Nico's POV

As I walked back down through camp, past The Big House, everyone seemed to be putting on a brave face and preparing to leave to go home for the year. With the biggest threat gone most of the campers were happy to go home without feeling at risk. It didn't take long to scope Chiron out, he was stood on the sandy shore of Long Island Sound, looking out at the water with a dazed expression.

'Nico, I have been doing this for thousands of years, it doesn't get any easier,' Apparently he had noticed I was there. 'I think sometimes it is best to forget, for many peoples sake.' He turned to look at me, his sad eyes were glazed and his eyebrows furrowed.

'But Chiron, my dad told me to consult the Oracle, me and Annabeth ca-.'

'Annabeth has returned home to San Francisco, she isn't herself right now, you may visit the Oracle if you wish; but leave Annabeth for now, she needs time and not to get her hopes up. We can talk more about this tommorow.'

Annabeth's POV

I managed to sneak in through the front door with out being heard and ran up to my room. It was exactly how I left it. My bed covers almost creaseless with my purple throw draping over the edge at the end. My curtains pulled and tied to the side with neat bows. The only difference was the fresh smell of lavender – someone had recently sprayed an air freshener in here. I sat down on the edge of my bed and stared at the floor. I could hear my step-brothers outside playing in the garden. On my bedside table was a photo frame. I took it and held it in both hands over my lap.

It was a photograph that Grover had taken of myself, Thalia and Percy. Percy was in the middle with his arms round us both. Thalia had been trying to act annoyed, telling Percy to 'get his hands off'. We had all burst out laughing just as the photo had been taken as Grover tried to work out how to use it with an amusing expression. The photo wasn't perfect, but I loved it. The photo was slightly at an angle and the background had gone slightly blurred, but it matched or lives.

A tear dropped off my cheek onto my own face in the photo, it began to slide down but I quickly wiped it away. I lay down on my bed, hugging the photo to my chest. My knees tucked up slightly as I lay on my side. I cried silently for a little longer before drifting of into a deep sleep.

'Annabeth,' a voice spoke softly into my ear, someone was gently shaking me. 'Annabeth wake up, my dear.'

I opened my eyes slowly, allowing my vision to focus. I twisted my body to look at my dad, stretching as I did. He was sat on the edge of my bed, moving a strand of my hair that was in my face. He gave me a sympathetic smile. I gave a small, tired smile back.

'Blueberry pancakes downstairs for breakfast if you want some.' He said softly, with a sweet smile. He walked across my room to the door, turned round and gave me a smile then walked out.

I began to sit up and felt something fall from my stomach, it was the photograph. The memory came rushing back to me. It was the end of the war, end of everything.

I sucked in a breathe and climbed out of my bed and placed the photograph in its usual spot.

I got to the bottom of the stairs, the kitchen was in sight, but none of them noticed my presence. I watched as the four of them ate the pancakes and chattered away. I felt like a stranger to this world, to this family.

'Annabeth, the pancakes will be all gone if you don't hurry dear!' My dad called, unaware I was already there. I walked forward and showed myself.

'Aah, there you are!' Mia, my stepmother, greeted me with a hug. I took a seat in between my dad and Bobby. I suddenly didn't feel very hungry.

'How was camp this year darling?' My dad asked.

'Well, Kronos is gone.' I mumbled.

'That's brilliant news!' He replied. 'How is your friends, Thalia and Percy isn't it?'

My face dropped at the question and I got up out my chair, it scraping as I did. I ran out the kitchen quick enough to hide my sob from them and flopped onto the bottom step of the stairs.

'Annabeth?' Mia called. She came out into the hall and sat down next to me, her arm round my shoulder. 'What has happened?'

'Pe-Percy, h-he was killed.' I managed, between sniffs.

She didn't say anything she just pulled me closer into a hug and rocked me as I cried, I finally felt like she understood me.

Any ideas or advice? review please, much appreciated xox