Percy woke up, dizzy. His arms and legs hurt. He looked around, realizing that he was tied up in chains. When he tried to move, his limbs really hurt. He looked around for Riptide. Maybe it was back in his pocket.
He sighed. He should've listened to Tartarus. If only he had obeyed him, Percy wouldn't be like this.
"Where are you?" Percy yelled out. "Come here and untie me!"
He could hear sobbing. He strained to see. Was it Annabeth? That coward must be crying again. "Oh, Percy… Why did you make me do this?"
Percy snorted. "Untie me, coward, or I will kill you."
Suddenly, Percy's head hurt. It felt like it was about to explode. He tried to do something, but all he could do was groan while his arms were chained. Memories flickered in his head. He was sitting on a hill with Annabeth, watching the sun set behind the sea. Then his vision changed. He was falling down, hugging Annabeth at the same time.
Percy panted, trying to recover from his headache. His vision cleared.
"Anna...beth…" Percy murmured.
"Percy?"
"I... I'm sorry…" Percy tried to stop himself from saying these words, but he couldn't.
"Percy? Are...are you back?"
"I love you…"
He stopped himself from saying any more. His headache cleared.
What was that about? he thought to himself.
"Annabeth Chase," said Percy. "If you don't untie me now-"
"Percy!" Annabeth ran towards him and started to unlock the chains tied to him.
Well, that worked.
Just as Annabeth was about to unlock the last 3 chains, Piper bust in.
"No! Stop it! What are you doing?"
"Percy! I'll save you!"
"No! Stop!" Piper yelled in charmspeak. Annabeth stopped, to Percy's disappointment. He sighed. When would Tartarus come?