Chapter 6

"What do you mean? Which old friend? Sad to say, but we lost a lot of friends in the past wars." Thalia said, saddened at the remembrance of their lost friend.

"Yup. But this one is different."

"What do you mean different. Different how?" Thalia asked, not fully understanding where he was coming from.

"Her name is Annabeth Chase." The cold expressionless statement sprouted from Percy's lips.

Thalia was beyond surprise. One of her best friend wasn't dead? She tried to comprehend this news as tears raced down her face. But the thing that confused her was why Percy didn't seem happy about it.

"What do you mean? How is she alive and where is she then?" Thalia asked wiping her tears only to have more replace them.

"Let me start from the beginning. After I disappeared, I went around the world traveling. I needed to clear my head but more importantly I needed to get away from Zeus. I went to parts in South America, then to Europe then to Asia. When passing through Asia I dropped by Greece. And there I found her, living her dream. When I first saw her I was so happy. I thought maybe I could have some of my old life back." Percy explained while Thalia sat there listening, tears flowing down.

She was so happy to hear this news. She was so happy for Percy. But she didn't understand why he cringed every time he mentioned her name. He looked like it hurt him to say the name Annabeth. She noticed that his fists were clenched so tight that the blood flow stopped at his wrists.

"Than what happened?" She asked as a notion for him to continue.

"She looked at me like I was the last person she wanted to see. After our greeting we sat down and I pried everything out of her. How she was alive? Why she didn't come home? Everything. And do you know what she told me?" Percy asked looking at Thalia.

She shook her head in response.

"She told me that she wanted to escape this world. She didn't want to fight anymore. She couldn't handle all the monsters and gods and titans. So her mother helped her come up with a plan. The plan was that she would fake her death during the war and escape. If the plan succeeded then no one would ever search for her again. She would be able to live happily. She would be able to live out her dream of becoming an architect. I asked her how she could do this to the camp. How she could she do this to me. But she told me that it was a hard choice but she had to look at the big picture. And that she didn't regret her decision."

As Percy explained Thalia's expression of happiness turned into one of horror. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Percy had to be joking she thought. But the logical side of her mind argued that Percy would be the last person to joke like this. Especially when it involved Annabeth, his thought to be late girlfriend.

"What did you do...after hearing all that?" She whispered, the sadness weighing down on her.

"I said what I wanted to say, which were mostly inappropriate words. After that, I said my goodbye and left. Then I continued with my travels and here I am. But I haven't seen her since then." Percy finished off his explaining by slouching down on the couch.

Thalia could see he was trying really hard to keep his emotions tamed. All the anger, all the sadness and betrayal. She knew Percy was easy going but he still didn't want to look weak in front of others. Not wanting to let him suffer any longer, she got up from her seat and moved next to him. She slowly placed her arms around his shoulders and pulled him into a gentle hug. As he laid his head down on her shoulder she noticed that he was practically trembling with emotions.

She understood and she didn't judge. She couldn't imagine the pain he must be in. Having everything you cared about, you cherished, ripped from your grip within a month. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer till his head lay on her laps.

"Percy its okay to let out your feelings. No one is here." She said rubbing his head when his head slipped off of her shoulder and fell on her lap. She didn't mind and continued to comfort him.

She was hoping he would let it all out. But after five minutes of silence, she had her doubts. When she wanted to move on with a different topic, he finally spoke.

"I wanted to hurt her so bad. I wanted her to feel the pain she caused me." He said as tears filled with anger and hatred trickled down his face, falling on Thalia's lap.

"You know that wouldn't have done any good." She reassured him as she gently rubbed his shoulder.

"I know but I was so angry. The only reason she is still alive was because of what we had in the past." He said clenching his fists around her sweat pants.

She wanted to tell him it will be okay. That there was a bright side to this and he should look for it. She would have said it too but she didn't want to look like a lying b**** in front of her best friend. And because she knew things wouldn't get better. Once things mess up this much, they can only get worse. Plus she hated being pitied and she didn't want to make someone else feel that way either. She decided to stay silent as Percy continued to cry in her lap.

"What will we do now?" She asked finally changing the topic.

She took extra care to say "we" instead of "you" because they were in this together now.

"That's a matter for another time. You should get some sleep. I don't want to keep you up any longer. You can use the same room you got the clothes from." He said raising his head and wiping his face. His eyes were bloodshot red.

Thalia hadn't realized how tired she was until Percy mentioned sleep. Without saying anything else she got up and started walking away. But she stopped and turned around after taking two steps.

Percy was glaring off into space again. And Thalia didn't scared easy but the look he had on scared her enough to p** herself. But she steeled her nerves and said what wanted to say.

"Don't do anything you will regret. And if you do happen to do it, well, then make sure to bring me along."

She noticed him put on a small smile as she turned around and walked away.