I'm sorry, Annabeth

Hazel XII

Hazel stared at Nico worriedly. 

"I'm sorry," Piper uttered, embarrassed. "We just wanted to know more about Percy."

Annabeth looked distraught, but she shrugged.

"I understand. It's fine. Percy would have forgiven you too if he were here."

Hazel looked down at her feet in remorse.

"Sorry." she said in a small voice.

Annabeth sighed.

"I agree with Nico, though, Chiron." Annabeth said. "The gods might help us this time."

Chiron looked away.

"Annabeth, it's not that I don't support you, but... The gods would prefer demigods to fight their own battles..."

"Yeah, yeah. We know." Piper butted in. "But since Percy is their prized hero, it's basically impossible to just ignore this. Just let Annabeth go find the gods." Piper put emphasis on her last sentence. The charm-speak was so powerful even Hazel had the urge to go and lead Annabeth to Mount Olympus. 

The charm-speak seemed to work.

Chiron looked a bit dreamy.

"Annabeth, you may go on a quest with two other demigods. Go to the gods and ask them if they are willing to help Percy." 

Annabeth nodded and left the big house. Piper followed. Hazel glanced back at the shadows.

"Nico?" 

No reply.

Most probably Nico had already shadow travelled away. 

She followed Annabeth out of the big house. 

Piper was talking to Annabeth. 

"-just wanted to tell you I don't want to come." 

Annabeth tilted her head.

"Why not?"

Piper laughed.

"I thought you would have guessed." she answered. "Find someone else that is as worried for Percy as you. And good luck on persuading the gods." she smiled and walked away. 

Hazel tapped Annabeth's shoulder.

"I agree with Piper," she said, "go and find someone that is worried about Percy."

Annabeth laughed. 

"Hazel, can you help me ask if Nico would like to come?" 

Hazel paused for a moment. 

"Why would you want Nico?"

Annabeth shrugged in reply. 

"He seems pretty worried about him." 

Hazel merely nodded and walked to the Hades cabin to find Nico. 

"Nico?" 

No answer again.

Where is he?

She ran to the forest and called out his name.