Hello! :D

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE PERCY JACKSON CHARACTERS AND/OR PLOT LINE. ALL RIGHTS GO TO RICK RIORDAN. :)

We arrived in Denver on June 14, seven days before our deadline. So far, we had done nothing but encounter and fight monsters since we'd left. We hadn't eaten yet since last night. My stomach grumbled. What I would give for a meal right now...and a shower wouldn't hurt either. Well, Percy definitely needed one.

I tried to focus my mind on the task ahead of us instead of pointless daydreams. We had to deal with the Nereid who spoke to Percy. I figured there was only one way to find out what to do.

"Let's try to contact Chiron," I suggested. "I want to tell him about your talk with the river spirit."

"We can't use phones, right?"

"I'm not talking about phones." I replied, leading him and Grover around downtown, searching for the right things to send an Iris-message.

We continued to wander around until I found an empty do-it-yourself car wash. Perfect.

I headed towards it, hoping one of us had some spare change, as I had spent all mine during the train ride.

"What exactly are we doing?" Percy asked, as Grover took out the spray gun.

"It's seventy-five cents," he grumbled. "I've only got two quarters left. Annabeth?"

"Don't look at me," I said. "The dining car wiped me out."

I crossed my fingers. Maybe Percy had some change. I let out a breath of relief as Percy fished out some coins in his pocket. He handed Grover another quarter, slipping two nickels and a drachma back into his pocket.

"Excellent," Grover said. "We could do it with a spray bottle, of course, but the connection isn't as good, and my arm gets tired of pumping."

Percy, obviously confused, asked, "What are you talking about?"

Grover slipped the quarters in the slot and set the knob to FINE MIST before answering, "I-M'ing."

"Instant messaging?"

"Iris-messaging," I corrected. "The rainbow goddess Iris carries messages for the gods. If you know how to ask, and she's not too busy, she'll do the same for half-bloods."

"You summon the goddess with a spray gun?"

Grover pointed the nozzle in the air and water hissed out in a thick white mist. "Unless you know an easier way to make a rainbow."

I held out a palm to Percy. "Drachma, please."

He handed it over.

I raised the coin over my head, saying, "O goddess, accept our offering." I threw the drachma into the rainbow. It disappeared in a golden shimmer.

"Half-Blood Hill," I requested. There was probably someone there that could get our message to Chiron.

I kind of felt proud of myself as I waited for the connection to get through. Percy must be so lost right now.

My sense of pride dissipated as soon as Camp Half-Blood appeared. We were looking at the porch of the Big House, but that wasn't what surprised me. Standing with his back to us was a sandy-haired guy in shorts and an orange tank top, holding a bronze sword. I would recognize him anywhere. I started to blush involuntarily.

"Luke!" Percy called.

Luke turned, surprised. "Percy!" he grinned widely. "Is that Annabeth, too? Thank the gods! Are you guys okay?"

"We're...uh...fine," I stammered, I straightened my T-shirt and combed the loose hairs from my face. Gods, I'm a mess. "We thought-Chiron-I mean-"

I faltered. Can't you get a full sentence in? I chided myself.

"He's down at the cabins." Luke's smile faded. "We're having some issues with the campers. Lusten, is everything cool with you? Is Grover all right?"

"I'm right here," Grover called, stepping into Luke's line of vision. "What kind of issues?"

Just then a big Lincoln Continental pulled into the car wash with its stereo turned to maximum hip-hop. As the car slid into the next stall, the bass from the subwoofers vibrated so much, it shook the pavement.

"Chiron had to-what's that noise?" Luke yelled.

"I'll take care of it!" I yelled back, relieved to have an excuse to leave. "Grover, come on!"

"What?" Grover said. "But-"

"Give Percy the nozzle and come on!" I ordered.

Grover muttered something I couldn't make out, but he handed the spray gun to Percy and followed me.

"What's the plan?" Grover asked.

"We're gonna try being diplomatic." I replied. "If that doesn't work..." I trailed off and grinned mischievously, feeling a bit like a Hermes camper.

I handed Grover my invisibility cap and dagger then told him the plan. His eyes widened with every word, then he nodded, grinning. "That's genius, wise girl," he said approvingly.

He shot me a thumbs up then slipped on the cap, turning invisible. I marched out confidently towards the car as a college-aged guy stepped out. He wore battered-looking jeans and a black T-shirt with some sort of weird band logo.

"Excuse me," I shouted as soon as I got into his line of vision.

Band Dude turned, his eyes narrowing. "What?"

"Could you please turn down the volume? My ear drums are about to pop." I yelled.

He rolled his eyes and slipped in some change. "Your problem. Sorry, bro."

"Turn that down right now!" I demanded.

His eyes widened in surprise. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," I said, stalling. I was trying to give this guy as many chances to leave, but he wasn't getting the idea.

"Just leave me alone."

I stomped my foot and hoped that Grover heard the first signal to stand ready. "Well, fine. Did you know that there's a killer on the loose around here?"

The guy frowned then reached into his car, turning down the volume. "Say what?"

I stifled a smile at how gullible he was. "Well, rumor has it that he's invisible and carries a gold dagger."

The guy scoffed. "Alright, sure."

I waved my arms in the arm, giving Grover the signal to do his part. I gasped in mock terror. "It's too late! He's here!"

He turned around, his eyes growing as he saw what was in front of him. There, hovering in what seemed like thin air, was a dagger. My dagger, to be exact. I clapped a hand over my mouth as the dagger waved wildly at the guy.

"I'm going to get you!" a deep voice shouted.

Band Dude's eyes almost popped out of its sockets. He let out a scream of pure terror and jumped into his car, peeling away from the car wash at top speed.

Grover appeared with my dagger and cap in his hand. We exchanged one look and both doubled over, laughing hysterically.

"Oh my gods, did-you-see his face?" I spluttered as Grover handed the dagger and cap back to me.

Grover imitated the guy's scream and we cracked up all over again. We walked back to Percy, still laughing. I don't remember the last time I laughed this hard. But, of course, Percy just had to ruin my good mood.

He was holding a dripping nozzle, his face somber.

My smile faded. "What happened, Percy?" I asked. "What did Luke say?"

"Not much," Percy said quickly. I opened my mouth to say something, as something obviously did happen, but he interrupted me. "Come on, let's find some dinner."

So yup, Chapter Thirteen. Hope you liked it!

Next chapter coming up soon, hopefully. ~^^

~annabeth669