Chapter 1

(Annabeth's POV)

I looked down at the blood protruding from my lower abdomen and heard a scream. It took me a few moments to realize that the scream had come out of my mouth. I looked at Ethan in the eyes before falling to the ground. My vision turned black and my hearing was starting to fade. When I finally got enough energy to open my eyes, I saw Percy. With his sea-green eyes. He was hunched over me screaming while tears coated his face. I started to cough and I knew it was blood. Percy stroked my checks with his soft tan hands. I got enough energy to grab his hand with mine. He whispered in my ear, trying not to startle me, "I love you."

Tears streamed from my eyes and he quickly wiped them away with his thumb from his free hand. Percy screamed as I closed my eyes for the last time. The only thing I could hear were the currents of a river nearby. Then everything went black.

I opened my eyes and found myself lying in a bed. Not just any bed, my bed. From Athena's cabin. No one was in here except me. I tried to sit up straight but my stomach had a different idea. I was weak. A bandage didn't just cover my stomach though, there was one on my right arm and my left leg. I heard shuffling outside the cabin and yelled, "HELLO?" The shuffling stopped and in came Thalia. She still looked the same. Well duh, she's immortal. She had a huge smile on her face and pulled up a chair next to me.

"We have a lot to talk about," she said.

"Did we win?" I managed to say, though my mouth was very dry and I coughed immediately after.

"Yes." she paused, then continued, "but a lot has happened since you were asleep. Before you start asking questions, I need to tell you something," she replied.

"What is it?" I asked.

"You, well you have been asleep for a long time..."

"What do you mean? I just passed out for a day."

"No, Annabeth, you have been in a coma for five years." Thalia finished.

I stared at the ceiling with a blank expression. A sob burst out of me right in front of Thalia. She tried to comfort me but I just pushed her away.

"So that means I am seventeen?" I asked.

"Annabeth, you're twenty-one." she started, "you passed out when you were almost sixteen... What is the last thing you remember?"

"Chiron was explaining a new quest that we were going on with Luke... I was twelve." I replied.

Thalia helped me get up. She was concerned and scared. She rolled over a wheelchair for me to sit in since I haven't walked in five years. My stomach, arm, and leg burn from the pain but I managed to suppress a scream from coming out of my mouth. My blonde hair is messy but at this point, I don't care what I look like anymore. Even if I managed to find a mirror, I wouldn't even recognize myself since I am now five years older, or what they told me. I heard the horn go off, signaling breakfast. Thalia pushed me to the dining pavilion.

We rolled up into the dining area and everyone went silent. It really has been later. Everyone is older and there are many new members to Camp Half-Blood. Mostly everyone was there, or at least from what I remembered. How could I be twenty-one? My last memory told me that I was twelve. I started to stand up and get out of the wheel-chair. I made it about two steps before I lost my balance and almost fell over. Warm hands grabbed my arm and held me steadily. Their hands were masculine and tan, so I knew it wasn't Thalia who grabbed me. I looked up and his sea-green eyes locked contact with my grey eyes.

"Thank you," I managed to say, my eyes were still caught in his gaze.

"Annabeth," he whispered and then pulled me in closer to him. His hands rested on my waist. I don't know who this is. I pulled away and stared at him before I asked, "Who are you?"