A/N: Ok, so I know that I said that this would encompass until she ran away. It ended up being MUCH longer than I anticipated, so the NEXT chapter will probably encompass that. That being said, I had a bit of trouble writing this one, so tell me if it isn't as good. I live for your reviews! Enjoy chapter 3!
Answering reviews:
RageSage: Thank you! I'm so glad that you like it!
Soph779: Thank you! (I generally update weekly, but these chapters are pre-written, so this is quicker than it might be past chapter 7)
Me: Thank you! I'm glad that you enjoyed it :)
The spiders came again. Pouring in through the window, and crawling all over her. Annabeth was able to hold up for longer this time. It seemed like even more spiders came this time. Biting, crawling, weaving. How she hated those spiders! Eventually, Annabeth couldn't hold out anymore. She screamed as loud as she could. She thought that she might have woken up the twins two rooms down. She didn't care. "Daddy! Daddy, help me!" Little did she know, there was a conversation being held in her father's room right next door.
"Let me go in," said Helen. "You handle the twins. She woke them up! What sort of punishment should we give her?"
"I really don't want to punish Annabeth…"
"She woke up your normal children. Should we confine her to her room for the day, and only let her out to get food and use the bathroom?"
"That seems a bit overly harsh…"
"I don't think that it is harsh enough! I will go deal with her. You handle the twins. I'm always the one in with them. It's your turn now. Are we agreed on her punishment?" What Helen really meant, was 'I want an excuse possible to punish Annabeth. I don't know how such a nice man like Frederick had a child like her. It was probably all her mother's fault.'
"I suppose so. I will go calm down the twins. You go deal with Annabeth. But..try not to be too harsh, if possible. If it isn't possible, I understand. Love you, Helen"
"Love you too, Frederick. And remember. I am always right. I will be harsh on Annabeth. She deserves it for all of the stress she has put this family through. Should we make it two days? Or maybe even a week?"
"No, one day is plenty. Remember, Annabeth is only seven. She doesn't understand what she is doing."
"Alright dear. See you in a few minutes."
Back in Annabeth's room, Annabeth was shaking under her covers. The spiders still hadn't left. Annabeth wondered if that meant nobody was coming in. A second later, the spiders quickly scuttled out of her room and closed the window. How do spiders even close windows? Then, Helen came in.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?" she yelled. "YOU WOKE UP ME, YOUR FATHER, AND YOUR BROTHERS! THERE ARE MAJOR REPERCUSSIONS NOW LITTLE GIRL."
"I-I'm s-s-sorry." stuttered Annabeth.
"SORRY DOESN'T CUT IT! You are confined to your room today. You will be given food at mealtimes, and be let out to go to the bathroom once an hour. And because I'm feeling nice, your father will come in twice. Deal? Of course, I'm not giving you a choice."
"O-ok"
"You will not have any toys with you. And because I don't want you to trash your room, I will bring books in for you to read."
"Thank you." said Annabeth.
"Now go back to sleep. I will not tolerate any more of your lying."
"Ok." and with that, Helen left, and Annabeth tried to fall asleep. She was mad. Mad that nobody believed her. Mad that she didn't have a mom. Mad that her stepmother was so awful. And she was furious that her dad always sided against her. He always sided with Helen. Annabeth decided that she would run away. She had some money saved up from birthdays and allowance. At least she had an allowance. She would need extra clothes. And extra food too. Maybe she could get some snacks and nonperishable foods from the pantry in the morning after her punishment ended. Before anyone woke up. But where would she go? She thought that she had an aunt and uncle in Boston, but her uncle was crazy and her aunt was a single mom with a kid. No, Annabeth could not go to Boston. It was too far away anyway. If she left the house, would the spiders go away? Maybe. Hopefully. But what would she find when she ran away? She lived in Richmond, Virginia, and she didn't know anybody who lived nearby. Maybe she could make herself a little den out in the woods somewhere. Live off the land, and maybe venture into town occasionally to get more supplies and do a few odd jobs. But she dismissed that thought as soon as she came to it. People would start wondering what a little girl like her was doing wandering around after a while. She was going to run away, and nothing could stop her. Maybe she could wander around downtown Richmond. No one would notice another homeless kid. She wouldn't be able to get to school though. She would miss school. Even though she didn't have any friends, the teachers all liked her. They knew that she had ADHD and dyslexia, and they were impressed at her schoolwork. They gave her challenges too. Third, fourth, and fifth grade material were given to her secretly for her to work on. Yes, Annabeth would miss school. That was the only thing that she would miss. But she needed to run away. Her family wouldn't care anyway. They would be glad that she ran away. Helen would probably be overjoyed that Annabeth was gone. That she had one less problem to take care of. Her father would be sad, of course, but he would get over it. Annabeth could leave a note. That would be nice. She could detail why she left. Tell her father not to worry, that it was better this way. That was a good idea. Thinking of her plans, Annabeth fell asleep with a smile on her face.
Athena looked down at her daughter, and smiled. Annabeth was happy. Well, as happy as one could be after being repeatedly yelled at by an awful person. How she hated Helen! Was there a way to randomly smite her? Not without drawing attention and hatred from the other gods. But she really hated Helen. But Annabeth was running away! That was good. Well, not good, per se, but it will help her mental health. Maybe Annabeth would find a satyr! Then she could be claimed, and protected. She would be trained by Chiron, the best trainer of demigods. Technically though, he was the only Greek trainer of demigods, so there wasn't really any competition. And whenever the Great Prophecy came true, even though Athena was no Apollo, she could tell that Annabeth would play a great part in it. Annabeth was the most powerful of all of Athena's demigod children. And Athena's children were pretty powerful, if she did say so herself. And she did. Yes, Annabeth was special.
A/N: There it is! That is my longest chapter yet, so I hope that you like it! Do you like the way I end on Athena's thoughts? I will do that for a while, I think. This chapter got easier to write near the end. I will update soon! Please review!