[AW] After the Storm

[Annabeth]

A low, reflexive groan heaved beneath Annabeth's slender ribcage before abruptly cutting off in surprise. Where was the pain? It had been so constant, she hardly registered its absence. Eyelids flickered open (how easy that was when they weren't encrusted in salt!) and confusion crinkled her brows. Bright light filtered through layers of thick foliage in what was clearly a hospital, though Anna had never been in one before now. How she got here was a big smudge across her memory. She furrowed her brow and dredged up the image of a soft shawl and soothing presence. Maybe a healer had found her? and yet, she swore she walked the path of lilies alone...

The recollections swirling around her mind required too much energy to maintain so she let them slip away. Instead she focused on the first kind face she had seen in a year. The healer entered the room without fuss and gently tended to Anna, gently instructing her to continue resting to recover her strength. As soon as the equine left, Anna began to do the exact opposite. She hadn't been sick a day in her life and she certainly wasn't going to waste time languishing now! Besides, she wasn't sure just where she was... who knew if she was even safe here.

Stick thin legs unfolded and a familiar determined light rekindled in Anna's eyes. Carefully, slowly, Annabeth made her escape. Though Anna didn't look quite well enough to be out of bed, it was plausible that she was supposed to be out for some light exercise. Sidling around like an emaciated and inept ninja, Anna's heart clenched every time someone looked her way and she would freeze like a foal caught with their nose in a honey pot. Most looked away soon, preoccupied with their own problems. Some lingered and reminded Anna that she was in a strange place. She would summon a shaky smile at them and turn to escape their scrutiny, heart pounding. Desperate escape plans would blossom before being quickly dashed. The mare was hardly capable of standing upright, how in the seven hells could she manage to slip away? The thought was disheartening and she leaned despondent against a wall.

Pent up frustration and fear began to leak into fat tears. Silently she pressed her face against a convenient gap in the wall and let the hard lump in her throat choke off her sobs. The last thing she needed was to make a scene in front of those who might be her new captors. Unless they came close, all they would see is a tired patient resting. Only the close observer would note the crystalline liquid that was beginning to dew from her eyelashes.

ooc: Getting back into the swing of things! Anna's usually not this despondent, just confused and weak and needing a friend or not, my gal can always be broken some more >:)