Ransom

Chapter 5: Annabeth Jackson

Percy paced his bedroom floor while Annabeth sat on his bed. "Is she really alive? Wise Girl, is my baby sister alive?" He asked her. "Apparently." Annabrth responded.

"I feel like I should be jumping up and down right now." Percy said. "If she and Castor really did have to escape Elysium of all places, it must be bad." Annabeth noted. Percy nodded his head and said "Man, this entire situation is awful." Percy plopped down on his bed and rested his head on Annabeth's lap.

"What am I supposed to do? We have a son to worry about, we cant just leave him." Percy said.

"I know, Seaweed Brain." She replied.

"Maybe," Percy started as he sat upwards to look at Annabeth "we could leave on a quest and leave the kids with Calypso, you know, the six of us."

Annabeth pondered the idea and said "I mean it sounds okay, but what do you think Leo would say to that?" Percy furrowed his eyebrows and said "I think that Leo would be glad that Calypso was out of danger." Annabeth nodded her head and said "Then let's call the seven together and get ourselves a quest."

Percy and Annabeth exited the Poseidon cabin and headed towards the Big House. Once they got there, they discovered that Hazel, Frank, Leo, and Jason were already there. "What's going on?" Percy asked.

"We are going to look for Piper. Calypso has agreed to take care of the kids. Are you guys in?" Jason told them. Annabeth let out a hearty laugh and said "That's what we were going to come here and suggest."

"Great, so you're in?" Hazel asked. Annabeth smiled to Hazel and said "Of course we are. It'll be like old times, well, sort of."

Hazel nodded and asked "When should we leave?" Annabeth thought and looked to the others. Then, she asked "How about tomorrow morning? It's almost dinner anyways."

"Sounds good to me." Frank said. "Guys, where exactly are we headed?" Leo asked. Percy and Annabeth shared a look before Annabeth said "If Allie and Castor are escaping Tartarus through the Doors of Death like Allie had said, then that's where we should start."

The others held a solemn look on their faces. No one wanted to go back there, especially Annabeth and Percy.

If it meant saving Allie, Castor, and Piper, though, they would.

"We better go tell Clarisse and the kids what's going on." Frank said.

Everyone evacuated the room to go and tell their kids the news. Jason was the last one out. Annabeth and Percy waited for him. "How am I supposed to tell Allie that her mother was kidnapped and now I am leaving camp to go and save her aunt who rose from the dead?" Jason asked us, worry evident in his facial expression.

Annabeth shrugged her shoulders sympathetically and said "Just try your best."

Jason nodded and walked down the stairs of the newly-done Big House.

"Let's go tell Luke." Percy said as he held her hand. Annabeth nodded and started down the stairs.

As they walked, Annabeth asked "Who do you think is behind all of this?"

Percy shrugged his shoulders and said "I honestly have no clue." And so, they walked in silence.

"You don't think it's Tartarus again, do you?" Annabeth asked. She feared that her conclusion would be correct, and that she would have to face him once again.

"No, Allie and Zeus took care of him." Percy said confidently. Annabeth nodded her head. She hoped that he was right.

As Annabeth and Percy approached the Poseidon cabin, where they now lived with Luke, Percy asked "Could you maybe do the talking? You're better with words than I am."

Annabeth laughed and said "Sure, we both know that I am better with words. I mean, look at your proposal."

"Hey!" Percy exclaimed with a smile. The way that Percy proposed to Annabeth was quite...creative. Note the sarcasm.

Percy had walked up to her and just flat out asked her "Wanna get married?"

Come on, Perce. What a proposal story, huh?

Typical Seaweed brain...

Anyways, as they opened the door they had to duck as a pillow soared above their head.

"Woah!" Percy exclaimed. Luke and Allie had been sparing. "Sorry, dad." Luke said. Allie took this opportunity to judo-flip Luke and hold her sword under his chin. "Ha." Allie said with a smile. "Looks like Allie beat you again." Annabeth said with a sly smirk. "That's only because you guys distracted me." Luke pouted. "And what about all of the other times?" Allie asked as she helped him up. Luke crossed his arms and pouted.

"What's up?" Luke asked once he saw that his parents were serious. His arms fell to his side. "Allie, your dad is looking for you." Annabeth said gently. She nodded and walked out. Before she did, she turned around and said to Luke "Beat ya again."

Luke shook his head and said "It should have been a tie and you know it." with a smirk on his face. "Shoulda coulda woulda." Allie smiled as she exited the cabin.

Allie shook her head while laughing as started towards Zeus cabin. Percy closed the door behind her. "Luke, you might want to sit down." Annabeth said. Luke sat on his bed and looked up expectantly at his mother. "Your father and I are going to have to leave for a little while." She said.

"Leave on a vacation or a quest?" Luke asked with a raised eyebrow. Annabeth looked to Percy. "Quest." Percy said.

Luke nodded and said "Okay. When are you leaving?"

Annabeth was surprised that he handled that so well. "Tomorrow morning." Annabeth replied. "Okay, I'll miss you." Luke said. "We'll miss you too, bud." Percy said. Luke was so considerate for an eight year old. He didn't want to make his parents feel bad about leaving.

Annabeth nodded and said "You, Sammy, and Allie will stay with Calypso while Jason, Hazel, Frank, and Leo come with us."

"Okay. And before you start with it, I promise to be good for Auntie Calypso." Luke said with a smile. Percy laughed and said "Good." as he ruffled Luke's hair.

Luke stood and walked out of the cabin. "He handled that well." Percy said as he sat down on the bed. "He's trying to be strong." Annabeth told him. Percy nodded and said "I know."

Annabeth smiled lightly and sat next to him. "We should pack so we can leave right away." Annabeth said.

Percy nodded and walked to his chest. He started to pack.

Annabeth took a deep breath and said "I can't believe this is happening to us."

Percy nodded and said "I know, me either."

Annabeth stood and walked over to Percy. He was stuffing a shirt into his backpack. Annabeth hugged him from behind. "Percy, promise me you will try not to do anything stupid on the quest. We have a kid to worry about now." She asked him.

Percy rested his hands on top of hers and said "I'll try Wise Girl, but you know me. I'll do what I have to."

Annabeth nodded and rested her head on his shoulder. They stood there for a minute, in perfect tranquility.

okayyy so they are going on a quest!
vote for the next chapter!
~camp_hero