Percy Jackson was quite content with his life. Sure, he and Annabeth weren't close to any sort of civilisation and had to basically hunt for things like food, but other than that, he was pretty content.

Except for when Annabeth was upset.

"It's burnt," she moaned, glaring at her dinner angrily.

"This is why I cook," Percy kissed her forehead, picking up her plate. Annabeth groaned, rubbing her swollen stomach. She was eight months along and still just as scary. Getting pregnant wasn't exactly part of the plan, but Percy couldn't complain. Annabeth could. "What do you want?"

"Apples," Annabeth said. Percy was glad that Annabeth didn't get severe cravings. Their child would certainly be a health nut. He'd have fun introducing her to pizza.

"She certainly loves fruit," Percy grinned, grabbing an apple and a knife. He began to slice them.

"He does," Annabeth said, standing up. She stood beside him, grabbing the apple slices eagerly. Annabeth refused to let him help her around their cabin. She was always independant and Percy loved that about her.


"What should we name her?" Percy asked.

Annabeth frowned. "He could be named Michael."

"Luna."

"How about Arthur?"

"I refuse to ever name one of my children Arthur. How about Selena?"

"Isn't she a pop star? No. What about… Gabriel?"

"Why are we naming our children after Archangels? Also, Lucy."

"Did you just nickname the devil?" Annabeth laughed.

"Maybe," Percy grinned. Annabeth leaned up, kissing him on the nose. Percy kissed her forehead. "We'll know when we see her."

"Him," Annabeth corrected.


"Will you be okay on your own?" Percy asked, picking up his wallet. He had to go on supply runs to town, every so often, for basic things such as clothes. It wasn't that far, so he preferred to walk the way and leave their car behind.

"Of course I'll be okay," Annabeth said, sitting down on their couch with a book. To Kill A Mockingbird. She hated that book. That was exactly why Annabeth read it. In her own words 'the racist bastards give me something to vent my anger out on'. Percy didn't really get why she vented her anger out on fictional characters, but Percy hated racism too, so he somewhat understood. Somewhat. Besides, Percy wasn't on the receiving end of her anger, so he was happy. "Wear your hat."

Percy lost that hat weeks ago. He needed a new one. "Alright. I'll be back by six."

"You always are," Annabeth replied as he left. Percy smiled, closing the door behind him.

Not always.


"He was spotted here?" Hazel asked, dubiously. Frank nodded, tiredly.

"Apparently so," Reyna said.

"I'm surprised you came," Hazel said as they climbed out of their car.

"I was bored," Reyna defended. Leo snorted, nodding in agreement. Hazel sighed, grabbing her sword. Three years had passed and still, nothing. Hazel was tired. She was tired of the doubt. Of the anger. She was tired of thinking about Percy and struggling between the fear, frustration and confusion. She was tired of putting on a brave face and tired of not being able to interact with her own brother.

Essentially, she was exhausted.

"Come on," Hazel said. She headed towards a hardware store, then a clothes store, a supermarket and a convenience store.

Nothing.

"Let's check the woods," Reyna suggested. Hazel sighed, agreeing.

Nothing would be there. It'd be a waste of time. Percy's probably dead.

"Has anybody heard from Piper lately?" Frank asked.

"She's been distant," Leo shrugged. "Jason thinks she's depressed."

"Everybody's distant," Hazel said. "I haven't had a proper conversation with my brother in years. Jason… he's terrified of not finding Percy."

"Really?" Frank asked.

"Zeus has been more eager for him to be found ever since that prophecy came out. He's been threatening Jason," Reyna chimed in. "And I know that he goes to visit Mrs Blofis often."

"Everybody visits her," Leo said. "She's awesome."

"Her son isn't," Hazel said. She sighed. He was awesome. Hazel had no idea why everybody, herself included, hated Percy. What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

Hazel was tired of the debate she had everyday, on every mission.

"He's not here," Frank said. "Let's just─"

"Fuck!"

Hazel's lip trembled. She looked at her friend with wide eyes. That wasn't… was it? No… yes.

Hazel held her sword out, Frank turned into a boar, Reyna readied her weapon and Leo's hand lit up with fire. Reyna went first. The walk seemed to take ten centuries, despite only being five seconds. Hazel breathed heavily, peering out from behind a tree, hoping he was there, praying he wasn't.

And there, surrounded by a bag of spilled groceries, was Percy Jackson.


"Fuck!" Percy exclaimed again as he picked up a bunch of bananas. He was dead. Annabeth was going to murder him. Probably. Okay, so she wouldn't murder him. Maybe just shove him off of a cliff.

Percy heard rustling leaves. He caught sight of gold peeking out from behind a tree. Percy reached for Riptide. He barely blocked an attack─he hadn't been able to practice with another person for the past six months─ and rolled to the side. He hit a boar with the flat of his sword, dodging a fireball─ wait. He took in the face in front of him.

"Hazel?!" he exclaimed. He looked at the others. "Reyna? Leo? Frank? Okay, so I can explain─"

"You'll answer for your crimes!" Hazel exclaimed angrily.

"Crimes? I only faked my─"

"Shut up!" Hazel hit him with the spear. Percy fell onto his back, the shock of being attacked by his friend leaving him paralysed. "Murderer!"

"Murderer? The last thing I ever 'murdered' was a hellhound!"

"Traitor!" Hazel continued.

Percy was getting annoyed. Based on the weapon close to his throat, Percy wouldn't be getting up. He let his head fall back onto the ground. "So why am I getting accused?"

"You killed─"

"Woah, woah, woah. Killed?! Who have I killed? Did my mom get hurt because of the plan?"

"Plan?" Reyna asked. "So you planned to kill her?"

"Who did I kill?!"

Reyna stared at Percy coldly. "Fine. If you won't answer to us, you'll answer to the Olympians."

Percy moved too slowly because the next thing he knew was a blinding pain and darkness.


(Did I originally plan to have Percy caught this early on? Not really. Do I regret it? Nope. Leave a review and tell me how you felt about this chapter. And is it just me who's worried about what Annabeth is gonna do?)