𝒞𝒶𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒾𝒸 | ᴘᴇʀᴄʏ ᴊᴀᴄᴋꜱᴏɴ¹

10. Rage boils as he questions, why would she do that?

•─────⋅☾ Percy's Pov☽⋅─────• 

❈ Percy and Annabeth had just made it back to camp. 

They had gone back to Hephaestus and told him what happened... Rather, Annabeth had told him what happened. It had taken about half a day, but they made it back to camp with the help of a spider from the god.

I let Annabeth climb up the ladder first before following her. Shit. How was I going to explain why Helena wasn't with us? 

Oh, yeah, by the way, about Helena, I lost her in the labyrinth not once but twice. Her siblings were going to kill me. I was sure of it.

What I couldn't understand was why? Why had Helena pushed me away? Why hadn't she trusted me enough to fight the monsters together? Why was she always sacrificing herself?

Why wasn't I strong enough to protect her?

My thoughts were cut off as I was tackled to the ground. I locked eyes with the guy above me.

Mark, son of Ares. Helena had told him in the short few days she had been at camp that Mark was her favourite. 

When I asked why, her answer was simple. He reminds me of my father.

"Where is she?" Mark growled. 

"She isn't with us," I said.

"Why isn't she here? Did you leave her in there?" Mark hissed. "I should have fucking known. I told her she shouldn't have gone after she told me about the voices but she said it would be fine."

"What voices?" I ask confused. You had never told me about any voices. Why hadn't you told me?

Mark lets go of my shirt and gets up, looking him up and down. "She didn't tell you?"

"Obviously not."

He scoffs. "The first time she fell in there with you, didn't you notice anything? Anything at all about Hels?"

"She was acting jumpy and scared but I thought it was weird but she told me it she was just spooked later on."

"I wonder why she didn't tell you." Mark muttered before clearing his throat. "She told me she heard two voices down there. A male and female. They kept asking her to join them, kept telling her that we would betray her. You specifically."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "I wouldn't do that."

Mark scoffed. "Sure... but Athena's daughter sure had no hesitation about leaving her behind. "

"Annabeth? No, she wouldn't do that."

"Wouldn't she? The male voice Hels heard. I'll give you two guesses as to who it might be."

My eyes widen. "Kronos."

Mark nods. "Kronos. Hels probably didn't know that, but Chase sure did."

"How would Annabeth -"

Mark cuts me off. "Hels told her. About the voices or part of it, at least." 

"Why would she tell Annabeth and not me? Why would Annabeth even think of leaving her behind?" 

Mark cocks his head to the side and narrows his eyes at me. "You really don't know? Huh. Hels would do anything for you, Jackson. She heard everyone talking about you. The golden boy of camp. The quests and all the other shit. She was worried about you, didn't want to burden you with anything else."

I shook my head. 

"As for Chase," Mark clenches his fist. "Keep her away from me and Clarisse. Dad visited us told us to explain why Hels was in the death maze. He was furious naturally and went on a rant about how Chase planned to have Hels separated from the group."