ANNABETH WAS GOING TO KILL HERA.
Yes, she was aware, that she couldn't actually kill a goddess, but she sure as hell could try.
"Maybe he just went out for a swim, after all he has been doing that a lot lately. Or he went for a walk... Yeah, that's probably it," Annabeth rambled on, pacing in Cabin Three, trying to calm herself, when all she wanted to do was break down.
Her stomach was in knots and she felt a ball of panic building in the pit of her stomach.
This night was not going how she'd planned it.
She had sneaked out of her own cabin and gone to Percy's, just like she did every night.
Percy, being the seaweed-brained boy he always was, thought no one knew, but everyone did. Except maybe Chiron, since he would probably not turn a blind eye so easily.
Annabeth laughed, thinking of when a few from Camp Jupiter had come to visit and Frank had gone to get Percy for breakfast. The look on his face, when he found them asleep in Percy's bunker was priceless.
Tears prickled at her eyes and she cursed herself.
She hated being so dependent on someone, but Percy was...
Well, Percy was everything to her in a way.
The term boyfriend just didn't suffice.
"Just check the lake, Annabeth," she suggested to... well, herself.
I'm going crazy.
"I think you are too."
Annabeth whipped around, hoping to see unruly black hair and beautiful sea green eyes, but instead she came face to face with Nico.
"Oh Gods, you scared me!"
I'm losing my touch, I really have to be more alert.
The son of Hades chuckled and gestured around him, "Well, you are standing in a cabin, that isn't yours, in the dark."
Annabeth rolled her eyes and turned on the lights, illuminating the messy Poseidon cabin.
Nico's pale face was overwritten with exhaustion and Annabeth felt concern bubble inside her for the fourteen year old.
"What are you doing up?" she asked, observing his tired sluggish movements as he stalked across the lumps of clothes on the floor, - were those Nemo boxers? - shrugging and then plopping onto Percy's bunk.
"Nightmares," was all he replied in a pained tone, that said 'I would really like to not talk about it', so Annabeth left it alone.
"Where's Percy?" Nico finally asked, confused by the missing of the actual occupant's presence.
"I don't know."
"What do you mean?"
"He's gone. Maybe he's... at the lake or something," Annabeth muttered, but she couldn't have looked convinced by her own words.
Nico smirked.
"I don't think he'd go to the lake, when he has you coming."
Annabeth blushed.
"Come on, let's look for him," he suggested, after probably seeing her grief stricken face and Annabeth felt a rush of sisterly affection for the broody teenager.
"I'm going to kill him."
"Well, get in line Thalia, I'm going to gut him like a fish, when he gets back," Annabeth huffed.
They sat around the pingpong table, Chiron's hooves clapping against the floor mixing with the chatter of the teens.
"Children, calm down."
"Hey, Annabeth where's Aqua Man?"
"Connor, shut up."
"Okay."
"Why are we here? Honestly, all of you losers can go scram. This is such a waste of time."
Piper sighed, distain in her voice as she shook her head at her half-sister, "Honestly, Drew? Shut your trap. No one cares for your opinion."
All she got in return was a scoff.
The hot summer sun seemed to be shining brighter than usual, the effects of the heat already wearing Annabeth down, agitating her further.
"Quiet!"
The kids calmed down, Chiron patiently waiting for even the last voice to go silent.
"Alright. Annabeth, what are the means of this?"
Annabeth bit her lip and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Well, it might be nothing, but I can't find Percy anywhere."
The room burst into questions.
"Again? For real, that boy has to be chained to something from now on."
"Damn, he's just that unlucky."
"Haha, lol! Fishboy got himself into trouble again. Killing tons of monsters does have its bad sides."
"Will all of you just shut up?!" Thalia raised her voice, eyes blazing with annoyance, the room immediatly quiet again.
Jason cleared his throat. "He couldn't have just disappeared," he stated, the words coming out as more of a question as he pushed his glasses up, blue eyes flitting across every person in the room.
Annabeth let out a bitter laugh.
"He sure as hell could and has. Again." She muttered under her breath,
"What have you gotten yourself into this time Seaweed Brain?"
"Who could have taken him this time?" Nico asked.
Annabeth looked around to see if anyone had a suggestion, only to notice them all staring at her, asexpecting the answer and she shrugged.
"I wish I knew, but I don't. I mean, Percy isn't exactly a popular nor unknown person, when it comes to monsters. Anyone could have done it."
"So, it's safe to assume, that Percy didn't happen to go on a trip to his mom or something?" Will asked, shooting her a small sad smile as if trying to cheer her up and give her hope.
She smiled back and shook her head.
"Alright, so Perseus has gone missing again. If he does not return in a few days, we shall we send out a search troupe," Chiron concluded the meeting.
Annabeth grimaced and nodded to herself.
She knew it was unlikely, but she hoped he would be back before those days were up.
You're an idiot, Percy. But, you're still my idiot and I hate losing things.
Especially the most important ones.
Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson, etc.
so that was it for the fourth chapter. short i know, but eh. hope you liked it :)
-flaminia