CHAPTER 2:
I threw my keys onto the kitchen bench and scanned the apartment. My eyes fell upon a stack of letters bundled up by a piece of string and I walked over to unread them, again. I looked to the first letter. A small smile gracing my lips. Percy Jackson was written in messy scrawl across the envelope. I slowly turned the flap up and pulled the letter out of the envelope.
Dear Seaweed Brain,
I got your letter, it's great to know you're alive. I miss you so much, Percy. I wish I could see you again. Camp was hit hard by the strange happenings – ever since you left they've become even worse, crazier even. I know a Daughter of Athena never says this (that was until we met you, of course) but I'm scared, Seaweed Brain. I honestly don't know what to think any more, all these thoughts. Should I trust him? Should I not? Just to name a couple. The day you left, the gods found another body – a roman demigod's. She had long brown hair that looked as though it would reach the middle of her back, porcelain skin making her look almost doll-like, a slight marking upon her wrist (I don't think she was found by Lupa as a child) and what appears to be light purple eyes. She looked to be a daughter of Bacchus. They think it was you, Percy. You didn't do it, did you? I'm sorry, I just needed to ask. I know you didn't so don't answer that.
I love you, Percy, keep doing what you do best – saving the world.
Wise Girl
I decided to skip and re-read the last one, making sure to finish the letter.
Dear Percy,
It's been a year since I last wrote to you and for that I am truly sorry. Our lives have changed dramatically since that day, Percy. I was originally just writing to say Happy Birthday, but I decided I'd fill you in on the most recent happenings.
Roughly six months ago, everything went wrong. Many of the campers went missing, we even found some of their bodies in the forest beside camp. It seems that we still haven't found anyone but our parents seem to still believe you're at fault. I know that's not true though, right? My mother is still trying to track you down – how in the name of Hades have you managed to stay hidden for three years? I don't even know where this gets sent! I just write Percy Jackson on it and it seems to make its way to you. You are Percy Jackson, correct?
I don't know if I told you this but I'll say it anyway, just to be sure. Ever since the death of Travis, Katie has been so sad and depressed. She took her own life. Katie used her own powers to kill herself. It was horrific. Connor was so upset, we even had to get his dad to talk to him to calm him down.
In the past three years, over fifteen campers have been killed – either through depression or unknown ways. All of them seem to go back to that day those three years ago. I have to go, Percy. Miss you heaps, Seaweed Brain!
Love,
Wise Girl
P.S.
I don't know if I can do this anymore, I mean, all the hiding, not knowing if you get these – you stopped answering after about the third letter I sent but instead just responded with yes and no answers. I really want to see you again, Seaweed Brain, I really do. Okay, now I'm really gone – Love you!
I admit, I did miss her more than one should admit. Maybe I should actually write back this time. Slowly, I stood up again, cracking the joints in my back as I stretched, walked to my desk and sat down. Reaching for a pen, I began writing the letter that would inevitably change my life forever.
Dear Annie, I laughed slightly, knowing she'd kill me for that.
My life has been pretty hectic recently. Rule one: WHATEVER I TELL YOU IN THIS LETTER IS CONFIDENTIAL, YOU MUST NEVER TELL ANYONE WHAT YOU READ IN THIS. UNDERSTOOD?
Okay, now that that's out of the way, let me tell you what has happened in the past three years. When I first left camp, I decided to use my "abilities" to help people rather than what my family believes. I joined the Marines about two months after I left – despite the memories that leave me shaking at night, I loved every minute of it (not the innocent lives lost though, that part I will hate for eternity). After roughly six months, I was deployed here in Washington DC as an agent of NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) and am standing at roughly… sixth best here in Washington. Apparently, I'm below only the Director of NCIS and the other agents in my team (I've been here the least amount of time).
If you really wish to see me, come to the base here in Washington – ALONE – and we'll talk. Otherwise we can't. Sorry, Wise Girl, I would come to you if I could – but c'est la vie.
Love,
The "infamous",
Seaweed Brain
I put the pen down and wiped the tears away from my eyes. I pushed myself away the desk and sealed the letter in a white envelope labelled 'Annabeth Chase, DOA'. Watching as the fireplace sparked a light, flames dancing across the charcoal, I threw the envelope into the fire. My door creaked open slightly which caused my senses to increase and adrenaline to go into hyper drive. I pressed a point on the fire place mantel and a small part of it opened up. I walked into the hole slowly and quietly shut the door behind me. Reaching downwards towards my ankle, I held my gun in my hands and watched as the intruder made her way across my living room. I quietly pushed the door open and walked out with my gun spinning around my finger. Now, before any of you try to tell me that's not how to deal with the scenario, I realise that, but my reflexes are faster than even the average demigod's. I could shoot my gun before the other person even had the chance to put their finger on the trigger.
"Now, now. Trying to capture somebody from their own home, that's pathetic – even from a master assassin."
The assassiness looked at me and smiled warmly. I put my gun back in its holster and sat on the worn blue couch my mother had bought all those years ago. She spoke clearly, each word articulated through her strange American accent, "Hello Percy."