Annabeth clung to her son, ignoring the chaos in the background as she hunched her shoulders to block the wind from blowing into the cave where 6 year old Charles had ran to.
"Promise me," She whispered into his raven hair, pain spreading through her. "Promise me, Charles, that you will never fight. Never, no matter what anybody tells you. Can you promise me that?"
Charles just looked up at her, curiosity in his innocent eyes. "Why are you crying, Mama?"
The tears fell faster. "Promise me, Charlie. Please. Promise me you won't fight, no matter what the gods say."
"Of course, Mama. I won't fight."
Annabeth held back a sob - he was too young, too sweet, too innocent. The gods were cruel to do this to children, their children, their grandchildren.
"Mama?" Her son asked, gazing up at her. "Where's Daddy?"
The tears were streaming down her face now, and she had to bite her lip to stay quiet.
"Charles, stay here. Stay safe. Okay? Can you do that?"
He nodded, toothed smile small on his tiny face. "'Course, Mama."
Annabeth pressed a kiss to her son's forehead, then each cheek. "I love you, honey. I always will, and so will your father, remember?"
"Mama?"
"And remember, stay in the labyrinth, just until you're safe, okay?" She pressed a kiss to his nose, then to his chin.
"Mama, you're coming with me. We're gonna find Daddy and then we're gonna save the world like in your stories."
"I love you, Charles. Stay safe, darling."
Then Annabeth let go of her son and ran out of the labyrinth, just before it closed.
And she ran back into the fray, blood trickling out of her mouth and her arm in a sling.
Oh, yes, more angst. Sorry? Also, if you've read He's Dead I will update it, I'm writing it right now. You'll probably see an update tomorrow, if not the next day. Stay safe!