~~~~•~~~~• Annabeth •~~~~•~~~~

Annabeth felt like she was going crazy. She might have been. She couldn't get the horrible things she was seeing out of her head. She couldn't concentrate. Not only that, but she felt sick. He had a terrible headache and her stomach hurt. Probably from the lack of food and water. All of her muscles hurt. The only reason she hadn't given up was Percy. He probably felt the same way.

They where taking a break by a mountain of rocks. She was on Daedalus' laptop, navigating where they should go. Percy was eyeing his bag, as if it might attack him. "Uh… Percy?" Annabeth said. "You ok?"

"Yeah. I'm fine." Percy said, still looking at the bag.

"Whatcha doing?" She asked.

"Medusa's head is in there. I think it's… weird."

Oh… you sure your ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Here, have some water." She was getting worried about him. He wasn't going insane, was he? "We'll get through this, Percy." She said, although she was starting not to believe it. "Just have a little ambrosia."

"No! We need to save it for emergencies," Percy said.

"This is an emergency. Your all cut up and bruised and…" she didn't want to say acting weird.

He sighed. "Fine, but you should have some too. Your leg is still not healed and you're just as bad as me."

"Then we have a deal," Annabeth said.

They each took a square out of the plastic bag and took a bite. It tasted like Sally Jackson's blue cookies. It reminded her of when she had gone over there when Percy was gone. How they cried together and talked. Then she thought about her mother and her conversation with her. What if I let her down? Annabeth thought. What will happen? Will she disown me?

"No." A woman's voice said.

"What?" Annabeth said.

Percy looked up. "What?"

"You didn't hear that?"

"Annabeth, are you ok?"

"I'm fine! I heard someone say 'no'!"

"Oh gods," he said.

"What?"

"We're both going insane."

"No! Percy, we will be fine. Remember what you said? We'll get out of here and have a perfect date. No gods or monsters bothering us."

"Yeah," Percy said. "Yeah, I remember."

"Annabeth." She heard the voice say again.

She looked up again. "Oh gods, I am going crazy."

"No, you aren't." The voice said.

Percy started to say, "I'm sorry, Annabeth. I didn't mean-"

"Wait a second," Annabeth said.

"It's me, Annabeth." She realized that she recognized the voice.

"Mother?" She said.

"Annabeth-" Percy started to say.

"Just shh for a second."

"Yes, it's me. I'm not disowning you, daughter. I haven't been more proud of any of my children. You are the only one who succeeded on this quest. You found my statue. You faced your worst fear and fell into Tartarus. I was selfish. Frustrated. I'm sorry about how I treated you." Athena said.

She didn't know what to say. The mother. A goddess. Was apologizing to her. "I-I-"

"Thank you Annabeth. You are going to get out of that horrible place. Understood?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now good luck, Annabeth."

"What just happened?" Percy demanded.

"I got a message from my mother. She told me that she is proud of me. Percy, we are going to get out of here."

No girl, a sleepy voice said.

"Gaea," Annabeth whispered.

"What?" Percy said, drawing his sword.

Your mind is slowly going. Don't listen to your mother. She's a liar. What has she ever done for you? She taunted. What have any of those gods ever done for you? You will not get out of there. No mortal ever has.

"No!" Annabeth shouted. She realized she was sobbing. "That is not true! Nico survived! We can too."

Please. Gaea said. He barely survived. I'm surprised he escaped with his mind. You and that boy, Percy Jackson, will die. Your blood will spill on the ancient stones. Your beloved camp will burn to ashes.

"Get out of my head!" Annabeth shouted. She drew her knife and slashed at the air.

"Annabeth!" Percy shouted.

She heard Gaea's sleepy laughter fading. Annabeth buried her face in Percy's chest. He stroked her hair. "It's ok, Annabeth. I love you."

"She said- she said-"

"Shh. Its ok. Your safe now."

"She told me that you're gonna die." She whispered.

He kissed the top of her head. Annabeth wasn't sure, but she thought she saw a tear stream down his face.