An idea I had tonight. And for you who are reading HaDD, the next chapter is coming! A bit of writers block and I needed to take a break. R&R Please! I know the Prologue is short, but it's supposed to be. It's a prologue. Thanks! ~Ali

Prologue

I can't take it anymore. I'm done. He's really gone, and I can't do it. I can't go on.

I feel kind of bad, because all I've done lately is sit on the beach or lay in my bed and I know everyone is worried about me but they can stuff it. I've been surprised at myself, I still haven't cried and it's been three days.

Thalia is staying with me now, and Rachel always checks on me. I just can't believe it. My Seaweed Brain is gone.

"Annabeth."

I don't turn towards the sound of her voice.

"What?"

"Annabeth, you need to eat something."

I only roll over to glare at her. "I'm not hungry."

Thalia sighs. "Annabeth J- Chase. If not for your own sake, do it for his. Please. If you are so set on ruining yourself, then fine. But you don't have to make him suffer."

"Fine." I snap.

"Seaweed Brain, stop it!" I laugh.

"Wise Girl, you know I can't do that. I just love you SOOOOOOO much!" he throws his arms out to demonstrate how much he loves me. "Both of you! I just can't contain it anymore!"

Scooping me into a sideways hug, we walk side by side, just before it happens.

I wake up gasping for air. Jumping out of bed, I run down to the beach and throw myself on the sand. I finally let myself cry, there at our favorite spot, at one in the morning, on his birthday.

"Why did you leave me?" I sob, burying my face in my knees. "Why did you have to go? I can't do this by my self!"

Thalia finds me in the morning, curled up in the sand and wet from when the tide came in.

Chiron walks up to me as I sit back on the beach. "Annabeth," he starts.

"I know, I know. We need to go to Olympus for the funeral. I know. But I'm just not ready, okay? And I might not ever be ready. I just lost my best friend and today would have been his birthday. So right now I just want to be alone!" I run off down the beach, a few tears streaking down my face.