Annabeth Chase and the Lightning Thief

Chapter 4 - I sass my mother

I was in a temple, standing near the altar. Instinctively, I found myself admiring the architecture, studying how the pillars connected with the roof and how it was coloured red, white and blue. It was as if it had just been built, not old and weathered like temples dedicated to the Greek gods and goddesses today.

I sighed as I realised I was in a dream. And I had a faint idea who had organized this one.

"Don't trust the boy," a voice called from the direction of the altar. "He is not who you think he is."

"Well that's helpful seeing as I don't know who he is," I answered grumpily, glaring at the altar.

"Don't sass me child," the voice of my mother snapped. Of course she wouldn't appear in person. She was way too busy for that.

"Then tell me who he is," I said. "At least tell me something." Even I could hear the bitterness in my voice.

"I am not sure whose son he is," Athena answered sulkily and I grinned as I heard the pain in her voice. She had the same faults as I did. "But I have my suspicions," she added hurriedly, as if admitting she was somewhat wrong would lose her status of being a wisdom goddess. "And I do not want any child of mine fraternizing with that god's child."

I frowned. That god?

"Which god?" I asked, although I had an idea which one. If Athena felt the same way as I did, then there had to be a pretty good reason why.

But already my dream was starting to fade away and my mothers final words floated to me as I began to regain conscious.

"He's an enemy. Don't trust him."

I woke feeling more confused than ever. Why was life so complicated? Especially the life of a demigod.

I could see that it was nearing dinner time and as I hadn't eaten all day, my stomach was complaining loudly. Hopping out of bed, I hurried towards the mess hall, combing my hair with my fingers as I went. Hopefully I wasn't late enough to meet my cabin as we were going in. It was a disgrace if a head counsellor wasn't there.

Fortunately, luck seemed to be on my side for once. I met my cabin just as they were ready to head in and were becoming impatient waiting for me. I nodded to them as we walked to our table, but for the rest of the evening, I was too distracted to hold a conversation. My thoughts were all in a jumble, worse than ever. Instead of answers like I'd hoped, the boy gave more questions. Who was he? Was he the chosen one? And what did my mother have to do with him?

It was an exhausting night as I rummaged through my entire brain for answers but found nothing. But I was up early anyway, heading to the Big House to find Chiron.

He was on the porch playing pinochle with Mr D, his legs folded into a wheelchair. He looked up as I approached and nodded in acknowledgement but Mr D just ignored me, as expected, not that I cared. It was better than having to make civil conversation with him when all I actually wanted to do was throw him in the lake.

I was glad that he couldn't read minds. He was a god, but in my opinion, a pretty weak one. Like, all he could do was make wine, well, and turn people insane, but other than that, nothing much.

By introduction, Mr D is Dionysus, god of wine. He was sentenced to be camp director for 100 years as punishment by Zeus for chasing a nymph. But it turns out that it's more punishment for us rather than him.

He was small and chubby, his gut hidden behind a loud tiger-patterned Hawaiian shirt. He was clean-shaven with curly black hair, pudgy fingers, scowling eyes and a pouting mouth. Most of the time, we managed to avoid him, but there were those nightmarish occasions when that is impossible, making everyone involved miserable.

"Where's the kid?" I asked in way of greeting.

"His name is Percy Jackson," Chiron answered mildly, smiling gently at me.

"Ok, where is he?"

"Be patient my dear. He nearly died you know. Give him time to recover."

"Nearly dying in every demigods life story," I muttered bad temperedly, but I subsided obediently, leaning against the railing of the porch to wait. I wasn't even sure that he was even coming, but honestly, I didn't have anything better to do.

Luckily, I didn't have long to wait. I saw them first as they came around the side of the Big House, following the wrap-around porch. Grover was guiding the kid - Percy or whatever - as they headed our way. Percy was staring around at the surroundings with his mouth hanging so wide open that I wouldn't be surprised if a whole waterfall of drool came out.

"Mr Brunner!" He suddenly cried, catching sight of Chiron.

The centaur looked pleased to see him, as if he already knew him. Was he why Chiron was away for the year? If he was, then the boy was more important than I thought.

"Ah, good, Percy," he said. "Now we have four for pinochle."

I glanced at him, hoping that it wasn't me that would make up the fourth. He didn't seem to sense me looking, so I turned my attention to Grover, who was looking at me pleadingly. I didn't blame him. No one wanted to play pinochle with Mr D if they could help it.

'Paper-scissors-rock,' I mouthed at him.

He nodded eagerly and we each made a fist, tapping it on our other palms. He came up paper while I did scissors. I grinned triumphantly while he drooped, trying to make me feel guilty. No such luck. I'd do a lot for Grover, but playing pinochle with Mr D, that was a big no-no.

No one else seemed to notice our silent duel, mainly because Chiron was watching Percy, Percy was watching Mr D, and Mr D was watching his can of Coke, probably hoping it would magically turn into wine. As part of his punishment, Zeus had banned him from drinking wine, but that still didn't stop him from hoping.

Percy was seated beside Mr D and looked pretty creeped out already.

"Oh, I suppose I must say it," Mr D grumbled. "Welcome to Camp Half-Blood. There. Now don't expect me to be glad to see you."

"Uh, thanks," Percy said, looking disgusted and confused.

I grinned and remembered my own welcome. Percy got it lucky.

"Annabeth," Chiron called and I came toward to stand beside him. "This young lady nursed to back to health, Percy. Annabeth, my dear, why don't you go check on Percy's bunk? We'll be putting him in cabin eleven for now."

Of course. Poor Luke. As if there wasn't not enough space already.

"Sure Chiron," I said and was suddenly conscious of Percy staring at me.

His green eyes were bright as he gazed at me and I wished I knew what he was thinking. I probably wouldn't like it.

I remembered what my mother had said about him. "He's an enemy. Don't trust him." He didn't look evil. Just any regular demigod. But then I saw the Minotaur horn in his hands and had second thoughts. No regular demigod could take down that particular creature without practice or help.

He was still staring at me as if waiting for me to say something.

"You drool in your sleep," I told him before turning and sprinting off.