Act I Chapter XXXII: Luke Makes a Promise

"Annabeth seems to look up to you," a voice spoke up. Luke turned his head and focused on Frederick Chase. The mortal studied him quietly as if trying to decide if his first impression was correct or not. "Thank you for watching out for her."

"I couldn't just leave a kid alone," Luke shrugged. He moved his gaze over to Annabeth. She was standing next to Percy, and they seemed to be debating whether they should get the food to go or eat it there. "Besides, she was the one who found me."

A small smile came to Luke's face as he looked back at Annabeth. He still remembered that little ten year old barraging out of a trash can and trying to stab him because she thought he was a monster. Her pajamas had been dirty and torn. The first thing they did was steal her a new set of clothes.

It had been just the two of them for a few days. Annabeth had told him about the dream she received from a wolf. Together, they sought out the source of the dream. On the way, they found someone else first: Thalia Grace.

"-care of Annabeth," Frederick began, his voice jolting Luke out of his memories and causing the boy to pay more attention. "I looked for her, but when the police found nothing and called off the search, I was scared for the worst. Athena gave me a letter. She left it for me in my work office. It stated Annabeth was alive. I was so scared that she was lying to me."

"Until today," Frederick continued with a relieved sigh. "I know Annabeth doesn't want anything to do with me, but please, promise me you'll take care of her."

"I give you my word," Luke vowed. "I already swore on the River Styx that I'd protect Annabeth with my life. That her and I are family. And Frederick, don't give up hope on making things right with Annabeth. She's focused on making a safe place for demigods, but after that, she'll need something else to take up her time. I'll make sure she writes to you."

"Thank you," Frederick exhaled again, clasping Luke's shoulder. Then, he took a deep breath and walked towards Annabeth. Frederick didn't say anything and instead grabbed the food. It looked like they were going to eat there.

"It's odd that a goddess would care enough to write a letter," Reyna commented as she stopped by Luke's side. Luke almost jumped. He didn't realize she had been nearby. "Especially if she's lost like all the other Olympians. And, it's odd that she would break into a mortal's office and leave the letter, especially if she knew where he lived."

"It is odd," Luke concurred. Reyna smirked and leaned on the counter.

"Annabeth is lucky to have someone who cares as much as you do," Reyna commented. She rested her hands in her pockets and stared ahead.

"Annabeth's like a sister to me," Luke said resolutely. "Her and I have had each other's back for four years now. I'll protect her until the day I die."

Reyna nodded and looked down at the ground. Luke reached out to gently grab her arm. Even through her jacket, it felt like her arms were cold and that she was shivering. Probably due to all the cuts and holes in the jacket. It had always been a little oversized for her, and Luke wondered if it belonged to her sister.

"Don't take what Annabeth said personally. She just... hates the Romans," Luke lamely excused. "She heard this story years ago about how the Romans are the one who sacked Camp Half-Blood. How they were the only ones at fault."

"And she just believed a story that she heard once?" Reyna muttered.

"Annabeth believes it because the demigod that told her it was alive when it happened," Luke explained. Reyna looked at him in shock. "From everything that I heard, I thought all of the demigods from back then had been killed. Those at the camps were killed when their havens were destroyed, and any demigods outside of the camps were hunted by monsters. Or by the man downstairs."

"Why would he wipe out the demigods?" Reyna asked as her eyes moved to the floor.

"For power?" Luke guessed. "Or, it could be for the prophecy. Think about it: we don't know what the prophecy says, and Chiron said not even the gods knew. Only Zeus did; but, it was enough to scare him into telling his brothers they needed to take a vow to not have kids. What if the man downstairs helped wipe out all the demigods, so he could have a kid in peace?"

"Why wouldn't he have already done it then?" Reyna countered. "It's been decades. Wouldn't he already have a kid?"

"That's true," Luke admitted. "But, what if he doesn't want to take any chances and wants to wipe out all the other players?"

Reyna seemed to think about it. Out of the corner of his eye, Luke saw Annabeth approach them. Annabeth spoke, "The food is ready."

"Are you doing okay?" Luke asked as he faced Annabeth. There was a tension in her shoulders, and her chin was raised as if she was expecting someone to challenge her. Or for her father to ask her more personal questions.

Annabeth hesitantly nodded. As Reyna walked past them, Annabeth looked down and slowly spoke, "No. I'm not okay. This is awkward, and I hate this. I wish we didn't run into my dad."

"I know," Luke said softly. He gently grabbed Annabeth's shoulder and squeezed it. "But, he does care for you, Annabeth. I know he regrets all of the things he did."

"He blamed me for putting my step mom and brothers in danger," Annabeth complained as renewed rage flushed her face and voice. She looked up at Luke with a harsh glare. "Maybe it was my fault because I'm a demigod, but instead of trying to help me, he let my step mother call me a freak. He didn't even try to defend me."

"I was so scared and alone, and my father would never check on me. I'm glad I ran away," Annabeth stated. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Luke just rubbed her shoulder. He had broached this topic a few times before, but they never got far with it.

Annabeth hated her father, and Luke understood that. He just hated that Annabeth wouldn't give her father another chance. If Luke had the chance, he would do anything to be with his family again. Instead, his godly father was off doing who knew what. And his mother...

"I'm glad I found you," Annabeth whispered. Luke focused on her and smiled.

"I'm glad I found you too," Luke said back. "Come on. Let's eat and finish our trip to Alcatraz. I know that you don't want to talk to your father now, but you should give him another chance. Maybe after all this is done."

"Maybe," Annabeth relented. Luke led her back towards the table and took a seat next to Percy. He grabbed his fries and studied the young demigod next to him. Percy looked at him and smiled, and Luke returned it.

Luke enjoyed having Percy around the camp. Percy always tried to stay positive, was usually in a good mood, and trained hard. He wasn't jaded like the rest of them. Hopefully, he wouldn't become jaded after all of this. Luke just hoped that this quest would work for them and allow them to finally establish a safe place.

They just had to focus on the next step. Luke wasn't sure what was waiting for them at Alcatraz, but he knew it wasn't something good. What kind of monster or beast was waiting for them? Luke couldn't dwell on it because he knew they were prepared the best that they could be.

When they got to Alcatraz, they would have to scout it out and see what they were facing. They would also have to find exactly where Terminus' body was. But getting it out of Alcatraz? That would be the hard part.

They would probably have to take a tour and then ditch their guide as soon as they could. Maybe break in at night? Luke would have to consult Annabeth about it and see her thoughts. Nothing was going to stop Luke, though. He was going to get that bust and bring it back to Terminus, so they could finally have a safe place to stay and get some breathing room.

Luke owed it to Annabeth. He owed it to Clarisse and Reyna. Not to mention Percy, Drew, Will, and every demigod that he had trained. They deserved to be able to live peacefully without spending every moment worrying about their safety.

If the gods weren't going to be there to help them, the demigods would help themselves. Luke closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He needed to refuel himself. First, he would eat food and discuss a plan with the others. During the car ride, he would take a nap.

Luke could almost taste safety. He knew there would be a lot more work to do once they actually brought Terminus' body to his head, but it was a start. They would have just a patch of destroyed land, but it was a patch of destroyed land protected by this border god.

Luke opened his eyes. He wouldn't get ahead of himself. First, he needed to eat. He also needed to keep sharp playing babysitter and make sure the two girls didn't have another fight. Annabeth had her reasons to be suspicious, but Reyna had proven nothing but trustworthy so far.

Luke glanced at Percy. He knew there was something special about the boy, but he wasn't quite sure what it was. Percy was going to be an amazing swordsman, but there was more to it. Luke would keep an eye on Percy and train him to maximize his potential.

"Are you okay?" Annabeth asked. Luke looked at her and smiled.

"I am. Just a lot on my mind," Luke admitted. "But, I'm going to relax while we eat. We can plan after. Speaking of eating, should we get dessert?"