Percy paced up and down the path in Persephone's Garden. The time had come for him and Annabeth to leave, yet no-one had come to fetch them. Nico stood against the trunk of a Poplar tree his eyes down cast and expression stern. Percy looked at his warily then continued his pacing. Annabeth sat on the ground her legs crossed and a book open in her lap.
"Would you stop pacing?" She asked as Percy walked near her, but didn't look up. "It's getting on my nerves."
Percy grunted and slumped next to her, sighing in exasperation.
"They should have been here by now." Percy moaned and rested his head on Annabeth's shoulder.
"Mmm." Annabeth agreed, but still read on.
"Ugg." Percy moaned again and stood back up and carried on pacing.
"Percy." Annabeth sighed and closed her book.
"Nico, can't you, like, tell what's going on or something?" Percy called from the end of the path. "Couldn't you call them?" Percy was getting a bit impatient with the kid now.
"Percy." Nico whispered, and shook his head sadly.
"Nico? Are you okay?" Annabeth asked and reached out her hand to him. But he ducked out the way.
"Leave him, he's not helping." Percy said hotly and turned, his pace taking him away again.
"Percy!" Nico said more loudly, his eyes still on the floor. Percy stopped pacing and stared silently at the boy.
Nico took a deep breath. "That berry I told you to eat." He whispered. "Where were you when you ate it."
"In the tu-" Understanding dawned on Percy's face and and a sickening feeling formed in his stomach. "Oh." He muttered, almost mutely.
Nico looked up and Percy could see tears shining in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Percy."
"Percy. What's going on?" Annabeth was almost frantic; the expression on her boyfriend's face was enough to drive anyone into a panic.
"Annabeth." Percy, dropped his gaze, not wanting to look at her face. "You have to leave. Without me."
"What? No ways!" her voice raised an octave higher and she was almost shrieking. Percy strode over and gripped her wrists, tears shining in his eyes.
He gritted his teeth. "Annabeth. Just. Go." She could see how much this was hurting Percy.
"Not without you." She whispered, her own tears spilling onto her cheeks.
Percy looked down again, drew a breath and then pushed her backwards. She stumbled falling into the shadow of a poplar tree. "Now Nico." He said and Nico stepped forward his eyes closed in concentration and arms and hands outstretched towards Annabeth. The next second she had vanished, and Percy and Nico were left alone in the Garden of Persephone.