Annabeth Chase and the Lightning Thief

Chapter 10 - I do a lot of listening

"Annabeth," Chiron said, looking back at me.

Grover bleated in fright as I took my cap off, my body shimmering into view. He'd seen me do that tons of times, but yet every time it still startled him.

"I need to go on that quest," I said immediately, in way of greeting.

I stared at Chiron defiantly, but inside I was already feeling the bitter pain as I prepared to be turned down once again.

"I agree," he answered, shocking me. "In fact, I was hoping you'd volunteer. There's no one else I would have chosen."

My hopes soared so high I felt I could fly. At that moment, I didn't even care that I was drenched, again, or that I was to be stuck with Percy. Nothing could have beaten this moment.

Until I remembered the impending war between the gods depended on us to find a lightning bolt. Now I didn't feel so confident.

"I'm counting on you, Annabeth," Chiron told me, his dark eyes serious and mournful. "You need to watch over Percy. There are so many people who wish to kill him. I fear that he will not survive this." He turned away, pain in his gaze.

"Don't worry, Chiron," I told him, going over to place my hand on his shoulder. "I'll have his back."

"Good. For I feel that all our lives depend on him."

I felt cold inside. "You mean the Great Prophecy -"

Grover bit into a Diet Coke can nervously.

"We don't know that yet," Chiron answered hastily. "He could not be."

"But he has to be," I insisted. "What other child of the Big Three could there be?"

Chiron was about to answer when we heard footsteps on the stairs. I whipped out my cap and jammed in on my head, moving to stand behind Chiron as Percy came out of the Big House.

He looked pale and worried, his green eyes haunted and face gaunt. It was almost as if he'd aged while in there.

"Well?" Chiron asked worriedly.

Percy collapsed into his chair, slumping despairingly.

"She said I would retrieve what was stolen."

"That's great!" Grover exclaimed, the remains of his Diet Coke can nearly falling out of his mouth.

"What did the Oracle say exactly?" Chiron asked and I leaned forward in anticipation, half-hanging over Chiron's shoulder. "This is important."

"She . . . she said I would go west and face a god who had turned. I would retrieve what was stolen and see it safely returned."

"I knew it," Grover interrupted, looking so excited his can was almost forgotten.

"Anything else?" Chiron pressed.

Percy seemed to think. That was a scary thought.

"No," he said finally. "That's about it."

I knew he was lying. Guilt and fear was plain on his face. What could be so bad that he couldn't tell us?

Chiron seemed to realise that too. "Very well, Percy. But know this: the Oracle's words often have double meanings. Don't dwell on them too much. The truth is not always clear until events come to pass."

"Okay," Percy said anxiously. "So where do I go? Who's this god in the west?"

"Ah, think, Percy," Chiron said. He may as well have asked a turtle to fly. "If Zeus and Poseidon weaken each other in a war, who stands to gain?"