"Luke?" Annabeth gasped. "How - who...?"
Luke smiled sadly. "I missed you, Annie."
Annabeth gripped the stairwell handrail. "But you're dead."
"I know." Luke stood up, approaching her. "It's very complicated to say, but seriously, I'll tell you later."
"Tell me now." Annabeth shuddered silently. How could Luke be back from the dead? Was this a trick?
"Annabeth? What's wrong?" Percy asked.
"He can't hear me," Luke clarified. "I'm speaking through my mind only to you."
"Are you a ghost?" Annabeth wondered.
Luke laughed, but didn't say anything.
"Annabeth," Percy said. "Speak to me!"
"You better go talk to your boyfriend." Luke's smile vanished. "Say something."
"He can't hear me speak to you?" Annabeth asked.
"You're speaking to through your mind," Luke assured her.
"This is just creepy." Annabeth sat down. "I'm just imagining you, aren't I?"
"Believe what you want. It's easier that way." Luke sat beside her. "Maybe you are just seeing me as an illusion. But it doesn't mean you're crazy."
"Oh gods." Annabeth turned away from him. "Leave me alone!" He disappeared, and Percy tapped her shoulder.
"I'm all right," Annabeth said, looking at the spot Luke was sitting. "I just need a lot of water."
"You spaced out," Percy said. "You were just staring, and ignored me. You are not okay."
"I'm fine. If it happens again, just...splash water in my face."
Percy didn't leave the matter closed, but when Annabeth told him what she was planning to make, he listened.