IX

Annabeth

Was no doubt panicking internally.

The Mark of Athena? sure It could mean anything, But not for this Daughter of Athena.

She's only heard about it once.

A secret passed on from head councilor to head councilor.

She wasn't able to hear it from their former head councilor but she heard it from Daedalus, once before his soul was set free.

She knew all about it but no, she isn't scared for herself. She was this strong Daughter of Wisdom and Battle strategy. She could admit though she was scared for everyone else.

She didn't want to hurt anyone.

What is the Mark of Athena? Well, Annabeth couldn't bear to explain.

She couldn't believe that after months of looking for Percy, in the end, when she finally found him; she'd have to willingly be separated from him, to keep him and the others safe.

Annabeth wanted to scream out how unfair it was.

Why are the fates so cruel? She barely had three days with him. It was somewhat the best of her life but still.

Annabeth was feeling the tears threatening to come out.

No.

She thought, she isn't going to cry. She'll make sure this separation isn't permanent.

She was already preparing herself from leaving, she avoided the person she didn't want to live without. She knew she had to get used of him not being around to make it easier for both of them.

She slowly packed. In between breaks, she'd creep to her room in the Argo II and load her duffel bag an Item at a time.

Not putting to much things so to not arouse suspicion of disappearing Items because they still had inspection every other day.

Annabeth took a deep breath.

She took one of her favorite Grey shirt. It had an Owl in the middle, it's majestic head turned towards the north, to put it shortly, It could face you straight on.

Annabeth stared at the shirt.

It was a gift from Percy.

He have said that it reminded him so much of her that he just had to take it. That seaweed Brain was going to buy a Greek history book for his project in school but decided take the shirt instead. She quickly stuffed it in her bag.

She looked then at her nightstand. There was an Ocean-themed picture frame that she got from their first quest at the water park.

She kept it with her the whole eight months of his disappearance. In the picture was Percy and Annabeth after they got dumped in the lake.

They were both dry thanks to Percy and both were blushing like crazy with smiles like mad women.

Chiron had been looking for them and when they rose above water the campfire was long done.

Annabeth smiled but her lips trembled.

She took the picture frame, picture and all and stuffed it in her bag. It was about Dinner. She told Piper she wasn't really hungry and told her she'd just be taking a stroll around get familiar to the roman camp.

She would go tonight.

The sooner the better for everyone else.

She thought of Percy the whole time but She tried to shove him in the back of her mind. It was too painful that it was almost unbearable.

She didn't want to have avoided him but she knew she'd get caught faster and he would never let her go. The problem is she had to go.

If there was any other way she would stay. She can't bear the thought of being away from him for even a measly second but there is no other way.

The Mark of Athena can't be avoided, It could be stalled but it would get to her sooner or later.

Annabeth thinks it best that nobody was within her reach when it got to her.

But there it was again. The thought of Percy. That Seaweed Brain...

"I'm sorry, Percy. But I need to go." She whispered, Closing her eyes shut as if to hide herself from what she's about to do. This was breaking her heart into billions and millions of pieces.

"Annabeth...?" Annabeth's eyes snapped open.

Short chapter but full of suspense huh? A review always help make stuff longer and updates faster!