Percy POV
"I'm scared, Percy," the boy whimpered into the phone.
"Hey, it's gonna be okay. Bob, listen to me and think about the sun and the stars. Say hello to them in your mind. They'll calm you down," I replied. My feet moved on their own accord and rushed me out of the cafe.
"I'm on my way. Just keep hiding where you are."
"My sister is downstairs with him. All I hear is screaming and crashing-" Just then, another crash rang out of the phone. I nearly dropped it in surprise.
"I'm on my way, Bob. Just keep talking."
I quickly got into my car and turned the key. My beaten-down bug of a car roared to life as I set my phone on speaker mode. I knew that I should call 911, but I didn't want to leave Bob without anyone. He was terrified enough.
Before I could drive off, the passenger seat door opened. Annabeth rushed into the passenger seat with a determined expression.
"What the hell are you doing?" I asked in shock. Gods, I don't have time for this.
"I'm hiding," the little boy acknowledged.
"No, not you, Bob. Wise Girl, get out of the car. There is no chance that you're coming with me," I exclaimed
Her ponytail whirled around and almost slapped me. Her glare was very evident as she buckled her seat belt. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm coming with you, so don't waste your time. We have a little boy to save from whatever it is he's scared about."
"My dad. He's drunk, and he has a knife," Bob cried.
Annabeth's eyes locked onto mine as she mouthed, DRIVE. I groaned before speeding out of the parking lot. I was pretty much breaking the law right now by speeding.
Annabeth quickly called 911 before taking my phone. The police were on their way, but they were still several minutes out.
"Hello, Bob, my name is Annabeth. I need you to be strong, okay? The police are on the way, and we're coming to help you as well. Are you hurt?" Annabeth was calm and soothing. Hearing her voice helped me with my confidence. After all, I was driving towards a monster's mansion.
"No, I'm all right. Calypso told me to run upstairs and lock my door. I grabbed her phone because Percy is in her phone."
"HOW'S CALYPSO?" I shouted as I turned the corner.
Annabeth looked at me with raised brows. However, she was too occupied to ask any questions, and I was too busy to explain anything.
"She's downstairs with dad. They're fighting. I don't know."
"It's all right, Bob. Just keep thinking about the sun and the stars," I said firmly. I turned into the million-dollar neighborhood. They lived in house number 2022.
I parked in the Titan driveway. Annabeth and I rushed outside, but I immediately grabbed and pushed her against my car. She was leaning against the hood of my car, and I was leaning against her body. My voice turned low and deep.
"You're not coming inside. I'm not letting you."
Her storming eyes gazed into mine. She didn't back down. "Shut up, Seaweed Brain. I can take care of myself. I know how to fight, and I'm smart and powerful. I can handle it. Just because I'm a girl-"
"It's not because you're a girl, it's because you're my Wise Girl. I'm not letting anything happen to you. I care too much," I said quickly.
"I'm coming with you. We're better off together than separated," she whispered harshly. I completely agreed, and I couldn't argue with her.
"Just stay by my side. Atlas is dangerous."
I quickly walked towards their front door. Unsurprisingly, the door wasn't locked, and Annabeth and I rushed inside. Bob wasn't lying about the fight. I could hear Calypso screaming and her father roaring. They seemed to be in the living room.
"DON'T DO THIS, FATHER. PLEASE, I WANT TO LIVE," a voice cried.
"You should've thought about that before you put me in jail," Atlas shouted. His voice was slurring, which indicated how intoxicated the man was.
My gaze locked onto Annabeth as we quickly walked through the hallway. The hallway was next to a living and dining room, and it led towards the family room and kitchen. We stood in front of a staircase as I peered around the corner.
Their kitchen was a disgusting mess. Food and furniture were randomly scattered. However, my eyes trailed towards Calypso.
She was tied to a chair. Her caramel hair was disheveled, and tears were flowing down her face. I couldn't believe the sight in front of me. Even Gabe had never tied me up. She cried and begged for her life, but Atlas only walked closer to her. The man had a knife in his hand.
Even though she was crying and in pain, she still looked nice. That was a quality about Calypso that I always found attractive. She always looked nice.
"What do we do?' Annabeth whispered.
We were both peeping around the corner without a plan in mind. Bob was upstairs, so (at least) he was safe for now. If Atlas wanted Bob, he'd have to pass me and Annabeth.
However, Atlas continued cursing as he approached Calypso.
I shook my head as Atlas moved behind Calypso and pressed his blade against her cheek. "This pretty face always attracted the boys. Well, no bastard is gonna save you now."
"THINK AGAIN," I shouted as I charged forward.
Atlas and Calypso both looked shocked as they stared at me. Then, a grateful expression entered Calypso's face as she gazed at me. However, Atlas gripped Calypso tighter. His knife was pressing into Calypso's cheek, which froze me in place.
"Let her go, Atlas," I said carefully.
"I already decided to punish her. You are a bonus," Atlas smirked.
Suddenly, he came at me. Atlas was a smart man; he knew that he didn't have that long. As such, he was working quickly to hurt me and Calypso.
I caught his arm as his body shoved me against the wall. I stared into his dark eyes as I gripped his wrist. The blade was inches away from my face. My muscles ached as I fought against his strength.
My eyes darted towards Annabeth who rushed towards Calypso.
I shouted as I pushed against Atlas. I was fairly strong (physically), and I had no reason to not fight against Atlas. Unlike Gabe, Atlas had nothing on me.
I shoved Atlas forward before kicking his right leg. He crumbled to the ground and growled up at me. Before he could get up, Annabeth threw Calypso's chair at the man on the floor.
The wood splintered as Atlas shouted in pain.
Calypso was still crying as she watched her father writhing on the ground. We distanced ourselves from the man.
That's when we heard the sirens. I grabbed both Annabeth's and Calypso's hands and pulled them towards the hallway. Each of my hands was holding a different girl.
"Both of you go outside. The cops are there. I'm gonna get Bob," I ordered.
They ran towards the front door as I ran upstairs. Bob's room was labeled with his self-made nametag. I calmed my breathing before knocking on the door.
"Bob, it's Percy. You're okay now. Can you open the door?" I asked softly. After a few seconds of silence, the door swung open.
A crying Bob Titan ran at my legs. I crouched and swept him into my arms. He cried into my neck as I carried him downstairs. Several police officers were bustling through the house. One officer gently grabbed my arm and led me outside.
I watched as another officer led a handcuffed Atlas into a squad car.
Annabeth and Calypso were standing with a few officers. Officer Ares was interrogating them about what happened inside. Calypso had a blanket around her, and she was shaking. I knew exactly how she was feeling.
And, it sucked. It all sucked.
I rubbed Bob's back as I walked towards Calypso and Annabeth. Annabeth's gaze met mine before answering another one of Ares's questions.
Officer Ares was in charge of Atlas's case many years ago. I was also involved in that case considering that I filed the complaint. I couldn't watch my girlfriend at the time, Calypso, go through the torture anymore.
My gaze turned towards Wise Girl. Annabeth was freaking awesome today. The way she swung at Atlas with so much strength and power was phenomenal. I reached out and tentatively took her hand. Her grasp was warm and comforting, and I reveled in the support.
"All right, Calypso and Bob will be staying with a foster family. The family has already been decided. They are a rich family with a girl around your age," Ares informed.
"Who is it? Does she go to Goode?" Annabeth asked quickly.
"Yes, I believe that the McLeans live in your school district. They have always been welcoming of kids who need help."
"Absolutely. They even fostered Lacy last year. Piper told me all about it, and I hung out with her a few times at their home," Annabeth expressed. "You're going to a good home, Calypso."
I gently brought Bob to the ground but held his hand. Calypso was still trembling as she listened to Ares's explanation.
"Hey, Calypso, it's gonna be all right. Piper's cool," I expressed quietly.
Calypso's shaky eyes darted towards my face. Nothing had happened to her. She was physically healthy besides a light cut on her cheek. "Percy," she cried. Her body rushed forward and melted into my own.
I froze as I watched Annabeth frown. Her eyes narrowed at our interaction, but she didn't say anything. I wanted to pull away, but I was also a gentleman. Calypso was struggling, and I couldn't just leave her.
I tentatively wrapped my arms around my ex-girlfriend.
The police allowed me to drive Calypso and Bob to Piper's house. My eyes kept wandering to Annabeth who was sitting in the passenger seat. Calypso and Bob were in the back. My abdomen was burning. I was pretty sure that the scar from last week reopened.
I could feel the liquid pooling around my stomach. Since the adrenaline was wearing off, the pain was very real.
Annabeth's hand was on her lap, and I wanted relief and distraction. I hesitantly put my right hand over hers.
Her gaze snapped towards me. Her eyes searched my eyes. I wasn't sure what she saw, but she didn't pull back. When it was time to change gears, I took her hand with me. I pressed her hand against the lever and shifted the gears of the car together.
"Thank you for everything, Annabeth," Calypso's voice rang out.
Out of reflex, I pulled away from Annabeth. Wise Girl smiled softly and acknowledged Calypso. I knew that I needed to explain everything. However, I was pretty sure that Annabeth already figured out most of the story.
After all, I call her Wise Girl for a reason.
***
We arrived at Piper's house after a few minutes.
Piper hugged Annabeth and me before welcoming Calypso and Bob into the family. Calypso remained quiet, but Bob couldn't stop talking. He was excited about being in a new home with new people and a new dog.
I smiled as I watched him play with Piper's pink poodle.
I sat quietly in the family room as Annabeth and Calypso explained everything to Piper and her house staff, which included a butler and a cook.
A cup of hot chocolate was in my hand. However, my stomach was bubbling with pain, and my black sweatshirt was wet. I kept watching Annabeth even though everyone else was focused on Calypso and Bob.
My actions potentially put Annabeth in danger. While she was a champion who could handle herself just fine, it reinforced my decision to not bring her into my complicated life. Gabe was a lot worse than Atlas due to class and drinking differences. I cannot bring Annabeth into that level of danger. Today was lucky that nothing serious happened.
"Hey, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth interrupted my thoughts. "We should probably get going so that Bob and Calypso can get acquainted here and relax."
I nodded in response. Gods, she was so smart and caring.
"Seaweed Brain, are you okay?" Annabeth asked during the drive. "How is your stomach?"
"I'm fine, Wise Girl. How did you know about my stomach?" I asked hesitantly.
"I'm very observant, Percy. I saw that you were uncomfortable, and your jeans are starting to soak with a red taint."
"Yeah, during the scuffle with Atlas, I got scratched," I lied.
The rest of the car ride passed in comfortable silence. I finally stopped in Annabth's driveway. It was pretty late. We just sat together for several minutes. Emotions were wracking my brain, but I kept it all in.
I was falling for Annabeth, but I knew that it was a bad idea. I had to fight my feelings for her before anyone got hurt.
"Percy, I admire that you were willing to help Calypso and Bob despite the danger." Annabeth reached out and turned my head towards her. I was trying not to look at her, but she forced me.
"You did the same, Wise Girl."
"You protected me as well. I forced you to take me, yet you made sure that I didn't put myself in the line of fire," she said firmly.
"I won't let anything happen to you," I replied instinctively.
Annabeth watched me closely and searched my face before she frowned. She didn't find anything because I masked my emotions. Regardless, her response was clear.
"I know, Percy. I already know."