For Annabeth Chase, life is a never-ending circle of people coming and going.
And so she is afraid.
She is nervous, she is petrified that Percy will leave her, and she will be alone.
Because that's what always happens, doesn't it? People come into her life, and then they leave her one by one, little by little. and then she is all alone.
Her mother left when she was hours old.
Then it was her father -no, she left him. or did he leave her?- The lines are blurred and there is no straight answer. None that can satisfy her, anyways.
Thalia. Once as a tree, and once as a huntress.
And then it was Luke.
Wonderful, wonderful Luke, who did terrible things but died a hero.
She is alone. she is always alone. she will always be alone.
because that's how it works, doesn't it?
It is a statement. No, more than that. It is a fact.
Annabeth Chase is alone.
Percy will leave her soon, she knows. He swears he won't, but he is a piece in a pattern, and patterns do not lie.
Her hands shake. patterns do not lie, Annabeth Chase, she tells herself as they watch the campfire, fingers entwined.
.~.
She kisses him goodnight, and the next day he is gone.
Because that's how's it works, doesn't it?
Annabeth Chase is alone.
And she is afraid.