Assigned

Chapter 17

Percy paced the hospital waiting room. It had been four hours since Jonas had gone into surgery. He was a wreck. Percy had remembered his reunion with Jonas time and time again. He had noticed so many things about Jonas. He noticed the cut and dried blood on the side of Jonas's face, and the deep bloodstain on Jonas's shirt that wasn't from the stab wound. He noticed the deep bruises that scattered all over his pale skin.

Percy sat down in one of the metal chairs but he didn't stop moving. His leg started bouncing as Percy's mind still raced. He pulled out his phone and texted Crystal. He needed someone with him.

Percy had waited for ten minutes when Crystal arrived. "Hey, I got here as soon as I could," she huffed. Crystal sat down next to Percy and handed him a backpack. "Paper," she mumbled. Percy had done origami to calm his nerves. It was peaceful for him. "Thanks," he mumbled as he took out a small stack of various colors of paper.

Crystal watched Percy fidget around as he folded the papers. "Here," he mumbled as he handed a blue origami butterfly. Crystal softly smiled and murmured, "I don't get how you're so good at this." Percy huffed, "Practice... I guess."

A few minutes went by with Percy making various creations from the paper. "What happened to Eve?" Percy murmured as he looked down at the green five-point origami flower he had made. Crystal glanced over at him and mumbled, "She's safe, but she's in an orphanage." Percy let out a shaky breath and leaned back in his chair. He had to admit, he was tired.

Crystal saw that Percy was struggling to stay awake. His eyes were growing heavier every time he blinked. "How have you been sleeping lately?" Crystal inquired. She probably knew he wasn't well. Percy glanced at Crystal and grumbled, "Haven't slept worth shit." Crystal sighed and murmured, "Go ahead and sleep right now."

Percy squirmed in his chair and protested, "But what if the doctors come back." Crystal furrowed her brows and sighed, "Okay, I'll wake you up when they come back." Percy scrunched his face but couldn't disagree. He knew he needed to sleep. "Fine," he mumbled before leaning down.

Percy placed his head in his hand with his elbow supported by the chair. Crystal grabbed Percy's head and brought it down to lay on her shoulder. "I'll wake you up," she mumbled as she stared at her phone. Percy grumbled and closed his eyes. He fell asleep almost instantly as he closed his eyes.

Percy stood in the parking garage of the old business building. It was where he found Jonas, but it was pitch black. Percy was cautious. He walked down further in the parking garage. It really was dark. The sound of Percy's footsteps echoed throughout the garage and set an uneasy feeling. He didn't like the silence. It was eerie and unsettling. Percy stood still and listened. Chills shot up his spine when another pair of footsteps echoed from further in the garage.

"Percy!" a voice cried out in a bloodcurdling scream. Percy recognized the voice as Jonas's. What was happening? Percy's pace quickened as he ran in the direction of Jonas's cry. He was quick to see him, but he wasn't expecting to see Jonas. He was bleeding... heavily.

Percy's breath quickened as he stared at Jonas. He was barely standing with blood oozing out of his stomach. Blood dripped out of the corner of Jonas's mouth as he mumbled, "Percy... help me." Percy ran to Jonas just in time to catch him from completely falling over. Jonas struggled to breathe and stay awake. He was bleeding rapidly.

Percy dropped to his knees and held tightly onto Jonas. "Wha-what happened?" Percy stuttered. Jonas grimaced and looked up at Percy with teary eyes. "I'm sorry!" he cried out. Percy's eyes started to water as he rambled, "No, no, don't say that! Everything will be okay! Please!"

Jonas coughed and more blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. "Don't lie to yourself, Percy," he groaned. Percy's breath hitched at Jonas's words. Why would he say that? Had he given up that easily?