Far from Gone

Chapter 25

Melinda laid in bed, unconscious, beside her stood all the gods, along with Percy and Ruben. Each god was silently watching Apollo check her.

And so far there was no news, but Percy had hope, a massive burning hope that could flame up enough to revive her.

"Luckily she's not dead," Apollo spoke earnestly after a long time. His tone was laced with this sudden joy.

"It's Melinda." Those words were all that Percy needed to smile widely.

"We need to let her wake up on her own. she's recovering from her time in the land of the faded." With that said Apollo opened the door wide enough for everyone to walk out, leaving Percy left in the room. Ruben placed a hand on his shoulder before smirking in a joking manner.

"think of it this way; it's a whole new beginning in that relationship, you can start anew." Percy lifted his gaze and took a good look at Ruben. His heart was bursting with excitement.

"I know, all I have to do is be patient." With a last pat on Percy's shoulder, Ruben walked out the room, Apollo was the last to leave, but not before smiling at Percy, and the door shut behind him.

Percy turned his gaze back to Melinda's sleeping figure. His hands made their way to her own, and he laced both their hands together. Her heartbeat was an odd sensation in his palm, but it made also felt right to Percy.

Percy was so caught up in listening to Melinda's heartbeat, yet he failed to notice the door open and close. The person walked closer to him, and he had yet to see.

"She is a beauty." A female voice spoke, causing Percy to jump from his seat. His eyes widen as he noticed Annabeth with a shy smile.

"Why are you here Annabeth?" He asked, his tone softening. Annabeth reached into her pocket and took out a necklace.

"I believe you should give her this."

Percy's eyes closed at the memories of the necklace. It was a shell which he had found in the sea. It was beautiful, at that time, he had been dating Annabeth, so it seemed like a good idea to make it into a necklace to give it to her.

"No, Annabeth, I made that for you, and as much as I don't care about you in that way, I don't want to take it from you." Kindly he rejected the gift, causing Annabeth to frown in disappointment. She clutched the necklace in her palm and stared at the ground.

"Oh, I see, I just wanted to give her a gift for saving my life." Annabeth bit her bottom lip to hold back the tears. Her throat began to burn as she raised her gaze to the sleeping girl.

"I don't want to disappoint the woman who had saved me. I am in her debt." Percy moved his gaze from Annabeth as he remembered that incident. During that time, Melinda had no idea who she was, yet, she was able to save someone.

Percy glanced towards the ground as he thought over Annabeth's words.

"Please Percy, don't hold a grudge based on the past. I have let it go, and I think you should." Annabeth placed a gentle hand on Percy's shoulder and smiled.

"Allow me too, please." With a nod of his head Percy, Percy allowed Annabeth to walk towards Melinda.

With a simple movement, Annabeth placed the necklace beside Melinda and took a step back.

"She's beautiful and fortunate to have you." Annabeth turned to glanced at Percy before her gaze fell to the floor.

"And I wish you both a happy life, mostly because I respect you both." Annabeth walked out the room slowly, glancing at Melinda, before disappearing past the doorway. And then she was no longer in Percy eyesight. Percy glanced at Melinda and then at the gift. He gently placed two fingers over the shell.