Shattered to Pieces |Percabeth Story |

5

Annabeth pov

Two Days Later

I look in the mirror one last time and, once again, feel the bile rise in my throat. I've put layers of makeup on and it still hasn't concealed my split lip, black eye or the hand print on my throat. At least my other bruises and cuts are covered by my clothing.

Last night I received one of the worst beatings I have ever had. Ben didn't hold back when he pushed me down the stairs. My ankle twisted on the way down, and I landed on my arm, which is now covered in a dark purple bruise. He booted me so many times in the ribs that I ended up vomiting all over his shoes. That only angered him more, so he wrapped a hand around my throat, threw me against the wall and then punched me in the face while shouting terrible things about my family.

I don't know what hurt more, the beating or the words he hissed while he beat me. The vodka I stashed away in my room helped the pain a little. I tried to apply some to my wounds, but the stinging was unbearable. I can only hope that the cuts don't become infected.

Yesterday, I was so tense at school. Percy asked me several times if I was okay. I didn't really want to tell my new aquaintance that I was going to get a beating that very night. I know he heard what happened. I wonder what he was thinking while it happened. I wonder if he wanted to help me.

I shake my head, and then wince at the pain the action causes. I wrap a scarf around my neck to hide the marks and throw a cap on my head, hoping that no one will recognise me or see my face.

I grab my bag and then limp towards the door. I notice Percy waiting at the gate and I quietly groan. I don't want to face him. I don't want to face anybody today. I close the door behind me and walk down the path with my head down.

I walk past Percy, not wanting to stop in fear he will see my face. He grabs my hand and pulls me so I'm facing him. I gasp, snatching my arm out of his grip and clutching it.

"You cannot go to school like that," Percy whispers, lifting the cap up a little so he can see my face.

"I have to," I whisper back, looking away and trying so hard to hold in the tears threatening to escape my eyes.

"You don't want anyone to find out, right? You go to school like that and they'll call the police for sure," Percy insists.

"They'll call Ben if I don't go in. I'll just get into more trouble then," I snap.

"Annabeth, you can barely walk. I'll stay home with you," he promises.

"You can't do that. You've only just started at the school," I say.

"My mother won't mind. Come on. I'll get her to call the school and tell them you're sick, they won't call Ben then," Percy begs.

"I don't want to meet your mother for the first time looking like this," I whisper.

"You look fine," he lies, and pulls me towards his house.

"Percy, no. I-I can't. Your mother might call the police and-"

"I'll beg her not to. She'll want to help you," he says, knocking his front door. I pull the hat down so it covers my face again.

I look at the ground and pull my hand out of Percy's grip as the door opens. "Oh, Percy. Did you forget something?" a kind voice asks. "No. This is Annabeth," Percy says. "She's not feeling so great and she locked herself out of her house. Come on, Annabeth."

I start walking backwards. I look up at Percy and shake my head. A gasp leaves his mother's mouth as she notices my bruised face and I turn to run away when Percy grabs my hand.