Annabeth didn't want to talk after that very much so I walked her to her cabin and handed her over to a greatly confused Malcolm. Instead of heading back to my cabin, I headed to the seashore to think. She had left me with a lot to think about. Including our own friendship. What had been up with my feelings? They had gone from anger to worry to some throbbing in my heart to concern to more anger to jealousy to I don't even know anymore.
Feeling the sand between my toes was amazing. I always felt so…so…right around water. It was a place where I really felt accepted and that nothing would hurt me. Instead of sitting in the sand like normal people would, I sat in the water, letting it drift in and out over my legs, soothing me.
When Annabeth hurt, so did I. I couldn't believe that Luke would actually do that. I mean, he always seemed to have a soft spot for her too. Part of me was proud of her for punching him, the other part worried about what she had gotten herself into. I smiled in the darkness. That was my Annabeth. Independent, strong-willed, determined, and stubborn. Luke didn't stand a chance against that girl. I still couldn't understand why Luke would've have really fought an unmatched battle. He wasn't like that. She still hadn't told me how she cleaned and healed the wounds. I didn't really think she would have told Chiron, especially when she had lied to him about her whereabouts.
Another thing that she had passed like it was unimportant: whatever Luke said about an Abyss. I wasn't exactly sure what an Abyss was, I mean I knew that it was a huge like pit or something but not how he was talking about it. Was it another Greek legend that I had just forgotten? I doubted it.
I sighed and blew my constantly growing hair out of my face. There were so many mysteries that wouldn't be solved. I guess the best thing I could do was wait and see.
*****
I was groggy when I woke the next morning. Sleep didn't really agree with me last night. I dreamed (the normal kind) about Annabeth and Luke, so naturally I had some trouble getting comfortable. Something about Luke made me even angrier now.
The sun was streaming in from the window that was facing the ocean. I sleepily pushed myself out of bed. Slowly, I changed into clothes that were generally presentable and walked out to my porch.
All around kids were rushing around, getting armour polished and swords cleaned. But, despite all of the activity, there wasn't a noise being made. I motioned for Silena Beauregard, who was hurrying by with about five swords, over to me.
"What's going on exactly?" I whispered as she leaned in to hear me.
"Chiron discovered a new threat that the Titan army will try to use against us," she said so quietly I had to lip read to fully hear her. "He wants us to prepare camp in case they've already found it. I think he's going to send out a quest." She bit her lip with a worried face slightly marring her beautiful features. "So I might as well say good-bye to you now Percy since you and Annabeth are the most experienced questers. Give Annabeth my luck," Then she was off, going to ready more weapons. Huh, that was interesting. I stepped off my porch and jogged to the Athena cabin to see if Annabeth was up yet.
Malcolm answered the door and when he saw it was me, the look of hostility that grew on his face made me flinch.
"Hey Malcolm," I said uneasily," Is Annabeth up yet?"
"Why do you care?" he asked glaring.
"Uh, because she's my friend."
"Well it didn't seem like it last night."
"Malcolm that wasn't my fault," I explained, understanding where the unfriendliness was coming from. "We were talking about Luke." I thought I saw a flitting of understanding cross his face, but then his expression turned to suspicion.
"How do I know you're not lying?" he asked with a frown.
"Ask her yourself," I suggested, motioning to the room beyond the door. He shut the door in my face, only for it to open a minute later when Annabeth came barreling out towards me. I smirked at Malcolm as Annabeth grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the dining pavilion.
"We've got to hurry," she said, not wanting to meet my eye. "Chiron's going to start any minute."
"Hold on," I said and pulled her to a stop beside me. The other demigods rushing by whirled around us, leaving is in an unmoving island. Those who knew us watched with little secretive smiles as I pulled her aside, as if they knew something while the newer children of the gods just looked interested. They had already heard about a quest and the legendary daughter of Athena and son of Poseidon that had the best chance of going on it. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," she said hurriedly looking at the pavilion. Than noticing my concerned face she smiled lightly and gently said," I'm really okay. We can talk about it later, if you really want. Now come on." With that she dragged me, literally, to the dining area.
*****
"Camper's, I have some grave news," Chiron's voice boomed around me, filling the pavilion with its strength. "Our spies have recently found that there's a place where, anyone really, can go and it will provide them with source of energy and strength. It's kind of like a Golden Fleece that takes awhile for its effects to wear off. It could be a valuable source to whoever holds it. Right now, it is said that that the Titan's army is trying to find it and already have a good head start." The air seemed as if everyone was holding their breath." So naturally, we're going to try and find it also." He concluded.
"Chiron," Clarisses's voice cut through," What is this place called?" I hadn't even noticed that she had returned to camp yet.
"It is called The Abyss," Chiron said gravely, looking at Annabeth as if he knew she had heard the name before.
As Annabeth shot me a look I didn't want to see, there was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. This meant our job was not done yet. The Titans would kill to have that under their control, literally. They were going to send their best to capture it. That could only mean Luke was going after it and we were going to have to fight him for it. Again.
