Amnesia (a Percy Jackson AU)

Luke's Pretrial Confinement

  Annabeth knew one thing: Luke wasn't guilty. The two had a complicated past together. When she was little, she played capture the flag with him. He was her idol and her idol-worship turned into tender love. When Luke got caught up with gangs, however, everything became more complicated.
    He got into the biggest local gang, the Titans, at 15. He turned from cheerful and funny to brooding and moody. Annabeth still cared for him, but it became increasingly clear that he was flirting with danger-not her. He sold drugs, got into brawls, and dropped out of high school.
    By 18, he got into a police shoot-out. He had plea bargained for ten years in prison in exchange for testifying against Kronos, who landed in jail for life. He himself was connected to multiple murders and had run a drug trade so large that it was almost too immense to comprehend.
    When Luke had been released, Annabeth had helped him search for a job, but it was Percy who had helped him find his job. Percy who had been jealous of Luke, managed to grant him the greatest boon: a crime-free way to support himself. Luke was grateful and Annabeth realized that her boyfriend was more kind than she ever imagined.
     Percy was at work. He was employed as an indoors lifeguard for YMCA. Annabeth worked as an architect from home. She helped other builders with math and their designs, but wished to one day create her own buildings.
Today, she wanted to build a way to help her friend from landing in prison again. Annabeth knew Luke wasn't guilty. The night that Jason had been attacked, Luke had been at Grover's restaurant, the Satyr, with Percy and Annabeth. She hoped that this alibi would save him from ruin, but she also reckoned that he might be too scared to go to trial. After all, he had a record.
Annabeth parked her car and walked into the local jail. She underwent several security checks before she was taken to a small, dingy room to speak with Luke. He was handcuffed; his expression was forlorn. "I know you didn't do it," Annabeth said.
"You're the only one who thinks so," Luke said. "The police have tried to convince me to confess. The prosecutor tried to offer me a plea bargain. I don't want to take it, but I'm scared. I already have been in jail once. I don't want to stay here longer."
"I know you didn't do it," Annabeth said," but you have to stay firm and hold on."
"I can't afford a lawyer," Luke said.
"I can help with that," Annabeth said. "My brother, Malcolm, is a lawyer and I can cajole him to represent you free of charge."
"You're a lifesaver, Annabeth," Luke said. "I don't deserve your kindness."
Annabeth shook her head. "We're family, Luke," she said," and family sticks together,"
"I fear that I have not held well on my promise," Luke said. "I just hope that I can do better now."
"We all make mistakes," Annabeth said," but we don't have to let them define us. We can rise above them and become better people."
"Times up," a prison guard barked and Annabeth was ushered away from her childhood friend.