Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Rick Riordan
Annabeth looked at him with shock. He looked exactly like him. A splitting image. A carbon copy. It wasn't possible. He looked a bit more rugged, but that did not matter.
She felt like melting into a puddle, like she first did when the Giant War was over. She took a breath, but that made it worse. Torrents of memories of her and Percy kissing, laughing, and having fun. Annabeth felt like dying, no, worse.
She finally snapped out of it when the boy cleared his voice and asked quizzically and worriedly at her, "Are you okay?"
She whipped her head to him, and said a hoarse yes. Even his voice sounded liked Percy.
"So-" he began.
Annabeth cut him, desperate.
"What is your name?!"
The boy looked at her and frowned, and thought.
"I don't have a name," he said finally.
Annabeth furrowed her eyebrows.
"Why?"
He grimaced, so Annabeth felt bad for asking.
"I don't know," he admitted. "I've been on the run for some time, I didn't really run into anyone."
"On the run?"
He sighed. "I don't really want to talk about it."
"Okay."
The boy paused, then said, "Thank you for rescuing me."
Annabeth looked back toward where the telekhine had stood.
"No problem." Then she added. "Since you don't have a name….."
The boy looked up.
Before she can stop herself, Annabeth blurted, "How about Percy?"
The boy looked thoughtful, while Annabeth slapped her hand on her mouth and cursed herself. How could she? After a hundred year of being with girls, she had forgotten how to act around boys. And to suggest Percy as a name? Annabeth felt that she was betraying Percy.
The boy looked at her straight in the eyes, and said, "Percy it is."
o.O.o
Annabeth had no choice but bring the boy back to Camp Half-Blood. The newly christened Percy had no home, probably. And since the telekhine had pursued him, it was likely that he was a demigod.
It was about dinnertime when they got back. Just as they went in the borderline, Percy's face changed: it was first with delight and joy, then with some kind of longing, and finally confusion. Annabeth did not let herself hope, so she went on.
She did not want others to know about Percy, so she crept silently to Chiron. He was sitting at a table, watching the demigods of Camp Half-Blood. His eyes had a clouded look, he was thinking deeply. His eyes reflected them. His eyes also had the depths of years and years. Of sadness. It was the same when Annabeth looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were no different.
"Chiron," she hissed.
"Annabeth!" he said, startled.
She replied nervously, "I have met an…...um, acquaintance while exploring."
"Acquaintance?"
Annabeth looked around to make sure no one was listening, then said, "Hey Percy, come out."
Percy came out, and looked at her quizzically. Chiron, who looked confused and sad at the mention of Percy, gasped. He looked at Annabeth then at Percy, then shook his head.
"It cannot be possible, it cannot," he murmured over and over.
"Chiron," Annabeth began.
He stopped her. "Tell me what happened!"
"I found him mauled by a telekhine. Sort of."
Chiron pressed his index and middle finger to his temple.
"My dear, I am sorry." He rubbed his head. "Get him acquainted then put him to sleep. We can talk about this later in the morning."
"But what cabin? And how am I supposed to explain?" Annabeth asked.
Chiron gave her an exasperated look and said, "I think you know how and which." Then he galloped away.
Annabeth sighed. She turned to Percy. "You and I have a long night."
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