Annabeth's Point of View

The Titan's Curse - Hero

A/N: Remember to write requests!

XXX

Silence filled the air as we waited.

I never knew I would be in this situation - not even when I had figured out that Luke had betrayed the camp - had betrayed me. I had always denied it, had always said that Luke would come back eventually. But now I stood near him and felt fear beyond belief.

The last time I feared Luke was when I was only seven years old, hiding behind a trash can, thinking he was a monster. But now he was a monster, and heartbreak came with the fear.

I could hear him breathing. I knew he was calm, and that horrified me.

Then I heard it, the unkistakable sound of footsteps. Someone was coming up the mountain.

The first figure up the mountain was a beautiful girl I had never seen, but I assumed she was a hunter of Artemis because of the silver circlet around her head and her Hunter outfit. She had long black hair that she made into a silky braid, coppery-like skin, and a slightly upturned nose. Her coal black eyes were horribly familiar.

After her came Thalia, and I could feel Luke stiffen next to me, out of horror or anticipation I didn't know. Thalia looked just the same as I had remembered her with her spikey black hair and electric blue eyes, but she looked more tired.

After her came the one person I dreaded to see here the most. Percy.

His face was set, his sea green eyes burning with anticipation - for a fight, maybe? No, that wasn't Percy. He must be eager to find me. We were best friends, after all. I was shocked at how bitter that last thought what. His black hair was tousled like usual, as though he had just had a nice walk down the beach, and his clothes were worn out - just like they had been in our previous quests. I searched his face hungrily, feeling as though this was the last time I would see him, and seen something I never expected to see there - grief and guilt.

I didn't get to wonder anything about that because the stanger girl caught sight of the goddess that was carrying the sky.

"My lady!" the girl cried, her voice as beautiful as her face.

Artemis said the words that I had been dying to say ever since I caught sight of my friends. "Stop! It is a trap. You must leave now."

Even at these words the girl raced forward, tugging at the chains that circled Artmis' wrists. Tears ran down her cheeks at the sight of her 'sister' in pain.

Atlas thought this was the right moment to make our presence known. "Ah, how touching."

The three demigods turned. Their faces morphed into ones of horror.

I could understand why - Luke had the point of his sword to my throat (something that broke my heart completely) and my hands were tied tightly behind my back, making me unable to defend myself. Not to mention I was gagged.

I didn't know why the third girl was horrified, though. Maybe it was just at the sight of seeing the titan Atlas.

Percy met my eyes, his green orbs asking me a million questions I would be unable to answer at the moment. But I looked at him with one message screaming in my head: RUN!

"Luke," Thalia snarled, her expression furious, "let her go."

I didn't even want to look at Luke's expression, scared that I might see that weak and pale boy I had seen only moments before. "That is the General's decision, Thalia. But it's good to see you again."

The Luke I used to know would never listen to anyone unless, deep in his heart, he knew it was right. But the weak Luke next to me was so unfamiliar but familiar at the same time that it left my head spinning.