Dawn was slow to break over the camp, Apollo taking his sweet time starting his duties. A few of the more motivated demigods were milling around the camp, some getting a morning run in, some starting training early, and others just watching the sunrise.

It wasn't until the conch horn called for breakfast that they discovered something was wrong. No one had seen Percy at all. He was usually up early due to his nightmares and was almost always in the arena practicing with his sword before breakfast. But not on this fateful day.

Chiron, sensing that something wasn't quite right when Percy wasn't at breakfast, quickly galloped around camp checking all the usual places for the son of Poseidon. He continued searching around the camp until he finally arrived at Poseidon's cabin. He prayed he wouldn't find a similar tragedy to what they had already suffered earlier.

When knocking received no answer Chiron reluctantly opened the door, afraid of the sight that would greet him on the other side.

To his relief and surprise an empty cabin was all that he found. All the beds were made which was particularly strange given the normally messy occupant. The floor was bare as well which enough to cause Chiron to be nervous. Since Percy had first arrived the floor had always had some sort of clutter even when he had disappeared the mess had remained. But now the wood floor was clear as Chiron carefully stepped further into the cabin.

Chiron nervously peered around the cabin, his every sense on high alert for a hidden enemy or trap. His bow creaked in his hands when he pulled it from his back and nocked an arrow. Whatever mischief was afoot here would not catch him unawares.

Stepping further still into the cabin he almost jumped when the floor suddenly creaked under his hoof. Continuing to creep into the cabin more cautiously now he kept moving forward until he came to the last bunk in the cabin. Percy had been using it as it was the furthest from the door and would give him the most time to react to a sudden attack. Chiron had tried to convince Percy that such precautions were unnecessary in camp but Percy wasn't taking any chances after his experiences in Tartarus.

It was one of the things that had changed most about the demigod. He was cautious about everything almost to the point of paranoia, but given what little he had told them about his experiences no one really could really blame him.

As Chiron got close to the bed he noticed a folded piece of paper propped up against the pillow. Still wary of a possible attack Chiron nudged the paper with the tip of the arrow that he still had nocked on his bow. When it failed to react in any way he suspiciously peered around the cabin. He still didn't know where Percy was or what had happened to the cabin but the whole situation had him more than a little freaked out.

After he had scanned the cabin one last time for some hidden foe that might explain the strange events, Chiron carefully reached down and picked up the paper. Upon examining it he found hid name in a messy scrawl that could only be Percy's. Carefully unfolding the paper he found a short but heartbreaking letter.

Chiron,I'm sorry but I just can't stay at camp anymore. The memories of Annabeth are hurting me almost as much as my memories of Tartarus and I don't think I can face them together.I've left for a little while to clear my head. Maybe when things are better I will vome back and face the nightmares here but for now I cannot. I will miss you dear friend but please don't send anyone looking for me, I need to face this on my own.

Your student and friend,

Percy Jackson

Tears ran freely down the old centaur's face as he read the messily scrawled words. He knew Percy would probably be ok, his loyalty to his friends and family prevented him from hurting them by doing something stupid but Chiron still felt like he had lost yet another student.

Upon leaving the cabin he found a crowd had gathered around the cabin. Some wore armor and had weapons in hand, prepared for a possible battle. Their instincts and caution had been hammered into them by two wars. Younger campers peered around the veterans carefully wondering why everyone was so on edge. The crowd radiated tension as they waited for Chiron to deliver any news on the feelings of unease most felt.

None of them including the veterans knew what was going on, only that something was wrong in the camp. A few medics from Apollo's cabin stood nearby with supplies ready. They feared that Percy had taken the same dark path Annabeth had and were ready to try to save him if needed.

Chiron took this all in as he stepped out of thr cabin and into the open air. His face still showed tremendous sorrow and signs of his tears. At this many faces turned grim fearing the worst.

The remaining seven of prophecy approached Chiron carefully, their footsteps slow as if fearing the answers they would receive from him. When they stopped a few feet away they didn't speak as they stared at Chiron questioningly.

"Percy is gone," Chiron managed to finally croak out, his voice wavering with his emotions.

Gasps arose from the crowd as they took his words to mean the worst. Many eyes turned to Nico but he shook his head, he could not sense any feelings of death emanating from the cabin.

"What do you mean he is gone," Jason questioned.

"Percy has left to attempt to fight his own inner demons. Being at camp with the many memories of Annabeth while also fighting his memories of the Pit was a difficult battle for him. And while I know many will disagree he has asked to be left alone for the time being," Chiron announced as clearly as he could while fighting another wave of tears. He'd lost many students over the millennium he'd been training demigods but it never got easier.

Many in the crowd voiced their disagreements at leaving Percy alone, while others cried along with Chiron. The loss of Annabeth was still fresh and now they'd lost their other great hero, even if there was a chance he might one day return.

The camp felt the hopefully temporary loss keenly and prayed to their various divine parents and any other Gods they thought would listen for their leader's safety and speedy return.

But for now, all they could do was wait. And hope that wherever he was, their hero was safe.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait in updating. I've never really written a longer story like this (at least not that I'd be willing to publish) and I struggled with writing this chapter. I wrote this and then rewrote this about a dozen times and started a dozen more different versions before settling on this one. I really tried to make it unique from the other "Percy leaves the camp to deal with some internal problems" stories out there but it was hard to not make it sound like a rip-off or super cliche. Eh, if you guys like it great if not then light up the reviews and I'll consider taking a look at fixing it.