Thirteen Days

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Annabeth was finally alone with Percy, for the first time since what happened on the beach. They hadn't really talked about if this meant they were a couple again, they didn't need to. She looked up at him and smiled; sea green meeting grey and a look of understanding passed between them. They wouldn't be apart again. At least not of their own accord.

She leant over to give him a light kiss and then settled in the seat next to his bed, leaning over to rest her head on the edge of it. She was going to try to get some sleep, gods know she needed it.

Percy looked down at her, she was perfect. To think he had almost thrown away his chance to be with her. She was his everything. And now he was hurling them right into the middle of hell. She seemed so happy, so at peace, but he was going to ruin all of that. He let a tear roll down his cheek and squeezed her hand, thinking she was already asleep. She looked up at him, her gorgeous eyes full of love and understanding.

"I know, Percy." She whispered, "I know you don't want me going back there. I can tell when you're thinking about it. You look terrified, but it's more than normal fear, because you aren't scared for yourself." She shook her head, sighing. "It's in your eyes. The look of concern," she kissed his forehead, "of love," she kissed his cheek, "of terror." She started to lean in.

He didn't wait for her; he pulled her close and in that kiss he told her everything he was too scared to put into words. Everything she meant to him, everything he wanted for their future, everything he was scared they would never get to have, he told her in that kiss. And she understood all of it.

"Annabeth, I..." What could he tell her that hadn't already been said, in much less than words. "I want you to know that if we-"

"When." She corrected. He gave her his most loving smile, her eyes were filled with hope, he wouldn't take that away with his 'ifs' and 'maybes'.

"I want you to know that when we make it out, I'm never letting you go. Ever." She gave him a sad smile.

"Never let me go?" She repeated.

"Never."

"Move over then." she said, shoving him lightly to make room on the hospital bed. He did, with difficulty; it still hurt quite a lot to move. "Thanks Perce." She whispered snuggling closer to him. She laid there, her head facing his chest, breathing in his salt water smell. He kissed the top of her head.

"I love you Annabeth."

"I love you too, now get some rest; we'll have to be up at dawn."

And with that they fell asleep in each other's arms, remembering their promise.

Never let go?

Never.

Annabeth woke up in Tartarus, alone. She looked around, screaming Percy's name, but he wasn't anywhere. "PERCY! PLEASE! WHERE ARE YOU?!" She carried on like that until her voice grew hoarse. Why would he leave her here alone, she came for him, he wouldn't leave without her. He loved her. He promised they'd stay together. He promised he'd never let her go.

Annabeth heard booming laughter, more like mocking. A huge shadow loomed over where she cried. "Foolish girl!" It sneered. "You thought he wouldn't take his first chance to escape from me?" It asked. "HA! Trust!" it laughed, even though Annabeth had said nothing to it. "A pathetic excuse! You should trust no one girl; it will only end in death. You trusted Luke, did you not? Remind me how that ended up. Of course, HE DIED. And all because you trusted a promise! HA!"

Annabeth couldn't move, she could barely breathe, never mind answer the thing.

"Family, Luke. You promised." It mocked as it laughed it's merciless laugh.

"Percy's not the same!" she cried, more to convince herself than anyone. "He loves me!" She could finally talk now, as if he took off his spell just to hear what she had to say, just to tease her.

"No girl, no he doesn't."

"LIAR! YOU'RE LYING!" STOP IT! STOP LYING TO ME!"

"Annabeth! Annabeth, wake up, please! Annabeth!" Percy was practically screaming it at her but he could still barely hear himself.

She wouldn't stop. She was twisting and turning through her sleep, her body writhing in pain. She had been like this for the last ten minutes, screaming. "NO! YOU'RE A LIAR! STOP IT! STOP IT PLEASE!" No one could wake her.

Percy was terrified, they hadn't even left for Tartarus yet and it was already having this effect on her. He couldn't stand it. "Annabeth, please, just listen to me, just my words. You're safe. I love you. I'm here with you and you're okay." He was crying on top of her, "Please be okay."