Falling down something that you have no idea what is in it is scary, falling down a pit in which you know something is waiting for you, for a fact, several things are waiting for you (probably even more!) but not what exactly it is, and when it is going to attack, is petrifying.
Annabeth didn't like the dark much, either. She could feel the pull on her leg getting stronger and stronger, she didn't like where this was going, and she most certainly did NOT want to land within the grasp of Arachne, the horrifying giant spider.
She felt Percy squeeze her hand. Thank the gods, PERCY!
Then she had an idea.
She opened her mouth and said, "..." What? Annabeth was confused, but every time she opened her mouth to speak the breath was swept away by the endless plunge that she and Percy were still having.
She thought to herself. I wonder of Riptide has returned to Percy's pocket. I could use it to cut myself free from Arachne and try and land as far away from her as possible.
Riptide has, indeed, returned to my pocket.
What the? Percy?
Annabeth couldn't believe it, Percy could hear her thoughts! He reached Riptide out to her. She grasped it uncertainly, raising it as high in the air, she brought it down as fast as a hare upon the connection between her and Arachne, and she was free! She handed back Riptide. Finally, that endless fall ended, as soon as Annabeth hit the ground she rolled over as far away from Arachne as she could, Percy followed and grasped her hand. Upon pulling her up he hoisted her up over his shoulders and ran far, far away from the giant spider weaver. Finally, he let her down. As her bad ankle connected with the ground that was as rocky as a mountain she squealed and hopped up and down clutching her ankle.
"Here, take some Ambrosia." Percy handed her square. It was heavenly hearing his voice.
"Thanks, Seaweed Brain." She managed a smile.
"No problem, Brainiac!" He smiled a real, genuine smile right back. Somehow, Annabeth mused, they would get through this.