It Shouldn't Have Come to This...(Percy Joins Kronos)

Chapter 16: Talking to the Enemy

(Annabeth pov)

It had been a whole week since Tantalus became the new Camp Activities Director. Everyone at Camp hated him. He was cruel and ugly, he smelled bad, and he hated demigods. We told him the tree was dying, but he didn't care. He forced us to do chariot racing, and then when monsters broke in and ruined it, he blamed me and my brother. Clarisse and I set up a patrol every day, creating a line to watch out for any monsters that may try to attack Camp. We took rotations, and Clarisse and I were on the same rotation. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but I think that's because we both hated Tantalus more than anyone else at Camp. While Clarisse was a bully, she still cared about Camp.

Yesterday, I had gotten sliced by a monster trying to enter. Surprisingly, Clarisse came to me after that and helped to fix me up.

'I may not like you but you're one of our best fighters. We need you.' She said gruffly. I glanced up at her and smiled lightly. I could see her surprise. She had probably never had someone smile at her of all people.

I was sitting in front of the spot Delythena found me the morning of Chiron's leave. I sat there for a while, thinking of ways to escape to find the Golden Fleece. Tantalus, being the ever-annoying monster he is, told us no one could go on the quest. He stopped us from leaving, threatening us with Harpies. Mr. D wasn't any help either.

Suddenly, a shimmering image appeared in front of me. An Iris message. I wondered who would be trying to reach me, secretly hoping it was Chiron. It wasn't. It was someone who I did not want to speak to.

'Percy.'

His room was messy, and his covers weren't made. His eyes still had bags underneath them, and his hair was messier than usual. His sea-green eyes were filled with worry and he squinted at me. His face lit up when he saw me (weird, right?). My stomach twisted, but I didn't know why. I didn't want to see him, especially because I was still bitter about the time Luke and his forces came to 'rescue' him.

'Annabeth! Oh thank the go- I mean uh, I've been trying to reach you for five minutes!' He exclaimed, waving his arms wildly.

I stared into the image, bewildered. 'What- why? Also were you about to say thank the gods?'

He winced, and I saw him fidgeting with his hands. He laughed nervously. 'No. Maybe. Yes. Anyways- that doesn't matter!' I raised my eyebrows. 'Annabeth, you remember how last year I had- visions?'

I rolled my eyes. 'Well yeah, Seaweed Brain, that's practically how we found out Kronos was rising. And then you joined him.' I muttered quietly under my breath. Apparently, I wasn't quiet enough because a glimpse of guilt flashed across Percy's face.

'Okay, well I saw something about Camp. I know that the new activities director is there instead of Chiron, even though I don't know the reason- and I know the tree is dying.' He said it like this was new information to him.

'Like you didn't already know that.' I glared at him. His face grew confused.

'What- Annabeth, I promise I didn't know anything about that. I only found out because of my dreams. Listen, this might sound crazy to you, but,' he glanced at his door lowering his voice, 'I still care about Camp. I want to help you get the Golden Fleece. I-I don't want you guys to have to protect Camp yourselves.' His voice broke when he said the last sentence.

It's is probably a trick, I told myself. If he cared he wouldn't have joined Kronos. But, then I thought about it. No one else at Camp worked as well together as Percy and I did. No matter how many quarrels we had during our quest, or during Capture the Flag, we were the best team there was. Besides, I needed to save Camp.

I took a deep breath in. 'Okay, fine. What do you propose?'

His eyebrows flew up and his eyes widened. 'Well, you shold pack first. Meet me by the beach, in about,' he checked his watch, 'Twenty minutes.'

'What! Didn't you just wake up? I have to say bye to my brother!' I spluttered. He winced and gave me a guilty look. That was the second time today.

'Annabeth, we need to hurry. Luke doesn't know about this, but I don't think he would approve. Neither would your brother. Please.' I frowned at Luke's name, but for once Percy's logic actually made sense. I know Malcolm would just make things- difficult. One thing I didn't understand, though, was why he didn't tell Luke. He gave the excuse of 'he wouldn't approve', but was something else going on? I decided I would figure it out later, when I didn't have such a short time to leave.

I sighed, running my hand over my face. 'Fine. But no tricking me, or else I will break one of your bones.'

He smiled lightly. 'I wouldn't expect any less.'

The image began to flicker out.

'See you in a few minutes.' I said.

He nodded at me. 'See you.'

His face disappeared. Taking a deep breath in, I ran to my cabin, stopping before the door. Taking gentle steps, I slowly opened the old, worn door. There was a bag underneath my bed and I grabbed it before stuffing some of my clothes into it. I grabbed a small wad of cash, knowing I would need it.

I turned around to take one last look at my siblings. They all looked so peaceful, almost normal. Then, I swung my bag over my shoulder and tip-toed back out. I knew that if I didn't hurry, I would be caught. So as soon as i closed my cabin door, I ran to the beach like my life depended on it (technically, if the harpies saw me my life did depend on it).

Luckily for me, the harpies were being distracted by something. I didn't know what it was, and frankly, I didn't care as long as they stayed away from me. Standing with a sword by his side was Percy. He looked more tired than when I saw him in the Iris-message.

His face lit up with surprise. He probably thought I would not show. He tried for a smile.

'Annabeth! I'm gonna be honest, I expected you to bring everyone to take me again.' He laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand.

My eyebrows rose. If he expected that then- why did he come?

Percy Jackson will confuse me for as long as I live (though it might be a short life).

Silently, he gestured to a small boat on the water. It seemed stable, and like it would last us through some tough conditions. I nodded at it.

He held his hand out, for me to take. I felt my face grow hot, but I took it and he helped me onto the boat.

Hi! Surprise, surprise. I uploaded it in the span of a few weeks instead of months! I actually detest this chapter 🥲 it did NOT live up to my expectations... At all. Anyways, I'm actually on a plane, so if there are any mistakes, blame it on sleep deprivation. Honestly, who delays a plane for nine hours? I've been travelling for over a day now, so... I'm so tired guys 😭 Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Oh, and keep an eye out on my other stories because I might have something in store for Percabeth 👀 thank you for reading, and stay safe!

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