Shattered

Chapter 1

Percy's POV

Exactly one month ago, Annabeth died at the claws of a hellhound. A month ago, I lost my wise girl. My will to live. What stopped me from committing suicide? My three, beautiful, sweet, adorable, baby girls, Zoe, Bianca and Silena. They were my life, now. I walked the streets of Manhattan, Silena in my arms, Zoe and Bianca in the stroller. 

Today was Annabeth's death anniversary. I was dropping my girls off at Piper's for a while so that I could go visit my love. My fist was closed tightly around a square locket with a picture of Annabeth and I. The caption said 'As long as we're together'. But we weren't together. We were apart, and I couldn't bear it. 

On the back of the locket, the words 'In loving memory of Annabeth Jackson' were inscribed. Annabeth. I shook off the thought of her beautiful grey eyes, her blonde princess curls, her sweet voice. Percy! Stop it! You'll just try to kill yourself again. Yes. I've tried committing suicide, but stopped after realizing what I was doing. That didn't stop me from mourning her, though. We were approaching Piper's place when I heard someone rustling in the bushes next to the sidewalk. I looked around, and reached for Riptide instinctively, but there was no one there. Piper's house came into view. When I had reached the door to knock, the door opened. 

"Hey, Percy" Piper exclaimed. "Hi, Zoe. Hey Bianca, Hello, Silena" she cooed at the girls who laughed. "Hey, Pipes" I smiled faintly, though there was sadness beneath it. Piper's expression darkened. "Oh. Right. Today" Piper said sadly. "I'm gonna go visit her" I said quietly. Piper nodded. We brought the stroller inside, and I handed Silena to Piper. "Bye, girls. Love you" I said softly. "Love you daddy" Zoe and Bianca chorused. Silena just gurgled and waved her arms out to me. I kissed them each on the cheek and headed off to the cemetery. 

On the way, I heard footsteps. I ignored them, though. I wanted to visit her so badly. I met Nico there, in the Valley of Heroes, where Annabeth, Beckendorf, Silena, and so many of my other friends were buried. "Hey Neeks" I called. He stepped out of the shadows. "You want to see her, right?" he asked. I nodded. "Just two minutes. That's all I can give you" he said, and after sacrificing two Happy Meals, and a few greek ritual words, I saw Annabeth's body materialize.

"Annabeth" I whispered, tears rolling down my cheeks. She gave a sad smile and reached her hand out to me. "You drool when you sleep, Seaweed Brain" she said quietly. "I know" I choked back a sob. I unwrapped a lotus flower wreath that I had stowed away in the stroller, careful not to break any petals off. It was in memory of our first quest together, when we had gotten stuck in the Lotus Casino Hotel. 

Tears started streaming down her face as I placed the wreath on her grave. "I'm sorry Percy" Annabeth said softy. "I'm sorry for leaving you. I'm sorry for leaving the girls". "It should have been me" I said, sobbing. "The girls have to grow up without a mother...it's not like they'd need to remember me. They just need you". She shook her head. "It's ok, Percy. I have to tell you something-" she said and I ran over to her and tried to wrap her in a hug, but ended up passing right through her and falling onto the pavement. 

I looked back and Annabeth had disappeared into mist. I started crying at that moment. All the tears I had kept bottled up. All the pain I had shoved away. The sadness. The despair. "I'm sorry, Wise Girl. It should have been me. You didn't deserve to die. I'd go through Tartarus again and again for you. I miss you, the girls need you. I need you. Please, Annabeth. Don't leave me" I wept, sinking to my knees at the foot of her grave. 

Suddenly, three figures stepped out from behind me. "Perseus Jackson, you're under arrest" a voice said. And that's when all Hades broke loose.