Chapter 16

Sally set down a cup of tea in front of Annabeth and Annabeth gave Sally a small smile, quietly thanking her. The two of them were sat at the dining table, Sally sat across from Annabeth with a cup of tea too.

"So... Percy's step-dad is quite abusive then?" Annabeth questioned quietly, looking down at her cup of tea. "Unfortunately." Sally answered, her voice quiet too. Sally lifted her cup of tea and took a sip of it. Annabeth looked at Sally and Sally was a little nervous, feeling as though Annabeth would start judging her.

"I haven't had an easy life, Annabeth." Sally confessed. "I lost my parents when I was five, my uncle had to raise me. Then he was diagnosed with cancer when I was in my last year of high school and... once he died, I was all alone. I met Percy's dad and we had fun but then... he left once Percy was born, he had to leave. And then I met Gabe and I stuck with him because I thought he'd help provide for us."Annabeth listened intently, looking at Sally.

Sally swallowed and she sighed as she brought her hand to her face, shaking her head slightly. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry, you're a child, I shouldn't be dumping all of this on you-" Sally began. "I'm more mature than you think." Annabeth said, looking at Sally.

"I just... I want to understand why you've stuck with an abusive man for so long." Sally took her hand away from her face and she looked at Annabeth. "Fear, mostly." Sally said. "And... I don't know how I'll be able to take care of Percy and I. I mean, I don't have a good job and... I just...staying with Gabe seemed easier." Annabeth frowned slightly.

"You know that it's not gonna get any better if you just stay with Gabe, right?" Annabeth questioned. "I mean, Percy could... What if it gets too intense one day and either you or Percy get badly injured? To the point where you may..." Annabeth trailed off and she sighed out softly. "Sally. I don't want Percy to get hurt. I didn't like how badly his face was injured last week, how he put a smile on his face and said he was fine when he clearly wasn't."

Sally stayed silent for a moment and she smiled slightly, looking at Annabeth. "How long have you known Percy for now?" Sally asked. "A couple of weeks." Annabeth shrugged slightly. "Right. And you care about him very much already." Sally said. "I'm glad that you... you're in my son's life. Percy needs more people to love and care for him." Annabeth's cheeks warmed up as Sally mentioned love.

Sally looked at her cup of tea. "... I don't know how to get rid of Gabe. I know I should call someone, the police maybe, but I'm afraid of what could happen if I try and speak back. I don't know how he'll react and if he'll try to hurt Percy..." Sally said quietly. Annabeth picked up her cup of tea and lifted it towards her mouth. "Well, it's a good thing that I'm here then." Annabeth said, glancing at Sally.

"I am great at making plans to get out of any dangerous situation. Trust me, I'm quite a smart girl."

Sally looked at Annabeth and Annabeth smiled at her, taking a sip of the tea. Sally raised her eyebrows and she smiled back at Annabeth. "You're going to help a poor old woman like me?" Sally questioned. "I'm going to help a wonderful beautiful woman like you, who deserves to be happy and to live life without fear." Annabeth clarified, setting down her cup of tea.

"Now, listen carefully to me, and we can get Gabe out of your life within the next week without him hurting you or Percy."

*****

Percy sniffled as he wiped away his tears with his hand as he kept his knees close to his chest as he looked down below at the people walking by and the dogs barking at the distance.

He didn't know how long it's been, he didn't know if Annabeth was still here or gone, but all he knew was that Annabeth probably thought he was a huge coward and didn't like him, that she would never like a boy who can't even stand up for himself.

Percy heard the window from behind him slide open a bit more and someone joined him. Percy noticed from the corner of his eye that it was Annabeth. Percy stayed silent as Annabeth sat down next to him, crossing her legs. "Nice view." Annabeth said quietly, looking around. "Mmhm..." Percy hummed quietly.

Annabeth looked at Percy. His eyes were a little puffy and Annabeth frowned as she was right when she assumed that Percy had cried. They sat in a silence.

Percy felt Annabeth staring at him and Percy scoffed out quietly. "Why are you still here? You don't want to hang around with a wimp like me, do you?" Percy huffed, looking over at Annabeth. Percy instantly felt guilty as he saw how Annabeth's eyes were full of pain. Annabeth felt her heart break at Percy's words and she frowned as she met Percy's gaze.

"A wimp? Percy, you have been suffering for a lot of years. You are not a wimp. You are so strong, for not... for being so brave and for saving your mother any moment you can and for... for suffering the abuse of your step-dad." Annabeth said, her hand resting on Percy's shoulder. "You're... I care about you. You're my friend, Percy. I'm not going to leave you. I'm... I can't leave you."

Percy felt his eyes well up again and Annabeth noticed this.

"D-did I say something wrong-?" Annabeth began. Annabeth was cut off as Percy let out a sad laugh, bringing his hands to his wet eyes and wiping them. "Pfft, haha, no! No...no. I just... I really thought you would... leave. Never talk to me again because of what happened. Because I can't stand up for myself." Percy said.

Annabeth didn't like how Percy seemed to think so badly of himself. "Percy. Standing up for yourself can be scary and difficult. But your mom told me how... how there have been so many times that you've protected her, that you faced Gabe's abuse because you didn't want her to get hurt. You are... the bravest guy I know." Annabeth said, gently squeezing Percy's shoulder. "Don't think so low of yourself."Percy sniffled and he smiled as he looked at Annabeth."Thanks Annie..." Percy said quietly.

"... But, I mean... I'm like one hundred percent sure that Gabe is gonna be so much worse whenever he comes back home. I mean, you won't be there and-""Don't worry. Your mom and I made a plan to get rid of that asshole." Annabeth cut Percy off, shrugging at him.Percy blinked as he stared at Annabeth."... You what?" Percy asked.Annabeth nodded and Percy kept staring at Annabeth in a silence now.

"It won't happen right away, so you may have to... face a bit more of his abuse but I promise you that by this time next week, he'll be out of your life. Forever." Annabeth said, meeting Percy's gaze. "And you and your mom can... you can live life without fear. You can be happy together."

Percy lowered his legs from his chest and he instantly wrapped his arms around Annabeth, pulling her into a tight hug. Annabeth was surprised but she smiled as she wrapped her arms around Percy, hugging him back. Percy hid his face in Annabeth's shoulder.

"Thank you, so, so much." Percy whispered against her clothes. "You're... you're amazing, Annie."Annabeth felt her heart beat pick up its pace and she held Percy closer, gently rubbing his back with her hand in a circular motion."I just want you to be safe, Percy." Annabeth whispered back.

Percy then stopped hugging Annabeth as her phone seemed to go off. Annabeth hesitantly unwrapped her arms from Percy and she grabbed her phone out of her pocket of her shorts. Annabeth looked at her phone screen and saw that her dad was calling her."Ah, sorry, one second." Annabeth said, looking at Percy.

Percy hummed in response as Annabeth answered the call and put her phone towards her ear. Percy kept his gaze on Annabeth. The wind was gentle and her wavy hair was blowing slightly due to the soft breeze and she looked... well, beautiful.

Annabeth's phone call didn't last long and she let out a quiet sigh as she took her phone from her ear, her dad had hung up on her.

"I need to get home. My dad wants us to have this family dinner out at some sort of restaurant? Some sort of bonding thing for me and my step-mom no doubt..." Annabeth mumbled the last bit.Percy hummed quietly.

"Right... well, thank you again, Annie. I'll walk you out." Percy said as he got up onto his two feet.Percy held his hand out for Annabeth to take. Annabeth smiled as she gently took Percy's hand and he helped her get up."What a gentleman~" Annabeth teased slightly.

Both Percy and Annabeth were a little disappointed by this sudden interruption, they both wanted to spend more time together. Annabeth wanted to comfort Percy a little more, and Percy really wanted Annabeth's presence, as it made him feel safe whenever he was around Annabeth.

But, Percy had to talk to his mom about what she and Annabeth planned. He needed his mother's comfort too. And Annabeth needed to spend time with her family. They both knew that they'd talk later on that night anyway.

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Word count: 1637