A/N: This is from page 226 of Battle of the Labyrinth, if you wish to follow along.

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Two weeks had passed since our kiss, and nothing.

I guess I had been right when I had that fleeting thought it would be the last moment I'd see him. To be honest, though, I didn't actually think he'd die. I thought I was being melodramatic, stupid, not thinking of what Percy could do to get out of it all.

I was wrong.

"Annabeth," said Chiron, tapping me on the shoulder, "I'm…I'm so sorry, but I don't think he is going to –"

I pushed his hand off of my shoulder. "He'll come," I said, staring into the sea, "He'll come back."

"I'm sure if he could he would, Annabeth," said Chiron, staring at the sea next to me, "But I'm not sure if he can."

"Just wait, I'll be right. He's alive. I can tell. Just like with Luke. Percy's alive. I know it."

"Annabeth, you might want to consider that –"

"I'm always right," I said, "You know that. We need to just wait, he'll get here soon enough."

"Annabeth, we made his shroud."

At those words, I turned around abruptly. "You made his WHAT?"

"Shroud. We made his shroud."

"But shrouds are for dead people." My heart sank as Chiron nodded, trying to get me to understand without telling me. "Oh." Tears began to prickle in the corners of my eyes. "Oh…"

Chiron put a hand on my shoulder again, and this time I let him. "Chiron…He's gone."

"It's the only possible answer, Annabeth," he said in a soft voice. I stood up and leaned against him, and he gave me the hug that I really needed.

When I remembered the reason, the tears poured out. "I know, Annabeth. We'll…We can fix the shroud if you want to make it look more like Percy, dear. Just let me know."

I pulled away from the hug, for once not ashamed by the tears on my face, "Yeah," I said in a small voice, "I'll…I'll do something to it."

Chiron led me to where they were making the shroud, and everyone parted as I walked up to it. Silena put an arm around my shoulders, "Annabeth, if you need anything, I'm here."

All I could do was nod, "Thanks, Silena," I murmured.

Everyone left except for her and Chiron, leaving the three of us alone with the shroud. It was simple – sea green, a trident emblazoned on it – and on first look there was only one thing that I thought it really needed.

"Um," I said through a few sniffles, "Can I have a minute?"

Silena nodded and gave me a hug. "I know we're not best friends or anything," she said gently, "But I promise, if you need anything, just let me know. I'm here for you."

Immediately I began to appreciate Silena more. My whole life I'd never put much thought into the people of the Aphrodite cabin, writing them off as love struck, lame teenagers who put more focus in their makeup than their friendships, but this instance made me realize that a lot of them were actually nice people, Silena especially. "Thanks, Silena."

They left, and I stood there alone with the shroud. Making sure no one was around me, that no one could see me, I did something more maudlin than I'd ever thought possible. On the left bottom corner of it, I kissed it lightly. "There," I said to no one in particular, "Now that kiss can leave with the shroud, and it will be our little secret." I felt like something was being ripped from me as I left the shroud and the memory of Percy behind me.

He was gone.

I'd lost another.


"It has been two weeks," began Chiron stoically, looking none of us in the eye, "Since Annabeth's return and Percy's disappearance, despite vigilant ears listening for news, many helpful eyes searching for the son of the sea god, we have found no sign of him. It is best, now, to say goodbye to this brave young man and this great friend, to lay his memory to rest. We must assume he is dead. After so long a silence, it is unlikely that our prayers will be answered. I have asked his best surviving friend to do the honors."

The whole day I hadn't cared who saw me cry – and that hadn't changed as I lifted the shroud. I lit the shroud and turned towards the audience, sobbing outright. "He was probably the bravest friend I ever had. He…"

PERSEUS JACKSON I AM GOING TO RIP YOUR HEAD OFF.

He was standing there, like an absolute IDIOT, just WATCHING! Who on EARTH just WATCHES as someone burns their SHROUD? I felt the color return to my face and then some – I was angry. Stupid Perseus Jackson ruining even his own FUNERAL. "He's right there!" I shouted, pointing up at the annoying son of a sea god who had caused me all this anguish.

"Percy!" called Beckendorf with a grin. Everyone went to go greet him, but it was as if my feet were rooted to the spot.

I had no choice. I would simply have to throw him in the fire along with his shroud. I was going to have to hit him with a shoe or something. I would have to smash him with a hammer. Something.

I walked over, just in time to hear Chiron begin, "Well, I don't believe I've ever been happier to see a camper return. But you must –"

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" I asked, pushing through the people until I was standing right in front of him. The nervous half smile on his face made my anger disappear and, instead of giving him a fist in the face like I planned, I pulled him to me in one of the most awkward hugs I had ever experienced. Probably because I was still a little angry and wanted him to feel at least uncomfortable from this whole situation, if not embarrassed. Almost immediately, I looked around.

Everyone was giving me one of those looks. You know, the "wow she's a psycho" looks that people like me get far too often. I shoved Percy away, and settled for saying, "I – we thought you were dead, Seaweed Brain!"

"I'm sorry," said Percy with a sheepish grin, "I got lost."

It was almost frightening how quickly the anger came back. Various swears and curses floated in front of my mind, but I settled for saying, "LOST?" Okay, not saying, shouting, "Two weeks, Percy? Where in the world –"

"Annabeth, perhaps we should discuss this somewhere more private, shall we? The rest of you, back to your normal activities."

I would have yelled at him for interrupting me, but he startled me by hauling me up and setting me on his back next to Percy, who I still simultaneously wanted to kick and hug.

We went back to the Big House, and the whole time I sat on Chiron's back with my arms folded.

"Annabeth –"

"Shut up."

"But I –"

"You're an idiot."

"Just listen –"

"Go jump in a lake."

The conversation continued like this until the two of us were sitting at a table and Chiron was glaring at us, waiting for our little argument to stop.

"Are you, done, Annabeth?" Chiron asked dryly.

"Yes," I said. I turned to Percy, "So!" I said in a falsely cheery voice, "Are you ready to tell us exactly where you were the past two weeks? I'm so excited!"

"I blew up Mount St. Helens."

"Really, I hadn't noticed…"

"Annabeth…" warned Chiron.

"Oh, Chiron," I said with a grin, "I was right."

"What do you mean?"

"I knew he was alive," I said, smiling, "You know why? Because I'm always right."

"And always annoying," muttered Percy. In response I punched him in the arm.

"Annabeth..." Chiron warned again.

"Sorry," I said, leaning my head in my hands, "Continue, kelp head."