Annabeth lay awake in her bunk, listening to the creek of the ship and the rustle of the sheets as she stirred. Though today had been one of the most draining days of her life, she couldn't even close her eyes in an attempt to sleep. Though it was hard for her to admit, she was terrified. Terrified that in the dead of night, it would happen again. That he would disappear into thin air. Without a trace, without a clue as to where he went. Not to mention that that "where" could possibly be across the entire United States. Possibly.

She took a deep breathe, counted to ten, and exhaled. Sleep, he is fine. Leo and Jason are sleeping right next to him. Nothing will happen. Hera has no reason,...to... to take him. Go. To. Sleep.

Annabeth squeezed her eyes shut and tried desperately to calm her gnawing stomach. She felt like she had swallowed a thousand tiny knives. She rolled to her side, hoping to find more comfort in a different position. She looked up to the alarm clock sitting on the shelf beside her. It read nearly 2:30am in glowing red numbers. Annabeth sighed. It wasn't as if she had expected to get any sleep, anyway. She knew it was no use. Not without him pressed against the side of her body, warm and protecting. Warding off the nightmares and the stabbing pains deep in her stomach. She sat up suddenly in frustration, making her head spin a little. She all but ripped the thin cotton sheets from around her sweating body as she felt her bare feet touch the warm, sticky with humidity, wooden floor.

Hurrying to the door, she scanned the darkness of her surroundings. Piper and Hazel were sleeping soundlessly in their own beds, looking both younger and peaceful. She felt a twinge of envy pass through her before yanking the girls' headquarters door open, eager to feel the fresh air. Annabeth wasn't disappointed. The cool wind ran through her hair and thin pajama bottoms and tank-top like water through sand. She leaned on the boat railing and gulped down lungfuls of he cool wind. It dried the sweat clinging her clothes to her body. Like many of the others, Annabeth had lost weight while Percy was away. The skin on her arms seemed to stretch more tightly over her bones, and her clothes hung just a little to big over her frame.

The demigod sighed a tired sigh and raised her eyes to the star filled sky. She immediately recognized at least a dozen different myths scattered across the dark landscape of the night. All around her, the sky was full of constellations. She deciphered Zoe nightshade, a bow stretched in her arms, waiting to fire.

Annabeth reluctantly forced her eyes away, for Zoe brought back memories of Percy, kneeling over her bleeding body, a look of pure concern and vulnerability clear in his eyes. His sea green eyes. She stared into the dark waves beneath her now, the ocean water black in the night. Annabeth tried to swallow the growing lump in her throat. She suddenly felt seasick. A wave of nausea washed over her as saliva welled from her mouth and spilled over her lips. She held her stomach tightly as she threw up, leaning against the side banister of the ship for support.

"Annabeth?" A tentive, somewhat familiar voice sounded from behind her. Annabeth hastily wiped her mouth with the top of her shirt before spinning around.

It was Hazel. Her hair was raked into a messy bun at the top of her head. She was still wearing her Camp Jupiter T-shirt, though she had changed into worn cotton shorts. Concern shone in her dark eyes.

Annabeth swallowed once, a bitter taste in her mouth, before she spoke. "Sorry if I woke you, Hazel. I,...um, wasn't feeling well." Her voice was hoarse.

Hazel shook her head gently from side to side, making the curls that poked from her bun sway. "No, it's alright. I wanted to see if you were okay,...I know it's been hard for you, being away from Percy like that..." She trailed off, and for a moment they just looked at one another, gray eyes to deep brown. The daughter of Hades played with the bottom hem of her T-shirt, her eyebrows ceased. Finally she spoke again. "You should see him." Hazel suggested.

"What?"

"Go see Percy. I doubt he can sleep right now either,"

"Oh," Annabeth was a little taken off-guard. She bit her bottom lip, still ignoring the sour taste pasted to the inside of her mouth. "I don't know, Hazel. I,..." I'm afraid. She wanted to say, but the words died in her throat.

Hazel looked at her through thick lashes. "You need each other now. You've both been through so much in so little time. Talking to him will make you feel better..." But Annabeth already knew all that. She knew that Percy would comfort her, and understand exactly how she felt.

"Your right,..." Annabeth swallowed her pride and murmured. She didn't say those words often. "Thanks," She thought she heard Hazel reply, but she was already gone.

She was all but running over the wooden floorboards in the direction of the boys cabin.