Through Gray Eyes

by LittleLamb99

Haven't you ever wondered what Annabeth's side of the story is? What about all those times we don't get to know what Annabeth was doing? Well, this is a collection of memories belonging to Annabeth. Characters and scenery and some dialogue belongs to Rick Riordan. T to be safe.

4. 4: The Hunt

Memory 4: The Hunt

Thalia hadn't come to class all day. While everyone made their way to seventh period, Annabeth sneaked out to the dorm she shared with Thalia. She poked her head in the door. "Thalia?"

Thalia was sitting on her bed, holding a pamphlet tightly in her fist. In the other hand was a strip of pictures, like you would get from a photo booth. Tears streamed down her face silently.

Softly, Annabeth shut the door and went over to sit next to her friend. She put her arm around the older girl's shoulders and looked at the pictures.

She smiled wistfully when she recognized them. It was from back before Camp Half-Blood, when the trio was on the run. By that time, their clothes were grimy and they were hungry and tired. They were passing through Pennsylvania on their way to Luke's home, in Connecticut.

It was when they stopped at the King of Prussia Mall that Luke gave in and took the girls shopping, much to Annabeth's pleasure. Already, she loved architecture, and the mall's design fascinated her. The photo booth had been their last stop, when they were (somewhat) cleaner and a whole lot happier. For the moment, they could forget that they were semi-homeless kids being chased by mythical monsters.

Thalia looked up at Annabeth. "I've been thinking about what Hunters said. About joining." She showed Annabeth the pamphlet. It advertised the Hunters of Artemis, the eternal maidens who served the Goddess of the Hunt.

Annabeth frowned. "But you hate the Hunters. Why would you want to join after all this time?"

She sighed, rubbing her hand across her cheeks. "I still remember what Zoe said about Luke. How he would fail me some day. And now that he has, there's nothing stopping me."

She glowered at Thalia. "Luke has not failed you. He's just... I mean, Kronos is controlling him!"

Thalia gave Annabeth a look, like she knew Annabeth could barely believe her own words. Abruptly, Thalia stood. "I've made my decision. Maybe it's time for you to make yours." She handed the pamphlet to Annabeth and left, leaving behind the strip of photos.

Annabeth picked them up, staring at her friend's happy faces, not sure if she could live with her answer.