his reaction, I'm guessing he was experiencing more pain than he let on.

"I've never thought about that it might bother you," I mumbled. "I don't think anyone has ever lost the curse of Achilles."

"What did you expect? I break all the rules," he said with a smirk.

"That, I have to agree with. But let me know if it gets worse, okay? Maybe we can talk to someone, like Apollo, or-"

"Annabeth," he stopped me, exasperated. "This is why I didn't tell you! I love you, but I knew you'd get too worked up over it."

"Well, I'm sorry for being concerned for my fiancee," I retaliated sharply and went up to the wall. I couldn't see him, but I knew he put his face in his hands. I exhaled and turned back around. He didn't look at me, yet again. Good job, Annabeth.

 "I... let's just... ugh," I stammered. I hated being at lost for words. "I'm sorry. I won't get worried unless you tell me to. I didn't mean to get mad at you," I muttered. It was hard for me to apologize for anything, and I hated that too.

"S'kay Wise Girl," he mumbled back. "Let's just figure something out." 

I had almost placed my hand on the wall to feel for any crevices or cracks, but I heard a popping sound behind me and Percy yelped. He staggered backwards and crashed into me in the tight space. Percy regained his footing quickly and I held onto him to keep from falling down.

"What happened?" I asked him once we were untangled.

"The wall's electric," he said, grimacing.

"Great," I grumbled and subconsciously cracked my knuckles in irritation. Obviously, we gave up on searching the wall and Percy just shone his sword around instead. I didn't see anything like a camera, but that didn't mean they couldn't see us and it certainly didn't mean they couldn't hear us. We were too afraid to sit down because if an enemy appeared out of nowhere, we didn't want that disadvantage. I leaned into Percy's side instead and fiddled with his fingers. I racked my brain to try and think of anything that could save us.

"We don't know where or when they'll appear, it's practically pitch black, and there's no exit. The only plan I have is to fight the best we can when the time comes," I admitted miserably. Did I mention I hated this position we were in?

"As long as we're together, it'll end up okay," Percy chanted over and over, more to himself than me. "So we wait. We'll figure something out when we have to. We always do."

"Yeah," I agreed halfheartedly. I started to feel a lump of fear and anxiety forming in my gut. The waiting was awful. I lost track of how much time had past, Percy twirling my hair in his fingers and me nervously tapping my foot.

"I can't take this," I bursted out. "I don't like not being able to do anything, we can't stay here doing nothing!" I cried.

"I  hate it, too, but what else can we do?" Percy wondered out loud. "Kelli said they're coming back, we can't do anything until then."

 I knew he was right, so I shifted restlessly and started playing with his fingers again. Then I noticed something was missing.

"Percy, my ring is gone!" I told him, extremely upset. I couldn't see his face very well in the light, but all he said was:

"We can get another, Wise Girl." He sounded a little upset but not nearly as much as me.

"Wait," a new voice that turned my blood to ice interrupted. "Are you talking about this ring?"