Chapter Three

secret noun

a thing that other people do not know about

"Agent Castellan wishes to see you, Chase. And he wants the files back."

"I don't know an agent Castellan," Annabeth lied. "What's his first name?"

"Luke."

"I don't know a Luke Castellan. The only Luke I know is a Luke Chase."

"Well, maybe they're one and the same. But you already knew that, didn't you?"

The words sent a chill through her, and she shivered, knowing by the cold tone of voice that it was not going to be a happy family reunion.

Covering it up, she smirked. "I'm afraid that I'm all booked this week. Work, debriefing- He's going to have to make an appointment. Let's see..." She paused, pretending to think. "How about you tell I'll put it my my appointment book..right after never."

"Just shut up and cooperate. I can't kill you, but I will cause you pain."

Annabeth snorted, "That's the best you could come up with? Ooh, I'm so scared." Krios' knife dug painfully into her side, and she was quickly persuaded that shutting up was the best choice.

She panicked as they left the safety of the crowd, knowing that nothing would stop them from causing her pain if there were no witnesses around. Just before they passed the last person, she threw a wild, pleading look over her shoulder, catching the eye of one of the twin sons of Mailman, a council member– she wasn't completely sure which twin— who immediately left the man he was secretly pick-pocketing and headed toward her, followed closely by his brother. Annabeth could only hope that the man they were stealing from didn't have too much money on him.

"Owlet!" One of them shouted—Pick, she believed. His brother's name codename was Pocket. "What are you doing here?"

He obviously had a plan; both were reputed for their skill to talk their way out of any situation.

"We thought you were in New Hampshire-"

"No, Bro, you thought she was in New Hampshire. I don't listen to gossip."

"You do so! At least when it comes from Gardener."

"The point is, Owlet-"

"We didn't expect to see you here."

"And we were wondering-"

"If you'd like to come-"

"And have a late lunch with us-"

"That is, if your friends-"

"Don't object."

But before Annabeth could answer, she was pushed into a waiting car, and the door was slammed shut behind her.

All she could do was quickly drop her camera on the ground, and hope that they found it.

~*/Love\\*~

Approximately eight years earlier, San Francisco, the Chase household.

"Annie, Annie!" the twins shouted, "Look! Chocolate!" The three year olds ran into her room, and Annabeth quickly hid her book on architecture. It was fascinating.

"That's nice. Can you go out of my room, now?" She sighed when they stood obstinately in the doorway. "Please."

"Okay!" The twins toddled out, no doubt to find someone else to infuriate.

"Have you finished your homework?" Helen called, and Annabeth rolled her eyes. She had finished it on her way home. Her homework was a breeze.

"Yes," she answered, keeping her irritation out of her voice.

"All of it? What about you, Luke?"

"Yes, mom!" they both shouted.

"Don't you take that tone of voice with me! I asked you a question." Annabeth heard her stalking up the stairs, and quickly put the book with the rest of her stash, under the bed.

"You have school tomorrow, don't you?" Helen asked, opening the door.

"Yes."

"And you have friends, don't you?"

"Nope."

Her mother raised her eyebrows. "Then why do you always seem so excited about it? It's Sunday and you've already finished your homework."

Annabeth shrugged, "Maybe I just like school."

She scoffed, turning around, but not before Annabeth heard the whispered word: "Freak."

She flinched, but it didn't come as a shock to her. Her mom was always saying that sort of thing. Annabeth supposed it was true, though. Why else would her own mother call her that?

Sadly, she grabbed the book she had been reading and opened it to where she was.

"It's not true, you know," Luke said softly. "She's just jealous that she's not as smart as you."

Annabeth looked up as he walked in, "Yeah, right, and that's why Dad never defends me. He's smarter than me, but he believes it," She blinked back tears. "Maybe I should just stop being a nerd like this and find some friends."

"I'm your friend, aren't I?"

"You're my brother; you don't count," A tear, despite her best efforts, fell onto her page. "Do you love me, Luke?"

"Of course!"

"Well," she took a deep breath, more tears rolling down her cheeks, "sometimes I think you're the only one."

A/N

Thank you so much for all the favourites and follows! It really means a lot to me. Do you think that I could get a review for this chapter? maybe more than one? If I did, it would make my day.

So just tell me what you think, because I'd love to hear (read) your thoughts. Who do you think Pick and Pocket are? (Though I suppose that's pretty obvious) How do you think Annabeth got this way, and what do you think Luke has got to do with it? What's your opinion on Helen? Just tell me. Give opinions and predictions, what you want to happen in this (who knows, maybe what you want for it might even happen. I've only written like fourteen chapters so far and I assure you that there are plenty more to go).

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