Ever since Percy had disappeared, Annabeth saw everything diffrently. She used to see in black and white: she loved Percy, Percy loved her, Nico was her friend. Now everything was a mottled gray: Did Percy remember her?, did she really love Percy, or just the idea of being in love?, Nico had seen Percy, Annabeth could tell that much. Was Percy okay? Annabeth did not know; Nico had been avoiding her.
Percy had walked her to her cabin two months ago that day and kissed her goodnight. Annabeth woke up alone. No normal Seaweed brain morning greeting. She had assumed that Percy was asleep, but when she chacked his cabin it was empty.
Annabeth had lost her spirit since then.
I'm about to plunge my dagger into a training dummy in the arena when something or someone blocks me. It is a sword, Anaklusmos is written on the blde. I bring my gaze upward. It's Percy. Suddenly he disappears and my dagger falls from my hand.
As I climb aboard the ArgoII later, a see Percy reaching down to help me. I grasp his hand but he dissolves and my hand closes around air. I am left without Percy and struggling for a rung on the rope ladder.
We've been aboard the ArgoII for three days when Travis spots New Rome. As we enter the camp by air, I spot two people in toga's standing on a platform. Percy and a girl I recognize from Circe's island. Reyna, I think.
I order Connon to drop the ladder. I jump off the ladder when I am about four feet from the ground. I walk slowly to Percy, taking in his SPQR tatoos and toga. For a moment, he looks intimidating and well, Roman. Percy looks down and notices me. My heart leaps as I see a glimpse of recognition in his caring what the Romans think, I walk forward, grab Percy's arm and flip him over my shoulder. The Romans gasp and ready their weapons. Reyna motions them to be calm. I nod at her and crouch down next to Percy.
"Get kidnapped again and I'll do worse than judo-flip you." I hiss.
Percy smiles his idiotic smile and laughs."Okay.", he says, raising his hands in an act of surrender. I pull him to his feet and kiss hi. All my insecurities and doubts vanish and I know that Percy is back. For real this time.