The Half-Blood Games | Percabeth

Chapter 19: Octavian

I roll out of the way just in time as Octavian's knife sinks into the sand where I just was.

I wanted to rush to Leo's side, but I couldn't. Not without getting myself killed.

Octavian laughed. "God, I've been waiting to kill you since these Games began! Don't worry, this time I'll make sure you're really dead."

He chucked another knife at me, and I barely dodge it in time. I rip it out of the ground, and stand up. My shock has worn off, and I'm angry now. He hurt Leo. He has to pay.

I easily sidestep the next knife he throws at me. I see his cocky smile falter. He's pulling another knife out of his belt when I chuck mine.

It hits him right between the eyes, and he falls to the ground. A cannon goes off.

I rush to Leo's side. He's facing upwards, and blood's coming out of his mouth.

"That...was...awesome," he croaked.

Tears start flowing from my eyes. "You're going to be okay, Leo. I have a medical kit in my bag. I can-"

Leo grabs my wrist, cutting me off. We both know there's no point. There's no way I could possibly save him.

"Listen, Annabeth, you gotta win, okay?" He croaks. "Do whatever you have to do. Kill people. Sleep with people. Eat people. I don't care. Just win, okay?"

I nod, tears spilling out of my eyes. "I will, Leo, I promise."

"And-" He hiccups, and more blood comes out of his mouth. "And on your victory tour, find Calypso."

He reaches his hand into his pocket, and gives me his photograph. "Tell her I love her."

Then he closes his eyes, and the cannon goes off.

I just sit there for a few seconds, shocked. Leo's not breathing. He's gone.

And then I break down.

I hadn't known Leo for that long, but I cared about him. I started bawling, my tears like waterfalls pouring down my face.

"I will," I sobbed. "I promise."

I stay like that for awhile, rolling in my sadness. I didn't want to get up. I felt compelled to just stay here, next to him, and just stay here until I die, be it from dehydration or at another tribute's hands. But I promised him I'd win. And I get up.

I pull the knife out of Leo's stomach and clean it in the sand. I know it's what he would've wanted me to do.

I pull Octavian's backpack off his corpse and rummage through it. He had a bag of dried fruit, some beef jerky, and three more knives. I add it all to my collection. I have to resist the urge to repeatedly stab Octavian's corpse.

I take one last look back. Leo's eyes are closed, and he's lying in a pool of his own blood. He looks peaceful. Octavian, on the other hand, eye's are open, and he looks terrified. Good.

I look at the photograph in my hands. Calypso smiles back at me. I take a deep breath, suppress the urge to start crying again, and shove the photo in my pocket.

Then I start walking.

I tie my jacket around my head again, in an effort to cool myself down. I take a small sip from my water bottle.

I count the remaining tributes. There was Hazel, Frank, me, Percy, Rachel, and the boy from District 10, Nico di Angelo. Only six of us.

The Games would be over soon.

For once, I truly believe I have a shot at winning this. I have to. For Leo. For Hestia. For myself. Somehow, my promise to Leo gives me a confidence I never thought I'd have. I was fighting for both of us now.

And I'd win for both of us.

I walk towards the mountain, not caring if the Careers saw me. Let them. Let them come to me. A rage was boiling inside me, fighting with my sadness. If anyone got in my way, I'd destroy them.

It was time to show the Capitol, this country, what I could do. I wasn't just the girl who scored the eleven, or the girl with the cool Opening Ceremony dress. I was Annabeth Chase. And I was going to win these games.

That night, I stated a fire with cactus' and a match. It was like an invitation. Come get me. I wanted someone to emerge from behind those sandy dunes, so I could drive a knife through their brain.

The anthem plays. Octavian's face shines first. I'm happy to see it.

And then Leo's up there, shining in the night sky with his bright smile.

"Goodbye, Leo," I whisper, a tear rolling down my cheek.

Then he's gone, and all I can see are stars.

Then I pull out my sleeping bag, douse my fire, and fall asleep.

The next morning, I eat some more crackers, but I'm not feeling very hungry. Then I start walking towards the mountain, not having anything else to do. I tried to ignore the grief threatening to consume me.

I never realized how lonely the Games where till I lost Leo. I wanted someone at my side, someone to talk too. My mind wandered to Percy, but I stopped myself. He's a Career, and the whole incident with the tree was probably just an elaborate ruse to lure me in and kill me.

When the sun starts to set, I'm at the mountain. I don't have the time or energy to climb it today. I make camp, and polish off the rest of my crackers before starting my roast beef. It tasted good, and after days of crackers, it was almost as if I was eating candy.

The anthem plays, but no one died today. That's a bad thing. Hopefully, my competitors put on a better show than me or I might wake up to another tornado, or worse.

I climb into my sleeping bag and fall asleep, not wanting to think about climbing the mountain tomorrow, or Leo, or anything. Thankfully, my slumber is dreamless.

I awake to water surrounding me.

I've got some chapters pre-written, so I'll be uploading those before writing the new ones, which will be far better. My writing's greatly improved over the past year. Trust me, you'll notice the change. Hopefully, I'll get this book done with a month.

-iheartshipper