.||Subject Five||.

~*Chapter Four*~

- - Percy's POV - -

I craned my head to look over my shoulder and what I saw almost made me faint.

A set of enormous raven-black wings had sprouted from my back. They were so big that they almost dragged on the floor. They injected me with... avian DNA I thought dizzily. I stumbled forward but my wings gave a few steady flaps to keep me from falling over. I expanded them to full wingspan, and stared at them admiringly. I flapped them a few times, causing me to lift a few feet off the ground. I laughed nervously then pushed myself to go higher. Soon, I was flying! I did a few laps around the room, laughing and flipping through the air.

Suddenly, the lights got too bright and I could now hear the scientists excitedly scribbling notes onto their clipboards. I clutched at my head and started to lose altitude, slowly falling towards the hard floor. I guess the serum did more than give me wings... I thought. I must have enhanced hearing and sight as well. I landed with a thump, with my wings sprawled out around me in an uncomfortable way. I felt a dart embedded on my leg and I hastily pulled it out.

No more tests... No more torture... I thought.

I spread my wings and shot back into the air. I crashed through a window, getting glass stuck in my skin and large wings. I blinked at the blaring sun and adjusted to my surroundings. I was in the middle of nowhere. Not a house or building in sight. That's good.. I thought. How would people react to a winged monster flying through the sky...?

That's what I am. A monster. An escaped experiment. What would Annabeth think, I thought worriedly. I pushed my worries to the side and flew as far away from the lab as possible, yanking and tugging at my shock collar, which surprisingly gave out and came off my neck. I felt a new surge of power that I haven't felt in.. forever.

I flew down to a nearby lake and crashed into the water. I sighed in relief as the water healed my wounds and bruises and removed the glass. It felt good to have my powers back... To feel at ease...

I lay in the water looking up at the sky and wondered... How come Zeus hasn't struck me down for being in his domain? I was grateful that he didn't, because that would add to my list of problems.

I trudged out of the water, with my wings dragging behind me, soaking wet. I used my powers to dry them and myself, then sat down on the dirt surrounding the lake. I have to get back to Olympus.. to my family, I thought. But I have to find a way to make sure that they don't find out about my wings... I growled angrily and folded my wings around myself, creating a protective barrier around me.

How can I possibly do that with wings this big! I'm gonna have to accept that I'm now part avian, and I can't change that. I felt a tear run down my scarred face, as sleep threatened to take over. I have to admit, I'm exhausted. After long months of torture and pain, I deserve some sleep.

I was about to fall asleep when I felt my wings slowly fold away into my back. Wait... Into? I glanced at where my wings used to be and sure enough, they were gone. I sighed in relief when I realized that I can chose when to show them. I felt my eyes flutter shut as I drifted away into a dreamless sleep.

- - Annabeth's POV - -

I was on a little vacation with my best friend Thalia, who happened to be the daughter of Zeus and part of The Hunt. We had driven out of Olympus and into the countryside part of New York. We had rented out a cabin in the woods, right by a lake. I sighed sadly and remembered my lost boyfriend, Percy. It had been way too long since we've seen each other. I felt a tear run down my cheek, but quickly brushed it away so Thalia couldn't see.

"C'mon Annie! Get your butt out here right this second or we'll miss the sunrise!" shouted Thalia. I rolled my eyes and finished getting dressed. I ran out of my bedroom and threw on some shoes. I met Thalia out on the porch, with her arms crossed. "Too late." she said, sitting down on one of the chairs. "Sorry Thals.. I'm still not used to not having snores as my alarm clock..." I said sadly, thinking of my Seaweed Brain. Thalia looked up at me sympathetically and handed me a cup of coffee. I accepted it and sat down on a chair across from her.

"We all miss him Annie.. I'm sure he's alright... He's strong, and we'll find him someday!" Thalia exclaimed, smiling warmly at me. "My little cousin is always getting into all sorts of trouble." she said, rolling her eyes. I smiled at her and watched a family of ducks swim around in the lake. "Hey Annabeth, wanna go for a hunt? Just for fun!" asked Thalia, picking up her quiver and swinging it over her shoulder. "Yea, why not!" I said excitedly, jumping to my feet.

We ran into the woods, weapons at hand. Thalia had her bow, and I had my trusty drakon knife. We ended catching a few bunnies and deer, and even some fish, which Percy would disapprove of. We were strolling back to our cabin, laughing at each other's stories and jokes when Thalia quickly held up a hand. I stopped and raised an eyebrow at her. She was knocking an arrow and was stealthily creeping toward the lake.

Sure enough, there was a boy there, out cold. He had scars all over him, and his raven-black hair had an odd streak of white on it. He was tall and muscular and had a certain familiarity that I couldn't quite put a finger on. I followed Thalia cautiously, slowly making our way to the figure. Thalia poked him with her bow, causing the boy to grunt and furrow his brow in his sleep. She then turned him onto his back, and brushed the hair out of his face.

We both gasped and I fell to my knees, dropping the sack of hunted animals onto the ground. Tears brimmed my eyes as I looked down on the face of Percy Jackson. "P-Percy?" I asked, reaching a shaky hand out to touch his scarred face. He didn't respond, which made me worry. Thalia knelt beside me, and squeezed my hand. She looked down at Percy, her face a mask of worry.

"He's hurt pretty bad.. Whatever those scientists have done really did a number on him.." she said, running a finger on one of his scars. Tears spilled out of my eyes as I fell onto his muscular chest, listening to his steady breathing and constant heartbeat. "Let's bring him inside and call Poseidon to flash us to Olympus. He needs medical treatment!" I said worriedly, grabbing his upper body as Thalia lifted his legs.

We heaved him up and carried him into our cabin, dumping him onto my bed. I watched him sleep peacefully as Thalia iris messaged the gods. I snuggled up next to him and ran my hand through his unruly hair, studying the white streak. I frowned and whispered, "Oh Seaweed Brain... What have they done to you..?" I planted a kiss on his cheek then rested my head on his shoulder.

"A-Annabeth...?" Percy said raggedly, slowly sitting up. I felt tears threaten to come as I studied his face. One eye was sea-green, while the other was silver. He looked at me questioningly. "What, do I have something on my face?" he said sarcastically, pulling me into a hug. I was about to respond when we were suddenly flashed to Olympus.