When Hazel woke up there was a heavy feeling in her chest. She pulled herself from her bed. The ship swayed on the water like always, yet, that wasn't what was causing her nausea. Everything felt like they were all waiting for something to explode. The air seemed heavier and the rooms around her quieter. She stood in her doorway. The hall seemed darker than usual. She gazed at the door across from her own. It seemed surreal, like at any moment Annabeth would step out, messy blond hair unbrushed, wearing her signature bead necklace. Hazel smiled, She'd probably be twisting the coral bead, she always does that when she's thinking. But the door remained closed. Hazel had the strange desire to knock. She stepped closer to it. The wood grain looped lazily down the hard surface. A lump formed in her throat, she thought she heard something on the other side. Footsteps? Or maybe her own heartbeat. She put her palm against the cold wood. Her heart paused- waiting. Sliding her downwards her fingers closed around the metal knob. About to turn her wrist, Hazel jumped at the sound of a door closing down the hall. She looked to see Frank stepping out of his room. He smiled when he saw her, Hazel noticed it didn't reach his eyes. "Good morning," he said stepping next to her. "How'd you sleep?"
"Ok," Hazel replied. Truthfully she had barely slept at all. Together they walked up to the mess hall.

Jason was standing by the window. The sun reflected in his eyes, his face was unreadable. Leo strolled in, wiping his hands off on a filthy rag. He was wearing the same clothes as yesterday. He was greasy and grimy, the bottom of his left sleeve was charred.
"Hungry?" Leo asked. He pulled out an apple for himself, tossing it up in the air. He slouched into his seat.
"Where you up all night?" Hazel asked. Leo drummed his fingers on the table,
"Well, you know, lots to do…" He trailed off. He spun the apple on the table. "Couldn't sleep anyway."
Jason glanced his way in understanding. Piper walked in and sat in the corner, chewing her fingernail. The silence was overwhelming. "So… what's on the agenda today?" Leo asked, trying to keep the atmosphere light.
"We're going after her." Percy's voice startled them. Leo looked surprised,
"We-we are?"
"Of course we are." Percy's voice was cold. Jason exhaled resting his forehead against the glass of the window. Turning back to his friends Jason said,
"No. We're not."
"If you think you can stop me, Grace, you're wrong. I don't need your permission." Percy paused, eyes digging into Jason. "I'll go alone. If that's what it takes," he said.
Jason took a deep breath, "you're right," he said. "You don't need my permission. But you might need some help." Percy looked surprised. He relaxed and for a moment it was a Percy they recognized. "We can't all go, there's still a lot to do before we reach camp." Percy nodded.
"I'll go," Piper said. Percy's shoulders tensed. "It's the least I can do." She stepped over to stand next to Percy. He wouldn't even look at her. Piper tried hard not to let it get to her.
"You could use someone who's good underground," Hazel spoke up.
"Hazel you don't have to," Jason said.
"I can help them."
"Hazel…" Percy started, his eyes softened. "Are you sure? You have to be sure. It's not going to be easy."
Frank took her hand, "you should think about this," he said. She rubbed her thumb over his knuckles reassuringly,
"What's there to think about?" A weight was lifted off Percy's chest. He wasn't the best with words but he put his hand on Hazel's shoulder. She turned her golden eyes up to him, a small smile tugged at her lips.
"How long?" Jason asked Percy.
"Three days. One to find the nest, two to bring her back. We'll meet the ship when you stop for supplies." Jason nodded once.
"Then you'll want to get going."

They packed quickly just the essentials. Hazel sat on her bed. She put off going upstairs, put off the goodbyes. She didn't know made her volunteer but she knew it was the right thing to do. Frank knocked once and opened her door.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Yeah…" Hazel trailed off. He picked up on the hesitation in her voice.
"If you've changed your mind-"
"No. No, I'm still going." She looked at his face. The face she trusted and cared for the most. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. He held her close. She felt so safe and warm. "It's only three days," she whispered in his ear.
"Three days too long," he murmured. He pulled back so their foreheads were touching. "Do you really think she's out there?"
"I want to. I want to believe she is." Frank closed his eyes,
"Why are you doing this?" Hazel put her hands on the sides of his face. "I never knew what happened to Sammy. I Never got that chance. Having to move on, not knowing… If I can give Percy an answer, even if it's terrible and heartbreaking, at least he'll know." Frank looked into her eyes. He could see her determination, her compassion.
"Three days," he said softly. "I'll see you in three days."

Piper walked up the stairs. Her dagger was tucked tightly in her belt. She had already said goodbye to Jason. She walked forward trying not to think about what they were about to do. Where they were about to go. She couldn't. Once on the deck, She took a second to breathe. "Piper?" She turned to see Leo. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" She followed him off to the side.
"Leo, what's wrong?" Leo's face was unusually solemn, he had a nervous energy around him.
"Don't show Percy this," he pulled a folded piece of fabric out of his pocket, "it will just upset him." He unfolded it to reveal a stitched owl in a shimmery gray fabric. Behind it was an olive tree. The owl's eyes were a stunning gold.
"What, is this a…" Piper trailed off gazing at the fabric. She ran her fingers over it. The stitching was crude and uneven, but it was obviously carefully made.
"It's a burial shroud," Leo trailed off. He didn't meet her eyes.
"Did you make this?"
"Festus helped with the fabric shapes, the design is based on the Athena cabin. All I had to do was piece it together." He handed it to her.
"Leo…" Piper held the fabric loosely, unsure what to think. She turned it over in her hands. On the back, written in Leo's messy scrawl was,
Daughter of Athena, Annabeth Chase, Hero

Piper's breath caught in her throat. "I can't take this," she said, eyes watering. she tried to hand it back but Leo closed her fists around the smooth material.
"I have always had great faith in Annabeth. I will never doubt her skills. She's tougher than any of us. I'm rooting for her, I am… But If she's gone," his voice broke, "if she's not coming back, she deserves this. She deserves to be recognized." Piper looked at Leo shocked. She had never seen this side of him, this depth. They heard Hazel calling Piper's name. Time to go. Leo stepped back, "just take it. Please." He stuck his unusually still hands in his pockets and walked swiftly to the control room, shutting the door behind him.

Piper folded the burial shroud and packed it delicately in her bag. She tried to mask her face as she joined the others. Percy and Hazel were standing by the railing. Jason was there too, his face stone like. She stood quietly next to Hazel. "We're about 20 miles offshore, we can find somewhere to doc-" Jason said, Percy cut him off.
"Not necessary." Percy raised his hand and a wave rose high above the water. He hopped over the railing and suspended in the water a few feet away from the ship. He stood on it like it was concrete. He held his hand out to Hazel, "coming?" He asked. With Jason's help she climbed over the railing, standing on the inch wide edge of the ship. Taking a deep breath she jumped toward Percy. For a second Piper was worried she wouldn't make it. Hazel landed safely on Percy's water platform. He put his arm around her, steadying her. Piper felt a wave of anxiousness wash over her. Jason turned to her. He gave her his hand so she could climb over the rail. The wind picked up making her feel very unsteady. She was standing with her heels on an inch of wood, her arms were wrapped around the railing behind her. She was facing Percy, she could feel Jason's presence behind her. She had never been a fan of heights. Piper's heart thumped. She looked down, big mistake, the water was 30 feet below turning quickly. It made her dizzy. Fear overtook her. She looked at Percy. His platform was easily 5 feet away. The wind blew again and she almost slipped.
"I can't," she admitted. She wasn't looking forward to plummeting to the sea, going on another quest and facing those monsters again. It was all too much.
"Piper," Jason said softly behind her. she shook her head. looking back at Percy she tried to read his face. His hair blew across his forehead. His eyes, a startling green, studied her. He held out his hand.
"Do you trust me?" Percy asked her. Piper closed her eyes and jumped. She felt herself falling, no! She thought in panic. Then hands were on her shoulders. Piper opened her eyes. Hazel was standing in front of her, she had a goofy smile on her face.
"Look," she whispered. Piper looked at her feet. She was standing on water. Well, more like the water was holding her up. It felt like she was standing on an inflatable water raft. She was still wobbly. Percy looked at them, Hazel wrapped her arm around his.
"Hang on," he said. Piper grabbed onto Hazel as the wave surged forward.