Chapter 9

"My Theory about Seaweed Brain Evil Twin"

Annabeth

I hesitated, my hand hovering in front of the wooden door. My knuckles were inches away from announcing my presence, but I made no move. My hopes relied on the next few minutes. Either Trent was Percy's brother, or he wasn't. And if he wasn't...

My heart fluttered. Percy is not Trent. It's not going to happen, I told myself. Trent wasn't Percy. He'd never be Percy. I knew that if I kept this hope, I'd end up being hurt even more, but I couldn't help it. Shaking my head, my eyes steeled and I rapped my knuckles against the door, stepping back. There was the sound of footsteps, the door swung open, and I found myself looking into the weary eyes of Sally Jackson-Blofis.

"We need to talk."

Steamed curled up from the mug of tea in front of me as Sally lowered herself into the seat across from me. I stared into the swirling colors of the seeping tea bag, mesmerized.

"Annabeth? What is it you wanted to talk about?"

I tore my gaze from the cup. "It's about Percy."

Sally's face paled, and her eyes flickered with deep pain. "Oh..." she sighed, her eyes drifting down to her own mug.

"Did he ever...have a brother? By full blood?" I blurted out. Sally's head shot up and she stared at me in confusion.

"Why would you think that?" Sally asked in curiosity.

I curled my fingers around the handle of the mug. "A new boy showed up at camp. He looks a lot like Percy...but younger...and older at the same time, you know? And...He was claimed as the son of Poseidon. His name is Trent."

Sally stared at me for a moment before finally answering.

"Percy was my only child." said Sally softly.

My eyes lowered. "Oh."

We sat in silence for a long moment.

"What does he look like?" asked Sally.

I looked up. "Trent?"

The older woman nodded.

"He has messy black hair, but not to the extent that Percy's was." I said, smiling sadly. "His eyes are nearly the same shade, but Trent's are colder...shattered. His eyes are bit darker too. They make him seem older. He is tan, but not to the extent Percy was...before."

I broke off for a moment, before continuing. "He's shorter than Percy, but the way he carries himself makes him seem larger, more threatening. Older. But I think that he forces himself to do that."

"How old would you say he was?" asked Sally gently.

"Um..." I thought back. "He never said, but when he's sleeping...or unconscious...he looks pretty young. Overall, I'd guess fifteen or sixteen. He also has a sharper jaw, and his eyes are narrower- but that might just be because he's always scowling. He's pretty scarred as well."

Sally looked thoughtful. "Is there any chance-?"

I immediately wanted to say no, but before I could say so, I froze.

"Annabeth?"

"I want to say no." I muttered, propping my forehead up against my arm. "But I can't say that for sure...but I saw him die! I-"

I broke off, hot tears choking my vision and throat. Immediately, Sally was at my side, her warm arms comforting me. I sunk off my chair and onto the floor, where she wrapped me in a hug. I sobbed, hot tears leaking from my eyes as I truly grieved for Percy for the first time. Before now, I had always clung to the hope that Percy was alive somewhere, but Trent was throwing me into a tailspin.

"Oh, Annabeth." said Sally in a fragile voice.

I only cried.

This isn't fair, why everyone I loved died in front of me, Percy, Luke, why can't both of them be here right now. Why can't I have a nice time with both of them that's not involving any monster attack or fighting for the world. Percy my seaweed brain, gone after I found him again and of course Judo Flip him.

Luke, my brother, my old crush, also my family, died sacrificing himself to save Olympus, even if everyone said he's hosting Kronos, Luke still the Luke I know, the look I loved as a big brother, the Luke that would do anything for his little family.

"You're part of our family now. And I promise I won't let anything hurt you. I'm not going to fail you like our families did us. Deal?"

His words still clinging in my head, I remembered at first I wanted to hit them with a Hammer because I think they're monster, a deal that he kept and a promise that he did fulfill. A promise that did save all of us.

Sometimes being the Daughter of Athena, I felt that maybe I could do something to made them alive again or maybe I can prevent for any of this to happen.

I smiled as Sally and I watched Dr. Who. The antics of Matt Smith helped raise my mood. Beside me, Sally was watching the show with childlike glee. Her arm was wrapped around my shoulder, and she would sometimes glance at me when she thought I wasn't looking with a motherly smile. It made my throat choke up. I had never really had a mother's love- I was barely keeping a working relationship with my step-mom, and unless you were Percy, it is a little difficult to get to know a god on a personal level.

Finally, the episode ended, and Sally turned off the television. "But Annabeth...is there any chance, any chance at all that Trent is Percy?"

"Like I said before, my immediate reaction is to say no. Honestly, Trent is just about one of the biggest jerks I know. It's just...sometimes it seems like a facade. And...Simply his looks! You can't get shorter... the way he seems to almost remember Camp Half-blood..." I shook my head. "I- I don't know. I don't want Trent to be Percy. I want my Seaweed Brain back, but not like that. Never like that..." My eyes filled with tears again, but I forced them back. I wasn't going to cry! Not again! Gods, I was stronger than-

Sally drew me into her arms and held me again. I relaxed against her and closed my eyes, biting my lip. I would find the truth. I had to. Or I feared I would crumble.

EMMA: Well actually there's a chapter where Percy will reveal his identity and Toby's knowing his fate...oppss...

*Major Spoiler* ;D

Well there you have it folks... the new chapter of my story, you guys didn't think i would abandone this story right?!...

PLEASE REVIEW!