My Bestfriend's Brother (A Percy Jackson Fanfic)

Money

Dinner was gloomy. It didn't feel right without Penny coming and giving the food,a smile on her face and fighting with Percy and Leo. Or laughing with Apollo. The poor guy refused to stay with us and retreated into the boys dorm angrily.

"He's just upset that we're not doing anything about Penny." Jason sighed,picking at his meat loaf "personally,so am I." He looked Percy,who put his head down. I bit my lip. We continued to eat in silence until we heard a 'ping!' From Percy's phone. Startled,he pounced on it. He took one look at the phone and his face went slack.

"Oh no..no no.." He put his head on the table. Startled,I took the phone from him and almost fainted. There was Penny,tied up,unconscious and gagged like before. But there was a deep blood gash on her forehead and her jeans and shirt was ripped up in places,soaked in blood. The caption read 'Tick tock! With every hour she's loosing blood.'

"Oh my-" Piper gasped when she saw it. Jason looked pained and Nico averted his eyes. Leo spit out water.

"Oh,Hell no."

"Percy...are you okay?" Piper asked cautiously. He gulped.

"I.." He didn't answer. He put his head down and started shaking. None of us said anything. I wanted to comfort him,but I didn't know how.

"Percy...we'll get her back. We will." I was tired of repeating it again and again. I wanted to help or do something. I couldn't imagine how upset Percy must be feeling. Just then Hazel walked in.

"Hey guys! I-what's...going on?" She frowned,looking at all of us. We all exchanged looks. She locked eyes with Nico,who sighed.

"Um..Hazel...Penny's uh.." He was looking at us for help.

"Penny's missing Hazel." Percy sighed. Hazel frowned.

"You know you can just tell me she's been...taken." She finished lightly. Percy raised his eyebrow at her. She huffed.

"I could hear you and Apollo fight even in my sleep." She stated. Well,she's a smartie. Percy bit his lip and nodded.

"I'm not proud of it." He said quietly. Hazel didn't speak. She drew up a chair and sat down,looking sad and sympathetic. Everyone was. There was no telling what would happen to Penny. Finally Percy got up,looking worn out.

"I-I better go." He said,and walked out of the apartment,closing the door gently behind him. Jason sighed and got up.

"Maybe we should go and check on him." He suggested. Nico on cue got up,followed by Leo (who for once,didn't argue) and the boys left. It was only me,Piper and Hazel who sat there,worried and confused.

Piper slunk into her seat,her face in her hands "Annabeth...apart from you,Penny has been my best friend for years. What if..."

"We'll get her back. Nothing's going to happen to her." I told her firmly,my throat burning. She nodded.

"Yeah. Well,I better go and sleep...do you need help with.." She gestured towards the dishes,but I shook my head.

"Go to bed Pipes. I'll do it."

Without arguing,she moped into her room,the door closing. Hazel looked up at me.

"Can I help? I don't feel like eating anyways."

I smiled wearily "Thanks Hazel." Together we got up and started cleaning the table in silence.

"Annabeth...I didn't want to say this in front of Percy but..." she looked nervous "are we a hundred percent sure that they'll give Penny back when we give the money?"

I bit my lip "Honestly,,I'm not sure. But we have to try." I glanced at the clock "we better go to bed Hazel,it's been a long day."

"Okay. G'night." We exchanged smiles before she left the kitchen. I sighed and leaned against the counter,deep in thought. I wondered what Penny was going through now...