OK, OK, last chapter with Percy's POV! PS I know this chapter's a little shorter but I wanted you guys to get a last look at how Annabeth's left Percy.
I sighed. "You know the answer to that." She knew just how to convince me of things.
"Then let us save her. If you don't trust that we can then...you don't trust us at all."
"Chiron will question me."
"Play dumb. It shouldn't be too hard for you," she said.
"Ha-ha. Very funny." I sighed.
So I did. My girlfriend went off, along with my brother and my best friend in the world. Leaving me alone.
Camp was great. Don't get me wrong- you can't go wrong with never-empty goblets of soda, delicious food, awesome activities- plus, I had tons of other friends besides them.
But it wasn't the same without them. During the campfire, I looked around for Annabeth to sit with, but then I remembered she wasn't here. I ended up sitting with Leo Valdez and the Hephaestus guys.
That wasn't that bad. Trust me. But where was I supposed to go when I needed some bad woodland magic? Or when I needed a mean yet awesome just...pal, or smart girl? Or when I needed someone just generally Tyson-y?
I couldn't take it. I worried about it EVERY NIGHT before going to bed, EVERY MORNING before going out and, well...any possible moment. I couldn't take it.
I finally just decided to consult the Oracle. She's like the camp's ultimate future-teller...but then I realised it was my friend, Rachel Dare. Shit, I'd forgotten ALL ABOUT HER! She'd been so quiet this week after the centaur blood/curse thing and she hadn't participated in any of the activities.
I walked up to her cabin... I mean cave. She lives in officially the awesomest cave in the world: dark purple velvet curtains in the entrance, a stereo/TV set inside, plush sofas and throw pillows, lots of snacks (chips!) and...well, you get the idea.
"Rach! Hey, Rach!" I called. I found her lying on her back on a sofa, hugging a pillow. "What's up?" This time I tried to be a little concerned, but if Annabeth was here, she'd be disapproving.
She groaned. "There's something wrong with me, Perce. Ever since I deciphered that prophecy's curse...Kronos and Gaia...have practically been torturing, tormenting, threatening- you name it- me in my dreams every night, every time I go to sleep."
I nodded in sympathy. "I'm sorry, Rach, I don't know what to do. I have these dreams too. I just, I fight with them. They can be useful, I make the best of them. Maybe I could get Chiron-" I started to get up, but she pulled me down with her free hand.
"No! So that everyone will...know...that..." her eyes wandered off thoughtfully. "That Kronos and Gaia are definitely planning something. Actually, that's alright. Go ahead, get Chiron." She grinned. So did I. For a second, I actually thought I'd lost Rachel, one of my best friends, the one who didn't care what the hell others thought of her.
I got Chiron. He seemed quite worried, but the most troubling thing was that he actually seemed like I just confirmed his worst suspicions. I figured that was worse. I wanted to ask him what he was keeping from me, but I knew he would keep it from me in order to protect me.