Favorite : Change for the both of us

Chapter 24

Percy's POV

We rest for a little longer than a minute, finding it a lot harder than expected to find the will to move when our time was up. Every now and then, we hear a voice of one of Kronos's men a lot closer than we're comfortable with. After an hour of resting, we agree that we should start moving and that the men have all travelled far enough away from where we are that we won't be seen.

Annabeth leads the way, being in better condition than I. She says east is the way to go – how or why she knows that, I'll never know, but after knowing her for so long I decide not to comment on Annabeth's judgement. After all, it's always best.

Walking on my leg is painful beyond words. I need to get this knife out of it, but I don't dare touch the hilt in case I make something worse. Every step feels like I'm being stabbed again. We have to take a lot of breaks to say the least. I don't realise that Annabeth and I haven't had anything to eat or drink since the day we were abducted until we find a little stream of fresh water. We drink from it like dogs who've been stuck in a hot car all our lives and spend a few minutes cleaning up our cuts, although we're still likely to get infections if they're not treated properly soon.

"We should follow it downstream," Annabeth says once we were done, examining the forest around us. Usually, I'd be admiring the forest's every detail and running around and climbing trees, but my brain suddenly seems to be working at a snail's pace. "It should lead to a river or the sea, eventually. Maybe then we'll find someone who'll help us,"

Again, I don't say anything in protest (mainly because it takes about five seconds for her words to register. My leg is still bleeding, but not as much as it was earlier since the knife seems to have plugged it. Or maybe because I don't have much any more blood left to loose. I ask to stop every five minutes and Annabeth lets me occasionally, however not for long. The sun is coming up and a misty fog has set on the forest floor, causing me to shiver with the cold. I doubt being so weak and injured is helping my body stay warm – or even alive.

Hours pass. I'm still not sure how I'm alive after losing so much blood and being in so much pain. The only thing that I think is keeping me going is Annabeth, whose determination to get us both home alive is unwavering. I have a similar determination of my own, only I can't really show it because, like I've said, nothing is making sense to my blood-lacking brain. I keep thinking Poseidon, of course. His face keeps appearing in my mind. I'll find him, I think to myself. I know I will. We'll be back together soon.

The thought makes me smile slightly and I force myself push on.

It was early morning by the time we reach a river. We stand there for a second, listening to the running water carefully. I hear the other distant sound before Annabeth does.

"Traffic?" I question, perking.

"There must be a road nearby," Annabeth says, her throat raspy from screaming and yelling, however there's still a hopeful smile on her face. "And that means people. C'mon,"

I try to imagine how people will react when they find us, but even the ADHD part of my brain can't find the energy. I follow behind Annabeth sluggishly – well, even more sluggishly than I've been moving all day. Seeing my struggle, she slows down and wraps an arm around my waist.

"C'mon, Seaweed-Brain," she mutters. "Don't give up. You can't. You told me always – remember?"

I nod weakly, eyes fluttering open and closed. "Always," I murmur incoherently.

Only then does it actually dawn on me. I'm dying. Like, physically dying. I mean, I knew this was likely, but it's weird to actually feel and hear my body coming to an eventual stop. My heart is thumping with my remaining strength in my chest, and it's getting slower. Breathing is getting harder, like my lungs are shrinking to raisins. Have my legs always felt this heavy? Have things always seemed so...peaceful? I mean, just look at the sky...