How Fates Can Twist

Chapter 13

Annabeth's POV

Her and Percy hadn't spoken any more about what was coming. There wasn't anything else to say. They would be separated and they would both be bitter over it, but they could do nothing. So instead of talking, they sat in silence, holding each other's hands as the lifeboat sped farther and farther north.

Something had been up with Hazel ever since the southern coast of Alaska came into view. Frank seemed to know something Annabeth didn't, because when she tried to check on the girl Frank intercepted her, telling her Hazel needed space not company. She didn't like the feeling of being out of the loop. What if Hazel knew something that could help with the quest, something only Annabeth would be able to connect the dots on? What if her silence was setting them back by days?

Annabeth tried her best to not let herself become sour over it, though. More and more memories had been flooding in during their ride, and she recalled how when she was younger she had been the exact type of kid who would throw a fit over something like this, who would have demanded that they not hide things from her, pulling the daughter of Athena card to prove she should be in charge.

But that wasn't her anymore. Through some painful lessons, an image of a sphynx taunting her comes to mind, she learned to be a bit more humble. Probably for the better. She wonders if she ever made a trip to the sea of monsters again, would she still see hubris in the sirens' spell?

And so she refrained from bombarding Hazel with questions, leaving the girl to her thoughts. But as their boat finally pulled up alongside a worn, wooden dock, Hazel looked like those thoughts were about to pull her under the freezing water surrounding them.

Hazel's POV

The flashback that she had shown Frank the night before while Annabeth was sleeping kept playing over in her head. The tall, scraggly pines that had watched her every move since her and her mom arrived in Alaska. That is, until a very different force was scrutinizing her in that cave as she dragged them down with her. She could almost feel the rocks falling on her head still, closing her in.

But there wasn't any cave collapsing on her right now. It had been almost a hundred years since that day. Still, as she and her newfound friends climbed out of the stolen lifeboat and onto land, she could swear the pine trees turned to look at her.

"This is it," she heard the deep voice of the god say behind her.

Reluctantly, Hazel turned her back to the trees and looked at where Percy and Annabeth stood, still on the boat.

Yesterday Frank had said he still wasn't sure what to make of Percy. Frank had been uneasy around him since the day they met, but Hazel had a feeling that now it was more out of awe than out of fear.

Hazel, however, had never been unsure about Percy. She saw the way he looked at Annabeth, a girl she'd only known for a week but somehow that didn't matter when it came to their trust in each other. She knew he wasn't a Greek god. Not on the inside, anyways.

Hazel felt a connection to him, even if she never said it out loud. He'd cheated death, by someone else's doing, not his own, and wielded a power that seemed too unreal for his young and heartfelt smile. Hazel could relate to both of those deep in her soul.

"Are you leaving?" Hazel asked, her mind returning to the moment.

"Land beyond the gods, remember?" Frank offered.

Percy nodded, his hands holding Annabeth's. There it is , Hazel thought. She could tell from the moment they met that the two of them were more than friends. She's glad they finally figured it out for themselves.

"So," Annabeth began, clearly stealing herself. "We're off to find Thanatos. Shouldn't take more than a few days. You'll be here when we get back?"

If we survive , Hazel wanted to add. She had learned first hand that it wasn't a guarantee. But she knew Annabeth wasn't just being optimistic, she was being logical. If they aren't killed, they will in fact be back here in a few days time. If they aren't, then it's smartest to assume them dead.

"I'll keep an eye on the whole coastline. Pros of being a god, I can do that. Just find the sea, and I'll find you," he said in a joking manner. But with the way he was looking at Annabeth, it felt more like a serious promise.

She nodded, and with a deep breath released his hands and stepped onto the dock. Frank looked over at Hazel, and they exchanged a knowing glance. They had just invaded a rather private conversation.

The three demigods began their trek to gods knows where, and as they passed the trees she remembered so vividly, Hazel had an unfortunate feeling that her memories would be coming in useful. Her stomach churned with every step they took.

Annabeth's POV

There were a few reasons for why she felt so uneasy as they walked.

First, Percy wasn't here. Her quests as a kid had now come back clear as crystal to her and every single one involved Percy by her side. Godly powers or not, he was her questing partner, and without him she had an awful feeling something would go wrong.

Second, another memory kept trying to pop into her head, but it couldn't seem to get through. It was one that made her heart sting and eyes water every time she tried to pull it to the surface. She needed to know what it was, and what it meant.

And last, but certainly not least, Hazel's face was covered in a look of sheer terror, like she was a dead girl walking. It sent shivers down Annabeth's spine, and suddenly she was grateful she hadn't asked Hazel about whatever was on her mind earlier. Annabeth didn't want to know anymore.