She's curled up in her sleeping bag, happy about the dolphins but left with more questions than answers, when a glaring beam from a flashlight cuts through the darkness. A figure appears on the ridge where the beach melts into the woods. Annabeth groggily looks up to see a thin face topped with blonde hair scrutinizing her.
"Annie, is that you?"
It might be pitch black, but Annabeth recognizes her brother anywhere.
"Yeah, it's me. What are you doing here?"
Malcolm rushes down to the beach and traps her in a fierce bear hug. Annabeth relaxes in his wiry arms. Through thick and thin, he's always had her back. They haven't seen each other on a daily basis since he got sent to boarding school, but he never fails to send her presents, call or Skype her every night, and visit on holidays. He's the one who comforts her whenever she's depressed about their parents and plans small traditions for them, like playing Scrabble on Thanksgiving, hosting History Channel marathons during winter break, and going on small trips to historic monuments on spring break. In a lot of ways, Annabeth realizes, Malcolm had to be the parent. Athena and Frederick were too wrapped up in their ambitions, and Helen treated them like freaks, so someone had to set a good example.
If Annabeth is the black sheep of the family, Malcolm is the golden boy. He's ridiculously gifted in mathematics and skipped three grades in boarding school. He graduated when most kids begin high school, ranked tenth in his class at Princeton at nineteen, and opened an aerospace manufacturing company at twenty. On top of being a genius, he's handsome, laid back, and surprisingly has a decent social life. But what Annabeth loves most about Malcolm is his kind heart; with brains and charm, he could literally take over the world. He could be richer than Elon Musk and Bill Gates combined. He could be Iron Man.
Plenty of people told him stuff like this, but Malcolm never wanted that. He'd seen how fame and money messed up people, and he'd seen his parents wreck their family over their work. All he wants is a small, manageable company where the workers are fun and tight like the Office or Brooklyn 99 (he adores sitcoms), a job he loves, and to stay under the radar.
"A normal life," Annabeth heard him tell their mom when she demanded why he turned down a huge contract that would have made his company worth a billion. "I want a white picket fence, a simple two story house, a wife and kids, and a regular car- not some fancy sports car. I want a 9 to 5 job with benefits so I can come home for dinner and see my kids every day instead of getting stuck at the office. I want to be able to take time off so I can see them grow up. Is that too much to ask for? I didn't get that as a kid; I figure I earned it as an adult."
Sometimes it's hard for Annabeth to realize that Malcolm is twenty-one, only four years older than her, but he seems much older and mature. He took care of her the best he could during their childhood. Annabeth feels another stab of regret; she's been ignoring Malcolm since Percy disappeared, too distraught to confide in someone. Heck, she's been shutting everyone in her life out.
"What the hell, Annabeth?" Malcolm releases her and scans her slim body. "You ran away three times today, assaulted another kid, and went out to sea during a storm! Are you hurt? Hypothermic? You're freezing."
"I'm fine, Malcolm." She grins. "I'm glad to see you. But what are you doing here? You said you wouldn't be free until summer."
"Looking for my idiot sister. Mom called me after you ditched her. When Chiron called and said what happened, I knew it was an emergency." Malcolm shakes his head. "Gods, Annabeth, how could you be so stupid? You could have been killed."
"I'm sorry." She means it. The siblings glance at the black water, now placid and calm, but they know its power. Annabeth could just as easily have been another dead body floating in its depths. Malcolm would've never forgiven himself. She silently groans, realizing how selfishly she acted today.
"I'm glad you're safe. I'm so glad." Malcolm never stays mad at her for long, but Annabeth notices the tint of worry under his weary eyes. "Let's go. Mom's waiting in the car."
"Mom?"
"Yeah. She had me fly in from New Jersey to help look for you. She said that if anyone knew where you'd go, it would be me." He rubs his temples. "Come on, there's a trail through the woods. I knew I'd find you at one of these hidden beaches. Mom's been driving me around all day from cove to cove. I finally got lucky."
"You always knew me so well."
"Yeah, but I'm still mad at you." He tosses her a sweater and starts to lead her up the beach. She points to the boat and sleeping bag, but he shakes his head. "Leave them. We can get them tomorrow. I need to get you home before anything else happens."
"I'm really sorry, Malcolm. I really am."
"I know, but you freaked me out. I thought you jumped off a bridge or off the boat and…" He stops, but Annabeth gets the point. If it's possible to feel any worse, she does.
"It won't happen again, I promise."
"That's what you said the last few times you did something crazy. In one month. You're scaring me, sis." He clings to her even more soundly. "I can't lose you. I know you're going through a lot right now, but you can't leave me."
"I'm not suicidal, Malcolm. I promise. I realized that today in the boat during the storm."
"I bet that was scary."
"It was."
"Serves you right. That'll teach you not to go sailing during a storm."
"I won't."
"If you ever do something like this again, I'll find you and kill you myself."
"I'll hold you to it."
"Oh Annie." He ruffles her hair and kisses her forehead. "What would I do without you?"
They walk through the woods silently, Malcolm shining the way with his flashlight. Annabeth is exhausted; her legs feel like jelly. But her big brother holds her firmly, determined not to let her get away again. After half an hour of walking, they reach the main road. A sleek silver hybrid with an owl insignia on the front bumper is pulled over, waiting. Annabeth's heart drops to the pit of her stomach.
"Let me do the talking," Malcolm says.
The driver's window rolls down. Athena looks out at her children. Her icy scowl is enough to make Annabeth freeze in terror.
"Get in the car now." Her voice is deadly low. The kids give each other one last nervous smile before sprinting to the SUV, Malcolm in the passenger seat, Annabeth in the back.
"So Mom-" Malcolm begins, but Athena shoots him daggers. Annbeth wishes she could turn invisible as she buckles herself in. Athena puts the car out of park and heads onto the road. The only sound is the asphalt beneath them, whirring under her tires.
Malcolm opens his mouth several times, but one glare from Athena shuts him up every time. The tension in Annabeth's stomach swells until she's ready to burst. Bile burns the back of her throat, but somehow she's able to speak.
"What's wrong?" she queries innocently. Malcolm snorts. He looks even more terrified than her.
"What's wrong?" Athena whips around to face her daughter as they speed into town. "WHAT'S WRONG?"
"I thought I was going to do the talking," her brother mumbles.
"You have single handedly destroyed everything in your life over a boy," Athena hisses through clenched teeth. "You're on the verge of imploding and blowing up everyone and everything along with yourself. How could you, Annabeth?"
Annabeth doesn't have a response to that. Despite all her flaws, Athena is astute at reading and analyzing situations.
"The police have been searching for you everywhere. Chiron called the Coast Guard. I had to call your father. Your father!"
"He's been worried sick," Malcolm interjects. Annabeth scowls at him. I thought you were on my side!
"Chiron nearly had a stroke fretting over you. Malcolm had to leave work and fly in from New Jersey. The school- oh, don't get me started- is in an uproar. There's FaceBook posts asking if someone spotted you. Your friends nearly broke down my door, asking about you. Dr. Apollo came over himself, apologizing for Octavian's behavior; he thought you were dead because of his nephew!"
"I'm sorry, Mother."
"Sorry doesn't cut it." Athena slows down and pulls into the garage. A yellow Volkswagen is on the other side. Frederick's car.
"I texted Dad," Malcolm stutters. "He'll make sure the police and Coast Guard know she's home."
"Good. Last thing I need is another investigation into how I'm raising my daughter."
"You know, I could also-"
"Get on your laptop. Let everyone know she's been found unharmed and safe. She had a bad day and needed to get away. She apologizes for the worry she's caused and will amend her behavior in the future. Won't you?" She looks straight at Annabeth, who swallows and nods. This sounds like their response for a press conference, which it honestly is. Athena won't have her family or business disgraced by one reckless daughter's actions.
"Great, Mom."
"Malcolm, go upstairs. Annabeth, kitchen. With me. now."
Annabeth is immediately overwhelmed when she gets to the kitchen. Her father, Thalia, Piper, and Grover are waiting. They swarm her, chorusing, "Where were you? Are you okay? I heard what happened? What were you thinking? We thought we lost you."
She's sick of the questions and scoldings, but the sight of her friends congregated in her mom's kitchen, all bleary eyed and concerned over her, warms her heart. She took them for granted; Percy's disappearance eclipsed everything in her life. Athena is right. She pushed away her friends, hoping they would forget about her so she could bury herself in her guilt and grief. She briefly ponders if they'd still be here if they knew why Percy vanished, but their genuine sympathy melts the hard fortifications she's built around her heart. They wouldn't have come if they didn't love her.
There's FaceBook posts asking if someone spotted you. Your friends from school and camp nearly broke down my door, asking about you. Dr. Apollo came over himself, apologizing for Octavian's behavior.
She sent Olympus into a panic because she couldn't control her temper. Everyone was worried about her, looking for her, and she was just in a local secret cove by the reef. Annabeth is torn between being touched and feeling like an even shittier person.
"I'm so sorry," she says, but it sounds lame. "I just freaked because of everything going on. I'm really, really sorry. That's not going to happen again."
"Like hell," Thalia snaps, lighting a cigarette. Athena makes a short harsh sound, reminding her not to smoke in their kitchen. Thalia puffs irritably. "You've been shutting us out for weeks. We all miss Percy. We get it. You're heartbroken. But that doesn't give you an excuse to be a little bitch."
"I know."
"Language!" Frederick chides, playing the role of an attentive father. He's the only one Annabeth doesn't really want here; once she might have been grateful to capture his attention, but now it feels forced.
"We tried to offer help, but you keep ignoring us and acting like you're the only one missing him," Thalia rants on. "Hate to break it to you, Annabeth, but you don't have the monopoly on Percy. We're all upset because he's gone, but you don't see us disappearing and letting everyone think we're dead."
Ouch.
"Thalia, I think that's enough," Frederick says. The front door bursts open. Chiron stumbles in, panting like he ran all the way here. He's soaking wet and smells of saltwater. Annabeth realizes that he's been out at sea, searching for her.
"I'm so sorry," he gasps when he reaches the kitchen. "I'm sorry for what I said."
"It's Annabeth who should be sorry after what she put us all through," Athena curtly replies. She turns to her daughter. "Did I mention Chiron called the Coast Guard and went looking for you with them?"
"No." Annabeth's eyes fill with tears. She wipes them away. "Chiron, I can't tell you how sorry I am. I never meant-"
"No, no, child." Chiron regains his composure and sighs. "I believe it was my words that sent you over the deep end. Thank goodness you are safe. If anything happened to you, to think that I played a part would be unbearable."
Annabeth bows her head. She's lower than dirt. What she did to everyone was unforgivable. "Sorry" can't begin to cover it.
"There, now, child, it'll be alright," Chiron declares, noticing her discomfort. "Why don't the kids head home before their parents start worrying over them? You can all see each other at school."
"Aren't I suspended or expelled?" Annabeth wonders aloud. Frederick's jaw drops like he hadn't thought of it. Athena sighs.
"Your English teacher called," her mother bluntly states. "Mr. Blofis. He pulled some strings for you; you have detention and kitchen duty for the rest of the year, but you won't be suspended or even expelled. The incident won't go on your record. Even though you stole and ruined his book- which I paid for- he saw fit to save you. I'd be sure to show my gratitude tomorrow."
"Wh… wow." Annabeth almost wishes she'd gotten a harsh punishment. She deserves much worse. What would Percy think if he saw me today?
Piper comes over to her. "We're not mad, Annabeth. We're just scared. We want to help. Please, open up to us. We're here for you."
You wouldn't be if you knew the truth.
Grover reads her expression perfectly. Out of all the people in the room, only he knows the pain she carries. She avoided him too, not wanting to be reminded of it.
"Okay," she manages. "I'll try."
"You better," Thalia says, but not meanly. She claps her old friend over the shoulder. "We're in this together. You're the toughest girl I know; you can do this."
Do what? Annabeth wants to ask, but none of them probably know. They're just doing their best to make her feel marginally better after she treated them like trash. So she smiles, promises to do better, and embraces all of them on their way out. Chiron looks like he wants to stay and discuss the matter, but Athena whispers something in his ear. He nods, tells Annabeth goodbye, and hurries out the door. Malcolm comes down the stairs, but Frederick tells him to wait. Annabeth sits at the kitchen table and braces herself, both terrified of her parents and relieved to get some discipline.
Punishment is good? Maybe she really is a typical problem child; anything to get attention, no matter how negative.
Frederick fidgets uncomfortably, not sure how to act around his ex-wife and daughter. Annabeth can't remember the last time she saw them together; Malcolm's college graduation a year ago? Ten years ago, when she ran away for the first time? They never spent holidays or quality time with their kids together; when they were both attending boarding school, Annabeth visited her brother's dorm. She had a few terse vacations with Frederick. Ever since Athena built this house, she stayed in Olympus, close to her friends.
Athena takes the lead. "Your father and I are severely disappointed. Not only did you threaten your chances of making it to senior year, but you also attacked Octavian, ran away three times, and stole a boat. You nearly got killed in a storm. You could have come home at any time, but apparently you were going to spend the night on the beach. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Annabeth has nothing. She hugs herself.
"God knows it's not easy, losing your boyfriend, but this has to stop. Your behavior went from concerning to self-destructive. You've shut out all your friends, defied authority figures, and gotten into perilous situations. You realize how lucky you are? What if Mr. Blofis hadn't intervened? What if your brother and I didn't come looking for you? You could have been at a police station right now."
"Your mom's right," Frederick adds. "I know that break-ups are hard-"
"We didn't break up; he went missing." Not to mention it's not just Percy's loss; it's camp, the reef, the forest.
"Right. Well, it's not easy, but pulling crazy stunts isn't going to help." Frederick sighs. "I think maybe you should come back with me for the summer. Having a family and support system might help. Getting away from Olympus-"
"I'm not coming back." Annabeth is firm. "I'm not leaving my friends and camp. I know I screwed up today, but you can't make me go back to California. I don't think Helen wants a troublemaker."
Frederick flinches. Athena smirks, like she's saying Told you so. But her lips curve downward when she sees Annabeth.
"I think it's better to have me keep an eye on you. You'll be helping out at the firm for the summer. You won't go out at night. You may speak to your friends, but you cannot go with them without explicit permission from me. This will be your summer."
"I understand."
"You're going to pull up your grades. I can hire a tutor to keep you on track. You do want to go to college for architecture, right?"
"Yes."
"Good." Athena rubs her temples. "It's eleven now. Get upstairs, shower, and go to sleep. You have school tomorrow. If anything else happens, your father takes you. Understood?"
"Yes Mom."
Annabeth trudges upstairs. Once again, her thoughts are muddled. On the one hand, her mom saved her from Frederick again and signed up for a crazy summer together. But she also didn't get a "We love you" or "We're going to help you" like Chiron and her friends offered. She's not in a position to argue, but the lecture feels lacking.
"I can't believe one boy caused all this," she hears Athena mutter. "I knew he was trouble."
Annabeth's temper flares. Athena never cared for Percy, but she doesn't have to insult him.
"I thought he dumped Annabeth and went to stay with his father," Frederick replies. "I didn't know-"
"You never know anything."
"Well, I'm not the one who left."
"Enough. That's water under the bridge." Athena's authoritative and diplomatic. She knows how to pick her fights. "I'll get her back on track for senior year. Some real work experience will make her forget him."
Annabeth forgets about honoring her punishment and storms back downstairs.
"He's coming back," she declares loudly. "He sent the white dolphin. He's still there for me. So I'm not forgetting him."
Frederick is flabbergasted, but Athena always has an answer. "Annabeth, you're not making any sense. You're overtired and seeing things. Go to bed."
Annabeth clenches her fists. "I saw the white dolphin on the beach, after the storm. He sent me a sign. He's still here for me." She quickly explains about seeing the dolphin pod at the beach. Her father's face brightens, but Athena's stays stone cold.
"Your ex-boyfriend stopped being here for you the day he left," she says. "I understand that you don't want to admit you were jilted, but-"
"WE DID NOT BREAK UP!" Annabeth screams hoarsely. Frederick jumps back. "Percy left because he had something to investigate for his dad. For camp. He had his reasons. None of which were me."
Well, technically the last part is true, but not the way her parents think. Percy kissed her goodbye. They were still going strong. He'd never dump her.
Athena holds up her hands. "Alright, but you must understand that he's not coming back. I don't know what exactly happened, but we have the facts: he drove off in his stepfather's car in the middle of the night a month ago, took a flight to New York, checked into his hotel room, and vanished. We haven't had a text, email, or call since."
"Just because-"
"He ran away, Annabeth. You mentioned he was stressed near the end. Or he came to a bad ending. I don't know. There's a million ways to disappear in New York." Athena shakes her head. "You're probably still in shock and grieving for a relationship, which is normal, but you can't destroy your future because of a boy. Is that clear?"
Annabeth might hate her parents right now, but she has a point. She has to start living again.
"Fine."
"No more crazy stunts. No more running. No more talk of dolphins. Upstairs. Bed. Now."
Annabeth turns around, but Frederick comes over and hugs her. "I'm flying back to California tomorrow morning. I'm glad you're okay. I'm going to the hotel now and taking off at nine. Tell Malcolm I said bye. Make sure you listen to your mom; I don't want to have to make a return flight."
He kisses her cheek and heads to the garage. Annabeth's spirits somehow plummet even further at the fact that her parents can't share a giant house for one night, or that her dad won't stay longer than 24 hours to take care of her.
"And there he goes again," Athena grumbles, mirroring Annabeth's mind. "He still complains that I walked out, but he abandoned us first."
Annabeth recalls Malcolm telling her how Athena would not see her husband for entire days; he was busy studying to become a professor while she put her career on hold to juggle graduate studies, care for a giant house, and raise the kids. He would never have finished his graduate studies at Harvard without her; she edited his papers, researched battles and weapons for him, and made sure he remembered to eat and sleep. She dreaded becoming like Grandma Metis, yet she repeated the cycle of neglected housewives. After Metis died, Athena warned her husband that he had to return the favor for her. He didn't, so Athena dumped him with the job, the house, and two smart kids he couldn't handle. Now he had Helen, who quit her boring office job to support him, a new house in San Francisco, and Matthew and Bobby, normal twin boys.
Annabeth goes back to her room, depressed. Her mother's installed a padlock on the window. She's too exhausted to shower or change. Malcolm comes in, bearing gifts of granola bars and water.
"Don't get malnourished," he chides. "If you drop dead tomorrow, I'll kill you."
"I love you," Annabeth whimpers before hot tears finally spill over. "You're the best big brother ever. I love you so much."
"Hey now." Malcolm cuddles her. "I know. I know."
They huddle together, swaying, until Annabeth stops crying and eats her granola bar. She's so hungry it hurts to eat. After gulping down food and water, Malcolm peels off her bedraggled t-shirt and jeans and takes them to the laundry room while she stands under a hot shower, numb in mind and body. He tosses her cozy pajamas, smears cream over her tanned face, and coaxes her to brush her teeth. She gets to bed by midnight; by the time her face hits the pillow, she's barely conscious. Too fatigued to even dream.
"I'm staying here, Annie, until you're better," she thinks she hears Malcolm say, but who knows?
"Dad says goodbye," she mutters before dropping into a blissful darkness.
Malcolm is the best!
