*Time skip an hour or so*
Nico's POV
It's been about an hour and Avery is still asleep. I guess that's good considering all that gone on in the last couple hours. She is very motionless. The only thing reassuring me that she's alive is the gentle rise and fall of her small chest. Annabeth looked at me and smiled gently, she then mouthed something along the lines of,
"Look at you"
Annabeth is one of the few people who knew I was normally uncomfortable around small children, or people in general, but that's beside the point. Around little kids I'm always worried they'll get scared or i'll accidentally hurt them with my powers.
"We're about five hours away, still." Said Thalia
"I have to pee." Said Will
"Hold it," she replied
"For FIVE hours?"
"Maybe."
"You know what, Thalia——"
Their conversation was interrupted as Percy yelled, "Oh my gods, I love this song." Then proceeded to turn it up. Avery stirred for a second but then stopped, remaining asleep. Her jacket twisted all around her, and one pant leg rolled up, the other normal. I could see scars lined down her leg. I felt so bad for her. The song began to strum,
"Beauty queen of only eighteen sheHad some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her, she
Always belonged to someone else
I drove for miles and miles and wound up
At your door
I've had you so many times but somehow I want more I don't mind spendin' everyday
Out on your corner in the pourin' rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved, and she will be lovedTap on my window, knock on my door, I
Want to make you feel beautiful
I know I tend to get so insecure
It doesn't matter anymore It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along yeah
My heart is full, and my door's always open
You can come anytime you want yeahI don't mind spendin' everyday
Out on your corner in the pourin' rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved, and she will be loved
And she will be loved, and she will be loved I know where you hide alone in your car
Know all of the things that make you who you are
I know that goodbye means nothing at all
Comes back and makes me catch her every time she
Falls Yeah, tap on my window, knock on my door, I
Want to make you feel beautifulI don't mind spendin' everyday
Out on your corner in the pourin' rain oh
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved, and she will be loved
And she will be loved, and she will be loved Please don't try so hard to say good-bye
I don't mind spendin' everyday, out on your corner in the pourin' rain
Please don't try so hard to say good-bye"
By the end of the song, everybody(yes, even me. But shut up before I come and kill you.) except Avery cause she's still sleeping was singing that song. I found it rather fitting considering the situation.
"Nico?" I heard a small voice. I was confused for a moment before I realized it was Avery.
I looked down at her, "Yes?"
"Can we stop? I need to use the restroom." I was shocked, it was one of the first full sentences I've ever heard her say.
"Percy," I called
"Yeah?" He asked
"Can we stop at the next reststop? Avery's awake and we could all use some stretching and a restroom break."
"Sure, we're about five minutes away."
"Okay, thanks." I said, then I turned to Avery, "Can you wait five minutes?"
She just nodded. She grabbed her teddy tight and started to play with it, silently. Every now and then she would give a half smile. Annabeth whispered something in her ear, but I didn't hear it. Avery nodded and Annabeth smiled. We arrived at the rest stops.
"Alright team," Will said, "Boys restroom to the left, girls to the right. If you want something to eat, get it. Meet back here in ten minutes."
There was a choir of yes's, okays, and even one eye eye captain. Once we were out of the car, Annabeth grabbed Avery's hand and they walked together to the women's restroom.
*Time skip 10 minutes*
Ten minutes later the boys were back in the car, we figured the girls were just being slow. Will is going to drive, now. I hope the girls don't take too much longer.
Avery's POV
I woke up to hear everyone laughing and talking about some song. I saw one of my pant legs had gone up, so I pulled it back down. I had to use the restroom, really bad. I didn't want to nag, but I decided I had to ask.
"Nico?" I barely whispered.
He looked confused for a moment, but then looked down and said, "Yes?"
My heart was pounding, I didn't want to be an inconvenience. I hated asking anyone for anything at anytime. It just really bothered me. My upbringing didn't help that, either. "Can we stop? I need to use the restroom."
Percy and Nico exchange a few words and then Nico looks at me and says, "Can you wait five minutes?" I nod my head and start playing with my teddy bear, Savior. I named him Savior cause at the end of the day, he was there for me when no one else was, he's my savior. Annabeth looked at me and asked, "Are you ready for camp?"
I tilted my head to the side and put on a confused face. She looked at me and said, "It's for kids like me and you. We're different, so we came together as one big family." I must have looked scared because she said, "Don't worry, we'll be there with you. Are you excited?"
I nodded my head. I'm ready for a new beginning. Annabeth smiled.
Soon after that we arrived at the reststop and Will said, "Okay team," I laughed in my head, WE'RE A TEAM! "Boys restroom to the left, girls to the right. If you want something to eat, get it. Meet back here in ten minutes."
People said yes, or okay, and even eye eye captain. I just nodded. Annabeth grabbed my hand and I held onto hers, tightly. I was scared because there were lots of people around. There was a really long line for the women's and I didn't like people, which Annabeth and Thalia seemed to pick up on, so we walked to the family restroom and just went in there.
"Do you want anything to eat?" Thalia asked
I shake my head no.
Annabeth said, "Why don't you pick something out and you can eat it later?"
I shake my head no. They've already done so much for me, I don't want to be a burden. But I was very hungry. While they were getting snacks out of the machine, I saw a puppy. I walk over to the dog and start petting it. A man walked over and said,
"Isn't she cute?" I nodded my head, "Her name is Rue."
I kept petting her.
"I have two other puppies in my car, want to come see them?" I shake my head no, something feels off.
"Come on," he says and grabs my arm. I know you want to go see them.
"No" I barely whispered. He started to jerk me away and I screamed. People started to look around, but no one helped. "ANNABETH! THALIA! HELP!" I screamed with the little energy I had left. I tried to push against him but he wouldn't let go. He picked me up and flung me over his shoulder, starting to walk away. I kicked and screamed.
Then the man suddenly stopped and I heard, "Put her down." In a stern, steady voice. I think it was Thalia.
"What are you talking about," he asked, "This is my daughter."
"No!" I screamed but he put his hand over my mouth.
"No she's not." Annabeth said, "Put her down, now!"
"What are you going to do about it, huh?" He mocked
Thalia and Annabeth pulled out a sword and dagger, but to him it wouldn't look like a weapon.
"What are you going to do to me with pencils?" He asked
"I don't know," Annabeth said, "Why don't you ask our last victim, he's in the garbage disposal over there." She pointed to an oddly shaped bag. It almost looked human. He screamed and dropped me on the ground. I cried out when I hit the ground. I started to cry as Annabeth picked me up off the ground.
"I'm sorry." I sobbed, "please don't hurt me."
Annabeth gasped, "I would never hurt you, Avery. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
I shake my head no. "I'm sorry" I said, "I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry."
"Hey," Thalia said firmly, I looked at her, "it's not your fault, so don't keep acting like it is."
"She's right," Annabeth said, "it's not your fault."
Thalia picked up the bag of snacks and I leaned into Annabeth as she carried me back to the car. Arriving to the car, I could see a car full of very anxious looking boys waiting in the car. Oh no, I thought, all hell is about to break loose.