AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi, y'all! I'M BACK WITH ANOTHER UPDATE! Not much to say about anything really, so let's just jump in.

Disclaimer: I do not own the PJO series. I am a mere fan.

Chapter 2

I TALK TO A TREE

It was the day we'd gotten back from Olympus, the day after the winter solstice, when Chiron told us where he was going. We were all sitting in the dining pavilion, trying to get used to being home when he caught our attention.

Mr D stood up, clearing his throat as he always did before addressing us. "Hello," he dazedly looked at us and I rolled my eyes. "I was hoping all of you would've chosen to leave this gods-forsaken place but I guess not. Anyway, because winter break is now over, classes will begin on Monday in the amphitheater for those of you who wish to attend. Capture-the-flag will continue on Fridays. Cabin six currently holds the laurels." I smirked at Clarisse as my siblings clapped and cheered. "Oh, and Chiron will be leaving tomorrow for the city. Hooray. Now I'll be all alone with you brats to drive me crazy."

A burst of talking sprung up at the mention of Chiron leaving. He had never left the camp before. At least, since I got here. My gaze fell on my mentor confusedly.

"Children," he boomed over us. "Yes, I will be leaving tomorrow. There is business in the city which I will need to attend to. I will most likely be gone until the summer session." The talking started up again. Why did he need to be gone so long? What was this 'business'? "Now," he raised his voice, "I know you have many questions," he looked directly at me as he said that, "but there is no need to worry. Mr D will look after the camp diligently and I will check in occasionally. Now, go and enjoy the camp-fire."

For the other campers, that was the end of it. Chiron wasn't one to blatantly be mysterious, so if he was keeping certain things to himself, it was for our safety.

But I was not having it.

So, while the others went about the regular festivities, I snuck away to the Big House, where I knew he would be.

"Chiron!" I slammed open the door of his apartment without knocking. He seemed to know that I would because he continued calmly packing a suitcase.

"Yes, Annabeth?" he responded to me innocently.

"Are you kidding me?" I stated, crossing my arms. "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"

"You found out with the rest of the campers, as you should have."

"Bullshit!" I exclaimed. Chiron opened his mouth to chastise me but I plowed on. "Grover told me before he left yesterday that he thinks the kid he's protecting is different from the others. And now, you're leaving. You're going to help Grover, right? With that kid whose probably one of the Big Three's? Which means he's the Prophecy Child. And we both know, I have a lot to do with that kid."

"I should never have let you read that prophecy," Chiron sighed, hanging his head.

"Well you did," I kept pushing. "So deal with it. And tell me if I'm right."

Chiron looked up at me and shook his head. "Annabeth, I'm sorry. But I can't tell you anything."

I held his gaze for long second before scoffing in disbelief and turning to take my leave.

"Annabeth," his voice commanded my attention, "I have seen many heroes like you in my years. Young, smart, strong. They thought themselves immovable, indestructible." He cantered over to where she stood. "Learn from their mistakes. Be better."

I stared up into his kind, brown eyes for a moment that stretched on for what felt like hours before turning my back to him and walking away.

My mind wandered as I did through the strawberry fields. I knew I had no authority to demand any information from a centuries old centaur who'd seen everything the world had to offer and more. But, I didn't particularly care. Chiron owed it to me to tell the truth. He was the one who insisted on letting me in on all the gods' secrets. On my own destiny. He'd given me the prophecy to read. He'd told me almost everything he could.

And he'd raised me.

He took me strawberry picking in this very field for hours on end when I was younger. He had let me sleep in the Big House when I got scared of being alone in cabin six. He would pick me up and take me riding across the beach. He smiled proudly the first time I successfully climbed the lava wall. He translated famous books into Ancient Greek so that I could read them. When Luke got too busy with camp duties, Chiron talked to me. He was my first true friend at Camp Half-Blood. And he was more of a father than my own.

If I was being honest with myself, I wasn't upset that he hadn't told me why he was leaving. I was upset because I thought he'd tell me he was leaving before everyone else. I thought I was special to him. I thought he would tell me because he wanted to and not out of obligation. I thought he felt I was a daughter to him.

I blinked away the tears welling up behind my eyes and found myself at the base of Half-Blood Hill. Checking around me, I saw no one. Camp-fire was still going strong by the noise level coming from the amphitheater. There was time before curfew. And if no one was around, they wouldn't be able to stop me.

I pulled out my invisibility cap. I hadn't used it since the day it had shown up on my trunk next to my bed. What better reason than to break the rules? I whipped it on my head and began my ascent towards Thalia's tree.

Technically, I was still within Camp boundaries, so I wasn't in any danger. But, the rule was that no camper was allowed in the woods or up the hill at night because it was so dark that you could get lost or accidentally wander out of bounds. I'd been up this hill every day since I was seven though. I knew where to go. Once I'd climbed to the top, I made my way to her, placing a hand on the bark of her tree.

"Hi," I whispered, sitting down and leaning against her trunk. "Sorry, I haven't been here for a few days." I paused. "I was on Olympus. I wish you could've see it. It was beautiful. Everything we talked about. It was all there. Right in front of us. Everything we imagined and more." I smiled at the memory, closing my eyes to picture it. "I know you wouldn't have liked it. It was too pristine and perfect. And it was at the top of the Empire State. The sheer height of the place would've turned you off." I laughed at that. Thalia, Daughter of Zeus, afraid of heights. "Oh, but you would've gone up with me anyway. And we'd stay up all night long. We'd talk and laugh. And you'd forget about the height. We'd have fun. You'd show me more constellations, even though I know them all now." My laughter died down when I remembered no one else was there to join in. "I'd have you back." A sudden chill swept past me, nipping at my cheeks, whipping my hair into my face.

That was my cue to leave.

Slowly, I got up. "I miss you," I murmured, resting my forehead against her before starting the slow, sad trek back to Camp.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Knocked another chapter out! Not the longest, but a good way to introduce more of Annabeth's personality. So, I'm happy with it.

Next chapter is when things really start picking up (hint: PERCY IS HERE AND WREAKING HAVOC ON OUR FAVORITE GIRL'S LIFE BUT IN THE BEST WAYS). So stay tuned.

Until next Friday! :)