Percy Jackson and the Dark Elites

XXXXXIII

Annabeth

Annabeth's body swayed with every bump of the truck. She made a conscious effort to remain still and grab nothing for support. She had just handed her and Grover over to the enemy. She needed to maintain some semblance of control. She didn't want to be seen thrashing around. 

She kept her eyes peeled on the scenery outside. She wanted to avoid eye contact, sure. But she mostly wanted to find a way back to the woods. She'd left that mysterious pearl in the woods, buried under a tree.

She didn't know what it was, but it broke her heart to part with it. It comforted her so much after Percy's cabin collapsed. It was only a cabin, but to the campers, it was so much more than that. She had spent many days searching for clues, sometimes curling up on his bed so she could smell him again. Losing his cabin was like losing a bolt hole. A safe place. 

She looked over at Octavian, he was staring intently at her, his eyes prying into her. His hand was gripping the handle and the bench for balance. He looked as intimidating as ever. Small and weak, yes. Gross? Always. But so threatening despite it all.

Annabeth wondered if she looked too uptight. Maybe it would be easier to just get a grip on the car. Or would he notice?

Judging by the fact that Annabeth herself cared so much, she figured she shouldn't change her position. 

"Why are you smiling?" Annabeth asked.

"Chaos wants to see you right away. That can only mean good things for me."

Annabeth raised her eyebrows. 

"Chaos makes people wait. But I," he smiled. "I am bringing him the one thing he can't wait for."

"Great," Annabeth said, her panic rising. She was headed straight to the most powerful being in the universe. It was fine, everything wad fine.

How was she supposed to get to Percy? She hated Chaos. He had attacked her personally so that he could get Ruin's identity. 

He would read her mind. 

Annabeth realized too late that her eyes were filling up. Chaos had been showing her detailed images of Percy every time she went to sleep. He always started with the same opening line, You didn't do what I asked. 

Then he would torture him. She couldn't stand it. Then Chaos would lock him in that box, tightening his bonds each time. Grover told her that he had been having in-body experiences of Percy's time in that box. So Percy was fighting back. Percy was using his empathy link to contact Grover.

Or... What if Chaos was letting Grover into Percy's head? What if that was a trap to lure both of them here. Grover said himself that there was something particularly strong about his recent connections with Percy. 

Too late to turn back now.

"Annabeth..."  Octavian mumbled. 

Annabeth looked up. He had a glint of sympathy in his eyes. 

Before she could stop herself, Annabeth pleaded with him. "Just let me see Percy first. Please."

He blinked. 

"Chaos won't let me go. He's been hurting Percy—just let me see him,"

"No," Octavian said, his voice low. "I can't risk you giving him—"

Annabeth stopped him. "Sorry?"

"I know you have it on you. You wouldn't let his precious soul out of your sight."