Chapter 11: Annabeth

The Labyrinth was worse than Annabeth remembers. Rows upon rows of dark passageways lay before them. The maze felt infinite. The group desperately searched for an exit. Annabeth wished that Hazel had joined them; she could really use a sorceress. The Labyrinth felt as if it was moving; it seemed alive.

After several hours of mindless searching Annabeth noticed something. Ahead of her was a man. His golden locks caressed his shoulders. His tunic was a cream colour and adorned with bronze finishes. Over the tunic the man was wearing a brace of some form. Annabeth noted that the figure seemed to be uncomfortable. He was fidgeting with the brace. The man turned to face the group. At that moment Annabeth noticed that the man's neck was broken; his head sat at an acute angle.
"Who are you?" asked Annabeth as she reached for her daggers.

"I could ask you the same thing." The man responded. Before Annabeth could reply Leo spoke.

"Well I'm Leo. This here is Jason. The cyclops is Tyson and the girl who looks threatening is Annabeth." Annabeth turned to Leo, raising an eyebrow.

"What?" Leo continued. "You look hostile!"

"I am Icarus, son of Daedalus." Annabeth was taken aback. She remembered when she and Percy had encountered Daedalus a few years previously.

"Do you know how to escape here?" Annabeth asked frantically.

"I can leave whenever I want," Replied Icarus, "but I won't until my wings can be repaired."

"Why not?" asked Leo. Icarus ignored him. Annabeth turned to her friends.

"If we help Icarus he could show us an exit." She said.

"I could do it," Said Tyson, "but you guys should leave. We don't have much time. Chaos is supposed to rise in a matter of weeks and that's if we're lucky."

"Out of the question. I'll stay with you. I can help!" exclaimed Leo.

"No!" yelled Tyson. Annabeth was taken aback by his burst of confidence. The group turned to Icarus.
"I'll stay and help you," Said Tyson, "if you let my friends leave." Icarus stopped fiddling with the brace and looked up.

"I accept." He said. Icarus placed his hand on the wall behind him. The bricks began to vibrate and shift, creating a narrow passageway. Sand covered the floor. Annabeth could see a light at the end of the newly revealed tunnel. Jason and Leo clambered into the passageway. Annabeth turned back to Tyson, wiping a tear from her eyes.

"Thank you." She whispered.

"Hey I'll be fine," Tyson responded with a reassuring smile, "Percy taught me to be brave! Besides, we'll see each other again! Good luck!"

"Goodbye Tyson." Annabeth replied. Even in death Percy was helping them. She ran into the passageway. She felt the sand beneath her feet as she caught up with Leo and Jason. The wall resealed behind her. Reaching the end of the tunnel she re-joined the others. Annabeth stepped into the light.