Whumptober 2021

#9) Dying to See You- PJO

Prompt #9- Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. PJO The Labyrinth; Annabeth's perspective of when Percy disappeared after Mt. St. Helens 

As Annabeth chased down the mechanical spider she wanted to scream, curse, maybe cry. Or all three. 'That, that SEAWEED BRAIN.' That self-sacrificing idiot. Whatever he'd done at Mount St. Helens she could feel even here in the tunnels. While Poseidon was more known for being god of the sea, he was also the Earthshaker. Percy must have tapped into that. But what had Percy done?

More importantly, what happened to Percy?

The telekhines had made it clear they were out for blood... and if they somehow figured out Percy was Poseidon's son...

Fear unlike any Annabeth had ever known gripped her heart. She was no stranger to losing people close to her in the age old gods' war. Yet the thought of losing Percy stole her breath away. She couldn't lose Percy. She couldn't.

Her lips still smarted from the kiss she'd given him. An impulsive action she did not regret, especially if... no she couldn't go there.

The scuttling noise of the *shudder* spider reminded Annabeth she had no choice to follow or be eternally lost. Focusing on staying with the spider she shoved her fears into a box in her mind.

'Come on Seaweed Brain. You'd better meet up with me quickly.' She didn't allow herself to think of the alternative.

***********

Upon reaching Hephaestus' forge Annabeth forced herself to give a logical and concise report of what they'd found. Hephaestus rubbed his beard thoughtfully.

"After your demonstration I doubt the telekhines will be back anytime soon. Though it sounds like I'll have some serious repairs to make."

Annabeth ground her teeth. "Do you know if anything happened to Percy?"

Hephaestus raised a bushy eyebrow. "My powers do not extend that far."

Turning to look around the workroom, Annabeth spotted a half finished fountain. Without asking for permission she stomped over and flipped the switch. Water flowed, reflecting in the waning light of the forge. A small rainbow appeared.

"Oh Iris of the Rainbow. Accept my offering." She tossed in a drachma. "Show me Percy."

The rainbow shimmered for a second then a voice responded, "Call unable to complete."

'No! No, no, no, no!' Acutely aware of the god's presence Annabeth forced herself to take a deep breath.

"I believe this will work itself out, until then..." Hephaestus snapped his fingers before Annabeth could respond. The world dissolved around her.

That was how Annabeth found herself back on the porch of the Big House, startling a couple first year campers but only receiving a raised eyebrow from Chiron.

"We need to talk." She was proud that her voice didn't break.

"Indeed." Chiron nodded to the five or so kids gathered around them. "Class is dismissed."

The kids scattered, shooting looks at Annabeth over their shoulders. Annabeth gritted her teeth. It'd only be a matter of minutes before the whole camp knew she'd just appeared within camp boundaries... without any of the quest members she'd set out with. The gossip was going to be horrible to deal with, let alone the actual reasons themselves...

"My dear, I see a lot has happened in a short amount of time."

Annabeth felt like bursting into tears. Instead she focused on giving another succinct report of what had taken place on the quest. She only faulted when she reached the most recent events. When she spoke of Percy's choice to stay behind Chiron's face grew grave.