A/N: *Peeks out of bomb shelter* Hello? Do I still have any readers left? I'm so so so so so so sorry for leaving you guys for so long. But, you can thank HiThereSmiley for getting me my chapter list and asking me kindly to update... that was Dec 2nd, but I'm here right?
This is when Percy blew up Mount St. Helens.
When the Iris message shimmered into the air beside me, I was happily doing dishes. When I saw the distraught face of Annabeth through the mist, my smile faded, and the pot I was holding slipped out of my hands, landing in the sink, creating a big, soapy puddle around my feet.
"What happened to him?"My voice was flat, with no emotions.
Annabeth sucked in a shuddering breath and tears started streaming down her face. "Ms. Jackson, have...have you heard ab-bout the Mt. St Helens e-eruption?"
Slowly, I nodded. It had been all over the news.
"Well, P-Percy and I... we...we were running an errand for Hephaestus inside... and... Percy..."
"Annabeth, what happened? Is he d-dead?" I forced the words out. I had to know if my little hero was safe.
This seemed to be the breaking point for Annabeth. Wave after wave of tears coursed down her cheeks. "I don't know! He... he told me to go... and I was back in the Labyrinth... and... that stupid Seaweed Brain! I told him to b-be caref-ful! We can't find him anywhere, and...and..." Annabeth's words stopped forming any sentences, and just choked out sobs.
From out of the range of view through the mist, I heard someone moving around. Chiron stepped into view, his face solemn, an arm around Annabeth, who was sobbing for all she was worth into his chest.
"Ms. Jackson, do you need anything? Is there anything we can do for you at all?" Chiron's voice was gentle, and it soothed me, but not enough to stop my own sobs.
"J-just find m-my little h-hero. Bring Perserus...h-home. Or... if he's... make sure he makes it to Elysium-"
"Ms. Jackson, forgive my rudness, but I must insist that there is no help in thinking that way. We will find him."
I nodded, tears dripping off my chin into the sink. I waved my hand throught the mist, cutting off the connection.
I turned around so my back was to the sink, and slid down the counter until I was sitting on the floor, sobs racking my body and my tears joining the soapy water I was crouched in.