Percy & Annabeth

Late Wednesday Morning

Percy's POV

"Okay, we're lost."

"We are not lost, Percy. Now stop complaining."

"We've been running through these fields for over an hour. Growing up, that it what I would consider lost. And you're just mad because you don't know where we are either."

"Shut up."

I really didn't appreciate my new wife bitching at me, but I started snickering once I realized that I deserved it. Annabeth and I never had the chance to be friends where we could tease each other, so I had to get all the annoying, just-to-get-under-her-skin jokes out of my system ASAP.

At the same time, I felt a little bad knowing that she really was frustrated considering the fact that we were indeed lost. Annabeth, Thalia, and I raced into the strawberry fields and didn't stop until I felt like I was about to throw up—and we still weren't on the other side.

After another moment of silent walking, I added, "Well, you were definitely right, Thalia: these fields are plenty big."

Thalia snorted as she ducked under some crossing branches. "At least we lost that crazy cab driver. Being in the middle of nowhere might actually benefit us considering you guys have no idea what you're doing."

"You guys?" I questioned.

"You're new here too, Thals," Annabeth added. She stumbled over a root which only added to her tired, annoyed expression.

"I know, but I was actually in the city for a little while. I learned lots."

I gave her another up-down. "Clearly."

She noticed this and rolled her eyes. "There's different styles here, Percy. No one has to look a certain way like we do at home." She stopped to make a face before continuing on. "These clothes were by far the coolest and my hair was annoying anyway."

"You're crazy," Annabeth mumbled. "How did you get those clothes anyway?"

"I tried flirting with the cashier, but then he turned out to be a she."

"Oh."

"Yeah, it was weird." She made another face. "But she said that made her day so she gave me free clothes."

"So what about us?" I asked. "What are we supposed to wear? 'Cause I'm not flirting with any he-she cashier."

Thalia shrugged. "There's got to be a town somewhere close. Maybe we can go looking tomorrow."

"If we can ever get out of here," I pointed out.

She sighed. "Right. If."

The ground was dry like it hadn't rained in days—weeks maybe—, and it didn't look like that was going to change anytime soon. The sun here was a lot hotter which beat down on us and cause a small pool of sweat to build on my upper lip. Annabeth seemed to be fighting with the heat as well because I noticed her constantly working to keep her blonde curls off of her neck. Thalia seemed fine but I couldn't imagine being in all black was that comfortable either.

I was just barely able to see over the strawberry bushes if I jumped. Every time that I tried, however, it just dimmed my spirits for all I could see were more strawberry bushes. And these things were huge; I had never seen such big strawberry plants in my life. That's when a thought occurred to me.

"Hey guys," I said. "isn't it weird how well kept these plants are for no one to be here?"

Annabeth raised her eyebrow and swatted at a fly. "What do you mean?"