The Horror

Annabeth POV

Today, I'm hanging out at the park with my family. The boys were playing on the slides while my dad and I were on the swings together.

I can swing several feet in the air, but my dad was failing epically.

"Dad, it's not that hard. You just have to flex and stretch your legs at the proper time," I explained between laughs. My hair was blowing wildly in the wind. Helen came behind my dad and started pushing him.

"My poor baby needs a push," Helen cooed with a smirk.

I laughed as my dad's face flushed. He was tightly clutching the chains of the swing while finally catching some air. I never imagined a casual day like this with my entire family. However, thanks to Percy, my desires became a reality.

Percy motivated my dad to spend more time at home. He brought my father back into my life, and I'd always be grateful for that.

We helped each other. he brought my family back. While I couldn't bring Sally back, I was helping Percy honor Sally and move past the trauma of losing her.

"ANNABETH, WE NEED YOUR HELP," Matthew shouted. He ran towards us quickly and pulled me off the swing.

"What's wrong?" I asked in a panic.

"Bobby got stuck in the swing. I think that his clothes got stuck on the cracks, and he's stuck inside the tunnel."

I almost burst out laughing. The situation was funny even though I was concerned about Bobby. He got stuck in the tube tunnel. Matthew and I walked towards the yellow slide near the back of the playground.

Bobby was calling for help from the inside.

"All right, Matty, make sure that no other kids go down the slide. I'm gonna climb up to Bobby and get him unstuck," I explained firmly.

It's not that hard to climb a slide. However, the tube was meant for kids, so it was slightly difficult to squeeze my way up the slide. Bobby was stuck about halfway up. His shirt was torn on a crack in the plastic slide.

"Hey, Bobby. You okay?"

"No," Bobby cried. "I'm stuck on the slide. What if I never escape?"

"Relax, Bobby. I'm just going to rip your shirt so that you'll be free," I expressed.

Sweat beaded my forehead as I crouched in the narrow space. Matthew was screaming at some kids near the top of the slide. At least, he was doing his job. My muscles pulsed as I tore Bobby's shirt near where it was stuck in the slide.

The instant that the shirt tore away, Bobby started sliding down, taking me with him.

I yelped as we slid towards the bottom. The velocity catapulted us off the slide and onto the sandy flooring. I groaned while rubbing my butt.

"Thanks, Annabeth," Boby shouted while hugging me.

Matthew slid down the slide and joined our hug. I laughed while squeezing my brothers tightly. Helen and my dad were chuckling and taking pictures of us. Even though it was so simple, the evening became one of the best memories that I have of my family.

I love my family just like I love Seaweed Brain.

I haven't told him that I love him yet. I was saving those three words for a special occasion. I could already imagine the brilliant smile that would illuminate his face, and I wanted to cherish that moment.

Last weekend, Percy and I were on his bed. I had slept over at Thalia's house, and it was early morning. Percy was still asleep. I didn't want to bother him because he's been so stressed lately about Gabe's escape.

The police couldn't find Gabe despite trying very hard.

I simply watched Percy sleep. A light stream of drool was building near the corner of his mouth. He wasn't wearing a shirt, so I could see his relaxed back rise and fall gently. My boyfriend was just so handsome and loving.

As I watched him, I realized that I love him. I wanted to wake up next to him every day. It doesn't have to be sexual, we just wanted to be with each other.

I could imagine my life with Percy. The dream that I had months ago of our possible future didn't seem like fantasy anymore.

I wanted that life, and I wanted it with my Seaweed Brain.

A smile lit my face during the walk home. Helen noticed and remained her cool. She already knew why I'm so happy lately. It's Percy.

"Annabeth, how is Percy doing?" my dad asked. "Maybe, we could enjoy another dinner together. It'll be nice."

"Yeah, that does sound great, dad. I'll invite him."

"Since Percy's mom passed away recently, I figured that we could make him feel welcome. It would be nice for him to enjoy a home-cooked meal with family."

"WE LOVE PERCY. HE'S AWESOME," the twins cheered simultaneously.

"Thanks, dad. To be honest, I wasn't sure how you guys would react to Percy's personal life. But, I'm grateful for your support," I answered earnestly.

"He's a strong, young man. It must be hard for him. If we can make him feel even a tiny bit better, we're willing," Helen responded warmly.

Percy looks like he's fine, but I knew him. he was having a hard time. He's scared about what Gabe would do. He was more worried about his friends and me rather than his own safety. It doesn't take a genius to know that Gabe's planning something.

Smelly Gabe didn't seem like the type of person to leave Percy alone. He deserved to be in jail, but he wasn't going down easy.

I was so grateful that Helen was nothing like Gabe. She's a good stepmother, and she's contributed to Percy's and my relationship.

"Percy will appreciate that. Thanks, Helen," I smiled.

***

The Jewel quickly became a popular hand-out spot for me and my friends. The group was eating dinner at the Jewel on Saturday. We came late in the night so that Percy would be freer. Near closing time, Percy could sit down with us.

Past 10 o'clock, there wouldn't be many customers.

Today, we were the only customers in the restaurant after 10:30. Percy was sitting down with us because he had already cleaned up the other tables.

The seven of us (plus Thalia and Nico) were enjoying dessert. The restaurant was gonna close soon, and many employees had already gone home.

"The end of a long day at work feels fantastic," Percy exclaimed while stretching. During the stretch, he rested his right arm around my shoulders.

"I can finally kiss you," he whispered while giving me a peck.

"HEY WOAH," Leo shouted. "You're still on duty. I could get you fired for kissing a customer. It's against Grandpa Sammy's rules."

"Shut up, Leo. If you fire my boyfriend, you'll feel my wrath."

Leo held his hands up in surrender. I smiled before kissing Percy on the cheek. He was ending a ten-hour shift on a Saturday.

Another employee turned the sign near the front door. The Jewel was officially closed for the night. We were the last ones here. Since Leo is related to the owner, no one could force us out of the restaurant.

"Hey, Percy, I'm gonna head home," the middle-aged woman expressed. "Could you please take out the trash for tonight?"

"No problem, Martha. I'll take care of it."

"Thanks, Percy. I'll see you at your next shift. I hope that you guys enjoyed the dinner. Oh, and Dom will close the restaurant tonight after he'd done in the kitchen."

"Sounds good. Thanks, Martha. See you later," Percy affirmed. Then, he slid out of our booth. "I'll be back in a minute. Just gotta throw the trash in the back."

"Don't take too long or the cake will magically disappear into the boys' stomachs. There won't be any left for you," Hazel offered kindly.

"HEY, save some for me," Percy warned before walking off.

"Great, time to dig into this cake," Leo exclaimed.

Everyone laughed while Thalia divided the cake into equal pieces for us all. The conversations continued, and we all were having a great time. However, it was a false sense of security. Things started to feel weird very quickly.

Why? Because Percy didn't come back.

"Guys, it's been eight minutes, and Percy's still in the back," Jason acknowledged the discomfort that I was feeling.

"He's probably helping Dom in the kitchen," Leo suggested.

"Let's just go check," I replied.

I don't know why, but I was feeling very uncomfortable. Something was burning in my stomach, and I couldn't shake the feeling of danger. Jason, Frank, and Thalai followed me towards the kitchen where Dominic was wiping the stove counters.

"Hey, Dom," I greeted.

"Annabeth, how is my favorite colleague's girlfriend doing?" Dominic laughed. Frank chuckled while taking stock of the room.

I've had several tours of The Jewel thanks to Percy. After all, I had to know the restaurant that my boyfriend work in, especially if we want to fool around in the back sometimes. We don't do it often, but make-out sessions do happen in the pantry sometimes.

"Doing great. Where's Percy?"

"I thought he was out front with you guys. He's not there?"

My friends and I exchanged looks. Something felt off now. Jason and Thalia rushed towards the back door with me and Frank in tow.

We burst into the dark alleyway. The trashcans bordered the back of the restaurant. The employees park in the back. A single streetlight was faintly illuminating the lot.

"PERCY," Thalia shouted.

I whirled around to see Percy fighting Gabe. They were wrestling on the ground next to the dumpster.

"OH MY GOD," Frank growled while running forward. They were at least 30 yards away. Gabe noticed us before Percy.

The monster grabbed Percy and brought him to his feet. A horrible bruise was covering the left side of Percy's face.

"DON'T COME NEAR," Gabe roared.

He held a knife in his hand and pointed it towards Percy's stomach. Percy seemed dazed as the wing swayed his weakened body. We froze a few yards away. Tears bristled in my eyes while I gazed at Percy, who seemed very out of it.

"STAY AWAY. This is between me and the boy," Gabe snapped. He jabbed the knife closer to Percy's stomach, and I couldn't help but protest.

"Stop. Please don't hurt him," I begged.

"This boy thinks that he can put me in jail. I'll make sure that I gut you before the police take me away," Gabe slurred. He was drunk, and smoke was filing out of his mouth.

Percy's arms shot up and pushed Gabe's arm. He punched Gabe, who staggered back in response. My friends and I ran forward to help; however, it wasn't enough.

Smelly Gabe shot forward.

Percy groaned as the blade sunk into his stomach.

For a second, Percy only gazed at my face before looking down at his deep stab wound. I froze in place, but Jason and Frank were still active. Jason shot forward and threw a punch at Gabe. I ran towards Percy as he fell to the floor.

Jason and Frank worked together to disengage and knock Gabe down.

Thalia was frantically calling the police while I held onto Percy's shaking body. Tears escaped the corners of his eyes. His hand was quivering as he cupped my cheek.

"Wise Girl," he rasped.

"No, Seaweed Brain, hang on. You're gonna be just fine," I cried.

The tears streamed down my face and landed on his skin. Blood soaked the floor and my clothes. My hands only showed liquid-red rather than skin. I gazed into his rapidly dulling sea-green eyes.

"I love you," Percy whispered. His eyes started closing.

"NO. Listen to me, Percy. I will never forgive you if you leave me. I will hate you so much if you die on me. Keep your eyes open," I cried.

My body shook as I held him. My hand tightly squeezed his hand. I was holding onto his dear life. I couldn't lose him. He was too important.

I love him too much.

"I love you," Percy rasped again.

My head leaned against his forehead. I kissed him passionately. I was trying anything to keep him awake and alive. "Please, Percy. Hang on."

His sea-green eyes closed slowly. Percy was trying to fight but was failing. The blood leaked out of him despite Thalia trying to hold pressure.

Thalia was crying too. Everyone was crying.

"I love you," I whispered. "Please, don't leave me. We promised each other that we'd always be there. Please, Percy, I love you."

He faintly smiled up at me, but my words didn't save him.

My arms wrapped around his half-conscious body. I sobbed while tightly holding his face in my arms. This couldn't be happening.

I can't lose him. I just can't.