Author's Note: Wow! I actually posted two chapters in a row on time! It's a miracle! Anyway, as always, I really, really, REALLY appreciate all of the reviews I've gotten. Thank you! Also, on a completely random note, I watched the fourth Star Wars for the first time. It was amazing! May I just say, Princess Leia and Han Solo need to end up together. Also, NO SPOILERS! Last but not least, I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians, I am just a fan.
Chapter Seven: Annabeth POV: I Return Home, But It Doesn't Feel Like Home
I woke up three hours later, and for a blissful moment, I almost forgot the earlier events of the day. Sadly, I remembered them quickly. My boyfriend was in danger, and Thalia had abandoned me. I sat bolt upright. Chiron had said he'd send a team from camp to pick me up. If they had come by pegasus, they should have been here about now.
I jumped out of bed, flicked on the light, threw my belongings into a suitcase, and rushed to the bathroom to brush out the rat's nest that was my hair and wash the tear tracks off my face. Just as I finished, there was a knock on the door.
I grabbed my bag, ran down the hall, and yanked the door open. It was Selena Beauregard. She stepped forward to hug me. "Sweetie, what happened?"
I had to choke down my tears. "Wait until we get back to camp," I said. "Chiron needs to hear this." Selena nodded understandingly. She took my hand and led me outside to where a team of pegasi waited. Clarisse La Rue rode one of them, and Selena and I took the remaining two.
I strapped my luggage to the chariot carried by my pegasus and swung my leg over, hoisting myself up. I pulled the sweatshirt I had grabbed at the last minute around myself, wondering why it was so big. I realized it was Percy's, and fought down a stream of fresh tears. Selena looked back at me as we rose into the air, concerned, but said nothing. She must have realized I didn't want to talk. I was glad that Selena had come. She was the only person I really wanted to see right now.
I stared at the cities below is as we flew across the U.S., back to Long Island, New York. Back to Camp Half-Blood, my home.
