The Harvest Trials

Chapter XIII

Reyna

When I woke up there was sand blowing in my face. I'll admit, I was very  confused at first. But then I remembered the events from the cell. In all honesty, I had no idea how long ago that was. But I knew roughly where I was, and that was a start.

I stood, brushing the sand off my Camp Jupiter t-shirt and jeans. I was somewhere in the Sonoran Desert, but where, I had no idea. Looking around, I saw the flat sandy surface of the desert stretching for miles in every direction, littered with cacti and odd shrubbery. 

In the far distance, I could see mountains, so I made that my goal: to get there. Along the way, I searched for anything that could help me: water, food, shelter. But I knew that Everette would have picked a place designed to kill. 

I'm not sure how long I walked for. All I know is that my legs ached and my lungs burned. Especially after pulling that strength-lending trick. It wasn't nearly as easy as I let on. Soon enough the scorching temperatures cooled severely and I was left shivering in the dark. I was wary to stop and rest, what with all the snakes and other desert animals, so I kept walking.

After what seemed like hours more of walking, I started hearing voices. I was sure I was going crazy. But then I saw the fire. I couldn't help but grin. I ran to catch up to them. "Hey!" I yelled upon seeing the newly constructed shelter. 

"Reyna?" Calypso asked.

^*^*^*^

Percy

The agents weren't late that Sunday morning to get us up and to the Harvesters. They're never late. At this point in my life, there isn't anything I dread more than a Harvester. And it really sucks for me, because this is routine for me nearly every day. 

Hazel, Nico, Will, and I were making our way to the Harvesters that morning. 

I was the first one to notice her. At first I thought it must just be a look alike. I'd been away from her for so long it felt impossible to me that this could actually be her. I pushed against the guards holding me, straining for a better look.

She was just as catatonic as Piper had said. It truly and deeply broke my heart to pieces to see her that way. She was moving farther away down the hall, escorted by guards, and the agents holding me were getting pushier by the second. I had an opportunity and I wasn't going to waste it. 

"Annabeth," I said. Will shot me a look before catching sight of the blonde daughter of Athena as well. His eyes widened and he nudged Hazel and Nico. 

"Annabeth!" I yelled, getting desperate. I tore out of the guards' hold and ran to Annabeth. 

Annabeth looked straight ahead, not seeing or hearing me. "Wise Girl!" I screamed. I was already causing a scene. The guards were trying to decided whether they should come after me or stay with the other three hostile half-bloods. I noticed that for a second, Annabeth seemed to lean toward me, like she recognized my voice. That gave me hope that maybe she was still in there.

I finally reached her and grabbed her shoulders, turning her to face me. I choked on what I was about to say. Annabeth's face was void of any emotion, her grey eyes distant and unfocused. "An-Annabeth?" I whispered, taking her face in my hands and caressing her cheek with my thumb. 

Her head fell limply to the side, into my hand, but her eyes found mine. I could tell she was trying hard to focus. "Percy?" She asked. I nodded frantically, blocking out everything around me. She placed her hands over mine, holding them tight. Everything seemed to come back to her at once. "Percy! What-"

"Oh my gods," I whispered, my eyes flooding with tears. "I can't believe...It's you, you're here-" She dropped my hands and pulled me into a hug, holding me. I wrapped my arms around her and held tight, never wanting to let go. 

But the guards came way too soon. There was yelling and I felt arms trying to pull me away, but I held tight to my love. I squeezed my eyes shut, crying and not caring who knew it. "I love you so much, Annabeth."

"Percy, I-" Her eyes were filled with tears as well. She never got to finish the statement before guards were pulling her away. She kicked and fought, I screamed and punched, both of us trying with everything we had to get to each other.

And then she was limp in their arms, someone holding a tranquilizer. "Annabeth!" I screamed, sobbing. But they just pulled me away. Down and down the hallway, until the Harvesters were in sight. It took me a second to see the bruises covering Will's jawbone, or the fact that Hazel's nose was gushing blood.

Another weight settled in my chest when I realized that the reason I had as much time as I did was because of them. They risked everything to cause a distraction for me. My hiccuping sobs echoed down the halls. I caught Nico's eye and could only hope that my eyes conveyed how grateful I was. He nodded and offered a small smile. 

And then I was shoved into the Harvester, the agents starting up the machine in which I'd spend the next eight hours crying. 

I didn't know it then, but that was the last time I'd ever see her.