Annabeth's POV:
Again. Why does it have to happen again? I hate it; the nausea, the way my insides feel ready to evaporate, how it all piles up to drag me down. A part of me believes that if I'm not careful I will be swept away in transit. Just another drop of water in the sea of drops. Even something as easy as opening my eyes is making me reluctant. Though I know they haven't turned to water. It's just the part where everything looks like I'm underwater. Or watered colored. It's creepy.
I groan and roll over on my stomach, propping myself up on my knees and elbows. Just because I don't like it, doesn't mean anything. I'm still responsible for plenty. Speaking of, I know Zoe hitched a ride with me. Though I can't hear her.
Doesn't matter, lifting my eyelids is taxing enough as is. It's like opening curtains after a bad hangover. Not that I had one. It's the principle of the thing. I sat up placing me rear on my heels, opening my eyes to the sky above. The blue hues mixing in splendidly with the yellows and oranges of of sunrise.
"Don't move." A feminine voice whispered. A sharp tap poked at the base of my neck reinforced her demand. I kicked down my first instinct to see who it is by kicking out their legs. Now is not the time for rash decision making. And I don't feel my dagger on my person. Great... "Good, now get up." She poked again a little harder, enough to leave a mark. I complied.
I took a deep breath and listened. Only one person it seems. No Percy. No Zoe. I can do this. I can get us out of whatever trouble Percy threw us into.
I dropped down low, extended my leg and sweeped her feet out from under her. She only had enough time to gasp. I jumped back ready for a second attack. But nothing. I mean literally nothing. Just a small tree. And a sharp stick on the ground? I swear I made contact. She spoke too... It has to be a Dryad or something similar. I relaxed my posture by dropping my fists and unstiffening my muscles. Normally nature spirits are kind and only attack if threatened. I must have scared the Hades out of her.
"It's okay. I'm not here to hurt you." I softened my voice as much as possible hoping she'd talk to me.
"I am." A hard hit to a clump of nerves in my neck and I'm out. Darkness overtook my vision as every felt soft. I can't feel anything. The horizon tilted through the blinks of black. "I'm sorry..." I heard, but it was more distant, quieter, calmer, more sincere. I don't think it was to me.
The shadows dragged me away.
...
...
I awake suddenly, every thought in high definition. My eyes take in every ray of light and without a doubt I know I've been knocked out for too long. The noises are of a day in full swing, the sun resting calmly in the middle of the sky. My arms are tied above my head with vines where the other end is tied to a higher branch. Also, my waist rapped to the trunk of a tree. Plus, a little slack on the vines holding my hands up so my shoulders are not uncomfortable. How considerate.
"Annabeth, you okay?" Zoe asked from behind me. So, she's also tied to the same tree. I don't know whether that is stupid or just another part of their scheme. I wonder how long until they realize their mistake.
"Yea, just a thick knot in my head." I answered rolling my neck out just to be sure. "Where's Percy?" I haven't found or noticed any sign that he's been captured... Maybe it's like before... I can't handle watching something like that again.
"Don't know. I woke up, defended myself, then woke up again here." She answered. It's eerily similar to my experience. If I had to guess, the same person attacked both of us. Perhaps to protect his territory or whatever.
"Same. Were you hit too?" At least they didn't gag us. Though that leaves the idea that they might not be letting out of here alive. Why else would they be so casual in our imprisonment? I've read enough and learned enough to see that the odds are not in our favor. Whatever it is, I don't like it. Something is definitely up.
"Yea. The bastard didn't even give me a warning, attacked from behind." Zoe sounded mad. I am too, but for someone who prides on ambushing over ambushed I understand why. "You should know, Perseus didn't recognize me when I found him... I don't think he remembers us."
"What?" My mind stutters for a moment and my eyes widen a fraction taking in more light than I expected, every part of me goes on pause while my thoughts catch up. I should probably get used this feeling by now, but it catches me off guard every single time. I take in a deep breath and try to keep my teary eyes from spilling. I don't want to keep losing people I care about. "It'll be okay, it will." I have to believe that.
The hours dragged on with nothing to show for it. I am still stuck. The vines are much stronger than I gave them credit for. Zoe on the other hand, went completely silent and still. Not a twitch, shuffle, or slack.
The sun hid behind the horizon as if it's tired from shining. As evening casts her dusky gown, when the air becomes fresh and restful, the time of joyful reflection has arrived. For in the achievements of the day are a form of self pride that warms the soul, that is a sense of happiness. Or it should be. If not for the fact that I am prisoner to a Dryad. If this gets back to camp I will never hear the end of it. The orangish red glow melts into purple as the far end of the sky shifts to black.
As if on cue a Dryad melted out of the trunk of my prison just above my head. So this is her tree. Just like at home, this one looked quite elfish with eyes as brown as the oldest maple. She tilted her head and squinted her eyes. Well I don't trust you either.
She fell from her perch with surprising grace. The ground completely undisturbed. She stood and rested one of her hands on her hip and lifted the other. *Snap!* The vines slid off like a fat lady's dress on a bulimic cheerleaders body. "So what? Just like that you're letting us go?" I did the stereotypical massaging of wrists while glaring at her. She wasn't fazed even in the slightest.
"What's the meaning of this?" Zoe appeared by my side bow and arrow in hand pointed at- still don't know her name. I know I got my weapon stripped from me, so why didn't Zoe's? Or did I just drop it?
"It's an apology." The Dryad stood with a straight back and slowly reached behind her back. Zoe tightened her bow, but she raised her hand with the universal sign of no harm. A glint of bronze quickly flashed and before I knew it. My dagger, yes my dagger, dug itself an inch in the dirt between my feet. I would've jumped if not for the fact Zoe put her hand on my shoulder. No ill intent.
"Pardon?" Zoe questioned swinging her bow over back. I thought they didn't have to do that. Was I wrong? Or just a Zoe quirk?
"You're pardoned." The elf replied like it was a completely normal thing to say. It is not.
"She means, you serious?" I translated. I know there are some Dryads that take things way too literally, but she doesn't put off that vibe. Or I've gotten terrible at reading people. Damn, I think I've just been stuck in my cabin for too long.
"Yes. He wasn't himself and wants to personally apologize for knocking you out. He spent all day cooking for dinner. I do hope things work out." My honest to the gods first thought is Percy. Because you know, him not being here, Zoe's word of amnesia, and his previous accommodations. But, now that I think about it, it could be someone getting Percy to put him back to said accommodations. That seems far more likely.
"Who?" Obviously the next question I was going to ask.
"You'll see at the lake just down the hill. I swear, it is not a trap." Saying that it is not a trap, makes me really affirm the fact that it is, actually, a trap. I fell for a couple of those before and there is no way I am letting that happen again.
It's already dark, but the woods will be far darker. Perfect to be ambushed. So I resign taking the lead to Zoe. Not that it was going to happen any other way.
The path at my feet fades as it leads into the murkiness of the woods, yet follow it I must for the sake of Percy. Somewhere in there are the answers I need, and so my feet follow the narrow strip of naked earth among the giants of root and leaf. I let my hands touch Zoe's back as I follow, feeling her strong spirit soothes my own. For this is her world as they stretch toward the light I never see yet sense, and I must do the same... open up my other senses... to sound, to aroma and listen so very carefully to every instinct. This place virtually strips the bounds of normalcy. It's not natural. Magic perhaps?
"Do you believe her?" I ask because I need something to keep my mind off of magic. Magic isn't logical. I work with logic.
"No. But, I'm not leaving without Perseus. Best bet for answers is down there." I couldn't agree more. Although there is plenty I might not like that is down there. I don't want to- I just- it hurts losing someone. Even more when it's not only once.
I heard it before I saw it. The image bounced in my head as the river, in her generous curves, shines blue amid the leafy green. It brings the sound of happy water to the percussion of the tree canopy. And in this way she invites the soul to dance even when we sit absolutely still. For the cool lapse of water is calling out to us. We pass a very thick grove of brush and finally see it.
It's not a river at all. Just a small lake and water swimming around- "PERCY! You're okay!? They let you go too?" He stood completely still right at the edge of the shoreline arms spread wide. The lake escaping it's confines dancing happily in a whirlpool around the Son of Poseidon. As if they are ecstatic to see each other. I can't see his face, but his lax posture gives him away. Also how he is still shirtless with shorts all torn up. His hair as unruly as always, though white now.
"Of course." Immediately his guard is up. The little lake retreating with Percy's motions. He didn't even turn around to greet us once the water calmed down. He just looked forward.
"What the hell happened?" Zoe threw out. Already stalking further down the hill, not at all in a threatening fashion. I decided to follow in a more casual manner
"A mistake." Percy turned around complete rigid. I can't even be more than twenty feet from him, regardless I swear I can see his eyes even from here. His eyes are a frozen blue so deep, that color could only be found in the deepest glaciers. A blue uncut and unwieldable. I doubt even Apollo could melt that. Or Hephaestus. Where'd his sea green eyes go? What really happened to him.
It took him a second to register us wholly. His gaze looked completely lost, but all the same stuck. Like he wasn't completely all here, if you catch my drift. Then he blinked and that stony stance disappeared. Back were his green variant eyes.
"Mhmm. So, where's this person we're supposed to be meeting?" I looked up at Zoe and she was glaring at him. No don't seeing the change as well. You'd be a fool to not catch that.
"You're looking at him." Percy smiled and spread his arms out in such a way it reminded me of a gameshow showing himself off. His cheery disposition came back like he was breathing. Not a step or motion out of place.
"...No seriously." Zoe deadpanned, not convinced he's telling the truth. Neither am I, but I digress.
"I am being serious." Now Percy deadpanned, dropping his arms to his side. It's nice that he seems to be back to his normal self, yet it all seems too... real? I don't think that's the right word, however that is the only way I can describe it.
"B-but we were attacked." I stuttered like a fool.
"Yea, sorry about that. Lapse in memory." Zoe scoffed. It still seems to be way too convenient for the whole thing. I don't buy it. Something is definitely up.
"Percy, what the hell?!" If he wants to play this game, so will I.
"Hey. I think I'm entitled to a few mistakes here and there." No one is entitled to any mistakes anywhere.
"Not when it's your friends!" I argued.
"I said I was sorry!" He rolled his head around annoyed.
"That doesn't make it magically better!" I mean saying sorry doesn't, despite that it is the first step. Usually.
"It never will!" Percy rebuttal just as fast as I did.
A fish flew past and nailed Percy in the back of the head. It dropped and the water came to save it. "PERCY! You should know better by now." Some feminine voice behind him reprimanded him. What the Hell!? I can not keep a straight face. Even Zoe is finding it hard.
"Tt. *Sigh* Sorry." He practically said to no one, except that voice. And he actually sounded sorry, genuinely.
"To whom?" Zoe enquired. Seriously though, I really want to meet whoever it is. There is something about it that- I don't know. I think it'd be a great idea.
"That's not of your business." Percy spat back.
"It is." Zoe responded, trying to push it.
"No, because honestly I'm still apprehensive of you guys being here at all. A secret meant to stay that way." His flashed back to that freezing blue.
The temperature seemed to drop. First, it reminded me of our quest. The first one that led us to down into Hades realm of the dead. With the pit. The same damn pit that nearly dragged Grover into the hell below hell. It is that very same one that I remember laugh at us, where the cold stopped time itself. That is what the drop reminded of first. Yet, it feels more... regular. Like a cold breeze during winter.
"Percy, we're still friends. You can trust us." We've been going through much crap and heartache for many seasons now, both in our hearts and souls, sailing quietly onward as ships together upon calm seas, sails always filled by onward breeze. Yet, we still keep going because we know that we are not doing this for ourselves. I know that because Percy sacrificed himself. So, as we go over another hurtle, as we can only see a future together, can we agree that the time has come to settle down, to relax and for once just lean on a friend.
"The food is getting cold." Percy retreated. There are times that a retreat from conflict is bravery, not cowardice. Sometimes it takes fortitude to backtrack, to let the enemy take ground and find another route around to eventual victory. To proceed in this current time would be foolishness. I want to, but how hard am I supposed to push if he doesn't remember?
"Has he always been sooo?-" Zoe cut me off before I could finish.
"Your guess is as good as mine." She said. I don't know if she knew where I was going with it. It doesn't matter. So we followed Percy along the shore to a table already set.
It smelled heavenly.
If someone told me that Percy could put anything on a pizza and make it taste fabulous, I swear I would believe it. Just the view in font of us looked like it was an edible form of his crazy wonderful imagination. I remember just how wild things were with him. If this happens again I will definitely live for the day I could eat this gain. Even if I haven't tasted yet. And I thought nothing surprises me anymore, but I will still be amazed each time supper comes around.
So we sat and ate. It was perfect. Even better than camp's. And that is magic!
"Perseus?" Zoe brought up, "What do you remember?" He didn't even look up from his plate as he continued to dig in happily.
"More names, faces, places. Still plenty that is missing though."
"Like what?"
"I can't seem to remember much of the last few years of my life. Nor how my hair got white." I bit back a cough, although it came out as a sneeze. It hurt. How does he not remember?
"So how do you remember us?" Zoe gulped down to continue her interrogation.
"I met you before, didn't I? I guess memories that are reinforced seem to come back easier." Well that sounded rehearsed.
"Anything else?" Zoe just kept poking at him.
Percy stopped eating and zoned out. He froze. One minute. Two minutes. Then he came back essentially the same.
"The moon. Actually, the person behind the moon. Wonderful lady."
"You mean Artemis." Zoe wanted to be sure, I know that.
"No. I mean the old moon." Zoe looked perplexed. Is he talking about Selene? Didn't she fade? I want to be sure before I call him out on it. "Anyways, we should go." Percy got up and wiped himself clean. With manners too. "Just one more pit stop along the way and we'll be right back to wherever the hell we were before." Percy stretched out his back like this is just another day.
"What, don't trust us to keep this secret?"
He froze again.
"No." His voice was low. And his arms trembled. I just want to know why. "Let's go! I'm sure your families are going ballistic that you've been gone a full day with a criminal." And now he's back.
And now he's gone. Into the lake. Great.
"Do you believe him?" I asked Zoe thinking that we are on the same page.
"About the pitstop? Sure. About his act? Absolutely not. I think he's lying. And I'm not letting him out of my sight until we get back."
Something clapped my back, "What the?-" I looked down and water is sticking to me. It's curling around my waist. "Wait! Percy Don-"
Merry Christmas! There will be another chapter tomorrow!