HIIII! I missed you guys so much! I'm really sorry for not updating for the summer :( But anyway, school starts soon for me D: I don't want to go back there! Enjoy this chapter!

We found a hotel to stay at for me to rest. Nothing fancy, just what you'd expect out of a regular hotel.

I was laying on my bed, trying to drift off to sleep, but not really succeeding. The hydra attack seemed to wake me up, making me more alert of my surroundings. Percy was sitting at the table, apparently thinking. Now that the amusement park was miles from where we are now, the fun and happiness we had a few hours ago seemed to fade. It was all serious again. We had the riddles from Athena to think about.

Suddenly, an idea dawned on me. "Percy! We've been so stupid! We could've just searched up the answers of the riddle online!"

"Oh," he said. "Guess you're right."

I grabbed my laptop from my bag, the one given to me by Daedalus. The laptop was pretty cool, because you could give it a bunch of commands and it would follow. Plus, it had wifi wherever we went.

I typed in: "I have four wings, but cannot fly, I don't laugh and never cry. On the same spot I'm always found, toiling around without a sound. What am I?"

I clicked on the first search, and there was the answer: a windmill. I guess Athena didn't make the riddle up then. (A/N: The riddles I actually found online too :D)

"A windmill located on a mountain," Percy mused.

I typed in another search, and found the specific windmill I was looking for. It was located on the border between Arkansas and Missouri. Perfect.

We went into Percy's car again. The drive was pretty short, and we didn't really talk much.

I stepped out of the car, and stared up at the mountain. It was a pretty long hike. I was suddenly glad I spent time at the rock climbing wall.

We found a trail at the bottom and started walking up. The slope was very steep. I wondered how my converses hadn't already slipped.

I tried thinking of ways to start a conversation with Percy, but I didn't really get anything. What can I say, really? I knew pretty much everything about Percy.

No, you don't.

Then what don't I know? Care to tell me?

Erm...

So I do know a lot about you.

Yeah... I guess so.

I was sure Percy was holding something back, but he was never going to tell me, judging by the way he responded to my question earlier. Then again, I wasn't telling that one secret either.

Oh? What is that?

Oops. Why is it so easy to forget we still could hear each other's thoughts? Sooner or later, he'd figure out that I- Phew, caught myself before I spilled the beans.

Come on, you can trust me.

It's not something that I can exactly trust you with...

Just tell me. It'll be fine.

Suddenly, I stepped on something that made a crunch sound, saving me from answering. I lifted my foot, and screamed. Spider! It almost made me wish I had answered Percy's question instead. The spider was the biggest I've ever seen. After stepping on it, its legs were bent in an awkward position, but they were still moving. Looking ahead, I saw a whole line of them. Something I hadn't noticed earlier.

I screamed again, and ran down the path that we just covered.

"Annabeth!" Percy yelled. "Come back!"

I was practically in hysterics now. "No!" I screamed. "Not to the spiders!"

I heard footsteps, and in a second later, I was in Percy's arms. He was carrying me bridal style. This was not the time to blush, but I'm pretty sure I did.

"Annabeth, what's wrong?" he asked.

"Sp- sp-" I sputtered.

"Spam?" Percy asked. "It tastes quite good, to be honest. I know you're hungry, but we can get some later if you want..."

"NO! SPIDERS!" I yelled. I sobbed into Percy's shirt. The spiders were probably coming to take revenge on me for being Athena's daughter. I imagined their huge hairy bodies, eight long legs, scary eyes all over, and of course, their fangs dripping with venom. I shuddered violently. Two fears in a day! Percy's face immediately turned serious. He understood my fear of spiders.

"Shh," Percy whispered as he wiped my tears off with his thumb. He held me tightly. "It'll be alright. I promise."

Gradually, I calmed down. I think it was mostly Percy that helped. He was so warm, and I loved the feel of his arms around me. You're welcome.

I smiled a little, and he put me down.

"Ready?" He asked.

I nodded. When we got back to where the spiders were earlier, they were gone. I felt so relieved and happy. Because of sudden impulsiveness, I leaned up, and planted a kiss on Percy's cheek. I inwardly groaned. I was definitely losing it. Percy was grinning, probably amused at my thoughts.

Yeah? What's up?

Instead of answering, Percy flashed me another smile. I was momentarily in shock, and my heart was beating faster. Percy used that moment to humiliate me further. I agree with the statement that you are losing it.

Can you shut up for a second?

But I'm not actually talking, I'm thinking.

Same difference. By now, I had finally regained my composure. I trudged up to the top, not waiting for Percy.

Ahead of us was the windmill. I ran up, wanting to complete the challenge.

There was a crack, and Athena materialized in front of me. Percy arrived a few seconds later, panting with his attempt of catch up.

"Lady Athena," he said bowing a little.

"Mom," I said, lacking the formality.

Athena just smiled. "You have exceeded my expectations," she said. "I think other groups are still struggling with the first riddle. Good job with the spiders too." Now, I wasn't entirely sure she was talking to me. Oops.

Athena then turned her full attention to me. "Annabeth, dear, I have, uh, something to say. I know, there are many things in your life that I do not approve of. However, I trust that you can make your own decisions, just as you have with your architecture on Olympus. I no longer can control what you do, for you have grown into a wonderful young lady. I want you to follow your instincts, and do what makes you happy."

Oh. That was something very new. Athena wasn't really a mother-like figure, but she was certainly acting like one now. "Thank you," I replied, still feeling like I was missing something.

Then, Athena addressed Percy. "Be careful" was all she said before she disappeared.

"Really," Percy groaned. "Why do all gods have to talk in riddles?"

OMG I WANT TO WATCH CITY OF BONES SO BAD BUT I DONT KNOW WHEN like I waited forever for the movie and it's finally out! I'm so happy!

haha I have another thing I want to talk about. Has any of you read the Infernal Devices before? The trilogy is so amazing! I just finished Clockwork Princess, and tears were running down my face. If they don't make a movie for it, I'm gonna be SO sad :(

Also, I made this edit for the cover of this story, do you know if I can put it on? The edit is mine, but the original picture is from tumblr. says the picture has to be mine, but it's partly mine and partly tumblr's... If you know anything about this, please PM me! Thanks! Don't forget to review as well! Love you all (heart that somehow this website doesn't let me post) ;)