She knows it. She has knew it for long, but now, finally she can admit it.
The empathy links.
She knows she has it with Perseus Jackson, her half-brother, a now missing hero.
And the bad thing is?
It only works one way.
The day when she knew about the empathy link is the first day she had nightmares. She found out that she can felt what he was feeling, sudden anger, sudden happiness, when she wasn't doing anything. But Percy doesn't feel the same. Chiron said that it was some kind of bond between siblings, different from the link between Grover and Percy. It was the kind of link that was created when you think of someone too much that you can first understand their feelings just by looking at them, then slowly you can feel their feelings, and then the empathy link will be created. And that was definitely what happened. Because, since you haven't noticed, she still has a crush on Percy. Yeah yeah it gross, but don't blame her. Aphrodite takes all the credit for this. Oh and another news? Annabeth and Percy shared an empathy link too, just they didn't know.
Cacy doent't like this whole empathy link things.
Because even with it, she can't feel Percy. She can't feel her brother. And that's why she doesn't tell Annabeth... She feels useless and tiny. And worthless. Like always.
Annabeth has been in a serious broken down. It has been two days since Percy is gone. Annabeth is not herself anymore. She doesn't concentrate on anything. Most of the time, it's like she's not even here.
The next day, Annabeth wakes up with a scream. Cacy runs to Athena cabin, but most of the other campers were there. She is not the only one that care about Annabeth. But the blond hair girl seems not to notice the crowd around her. She just keep mumbling "Percy" and packing her bag. Eventually, people leaves. Only Cacy is still there. Annabeth rushes out of the cabin, but Chiron has come. He holds her back.
"Annabeth" The old centaur says "What are you doing?"
"Finding him." She says, doesn't even bother to look at Chiron. And of course, 'him' means Percy.
"Wait, what?" Cacy says in disbelieve "You know where he is?"
Chiron looks as shock as Cacy is.
"Annabeth, please, calm down and tell me what happened."
"No!" The daughter of Athena yells "I have to go now! What if he is waiting? What if he is in danger?" The blond girl whispers those words, like saying it out loud can make it comes true.
"Well then at lease you have to tell me where are you going?" Chiron asks, sounds impatient.
Annabeth bites her lip, then breath out: "Grand Canyon"
"Grand Canyon?" Cacy asks, confused "But why?"
"I have had a dream." Annabeth says "There's a voice told me that if I come to the Grand Canyon and find a boy with only one shoe, I will find the answer for Percy's missing. I think Percy is that boy."
"It's too simple, don't you think?" The centaur asks.
"I know... just..."
"I'll come with you, Annabeth." Cacy speaks. "Please. I have to. He is my brother."
"No." Annabeth says and Cacy frozes in shock.
"But..."
"Cacy." Annabeth cuts her protest "I know you want to go. I know you worry about him. But... I can't put you in danger. What if something happens to you? How can I tell him about that? You are his sister!"
"And you are his girlfriend." Cacy grits her teeth "What do you think he will feel if something happens to you?"
"Cacy" Chiron says "She is right. You should stay here. You'll be safe here."
For a moment, the daughter of Poseidon stands in shock. Tears start to fill in her turquoise blue eyes. Obviously, she is hurted by those words.
"You too, Chiron? You too?" She whispers, a tear streaks down her cheek. Then she turns and runs to the woods.
The two look at her dark hair disappear into the shaded place.
"You own her a real big apology, Annabeth." Chiron says
"You... I... er..." For the first time in forever, the daughter of Athena loses her words.
"I understand. Trust me, I really do." The old centaur smiles sadly. "Thousands years of demigods" He slightly shakes his head. "I have seen so much more."
"I don't really mean to..."
"I know. But you said it, anyway. We are all selfish. All of us. Even the gods are selfish. Oh and Annabeth, you'll need a ride. I'll call Butch from the Iris cabin. He is great with the chariot."
"Thank you Chiron. For all of this." Annabeth smiles.
"No need. Now go to the Thalia tree. Butch will meet you there."
While waiting for Butch at the Thalia tree, Annabeth thinks back to the conversation earlier. A hint of guilty creeps into her mind, and she feels ashame. How could she be so mean?
Cacy's safety is not the only reason that Annabeth doesn't want her to come. Actually, it never was. She has to admit, she doesn't really care if Cacy is dead. (Now the guilty feeling is getting stronger). The real reason is, she is uncomfortable with Percy's half sister. That girl kinda creeps her out with her difference, her silence and her thought. And she, ah, it's hard to say this, but she jealous with Cacy. Percy seems really love his sister, and she feels that the time he spent for her isn't enough. Beside, though she has brothers and sisters, no one actually care for her that much. Of course, it because beside Tyson, Cacy is the only sibling that Percy has. But still...
Stop being mean!, she says to herself. Don't you see that you are being ridiculous? She doesn't even have a family! Annabeth Chase, what is wrong with you?
The sound of a chariot stop her from thinking. She looks up. Butch is standing on the chariot, waving at her. Annabeth shakes her head and heads to the chariot, exciting to see her boyfriend back.
