Siblings

Annabeth POV

I couldn't find Percy anywhere in the facility. After Calypso talked to Percy, he disappeared from the infirmary, and I couldn't find him since. While Percy's entitled to some privacy, I wanted to make sure he was okay with everyone that happened today.

He ran straight into a horde of monsters to save someone. That's just the type of person that Percy is.

There was one place I hadn't checked yet: the roof.

Before I walk into the isolated hallway, I was interrupted by Leo. He was tinkering with a few gadgets and seemingly getting frustrated. Different equipment was sprawled on the floor, and he was trying to fix the defibrillator.

"Leo, what are you doing on the floor?" I asked in surprise. The Latino boy looked up from his messy workstation.

"I usually come to this hallway because it's quiet. I thought I was the only person that knew about this private employee's hallway," he answered.

"It's my getaway as well."

I sat on the floor next to him. His forehead was sweating, and his long curly hair was sticking to his head and neck. I still remember the days when I used to listen to him on the radio. He gave me hope in those days. I was so glad when I found out Leo was still alive and was going to live in the survival camp.

We became very good friends because of our matching intellects. While Leo can be goofy, his mind is similar to my own regarding academics and engineering.

"Anyway, what are you building?"

He sighed while setting his gadget down. At the moment, it looked like he was trying to connect steel rods to the defibrillator paddles of an EMS. I'm positive that he's building a weapon of some sort, possibly a device that can shock people/zombies.

"This is a small project that I've been working on for the past few weeks. I'm trying to create a large cattle prod. Essentially, by connecting the metal rods to an electrical device, we can shock the zombies," Leo explained. "With a strong enough pulse, we could fry their brains by shocking any part of their body."

"So, you're creating a weapon that can terminate zombies by attacking them anywhere on their bodies. That's... genius," I exclaimed.

Leo smiled lightly.

"Yeah. Sometimes, it's hard to hit a zombie's head. This weapon can help terminate zombies by attacking their bodies. I hope I can make it work."

"Leo, you'll definetly figure it out," I stated earnestly.

"Anyway, you spent a lot of time with Calypso today," I suggested. My tone carried an innuendo on purpose.

Leo blushed lightly. "Calypso and I both went to Cornell University. We even shared an English class before the world went to hell. I doubt that she even knows me, but I always like her. I had and still have a huge crush on her."

"It's probably a stupid thing," Leo chuckled in embarrassment.

"No, you're okay," I expressed. I thought it was something like this. "If you still have feelings for her, maybe you can admit them. At least, your conscious would be clear."

"Annabeth, we live in a zombified world. It doesn't matter," Leo whispered. "Besides, Calypso could never like me. Did you see the way that she was looking at Percy? She was looking at him with such admiration and attraction."

My gut felt like it turned upside down. My insides churned. I also noticed Calypso's lustful gaze as she talked to Percy. I know that it shouldn't bother me, but it does. Our relationship is a complicated one. We argue and fight all the time. However, even since our evening together on the roof, things were different.

We still have petty arguments. That would probably never change in our relationship, but I also trust him. I trust him with my private spot, and I trust him with my life. I still remember how he protected me on the last raid. He never treated me like I couldn't take care of myself, but he also kept his eyes on me. This kind of respect and care is what I appreciate and admire. I don't know. Percy quickly became a big part of my life.

Percy and Stella both were huge members of my family circle now.

I shook my head and straightened my thoughts.

"Leo, you have so much to offer. Don't short-sell yourself," I said firmly. "Calypso will like you as long as you stay true to yourself."

Leo nodded while fixing another part of his proxy weapon. It was a very cool weapon idea, and it would be great if Leo could make it work. While I could talk to Leo all day long, I decided to leave him alone and go find Percy.

Just as I expected, Percy was on the roof. He was carrying Stella in his arms while looking out over Central Park. It was a beautiful day today, so the clouds and sun were streaming brightly. The birds were flying around. I like that Percy brings Stella to the roof. It was good for her young self to be in the sunlight and see nature.

"Percy, I was looking for you all over camp," I exclaimed while approaching. I smiled at Stella before taking her from Percy.

She giggled happily while playing with the stitching on my Coachella shirt. We collect clothes from anywhere in the area. There are a lot of apartment complexes, and those are very easy to raid for clothing and food.

"My parents are dead," Percy whispered.

My smile faded while I looked into Percy's face. There were some tear streaks that I hadn't noticed before. I reached forward with a free hand and rubbed his arm.

"I should rephrase," Percy expressed. "Estelle's and my parents are dead. They also happen to be the same people."

"What do you mean?" I asked in shock.

"My mom was very pregnant when the apocalypse started. She was going to have a baby girl. I always thought that my parents died right away, but I could never confirm it," Percy started.

I felt the emotions in his words. In the zombie apocalypse, you never know what's going on. The positive assumption IS to assume that your family is dead. For example, Helen and my dad went out for some food, and they never returned. I can't 100% say they're dead, but reality would dictate that they are. That's the logic.

"Calypso told me she knew Sally Jackson. My mom gave birth to Estelle and took care of her for some time. When she passed away, Estelle transferred to other people. At the end of the day, Stella came to me."

Tears sprung from Percy's eyes. I watched as the water flowed down his face. He carefully took Stella into his arms.

"She's my sister," Percy affirmed.

I wrapped my arms around his shaking body. We enveloped Stella between us as our embrace shifted so that I could hold Percy closer. His head buried into my shoulder.

"This is a good thing," I whispered into his ear. "You have a family, Percy. She's your family, and you guys found your way to each other."

"Stella and you beat the odds as siblings."

"Yeah, we did."

I continued to embrace Percy until Stella started shrieking. She was getting smooshed and crowded in the heat between Percy's and my hug. I laughed while taking Stella into my hold again. I could feel Percy's gaze piercing into my skin.

"Can you stop looking like me like that, Seaweed Brain?"

He smirked at me. "Looking at you how?"

"I don't know. Just don't look at me. Look at the clouds and nature. That's why I showed you the roof," I said matter-of-factly.

"But, Wise Girl, I'd rather be looking at you," Percy whined.

I rolled my eyes while Percy laughed. I like hearing his laugh; it's much better than seeing him upset. However, I'm glad that I can experience both sides of him. I appreciate that Percy's comfortable showing me all of him.

I'm not sure if I'm completely open with Percy yet. However, he is slowly creeping into my defenses, but I'm not going to complain about it.

"You hear that, Stella," I cooed. "You're older brother can't get enough of me."

"That's not what I said," Percy pouted.

I couldn't help but laugh. The roof had quickly become our hand-out spot, and I love laughing with him up here. I pointed out different clouds to Stella while Percy listened to my voice. It was quiet today, which created a nice ambiance.

I absorbed the warmth of our interactions with gratitude.

***

I don't like spending a lot of time in South Sector. As a camp leader, I have to help out Dr. Claymore and Will where I'm needed. Charles and Silena used to help in South Sector as leaders themselves. Their losses certainly created holes in our team.

Thalia and I were picking up the extra pieces. It's a lot of pressure to keep the camp going, but this is about everyone's survival.

I'm going to do what it takes to ensure everyone's safety.

I watched Zoe and Silena's zombies groan inside their glass cages. They used to be my friends. If I look hard enough, I could imagine their old selves, especially Silena. her zombie was fresh, so it was still very recognizable. That's what's making it so hard for the staff to work with her zombie. We were still seeing her human self.

"Annabeth, can you check for some Epinephrine in the closet?" Dr. Claymore asked politely. I nodded before receding to the supply closet.

We emptied the American Fashion stuff out of the closet. Instead, we stored all the medicine, biological equipment, and data in the supply closet. I pulled a cardboard box from the bottom shelf to pull out some EPIs.

However, there were only two small Epi-pens left.

"Dr. Claymore, we only have these left," I answered while getting close to him. He was standing with a clipboard outside of Silena's zombie cage.

"Wait, hold on, you're telling me that we don't have any EPIs left."

"No. We ran out of the Epi injections a while ago. The only source of Epinephrine left are these allergy Epi-pens. We probably need more though."

Will approached us and took the Epi-pens from me. He nodded at me, which gave me my cue. I got close to the zombie cage. The dark-haired, slender zombie groaned while clawing at the glass in front of me. The objective is simple: distract the zombie.

It kept clawing at me. I gazed into the zombie's face before looking down. This is the hardest part of using zombies who used to be friends. Silena told us to use her body for the research if the time ever came. Silena was cited as an organ donor, and technically, this is similar to what organ donors and research cadavers do.

Will reached into the cage quickly and injected the Epinephrine.

The zombie whirled around and screeched.

I winced before turning away. A single streak of blood spurted from the zombie's mouth, and Will collected some in a carry bag. This is the cleanest way to get a blood sample. Dr. Claymore found this by accidentally injecting the med into another zombie.

This ensures that we don't have to hassle with the zombies.

Dr. Claymore took the blood and put it under a microscope. Will and I stared at the TV screen to see the image pop up. Will pointed out the red and white blood cells, large proteins, and black viral particulates in the blood.

The black particulates are the Z-viral structures. It's impossible to revive a zombie. Once someone dies, they die.

Death is final.

However, the goal is to find a way to terminate the zombies quickly. More importantly, just like there are vaccines for HIV, hepatitis, and smallpox, the goal is to find a vaccine against the zombie particulates. If we can make a Z virus vaccine, then people can potentially survive zombie bites. A zombie bite wouldn't indicate a death certificate. That's the goal.

No one is close to a vaccine. The Z virus is too complex and invasive.

"Annabeth, if you want to leave now, you're welcome to," Will suggested. I nodded gratefully and turned to leave the South Sector.

"Wait, we do have one request," Will interrupted.

I was already expecting a request from the scientists. They ran out of Epinephrine today, and we need it to continue safe tests on the zombie subjects. After they made the request, I assured them that the guards would go on another raid soon.

We don't have a raid scheduled till next week. We have ample food and resources here, and we generally don't waste effort or risk safety for minimal reasons. Since most people don't know about South Sector's work, it's hard to convince people to go on random raids.

I'll have to find someone or some people willing to go out this week.