Reclaimed

by Meridgwd

Annabeth was living the perfect life. She had everything she had ever wanted, but it was different than she expected. There was no magic, no monsters, and no Percy. An unexpected arrival turns her picturesque life upside down, thrusting her into an adventure she didn't ask for—one where she might even learn the truth about her perfect life, and what really happened ten years ago.

1. Prologue

Annabeth

I stood at the entrance to the airport's main security checkpoint with my arms securely around Percy's neck. We'd been standing like this for a few minutes, and I knew I needed to disentangle myself soon or I would be late for my flight.

Percy had the same thought. He had his hands on my hips, and he gently pushed me back until we were face to face again.

"It's only three months," he said, "and you're moving just a few minutes away from my mom and Paul. I think my mom likes you more than she likes me, so you're not escaping the Jackson-Blofis family that easily." He smirked at me, and I had to choke back a sob.

I wasn't used to being away from Percy. After our junior year of high school, I didn't like being apart for too long. For the past four years, we had spent the school year in California and the summer in New York, but Percy wasn't coming with me this summer. He was staying in California for a marine science internship, while I was returning to New York to start my new job with the architecture firm I'd interned for multiple times.

I kissed him, mentally pausing to take in the moment. I tried to do this occasionally to remind myself how lucky I was. Plus, I was risking Zeus blasting me out of the sky in about two hours. As far as I knew, Zeus was on good terms with both camp and my mother, so I decided to take the risk since Percy couldn't drive with me this year.

I turned around after entering the TSA line and Percy gave me a wave. I mouthed "I love you," and turned back around before I could start crying. It was going to be a good summer. Percy was really excited about the internship he was starting, and I was glad he finally found something he loved doing. Plus, he was right. I was going to be only a few minutes away from Sally, Paul, and Estelle. Percy and I would talk all the time. It was going to be fine. It was only three months. I would see Percy in three months. That really wasn't that long at all.

Ten years later, and I hadn't seen Percy since.

A/N: I am an aspiring writer using this as an exercise to improve my original works. Feedback is appreciated. Chapter 1 is coming next week, then I will be transitioning to a biweekly schedule with the hope of publishing weekly over the winter. Canon through The Hidden Oracle because that's as far as I've read.