The Selection

Sparky...

"You never keep your promises." She chokes.

"Pi-Pipes, I'm so- sorry." I gulp.

"Apology not accepted." She says.

I make my last effort to smile. I don't know if it came but I find myself drifting away.

Piper's POV

"Sparky..." I say, quietly. His hand turns numb and slips from mine.

A hand appears on my shoulder. It's Annabeth. She wells up, shaking her head. I look at the others. I stare at them in disbelief. And then, I look at him. His eyes are closed as if they are not going to open at all. 

I take his hand again. He doesn't hold. I close my eyes and let the tears escape to his strong hands. I shake him a little.

"Jason, it is no time to put us to worry. Wake up! You are not doing this again!" I say to him, it came out muffled. 

But, he doesn't budge. If though I am trying to control the tears from flowing, they won't stop. I scream his name. I hug him, tight. And cry. His soul must know how much pain he has given us. 

Soon, the tears died down. I just lay there waiting to hear something that I know I will never get to listen to again. I raise my head.

"Piper, we must-"Annabeth starts.

"He's breathing," I say quietly, looking at her, my eyes, bloodshot. They all look at me as if I were a kid.

"He. Is. Breathing." I repeat.

Only Thalia musters up the courage to take his hand and check for a pulse. This is the first time I have ever seen her so broken. Her hands are trembling, but as she listens to what I heard, her face lights up.

"Will, we really need to take him to the Emergency Ward, right now." Thalia orders. She nods at me.

I could vaguely see them lift him. I close my eyes as the events of the war seep in. Thalia touches my shoulder. She takes me into her warm embrace. It feels comfortable. 

Through the corner of my eye, I glance at an old man in torn clothes lying against the wall. I pull away from Thalia, and with her at my heel, proceed towards him. Something about him is familiar. He sees us come and smiles, kindly, through dried tears. 

Thalia stares at him. She steps closer. 

"Dad, it's you." She runs into his arms as he embraces her. 

"My brave daughter."

I couldn't control my tears of happiness. Seeing them, I make a mental note that I will visit Dad soon. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jason's POV

"It's the third time, I am looking at you like this!" I am dimly aware of the fact that that remark is towards me, which I figured out is from Annabeth. Well, it must be. I rub my eyes and then, open them to see myself stared at by pairs of eyes filled with rage. I gasp which hurts a lot. So, there comes another gasp.

"See, you all are making him nervous." Will protects me. I have a really sweet brother-in-law!

"If you haven't been lying on your bed like this, I would have scared the shit out of you." Percy snaps. 

"Well, being your eldest brother I have the right to inform you that I will never let you go anywhere alone if this continues!" Nico adds. 

Two pillars of brotherly love.

"I think you need some rest, kiddo!" Thalia step towards me and plants a kiss on my forehead. This is a little unexpected.

"I have arranged all the medicines! Whenever you want me, I will always be there." Hazel says, sweetly.